Ah to find a nice chunk of shoreline to toss a hook and find hungry fish.
It seems like such a simple thing to desire at this time of year, but alas the crafty fish seem wise to my plans, and have not exactly been obliging in regards to going after anything I have thrown as lures this spring.
Things had looked promising last Sunday. I was playing in a disc golf tournament at Good Spirit Provincial Park, and knew I’d be done by early afternoon, so I packed my fishing gear in the SUV figuring to stop at Theodore Dam on the way home to fish a little.
The disc golf didn’t go particularly well as I hit more than my fair share of trees on the technical course, while missing more than my share of putts.
But, at least the clouds over head did not throw rain on the golfers, so it was a fun undertaking.
And, there was the hope of a fish or two ahead.
Once at the dam I thought to throw a few hooks off the sort of boat launch area but to my surprise found I was catching salad on nearly every cast.
Weeds are not unusual in area shore areas, although they usually become a problem as the weather heats up in July and August. We have had little hot weather locally through June, so the weed issue was unexpected.
So rather than fight weeds I migrated to the other side of the water.
As I was unloading a red-winged blackbird serenaded me, and I was thinking of digging out my long-lens for a pic, or two, when the bird decided it was camera shy, and flew off. I have to say I have always found the birds striking in appearance, so they are always welcome companions while shore fishing.
Once at the water, knowing my luck this spring has been frankly abysmal, I decided on a slightly different lure selection. I opted to use a range of Balo spoons. The lures were made in Alberta, although from some google efforts before writing this, it appears the company is no longer in business. That is unfortunate as the line of spoons were high quality, in the range of Len Thompson lures in terms of weight, which is great for casting. The Balo line has some of the tried-and-true colours, red and white, black and white, but offer up some unique patterns and colours as well, so you can offer the fish something just a little different.
In this case the Balo range did not impress any fish that might have been present as much as the lures impress me. In fact, the fish had no issue in completely ignoring the lures.
Then it started to rain.
It was not a hard rain, and remembering my Dad who always said fish bite better in the rain, I diligently stayed on task.
I wasn’t getting soaked by the rain, but I was not enjoying it as much as a loon that swam in the area seemed too either.
The clouds overhead suggested the shower would be short-lived, and it was.
There are those who suggest fish bite well after a shower.
I fished on.
The fish ignored that old adage as well.
Finally, thoughts of a warm bed and a nap overtook my thoughts, pushing away the idea of Balo hooks and apparently imaginary pike and walleye.
I waved a white flag of surrender, drudged back up the hill, checked for ticks, finding only one thankfully, and was soon in that warm bed dreaming of that spot yet to be found where the fish will actually be biting this year.
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