My recent conclusion that successful local, summer-time
muskie fishing is only a marginally viable proposition did nothing to scratch
my current muskie itch. I could choose
to apply a temporary balm incorporating bass or salmon as ingredients, or I
could seek a cure. I knew that cure should
be available about four hours away, in the Canadian waters of Lake St. Clair.
As I crossed the border at about 7 AM, the Canadian Customs
Agent asked the usual questions; Where
did I live? Why was I here? How long was I staying? Based on his reaction, I guess not too
many folks cross the border from afar for a day trip. But I had a desk to be at the next morning,
there was no other choice. He simply
wished me well, and Numenon was
launched and clearing the protective arms of the Belle River harbor by 8 AM.
I was greeted by a sustained east wind and a bit of
chop. Neither was a surprise and the
waves were within the “half-meter” forecast; but there was a choppy nastiness
to the seas that made moving around much more difficult than expected. My radius of fishable waters instantly
shrank, and so I chose to focus on the Belle River Hump. This is the only significant “structure” in
southern Lake St. Clair, and it proved to be a busy spot (by Canadian standards) for the rest of the day. Trollers, casters, walleye drifters and bass
fisherman were all working this area.
I started near the Hump’s northern tip in 20 feet or so of
clear, green water. Scruffy weeds and
bait were both clearly evident. What else could a muskie want or need? I started my day of casting Big Rubber (Pounders, Dawgs, and Medusas) with some
confidence. That confidence easily
sustained itself for several hours as I made repeated drifts over different
sections of the hump. Conditions looked fishy,
and clearly the bass guys were catching fish. (Mental
note filed.) And, I knew each cast
could be intercepted by the fish of a lifetime; that’s always enough to keep me
throwing!
I’ve only fished for muskies on Lake St. Clair once before,
and the guide on that trip seemed to focus on water clarity as much as
anything. He was seeking a certain
“look” to the water, and the water I’d been fishing was perhaps too clear for
his liking. I took a short troll into
shallower water, and when I shut down where the easterly wind hit the southern
base of the hump, I noticed the water’s green soupiness. Visibility was greatly reduced, but plankton
means shad and shad means…muskies?
At about this time (12:15
PM and half way through my allotted fishing time), I noticed that I wasn’t
feeling so well. I slowly realized that
I was sea-sick! This possibility had not
even entered my mind in preparing for the trip, and it’s tough to maintain a
positive attitude while sea-sick. But
cutting the trip short was not acceptable, so I continued to fish. Once the inevitable kneeling and heaving
took place, I felt a bit better, and I finished out the day, casting Big Rubber* all the while.
My confidence was diminished, but I also believe in occasional Good Luck
when fishing, so I simply made the best of it.
Plus, Lake St. Clair (and muskie fishing in general) has that “every
cast could be intercepted by a fish of a lifetime” thing going for it.
I was back in the harbor by 4 PM, and as I slid Numenon onto the trailer, the ramp
attendant noted that very few muskies had been entered in the current derby;
local catch rates were way down. I was
perhaps in the Right Place, but at the Wrong Time(?)
I was home, safe and sound, with Numenon garaged by 8 PM. It
was a long day with minor pitfalls and with no really interesting stories. But, it was still a day full of interesting
pursuits. In the end, it was a good day!
Of course I am disappointed in the lack of fish action for
the day. I’d much rather have seen,
hooked, or caught fish during the trip, than not. Reverse for the sea-sickness; I’d rather have
not been sick. It clearly was by no
means a perfect trip, but at least I tried.
In recent leadership/work/blog explorations, I’ve came
across the following notions:
·
If one is truly happy, motivation to take action
is low. Why risk upsetting the cart?
·
Seeking happiness provides the necessary motivation
to act.
·
Action is necessary for results.
·
This action might be uncomfortable and not
provide the desired outcome. But it
might be fulfilling.
·
This action is necessary to grow, to improve, to
achieve; to be our full selves; to be alive; to be “happy.”
I’d not have wanted
to subject anybody else to this trip, but it probably laid a foundation for
future trips, and I don’t think I used up all of my available Good Luck on this
one. Perhaps there are better outcomes
in my future… if I keep trying. And I
think I’ll have to!
*Not quite true. I trolled twice while moving up or down the
Hump, and I ended the day in soupy green water with a dozen or so casts ripping
a giant Sebile rattle bait. All to no
effect.
