Quality time
The last couple of weeks I was blessed with a few real quality fishing outings. Again, it was the people that made it real, and here’s one of them.
Pete was a gentleman who hadn’t fished since he was much younger and now that he’s nearing retirement he wanted to rekindle it. “About time”, I said. He agreed. He wanted to spin fish in kayaks, and as I explained how we did it with circle hooks for the 96% lip hook rate, he ate it up. It was just what he was looking for. He wanted minimal impact on the environment like most of us now days. We launched the kayaks with wheels strapped to the bows, and slid out into the water.
At the first pool, we positioned the kayaks and set the Stinger Anchors down. Though getting used to the gentle circle hook set is difficult, it wasn’t long before he was into a couple of rock bass, his first with small plastics and circle hooks. He was elated to have hooked up after a few misses. “Hey, I can move you back over to J hooks if you want to hook more fish, but we’d risk some throat hooks”, I said.
“No way” came the response. “Part of why I’m out here is to learn”, he went on. “Catching fish is secondary”. What a blessing to fish with such an easy going guy.
As my client fished, I could tell he was relaxing and just enjoying himself. I put my feet out on both sides of the kayak and found myself staring into the water. Tough personal times had set in yet again, and it felt good just to hear the sound of a small waterfall close by, smell the semi-pungent water, and feel the cool evening air with the river gently rocking my kayak as I stared into it’s crystal clear waters, looking for something. It was there, like it usually is. “You’re alright, man”, I said to myself. “Just give yourself some time”.
We floated and stung down the river with the current and he had a ball. I know this is going to sound like an advertisement, but on the way down the river my client was so impressed with the Stinger’s anchoring he turned around, looked at it, and said “where have you been all my life”? Wow was that great to hear.
No we didn’t catch alot of fish, but I have to agree there’s just something a little more rewarding catching them on the circle hook because it’s just a little harder. There’s also something rewarding about seeing that hook…harmlessly in the corner of the mouth. I just love that, it’s the first thing I look for whenever the fish comes into view.
Darkness settled in, we pulled up Stingers, and paddled down to the take out. In minutes we had the wheels on the kayaks and had walked them back to the car. My client thanked me profusely, for which I returned the thanks as he had been a fine gentleman to guide and fish with.
He left, and as is tradition, I sat on the tailgate of my explorer, quenched my thirst and noticed the moon had risen full. The cool, almost cold night air felt silky smooth on my previously sweat soaked skin. It was quiet. Oh, how I wanted to just sit there, be a nobody, and feel that way for a long, long, time.
