Galena September 2007

We met with the McKays on Sept. 14th at Bass Pro Shop, in Bollingbrook, to buy fishing tackle and a tackle box for us. First, we had a great dinner at the Islamarada restaurant next to Bass Pro Shop, and then we went on a buying spree!

On the following weekend, we went to Galena and had our second fishing trip. Ron spent a lot of time instructing me about tying knots, and added several items of his own to my tackle box, including 4 old lures that belonged to his Dad. He made me promise to use them when I went fishing! Again, thanks for the honor!

Fishing wasn't so good except for Pat, who as usual, just caught fish! Finally, on the way back to the pier, we landed in a cove that actually had hungry fish in it. So we began to catch mostly crappie and sun fish, and I caught another large-mouthed bass. I had some trouble de-hooking it, but Ron helped out! By now, I was able to bait Pat's and my hooks with grubs and worms.

Once again, a great and memorable weekend, that now included fishing!

Cabela's Grand Opening

At last, Cabela opened a store in Hammond, Indiana! Until recently, I would have cared less, but now that I have been hooked on fishing, I couldn't wait. I received an invitation to attend the pre-opening ceremonies, so I asked Ron to go with me.
There was food, wine, a small combo, and plenty to look at and buy! Ron and I bought more fishing gear. I bought a middle weight rod and reel (without line on it), an ugly stick, and an ice fishing rod.

We enjoyed the shopping, but must admit that the aquarium at Bass Pro Shops is more impressive that at Cabela's.

Pat and I catch our first fish of our lives!

June 23-25, 2007.

Suddenly and unexpectedly arriving at the age of 65, I finally have discovered the fine art of fishing! It's been on my life-list of things-to-do, and at the suggestion of my wife, I decided that now is the time. While we have visited our friends Ron and Kathy's lovely home in Galena several times, Pat and I were non-fisherpeople, so we never fished. This changed in June. Pat and I got licenses, and we took to the lake. Being a city "kid", I've never gone fishing, so worms, hooks, fish were all strange things to me! Until this trip, I had never voluntarily touched a worm. (Hey, I'm a programmer - I do code, not worms!).

Watch out fish, here we come! Pat and I spent the weekend with Ron and Kathy in Galena and with Ron's and Kathy's careful instruction, we learned how to cast and catch fish. I bought a license for myself for our Saturday fishing. Pat had so much fun taking pictures of Ron and me fishing ! I went on-line and got a license for Pat for our Sunday and Monday adventures. Ron's blog is:
http://www.ronknows.com/

My first fish was a crappie, and I didn't now how to bring it in, or handle it. In a short while, I caught a large-mouth bass. Ron showed me how to hold it. His advice was to hold it by his lower lip with my thumb, and he showed me how to remove the hook.

We were having a great day. Sun fish, crappie, and large-mouth bass. We were using a plastic red worm for bait. At first, my casting was not good, because I was trying to throw the line. Once the cast was underway, there was no telling where the hook was going to land.

Ron let me use a great fishing rod, that I noticed had a special feel to it. It was an old rod, and I asked him about it. It was his late father's! (Thanks Ron - it was an honor.)

The next day, Pat, armed with her new fishing license, began fishing with one of Kathy's fishing rods. Right away, she began catching fish, using the plastic red worm! By now, I was able to dip my hand in the water, and remove the hook from the fish. It was all catch and release.

We had a great weekend. Among the four of us, we probably caught nearly 100 fish over the three days of fishing.

Check out our pictures at http://www.computerprofessionals.com/fishpix/index.htm