No question about it, I am “living the dream!” I somehow reeled in another unsuspecting fishing guide. I now have a new strategy for late fall fishing that I will employ again next spring. I am even willing to share my strategy as I don’t think there are many other trolling “wanna be” fisherwomen around willing to move in on my turf. I gotta say that, after 30 years of dating, if I lived in the area and was still looking for a suitable partner this would be a great way to meet guys, some of whom might be available or have friends that are. This plan is really just a rural version of hitting Home Depot on Saturday morning in larger towns/cities.
My new plan basically takes trolling for fishing mentorship beyond my neighborhood to the next lakeside development. Lucky for me, this one includes a commercial resort where out of towners stay when they come to fish on Big Stone Lake. I just happened to join my neighbors for happy hour at the resort store last Saturday night and the place was hopping with….drumroll…”fishermen!” I made the rounds and over a beer befriended one gentleman who, after explaining my plight trying to become a proficient fisherwoman, extended an invitation to join him fishing the next morning. I believe in full disclosure so made him well aware of my many fishing handicaps including lack of basic fishing knowledge and squeamish nature when it comes to baiting, unhooking and cleaning the fish. His offer still stood, unless it rained.
The morning came with somewhat clear skies and higher temperatures than expected, which was good because my winter clothes aren’t at my summer lake house. My neighbor ended up joining us which allayed my feminine trepidation associated with going out in a boat alone with a stranger lest “Mack the Knife” emerge in the middle of the lake. Funny thing, when I explained a similar situation to my father 20 years ago, he was more concerned about the unsuspecting guy alone in the boat with me than he was about protecting my honor. My neighbor expressed a similar sentiment. Oh and, although it happened 40 years ago, my mother still has nightmares about me ending up in the bottom of the sea after I abandoned my girlfriends on a West coast road trip and headed off into the Pacific Ocean on a commercial fishing boat with a salmon fisherman. I must have had good judgement and/or good luck because he eventually dropped me off in a port town so I could hitchhike to the nearest airport and fly home. I guess I have some history orchestrating this kind of fishing excursion!
Anyway, we had a great morning on the lake and caught plenty of fish; albeit many were too small to keep. This fine gentleman baited my hook, took the fish off and sent us home with the entire catch that my neighbor proceeded to clean. While I was settling into my lunch of fresh perch, I just happened upon one of my favorite movies; “Grumpy Old Men” about the adventures of a couple of old fishing buddies in Minnesota lake country. Yup, I am definitely “living the dream!”
I will close with some thoughts and/or concerns about this new fishing strategy. It could be time consuming and timing is critical as I will need to show up at the resort store early enough on Friday evening to make friends during happy hour to secure a weekend fishing opportunity. There is still the concern over “Mack the Knife” as I don’t think my neighbor will want to be a consistent partner in my plan nor will his wife consent to such. Come to think of it, my husband, Paul will probably think the plan is suspect as well, but he doesn’t fish and is out of the country this month. I am also a little worried about repeat resort customers who “get my number” so to speak and choose not to repeat the adventure or pass my scheme on to newcomers before I get a chance to work my magic, but hey “no risk, no glory!” I do need to come up with a way to thank my kind fishing mentors…maybe baked goods or better yet a tank of gas for their boat? Finally, I have to consider the new resort owner’s response to my plan. They might not appreciate such opportunistic activity on their premises. At the same time, they are in the fishing hospitality business and I have explained my plight to them so maybe they will sympathize and/or take “kickbacks” in the form of fresh perch or canned goods? It’s all such “coming home” fun! 2018