Off to a slow start, but it’s a start.
With the rain we had I didn’t even expect to get in the water let alone fish it. The creek of choice was still blown out, that one has a gauge, but history was telling me the other creek may not be bad.
It wasn’t. Up a couple of inches, but running crystal clear.
Went 3/6 on smallies. Foul hooked a couple of carp or suckers, but luckily they self released.
When I got there, a few kids were killing carp and suckers with bows. I’ll never understand that unless you’re eating them. Talked to one of them. They haul all the dead ones away like you’re supposed to, but the whole process just doesn’t make any sense. I could see killing off carp, but suckers?
Other than the killing, I was impressed with the one I talked to the most and his knowledge of creeks, fish runs and he keeps track of similar records as I do. We compared notes on fish catches and kills from the previous two years. His count last year was down over 75 percent from the year before that. I mentioned the brutal winter we had and the fish kills I saw. Was like watching a light bulb go off over his head and he asked more questions along those lines.
As I said, I was impressed.
Luckily they left as I was getting in the water and I had the whole place to myself for an hour and a half.
I needed that.
Out wandering around in the woods, or this time of year, wandering and fishing creeks, is the only way I know how to relax. I can sit all I want, read all I want, if I had a hot tub I could soak in it all I want, but nothing beats wandering down a creek, doing a little fishing and staring off into space. As well as letting my mind go along with the stare.
The fish were pretty much in one spot, so I stood pretty much in one spot and took a picture of the sunset over the creek every few minutes.
I look at them now and they are a bit repetitive, but then, I guess, that’s a sunset.
That slow decent below the horizon with a slight variation in light and color as it goes.
Just enough to keep you standing there watching the whole time.
Jim McClellan
16 Apr 2015Gorgeous photos of the sunset, Ken! We haven’t seen the sun down here in several days, so I’m glad to know it’s still there. I share your longing for solitude, especially when I’m fishing. Hell really is other people . . . talking while you’re trying to fish.
Ken G
17 Apr 2015The colors have been nice Jim, but there’s always one little cloud that gets in the way to keep it from lighting up the whole sky.
I’ve noticed when out fishing with others my standard reply to their remarks is “hunh?”.
Gramps (Mel)
16 Apr 2015Slow start is all a relevant term. You got out fishing. You hooked some Smallies. You took some very nice pictures. Thanks for sharing! I do love me some Smallmouth on the end of my line………………………
Ken G
17 Apr 2015Two of the three were your standard 12 inchers Mel. The beauty of smallies is their sheer power. Even the little ones just don’t quit. The bite had died by the time the sun was setting, but I didn’t see any point in leaving.
Howard Levett
16 Apr 2015I think we’d get along really well Ken. I feel the same way about my alone time. I prefer to spend it totally alone without interruption. I guess we would get along well…from a distance.
Ken G
17 Apr 2015I’ve always been aware of how as guys age, they need the alone time. Seems to be a common theme.
We’d be good Howard, go fish, come back to chat, go back to fishing. That’s the way it should be.
walt
17 Apr 2015I agree, Ken, nothing brings on that awesome sunset mood like a quiet ramble along a creek!
Ken G
17 Apr 2015I do all my reading on my breaks at work Walt and it won’t let me comment on most blogs. I don’t seem to have much time at home any more, especially with fishing kicking in. I read all your little creek posts. I wish we had some of those small rocky waterfalls you have out your way. Riffles are nice, but I’d love to hear water over even a little fall.
Tim Silva
17 Apr 2015Ken,
Killer post (no pun intended).
I too share the love of solitude when fishing, probably as much of the appeal as to the actual fishing! Provides the opportunity to “stop the world”.
Once many moons ago I took a young man fishing for his first time and he was a real motor mouth. I remember telling him, a big part of fishing is quiet and reflection. He didn’t get it and continued his inane chatter the entire session. Miserable time despite successful fishing.
Tight lines,
Tim
Ken G
17 Apr 2015There’s nothing worse than a fish tugging on the end of your line to bring you back to the real world Tim. I’ve always liked my solitude and quiet and even more so now that I work in an open office that never goes quiet. After 8 hours of that, I’m done with talk.
Years ago, Bob Long and I gave a tour of the Fox River to a well know smallie guide from another state. He talked non-stop for over 8 hours. Wading across the river at the end of the day, Bob and I were ahead of him while he continued talking to our backs.
Bob leaned over and said… you knock him down in the water and I’ll sit on his head.
Richard Velders
17 Apr 2015I certainly appreciate quiet time on the water. The White Bass were busy biting on the Vermillion on Wednesday so it wasn’t quite as quiet. I was on 56 and seeing the same sunset. Almost hopped out of the car for some pics but had to get the wife home. If you want to get out soon, I promise to be quiet. Dick
Ken G
17 Apr 2015Been checking out more than fishing the creeks Dick. Looks like it’s time to settle on a couple of them to fish. I’ll let you know when things are good down the street from you. Maybe do a mini Death March back there. I promise to get you home safely.