I've come a long way in the sport-fishing world since the time when I tagged along behind my Dad or uncles on the muddy banks of the Big Sioux River, with a rod and reel in hand, or on the way to check an overnight "trot line." Those were days of simple fishing pleasure.
No huge tackle boxes or exotic fishing boats were required. I remember my Uncle Jim's tackle box. It amounted to a 4-inch by 8-inch compartmentalized steel box, 1 inch in thickness with only lead egg sinkers, split shot and assorted rusty hooks to be found inside. The tackle box fit neatly in the back pocket of his bibbed overalls. That tackle box and a rod and reel were all he needed along with a frog, small toad, frozen shrimp or de-clawed crawdad to entice a whiskered channel cat to bite.
From those simple days of fishing through my years of angling for money as a guide and managing probably the best bait and tackle shop in Minnesota in the early '70s, I've caught just about every species of freshwater fish, except for Arctic char and grayling. From watching the tip of my rod to detect the bite of a wary channel cat to watching line zing off my reel with a jumping Chinook salmon or muskie on the other end, my fishing days have been filled with excitement.
I had the fun experience of working with the original members of the Nisswa Guides League guides who led the way in fishing technology and also led the way to a fishing theory that says that we need to put some back to ensure being able to catch a fish again down the road. We used depth finders and fish science before it was written about in dozens of magazines.
This summer I had the fun experience of being able to take two of my nephews out on area lakes on two different occassions. We don't get together to fish much, but this year I took two trips, one with Bill and one with Austin.
No, we didn't head out for the much sought after walleye. We kept it simple and went fishing for sunfish with a rod, reel, line and a worm. Enough fish came to the boat to produce two decent fish fries in each instance. The days were warm, the fish were biting and we floated on lakes with a slight chop and stories were told.
From that time when I sat on the muddy bank of the Sioux beside my uncle, it's always been the simple fishing experiences with family that have meant the most and been the most memorable. My Uncle Jim had it right, keep it simple, put your line in the water and wait for a bite. Inbetween re-live some life experiences and tell some lies.
Simple fishing is good.
See you next time. Okay?
