Went fishing a bit later morning and got to my favorite saugeye spot only to find an elderly gent occupying my spot. Being happy go lucky, I went the opposite way to another hot spot, I proceeded to get fishing and had my limit in about 2 hours. Packed up and headed down to the path. I noticed the old gent moving my way and picked up the pace a bit so I could beat him to the trail.
As I was starting to head up the trail. he hollered and asked if I could keep an eye on him as he negotiated the trail. (The trail is rather steep and has a few loose rocks), I said sure. 35 minutes later we were up to the road and started talking about fishing. Old guy had lots of stories and was kinda disappointed about getting skunked, He told me usually he could sneak in before daybreak catch 5-6 and be home before 9am, But this year he had only caught 5 fish total in a dozen trips. Just did not understand why they were being so picky. I allowed that the fish were a bit smaller than years past and not hitting as aggressively as I remembered.
After some more chit chat, I discovered that he was a buddy of my fathers fishing partner and was mildly surprised to discover he was still living. Guy kept on about not getting any fish this year and I told him I gad a lot to do this afternoon and really did not want to clean a mess of fish and if he wanted, he could have my catch. Really made his day, said he had a cooler in his trunk. Walked to his car, he opened the trunk, opened the cooler, grabbed a couple beers and offered. We killed a 6 pack standing roadside talking fishing and making plans to meet up again. (He fishes on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 4:30am till he gets hot).
Seeing his grin and BS'ing over a couple cold ones was a good time. Glad he was cleaning the fish because I got home, took a nap and worked in the yard till dark.
Driving home, it occurred to me that he never once asked about my bait or my technique. Which anymore is very rare. Usually I get pestered while fishing. The area is a spillway, 35-40 yards wide by 700 yards so kinda hard to sneak a fish out of the water. I gotta pack him a box of jigs and some floro leaders.
Even though I like eating saugeye, I have an adequate supply and seeing his face when I offered my catch was priceless.
As I was starting to head up the trail. he hollered and asked if I could keep an eye on him as he negotiated the trail. (The trail is rather steep and has a few loose rocks), I said sure. 35 minutes later we were up to the road and started talking about fishing. Old guy had lots of stories and was kinda disappointed about getting skunked, He told me usually he could sneak in before daybreak catch 5-6 and be home before 9am, But this year he had only caught 5 fish total in a dozen trips. Just did not understand why they were being so picky. I allowed that the fish were a bit smaller than years past and not hitting as aggressively as I remembered.
After some more chit chat, I discovered that he was a buddy of my fathers fishing partner and was mildly surprised to discover he was still living. Guy kept on about not getting any fish this year and I told him I gad a lot to do this afternoon and really did not want to clean a mess of fish and if he wanted, he could have my catch. Really made his day, said he had a cooler in his trunk. Walked to his car, he opened the trunk, opened the cooler, grabbed a couple beers and offered. We killed a 6 pack standing roadside talking fishing and making plans to meet up again. (He fishes on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 4:30am till he gets hot).
Seeing his grin and BS'ing over a couple cold ones was a good time. Glad he was cleaning the fish because I got home, took a nap and worked in the yard till dark.
Driving home, it occurred to me that he never once asked about my bait or my technique. Which anymore is very rare. Usually I get pestered while fishing. The area is a spillway, 35-40 yards wide by 700 yards so kinda hard to sneak a fish out of the water. I gotta pack him a box of jigs and some floro leaders.
Even though I like eating saugeye, I have an adequate supply and seeing his face when I offered my catch was priceless.
