I have fond memories of jigging for perch” on Big Stone Lake. We used short ice fishing poles, put a worm on the hook for bait and just dropped them off the side of the boat. If the fish were biting we enjoyed catching them, otherwise we just hung out in the boat and enjoyed our day on the lake. Some of my dad’s buddies were more avid fishermen than he was and would take us kids out and graciously clean any fish we caught. We usually just dipped them in egg and cracker crumbs and fried them up for breakfast. Yum!
For years, I have been dreaming about spending my retirement days as a fisherwoman but, so far, this piece of my joyful retirement hasn’t transpired. The reasons are many and include a husband who isn’t into fishing and my reticence to drive the pontoon boat alone. In addition, I don’t have the knowledge or equipment necessary to get the job done and, as girly as it sounds, I don’t really like the baiting, unhooking or cleaning process.
I have gone out with my gracious neighbors a few times with mixed success and last year we hired a fishing guide that, although procedurally successful, didn’t include any of my childhood nostalgia. Finally, my biggest challenge has been making it a priority amidst all of my other interests and hobbies.
I am slowly getting to know my new lake neighbors and hit the jackpot when I met one down the road who is a successful tournament fisherman. He had lots of family and friends visiting Labor Day Weekend so there were six boats in his posse going out every morning. Somehow, I was lucky enough to be invited into his boat. He has the right boat, motor, poles and equipment like you wouldn’t believe! I am still pondering how a color coded gadget we used worked to spot the fish coming after my bait. Divide and conquer was the name of the game with so many friends/family boats working the lake. Cell phones rang and texts were flying back and forth notifying each other as to where the fish were or weren’t biting with all boats eventually congregating at the “hot spot” of the day.
What a joy when the fish are biting and you have a new friend both baiting and unhooking the fish for you. Ah, life was good and I quickly caught my limit of perch! I also figured out why guys like to fish so much. The camaraderie is one thing but with words like “master baiter” and “rod management” flying around, I quickly caught on to the male appeal of the sport.
Another kind of fun started when all the boats came back to shore with their limit and the massive fish cleaning effort commenced. I had been watching and learning in awe but was quickly put on the line with the job of cutting the Y bones out of the fillets; a task I think I mastered after cutting them out of dozens of fish. Now if I can successfully tackle cutting out the rib bones and eventually master the electric knife I could become an independent fish cleaner…but don’t hold your breath on that! The fish were delicious and we even have several bags in the freezer.
In closing, I guess it’s all work in progress and “the art of successful fishing” might take a little longer than I expected coming home. Now if I can just conjure up another invitation? 2018