Sep 22, 2001 12:57 PM
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Some of my happiest childhood memories are of going fishing on the banks of the Sunflower River with my grandfather, Pa. We'd get everything ready to go and loaded in the car the night before. After awakening early the next morning, we'd fix a light lunch of bologna sandwiches, chips, and cokes, and head to the river!
The weather always seemed to be perfect, and the fish were always biting. Nothing could compare to the exhilaration of watching your cork go under the water and feeling a fish snatch on your line.
Several hours later, at the end of the day, we would head home, tired, but happy, and with a bucket full of bream and catfish.
Since I enjoyed that so much, and have so many happy memories about it, I wanted to share that experience with my young cousins, Alyssa and Vicky. So one evening I invited them both to spend the night with me.
Of course I had visions of the perfect days like Pa and I used to have. Did I ever get a wake-up call! Here are the events as they happened.
Friday
6:00 p.m. - Put new lines, hooks, weights, corks, etc. on the poles and rods.
7:00 p.m. - Cast rod and reel for practice and to check line.
7:01 p.m. - Watch weight fly through the air, and keep going, realizing I forgot to tie the line to the reel.
7:02 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - Hunt unsuccessfully in bean field for line and weights.
7:45 p.m. - Re-string rod and reel.
8:00 p.m. - Place all fishing gear neatly on front porch, ready for morning.
8:15 p.m. - Chase neighbor's dog down the street to retrieve fish net.
9:30 p.m. - Go to bed. Time to get a good night's sleep for tomorrow!
Saturday
7:00 a.m. - Wake up the girls.
7:05 a.m. - Referee fight about who is going to wear which hat.
7:20 a.m. - Arrive at river.
7:21 a.m. - Give strict instructions to girls to stay out of the water.
7:21 a.m. - Go back home to retrieve tackle box off of front porch.
7:30 a.m. - Arrive at river AGAIN. Proceed walking down river bank.
7:35 a.m. - Run full speed down river bank, slapping fire ants off your legs as you run.
7:40 a.m. - Finally arrive at river. Notice the girls aren't with you.
7:45 a.m. - Walk back up bank and untangle the girls and their poles from brush.
8:00 a.m. - Again give strict instructions to girls to stay out of the water.
8:10 a.m. - Finally get girls situated with poles in water.
8:13 a.m. - Observe girls quickly lose interest.
8:15 a.m. - Attempt to watch all three poles while at the same time watching the girls walk down the river bank to collect mussel shells.
8:30 a.m. - Again give strict instructions to girls to stay out of the water.
8:45 a.m. - Break line trying to unsnag hook from underwater tree.
8:50 a.m. - Get pole back in water.
8:51 a.m. - Throw down poles and run down riverbank to drag girls out of river.
9:00 a.m. - Return to spot on bank to see pole floating down river.
9:01 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. - Listen to girls whine about being hot, tired and hungry.
9:31 a.m. - Start gathering up gear.
9:45 a.m. - Begin walking back up river bank to the road.
9:47 a.m. - Notice tackle box is much heavier than it was on the way down.
9:48 a.m. - Take mussel shells out of tacklebox and throw them away.
9:50 a.m. - Begin running uphill, slapping fireants off legs.
9:55 a.m. - Arrive at car, and vow to NEVER go fishing again.
10:05 a.m. - Apply Calamine lotion, and Neosporin to my arms and legs, followed by two extra strength Tylenol.
I think from now on, I'll just stick to my memories.
All kidding aside, there are some things you can do to help ensure your trip is enjoyable, even if the fish aren't biting!
Have your tackle box ready with the following items:
A wide selection of hooks
Corks and bobbers
Weights
Extra Line
Swivels, beads, spinners, etc.
Fish stringer
Pocket knife
Pliers
Gloves
Necessities
Something cool to drink
An ice chest
Life jackets
Sunblock
Small First Aid Kit
Insect repellant
Extra gasoline (if fishing by boat)
Large net with handle
Fishing License
Make sure you have your fishing license and that it is valid. If you do not have a valid license, you are risking a hefty fine.
Prepare!
When possible, visit the spot you will be fishing before your trip. Take note of how easy it is to access, if it is shaded, and if there will be enough room to fish comfortably or put your boat in the water. Make sure that is not posted or private property.
Gather all of your gear and have it ready the night before you are to go. Check and double check that you are not forgetting anything.
Get the gossip
Talk to others who have been fishing lately. Find out what the fish are biting, what time of day, and how deep they are fishing.
Know what you are doing!
Honestly, you can't expect to just throw your line in the water and catch fish. If your pole is not outfitted properly, you won't have much success. Read books. Ask. Learn how to rig a pole the right way, and the proper way to attach the type of bait you are using to your hook.
Happy Fishing!
