So Monday morning I'm finally ready to go fishing so I head out to
Rattlesnake and am in the water and have a fish on by 9:30 while I'm rowing
out to my favorite spot. "Well", I think, "this may be a good day after
all".
Well so much for intuition, I got one more fish in 3 hrs but that's not
the story. While I was trolling along the shore below Rattlesnake Mt. a
young boy who has ridden his bike over for a little fishing, asks me how
it's going and shows me the two fish he's caught so far. I tell him I've
caught one and head on my way. A few minutes later I hear him yelling he's
got a big one on so I look over and he has his spinning rod pointed straight
out to a large swirl in the water.
He seems very excited so I reel in and head over to watch. He's getting
more and more excited with every pull on the line and he's still pointing
the rod straight at the fish, so I tell him to lift the rod and play the
fish with the rod and not the line, He thanks me and and gets his net ready
and tries three times to net the fish with no luck. He's getting more and
more excited each time he misses the fish, and having the time of his life
with this fish. I edge close to shore so I can get out and help him if I
can, but mostly coach him to keep his rod high and bring the fish closer.
With a yell of triumph he finally lands the fish and is so thrilled he
continues to dance around on the rocks barely able to contain himself.
Turns out Kyle's fish is a 3# 18" rainbow, the largest he'd ever caught and
I don't think I've ever seen a happier fisherman, and so proud of his catch.
I took a couple of pictures and he shook my hand and thanked me for the help
and I rowed off to continue my trolling.
As I looked back from time to time I noticed he wasn't fishing, he was
too still dancing around on the rocks in a celebration that was just a joy
to watch.
Some times you don't have to catch the fish to have a great day on the
water.
Tight lines my friends,
Charlie
PS If anyone knows Kyle (he must live within biking distance of the lake)
let me know and I'll get these pictures to him.
