Post Season Reflection

I suppose with ice starting to form on the lakes, I can start to look back on the season it was.

I made more outings this year, than in the previous three. This is not to say that my back recovered that much. That is hardly the case. It seems to be getting worse, not better. However, the close proximity to so much water made it very easy to get out for a couple of hours in spots where there were likely going to be fish.

The season was a slow start. We had snow on the ground, and ice on the water till towards May. It took me sometime to shake of my hibernation mode too. When eventually things started to line up, I was able to enjoy some of the best fishing of my life, if not the best.

When I look back at posts prior to the season starting, I see things I wanted to do, but never got around too. Like hunting Lake Trout and Walleye. Other species I found I just didn`t want to make the effort for, like Trout. I found it hard to drive 40 mins to fish when I could be on the water in 10 minutes. Consequently, other species saw much more of my time. I did catch some trout. Not many, not too big. But trout they were.

The smallmouth fishing in this area is phenomenal. It succeeded my expectations immensely. The average fish does seem to be in the 2 -3lb range. Over 4lb`s are rarer, but happen often enough that they don`t seem to
be ever out of reach. I was rather pleased with how quickly I figured out were to find them in the various lakes I fished. I thought there would be more of a learning curve there. Thank goodness for fishfinders!

I also fished with spinning gear for the first time in decades. I picked up the routine again quickly, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Towards the end of the season I was fly fishing more than gearing it, but that had to do with old habits than anything else. I am comfortable taking either method out on the water solo, though I do prefer both at my disposal. Catching fish on my own lures was no less satisfying for me than any flyfishing accomplishments. And those lures caught me some great fish. Plastics have come a very long way since I last fished them. Was happy with how consistently productive they are.

Pike I wish I had chased a bit more. Most of my success on that front  was with spinning rigs. I have a couple of good lakes earmarked for next year. Even if I did not get out for them as much as I should have, I did scout and secure some great water for next season. Plan on getting them early season on the fly.

Then there was the Perch. I tangled with them a lot this year. So many of them were eaten. It was a staple in my diet all summer long. I was not a happy camper if I caught bass all day, and no perch. A man needs to eat!

Bird. Bird is the word.

So what now?

Unlikely I will be ice fishing this year. I am not Jesus Christ, I do not walk on water. Even the frozen kind. I suspect I will spend my time hunting this winter. Something I only started this fall, but absolutely love. I regret not having started this in my youth. So far, I`ve only been after grouse. I would like to find some rabbit once that ends. Thing is, you will never see me hiking. The idea of walking from point a, back to point a, just does not make sense to me. Yes, nature is beautiful, but I can observe that from one spot. The walking part of the hike just seems to interfere with the enjoyment from my perspective. However, doing it with a rifle and playing natures equivalent of `Where`s Waldo`is a much different story.