This month I usually give my spring fishing and turkey hunting report, but frankly it’s “not much to write home about”. The few times I went trout fishing weren’t very productive. Unlike last year the streams were flowing pretty well so I was expecting better fishing. I usually pick a stretch of water and just enjoy the day, but it’s hard to do that if I’m not convinced there is anything in the river to catch. I’m sure it had a lot to do with my frame of mind. Or maybe my expectations are too high.
Not only that, but I was having trouble with my fishing reel. Every other throw would produce a tangle. And not just any tangle. The line would twist and make knots and wrap totally around the reel and handle. What a mess! The same thing happened with my new bass fishing reel. Tangles happen on occasion but this was getting frustrating. And I had just put new line on both.
Maybe that was the problem? I couldn’t find the fishing line I wanted at Walmart so decided to order it online. It’s hard to believe that I got a bad lot of fishing line. It was a brand name and from a good source. Most likely it got twisted when I transferred it from the spool to my spin cast reels. Regardless something wasn’t right, so I bought new line and tried again. I couldn’t help but notice that even as I pulled the old line off the reel it tangled and felt stiff. I have only made one short trout fishing excursion since I put on the new line but my reel seems to cast much better. On the bright side, I did manage to catch a small bass on the new rod and reel I got for Christmas, despite all the tangles.
Another thing I did this spring was buy a proper life vest to use when I’m in a boat bass fishing. It had been on my mind for a while. I can swim but I don’t have the stamina I used too, and I know I would cramp-up in a heartbeat if I fell in the water. Especially if in heavy clothes and cold water. A good friend of mine nearly drown this spring. It was a miracle from God that he is still with us, and I want to be around for a while longer myself.
My turkey hunting didn’t go any better than my fishing. But then I put in even less effort. I took a few drives back over Gauley Ridge and the powerline road but only heard one gobble. Incidents keep happening that make me very aware of my limitations. Maybe I’ll write about them another day.
My ramblings weren’t very positive this month. Not one of my better springs. In the words of the great prophet Hee Haw…
Gloom, despair and agony on me,
Deep dark depression, excessive misery,
If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all,
Gloom, despair and agony on me.
R.D. (Eeyore) Cullers
Graduate of Bergton Elementary (Class of ’65)
