1. Ability to target a fish that doesn't come easily to hand and takes a skilled presentation to hook.
2. Preferably on a river, salt is fun, lakes are okay, but kinda blah
3. Preferably without lots of traffic on said water body ...solitude is best
4. If im targeting coho, springer, summer run, sockeye then it's an added bonus if I can keep some, but not required. Bottom fish I better get some fillets.
5. Whitewater or at least something technical always adds to a good day
6. Out of cell range is even better (wife can't call) and ask when I'll be home
7. Scenery, weather, location, good company, and tasty beverages also add to a good day
8. Ability to fish home river (closed puget sound rivers) in jan, feb,March regardless of whether I caught a dolly, cutthroat, whitefish, steelhead, or nothing, because it's close to home and I don't have to drive 4 hours to rivers that have become over crowded with anglers like myself just seeking the opportunity to wet a line!