Pat invited me to go fishing with him on a river herein named "secret river", so as not to disclose it's true identity, and thus attract hordes of anglers.
We were on the river at 10am, and you'd think you were in Kentucky. This day, we owned it. Pat got his 6 tourney rods set up, up front, 3 port, and 3 starboard, and looking ready to go. He set me up with a spinner bait, which being a newbie, I have not really fished with before. I decided to mainly use my baitcaster, and had just developed a two-hand cast.
To say that Pat's boat is really a rocket is an understatement. When he quietly said "hold on to you hat", I knew he was going to punch it. And did he ever. Blasting down a river in his boat is like riding on a motorcycle on water. Unreality set in, and the river banks flew past as if in a dream world. I could feel my face being flattened out like those old films of Astronauts training on the giant spinning centrifuge.
Quickly getting to our starting point, we began testing the lily pads and weeds for fish. We were fishing quickly, working the banks. 3 or 4 casts, and then move on, looking for action. Pat missed a big one, but that told us that there were fish to be had. Up the river. Pat has a beautiful cast, precise, and quick. I clumsily try to imitate, but I need a lot of work..someday..
Pat grabs a fish and set's the hook so hard that the fish flips overhead, comes off, and drops in an arc on the other side of the boat. I can hear the fish say "What just happened?". I cast at the disappearing ripple, just in case.
He carries pop tarts for emergency food, and offers me one. It is delicious! Once you're on the hunt for fish, there's no stopping for food. Suddenly the wind changes, and Pat gets an idea. We re-visit banks down the river, and Pat starts catching largemouth! Nice 10-12 inchers. Nothing for me yet, but I'm getting twitchy. ("Was that a Bite?").
Before long, we came along a backyard with a kid sitting on his pier. Lots of weeds and lily pads. We talk to the kid, but are fishing his pier. Pat nails 2 good ones.
Without knowing it, I have set the hook, and dragged out a good fat river largemouth!
My first fish this year! A beauty.
Life is good!
Pat ended up with 8 largemouth, and I got my one.
Thanks again to Pat Renwick for a great day on "Secret River".
