Why in the hell do I have a more than slight addiction to casting a fly into the water and waiting for a fish to grab it?
This morning it was largemouth bass by way of foam popper, casted ever-so-accurately (at times) into openings between cattails and moss beds in one foot of water. After landing the cast in the Weber grill-sized plot, twitching it a time or two, I found my aqua-suspended knees buckling at the sight of a large, strong swirl inhaling the green, frog-like fly. My float tube suddenly pivots, shucks, and jives. Luckily, I'm able to get the bass out of the reeds and into open water...at which point she decides to dive to the bottom. My knots are tight, my six weight is doubled over, and my reel is earning its $275 price tag. I bring her up to the surface after a formidable fight, lip her, and nod in appreciation. Now, as I sit here writing and remembering, I get extreme satisfaction in not only the visualization and muscle memory of hooking, fighting, and landing said largemouth bass, but seeing her swim back into the clear lake bottom. Over the years I've gained greater appreciation for the fish that I catch, and enjoy watching them swim away after a fight. I'll still fry up a mess of crappie fillets though, mind you. I like to fish. I always have. I don't necessarily know why, other than what I've just laid out in text above. Aside from my adult-type responsibilities like being a father, earning a living, and what not, thoughts and daydreams about fishing are at the top of the brain pool, except for maybe boobs. Fishing or boobs...it's close. Even as I sit here, sipping my brown liquor, I can't help but think of how to "perfect" my craft. And I've got a long way to go. But I've decided that since fly angling is what I like most, for the most part, I had might as well become as expert as I can. You'll never be an expert in fishing, but I think I might like trying to get as close as I can. Like I said, I've got a ways to go. It's gratifying to be good at something. And although there are a million folks better than me at fishing, it is still fun to keep filling my brain with tactics, knowledge, and experiences. Because I will never get that chance with boobs. //re.
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AuthorI am Earl. Archives
May 2024
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