To be honest, 2013 wasn't the greatest fishing year for me with respect to tangible results. I didn't travel much, I largely missed out on an incredible Lake Michigan Salmon Season, and I endured a very long slump while I pursued muskies. I often fished alone, and I don't have that many pictures worth sharing.
And yet, 2013 was possibly my most Fishing-Filled Year ever. My part-time employment in the Fishing Department at C's filled my schedule to the brim. I've met many new friends (mentors, co-workers and customers) there, and I've learned a lot from them. Hopefully I've shared a bit of fun and experience with them. And while this effort has required some sacrifice (both personally and by my family), overall I think it has been a Positive Growth Experience. These efforts are positioning me for better things in the future; not the least of which is largely financing our February 2014 Florida Fishing Trip. And my thoughts are filled with fish as I practice my Internal Appreciative Inquiries.
As I review my photo files from the year, obviously some good things took place. So here are my nominations for "Fishing Bests of 2013!"
*****
Best Part of Part-Time Employment - I met some new guys who are passionate and knowledgable about fishing. I've developed new friendships and shared boats with some; and will do so with others in the future. Some of their passion and knowledge has rubbed off on me; I've tried new waters and techniques and targeted new quarries based on this experience. That's why I'm there. It's certainly not for the money!
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| Big Nick loves to fish! He's a Good Guy! |
Best New Way to Spend A Spring Morning - When I learned that our local musky enthusiasts were sight-fishing, I figured I should give it a try. Blessed with perfect conditions and a little bit of luck, I successfully sight-fished my first outing; and most of my season's plans were de-railed as I quickly succumbed to a morbid Musky Addiction. Seeing that first musky lying in the weeds, and watching her respond (positively!) to my pitched senko was more exciting and memorable than fighting and landing her.
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| That first musky ignored the more traditional baits, but could not resist the Wacky Senko. The Gliding Rapala at the left has since become a Musky Fave and may see some Florida duty in 2014. |
Best Bass and Setting - Early one morning at the end of June I launched Arracuda for the first and only time all season. The fishing wasn't great, but the conditions were; and this chunky bass ate my Silver Minnow weedless spoon in a text-book setting. This fish was complemented by several other bass and a nice dog-fish, too.
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| Not the most giant bass, but she was caught on my Terms and Conditions; and look at those Bass-y Conditions! |
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| I simply love the Connecticut River around Hanover, NH. |
Best Shore Fish - I've caught hundreds of stripers from my occasional shore position over the last decade or so. Until August, the largest one I've landed there was the first. That fish was a total fluke and was destined to be caught; I never should have landed her on the tackle I was using. Since then, I've hooked many large fish, but moorings, chains, pilings and lobster pots have claimed most. The occasional bad knot, thrown hook, and rubbed line have taken the others. For whatever reason, this 37-incher successfully came to hand on August 1. She makes me wonder about the others I lost over those few days of 2013 effort. I could use heavier tackle and have a chance at these fish; but then I know I won't appreciate the more numerous, typical-sized bass I meet in this water. All I know is that this fish on my tackle, in this setting, strikes the balance of success and frustration. I could stand there all summer for the possibility of encountering others and landing a few.
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| My largest ever shore-bound striper ate a mackerel head on August 1, 2013. |
Best Sunset - A weeknight evening of fishing on Lake Michigan out of Port Sheldon was topped off by a beautiful sunset in extremely comfortable conditions. We caught a couple of fish, too!
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| While the fishing wasn't great on August 14, conditions were beautiful. |
Best Hot New Lure - When proven patterns don't pan out and the clock on your entire season is ticking... it's time to try something different. And so I broke out this Rapala DT20 late in the season when Reeds Lakes pike were not responding to my typical trolling presentations. I've had this bait for years and have had some success cranking deep summer bass with it, so it's not really a new bait; but it was new to this situation. It was also very different than the shad and smelt imitators I'd been dragging around the lake. Long story short, this bait on a flat line, out in Reeds Lake's basin quickly turned the late-season outing around as multiple, nice pike fell for her. Expecting more of the same during my next (and possibly last of the year) outing, I was surprised as she remained silent. Time once again to try something different in an effort to save the day. I was pleased to find that this lure, grinding bottom in 18 feet of water or so, triggered big bass and pike. In fact, she then proceeded to catch the biggest bass and pike of Numenon's season within 100 yards of each other.
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| Rapala's DT20 caught fire for near season's end. |
Best Bass - Simply put, she was the largest bass I've encountered in several years; she was verified at well over 6 pounds; she had the look of a true sow; and she swam away to be caught again (I hope.)
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| She was the first fish of the day as well as being Long! Fat! Heavy! and Bulgy! #NovemberBass! |
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| 36 inches and with good body condition. |
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| Reeds Lake was my private domain at Season's End. |
Best Fish Landed - I can't really argue with July 12's second musky of the day. She wasn't quite as large as the one I subdued on July 6; as monstrous as the one I briefly struck on June 13; or as acrobatic as the first of the day, which somehow attacked my top-water PaceMaker from above. But she was the first legal one that I held and photographed. At over 43 inches and in the low 20's, she's the biggest-ever Esox aboard Numenon. She legitimized my efforts and fueled dreams of more and larger muskies in my future. I had acquired the Musky Itch from co-workers at C's; she legitimized my efforts there, too, as the expansion of my fishing interests, abilities and experiences was a primary reason I had taken that on. If there's one symbol (numenon?) of my fishing efforts and experiences for 2013, here she is:
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| First legal musky in the net! There were bigger ones, better strikes, and clearer memories; but she broke the ice and validated my efforts. And, like every other fish pictured here (except for Nick's Salmon), she swam away, apparently unharmed! |
*****
And so may I simply offer my "Thanks" to all who fished with me; motivated me; tolerated me; or shared in these adventures; and also to all who've read this and any other part of my blog! Here's to a Fine 2013 and to an Even Better 2014!
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| Not half bad, by certain standards. |
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