When investigating new waters, look for access to the water and parking availability. travel to the access points you have selected for your scouting mission. Before disembarking, consider where you want to stop for lunch. Focusing on other important aspects of the fishing experience will benefit future enjoyment. Be on the lookout for public restrooms and the size of the parking lot. Is the parking lot muddy or surrounded by any nefarious looking ditches? Pay attention to your surroundings and do not be afraid to take notes on the side of your map printouts. Look at the printouts and consider walking to unexplored bends in the stream or locations where a road used to cross. Your basic goal is to walk to interesting locales you have not previously explored. When you have completed your walk, mentally review what you observed. Would you go back there? Was the spot relatively easy to get to? Did you have to hike into this access point? How long did it take? Sometimes, simply eyeballing the parking lot and path to the creek can tell you a lot. Maintain positivity when unfavorable fishing conditions arise. Instead, try to salvage the day by investigating potential new fishing spots. Grab a map and pick out creeks or rivers of interest. Remember, today is a day for learning. Can you park easily and safely? Is it easy to get down into the water with the conditions? A good day scouting for fishing spots is not the same as fishing, but it sure beats staying inside. If weather conditions are not suitable, get on PFBC's website and start investigating maps of access points and go explore. While scouting, pay attention to your surroundings and take notes. For maps of access points: FishandBoat.com January/February 2023 31http://FishandBoat.com