Losing a Catch After Its Caught!

Part 1: Fishing in December?

More of this Feature • Part 1: Fish in December? • Part 2: Great Fishing, Then They Are Gone • Part 3: Weather Changes Almost Ruin Day  Join the Discussion "This reminded me of the time I had a six pound cat on a metal stringer out on the end of the dock.  I picked it up to show it off and the cat flipped, the clip opened, and I lost it. Have you ever lost a fish after landing it?" Ronnie  Past "Fishtales" • One Year Ago - 12/4/00 - The Storm, Dangerous Fishing Two Years Ago - 12/13/99 - Grandfather's Fishing Tips Three Years Ago - 12/14/98 - Fish Attractants Four Years Ago - 12/08/97 - Bass Bait   Related Resources  • Picture of Fritz's Fishing Hole • Fritz' Cat • Fritz's Biggest Bass - at one time!

by Fritz Nordengren
Producer - Co Founder
New Media for Non Profits
www.nmnp.org

It's December 5th in central Iowa.

This time of year, we could have snow on the ground, and the temps should generally be below freezing. But this morning, after the 3rd perfect sunrise in a row, the weather station said the temp was over 60 and heading for 70. 70, in December, in Iowa? Well, that calls for a little fishing.

I've washed and cleaned the boat "for the season" twice now, and after today, I've taken it out on the water 3 more times. As I got the kids ready for school, I heard the wind blow from outside. That's usually not a good sign, and when I checked the weather station, sure enough, 20 + mph winds forecast all day. Drat. That will blow my little boat all over.

But, wait?

The winds are out of the south. If I go to the gravel pit, the brush pile at the beaver lodge is at the south end in a protected cove. (picture of fishing hole)  If I can get the boat there, I can fish in the calm. When I'm done, the south wind can push me back to the dock.

I drop off the kids, load up the boat and head to the lake. I head off to the south end, taking 45 minutes to make a trip that usually takes less than 10. There are no whitecaps on the water, but they are close to forming.

When I finally get to the spot, the wind is still strong out of the south, but the area around the brush pile has a few ripple-like waves. I slide the boat onto the brush that sticks out of the water and use it to anchor me in place. I remember I didn't charge the battery after yesterday's 3 hour trip. But I have enough to get home. The wind will carry me.

 I drop a small blue and white jig down 4 feet into the water and watch as the bobber goes down almost immediately. A nice white crappie comes out of the water on the end of my line. I reach for my "keep bag" a trick I learned here on About. It's a mesh laundry bag I use to keep the fish I want to keep. I close the top, tie it to the side of the boat, and set it over the side.

Next page > Part 2 - Weather Disaster Almost Ruins Day > Page 1, 2, 3

Previous Fishtales

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