First Catch of the year! May 3, 2009

After fishing the local ponds, and even Wolf Lake, since January, I have finally caught fish! One begins to forget what it feels like to get a bite. The definitive tug-tug. The desparate yank on the rod, often more of a reflex than anything else. The adrenaline rush. Uncle Mike and Karen invited us to his place last Sunday (5.3.09). Uncle Ron and Aunt Marka were there as well as Shane, Kim, Lance, Caleb, and several large brown dogs, and one small, but mighty Jack Russell.

After a giantic lunch, we all headed to his pond. I bravely tried out my bait caster rigged with a minnow-like lure with a yellow jig. I set it up using the "Zack rig" of Lake Gogebic fame.

I located a spot with a lot of weedy structure, and after a few panicky minutes (what if I never catch a fish again? have I lost it? why am I like this?), I caught a smallish Largemouth! I moved over a little bit, and caught a Crappie with sharp fins! Then another Crappie. This one hit on the drop, and fell off the hook at my feet. He flopped his way back into the pond, before I could grab him. I moved a little bit, and started pitching into a likely hole, just outside of the weeds. I could feel the nibbles, but no bites.

Then wham, a good sized 3 lb Largemouth! Much splashing! I had trouble reeling him in, thru the weed cover, the rod was bent double. I heaved up and got him to me. Nice size, maybe 18in. While removing the hook (had to use my pliers), I stuck my finger, and got blood on the rod's handle (badge of honor). This fish had teeth, and my left thumb got scraped where I lipped him. What fun!

I finished up with another Crappie. This is the first time I've caught anything on my bait caster.

Back at the house we had a delicious dessert, and a libation. (How does Karen do all this?) Off to the pole barn, Uncle Mike gave me some lures that he had overstocked on, including my first Mepps!

Thanks for inviting us!

Fish count: 3 Crappie, 2 Largemouth.