A BEAUTIFUL WINTER BASS

On Saturday, March 21st, 2009 I packed up some of my favorite microbrew beer (I happen to like Cutthroat Ale), a journeyman’s lunch, a few cigars, the obligatory single malt scotch in my flask, and my favorite bass fly box. I loaded the car with my gear and snuck off to my favorite super secret bass pond (might be a lake, might be a pond…not sure which, but I do know I had it all to myself). The significance of this day was the last day of winter. Sunday would officially ring in spring (which I was desperately longing for) and I was fishing on the final day of this winter season…and for largemouth bass no less. I was reaching the outer edge of my winter blahs and felt like if I didn’t get out, my chest might explode (or implode…not sure which). If one of those two things did not occur, I was fairly certain that my better half might find a way to dispose of me. The last thing I heard before the door hit me on the bumper was “out you go, old codger!” Let’s just say I wasn’t experiencing a warm, fuzzy feeling inside.

The weather was crisp and cool and the morning brought a cloudy sky. On the way to the water, I saw lots of worm and bait fisherman out (getting their bass the easy way…I was going to earn mine!). As the day went on, cloudy gave way to a high and bright blue sky with a beautiful color that seemed to have no end. It was exactly what the doctor (and the Mrs.) ordered to bust up those “waiting for spring” blues. It was the fix I needed. I was bound and determined to catch something this day on a fly rod. I am sure the worms were drawing the demons up from the dark, but I was going to get mine the hard way…my favorite way…on the fly. I worked my butt off and had a number of different flies on but when it came to “nut cutting” time, it was my trusty ole Clouser Minnow that snookered the big mouth. I had the get the fly deep and “tease” the fish. They were a little lethargic, but I got some interest and capitalized on a weak moment. The water was crystal clear and as I was fighting the fish, an even larger fish was chasing it…almost had a twofer, but no such luck. When I finally had the fish in hand, I felt like a kid again. I suppose it was the time of year combined with my temperament, but at that moment it was the most beautiful fish in the world to me. Everything slowed down, I cracked a smile, and I am pretty darn sure that I was giggling. It was just what I needed. Everything came back into perspective…all was suddenly right in the world. I could return home to the wife unit, my soul replenished, content and ready to join civilization.

Now, time to change gears on you. Enough of that sappy crap…time to climb up on my soapbox and do a little ranting. My last few trips to the water have spotlighted how much trash there is lying around. I guess in the winter, you see more and it stands out like a sore thumb. Nonetheless, it is UGLY! Litter has always bugged me to the point of near insanity (some of my acquaintances would suggest that I am already there) and I recognize that some of it is accidental. However, much of it is created but ignorant, stupid, lazy, sub-human, moronic miscreants. If you want to know how I really feel about, I would be happy to share more with you. Anyway, I have two take homes for you – if you are one of those folks that litter, please stop. If I catch you doing it, out comes my can of Whoop Ass, and it will be game over. So…STOP littering…immediately! Secondly, if you are out in the woods, pick up all the litter you see and bring it out. Maybe even bring a small trash bag in your vest (or pocket) and make it a habit to pick up all you can carry on the way out. Leave it better than you found it. The Native Americans did…we should follow in their footsteps. It really is a small and random act of kindness that goes a long way. Not to mention, if you get rid of the litter, you won’t have to listen to me complain. There is even the possibility that I get to return to my “happy place”.

You think about that…TL