Largemouth Bass

Fisherwoman's Holiday

by
Megan Sommers
(somewhere fishing in Maine)

Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife
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With April 1st comes spring showers, green grass, and the first day of fishing season.

As the anglers hurriedly head-out to try and catch the "big one" again this year, I celebrated by loading my tackle box and pole into my canoe and paddling out to my favorite fishing spot. My spot may never produce a record breaker, but it holds the peace that I need from life, which I can again start to utilize as April 1st arrives.

Fishing for me is not a sport, it's a relaxation. I don't tell people I am going to go catch fish, I say I am going fishing. Don't get me wrong, I love to catch fish, but to me, that's just a bonus.

Fishing is a time to get out and enjoy nature and the serenity it provides. There is nothing like laying back with the warm sun beating down on my head as I gaze off into the water, just in time to see a turtle creep its way by. To tell you the truth, at times I don't even mind the mosquitoes buzzing around my ear, but I am thankful when a slight breeze picks up and sends them on their way.

The day was perfect- a slight breeze, bright sunshine, and not a cloud in the sky. As I packed up the canoe, I could hear my father's words echoing in my ear, "don't get your hopes up". I knew he was just as excited as I was that "the day" had arrived, this was just his way of showing it.

As soon as I was off the land and took my first stroke with the worn paddle; I could feel the peace and freedom I had missed all winter. I quickly found my way to the hidden cove and anchored. I tied a floating rapala to my pole and let the first cast fly. It almost seemed like I was taking a huge sigh of relief as the lure hit the water. I slowly reeled the lure back, already in total bliss. I recast, feeling my nerves loosen and the wind swirl through my hair.

I happily repeated this over and over, content just to be fishing again after so long, when I felt the first tug. I first thought that I must have caught "the great state of Maine'' (a stick, rock, or the bottom), when the other end of my line started to pull back. I fought the fish in and held it up to view my prize. A glistening, two pound largemouth bass shone in the afternoon sun.

I reached over and took out the shiny treble hook that had captured the dark green beauty. I stared at him for a moment wondering what he was thinking as he stared back at me. I slowly laid him back down into the water and with a swish of his tail, he was gone. With the excitement over, I continued to cast and recast with the serenity again closing in around me. I was happy to be part of the celebration of April 1st- a fishermen's holiday.

 

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Copyright ©2000 Megan Sommers
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