Fishing from the shoreline is one of my favorite pastimes. I can be with friends or I can be by myself. Both situations can be equally enjoyable.
Fishing gives you time for reflection and otherwise lets your mind wander. How far it goes is up to you. It can be amazing what crosses one’s mind during fishing excursions so I am going to share some of my cerebral ramblings with you:
- A lure is a lure is a lure. Is it not? That is the question. Is it a lure or allure that causes a fish to attack? Scent, colour, size and movement all garner a fish’s attention. My heavy footsteps and tripping over rocks while wading also gets their attention…
- If parched, do not drink from the river water. It contains ugly little things that may cause you copious amounts of anal leakage. However in order to remain hydrated, some people say that pure water flavoured with some grains of the field does the trick. All in moderation say the experts.
- With so many choices of colours and styles of lures, how does an angler choose an effective lure for that particular time and place? Did I bring enough tackle? (You can never have enough tackle in my mind.) Maybe I should follow my wife’s advice and just “Pick out the pretty ones”.
- The easiest way to choose a lure is to watch what other successful fishing nuts, er…experts, are using and copy them. Yes, it does work – sometimes. This brings to mind the old slogan – “Born to fish. Not to catch.”
- River water in the Spring can be cold and fast flowing. It is a no brainer to be careful while wading. This is said not from experience but from close encounters of the wet kind.
- It is also wise to check your waders for leaks before going fishing. Wet feet do not promote a good fishing experience. Either do the comments and/ or laughter caused by a wet crotch or seat of one’s pants. Friends and strangers can be counted on to add to an embarrassing situation. You know I’m right.
- Talking to the fish that are still swimming in the river is completely normal. I think. It may raise the eye brows of newbies but those who have been fishing for a period of time just smile and nod knowingly.
- The heron down the river from me is catching more fish than I am. What’s his secret?
- I sometimes think of the cost of fishing. One year while I was on the shoreline, I figured out that it cost me $78.00 a fish (approximately) that year. It is a good thing that I did not catch more fish or I’d be broke. It would be cheaper to buy them at the grocery store but where’s the fun in that?
- What type of story should I make up today in case I do not catch anything? I may leave this to think about later but the ones about stick fish or the strength of the river bed monsters are always a source of inspiration.
- Where are all those canoes coming from? Don’t they know I’m fishing here???
- 12. Hey! Is that guy using pop (?) cans to measure the length of the fish he just caught???
- 13. Am I having a good time? Yes, I think I am. Yes… I know I am. The fish are being kind to me today. At least no one is telling me it’s time to go. Darn, why did I think about having to “go”?