Fishing is much more than fish. It is the great occasion when we may return to the fine simplicity of our forefathers. ~ Herbert Hoover
So I did go fishing today and had a wonderful time. I have had a lot of stress lately and this is one of the ways that I relax. It is nice to spend time with nature and also see how beautiful things are once you take the time to enjoy them. I think it has to do with getting away to enjoy the simple things in life with others. It helps one to appreciate the basics. Just finding joy in slinging a rod and reel, even though it may get stuck in the logs or trees, can be therapeutic. I learned this from various family members in my lifetime, who took the time to take me- a girl of all things- fishing. I learned to know the difference between a large and small mouthed bass, that crappies (no matter how ugly) can be decent eatin' if you don't mind having to fish a ton. I also learned that bluegills can get as big as your head, and the little ones can make good pets if you remember to feed them. Sunnies are fun to fish for too. They, along with bluegills, LOVE live bait... Preferably worms. I was the kid that loved to bait her own hook, but did have an issue with actually removing the hook from the fish's mouth. I am not sure what my hang-up was with it as a kid, but I literally had to overcome it as an adult when I was in college. Fishing teaches persistence and patience (which I sometimes am lacking), but the end result (even if you don't get a single bite), is worth it!
When I lived in Minnesota, I used to live near Bald Eagle Lake, in White Bear Township. I had a "special" favorite spot, that I would go fishing in pretty much every time I got a chance. I would literally thrown my line in and *poof*, I had a fish in a matter of seconds! It was a great spot and I always caught my limit immediately. However, since I like to fish, I have been known to throw a few smaller ones back in an effort to get a "bigger one". There was a point and time where my freezer was filled with good eating. Once Winter came, I would go out on the ice and set up tip ups for walleye. Use the auger and drill a hole in the ice inside of the portable ice shack I once had. I will say that I am a big baby about the cold, so I do require a propane heater. Before you laugh, I was NOT born in the frozen tundra... I'm a Southern girl, who still wonders why people are so excited to fish on the ice. Not that I don't do it, but I still remember my first time ice fishing. The lake was creaking and groaning and I was certain that I was surely going to fall in. Funny thing is that last Winter, where I used to fish, some cars DID go through the ice. So it IS possible!
Few people know this side of me. I guess it is because I have kept it as more of a personal part of myself. Growing up, we would "hunt" crawfish and go catfishin'. You aren't a real catfisher, until you had one nail you in the hand or foot! I don't care if people think that they are bottom feeders or not. They are great rolled in cornmeal batter and fried. Then you serve them with hush puppies, slaw, and a HUGE glass of iced tea (Sweet Tea for you Northerners). My dad used to spend time in the canoe that he made, and go catfishin' and other fishing when we were kids. I always looked forward to what he brought home, because my mother could make anything he caught taste good!
Anyway, back to fishing. My next endeavor is getting Chloe a rod and reel and taking her out on Lake Pepin this summer. We have a fifth wheel down at Pepin Campground, real close to the lake. I hope that even though most people aren't used to a mother teaching her daughter how to fish, that I can teach her enough so that she becomes a good fisherwoman. If anything, I hope she develops enough skill to be able to enjoy fishing as much as I do. Maybe as she gets older like me, she will be able to find it to be as therapeutic and relaxing as much as I do. I also hope that she takes the time to listen to the world around her as she sits and waits for the, "big one".
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