Thread: Maple Bend

For some time I have been enjoying an area that is close to home and easy to get to. For a much longer time I have done my best to park the trailer after dropping the boat in, stop for a few seconds and look to the sky and say “Thank You God for this beautiful day”. I do believe that He showed me today that He has been listening. Should the weather be cold, or wet, or windy, or just ugly in any way, I still thank Him for what I am about to enjoy. You should too, but that is for another discussion. Where I fish has probably got a name, but we all know what would happen if I ever printed it just once. While I was there this morning, the name came to me, and it is the title above. There are many oaks and Cypress and other varieties of trees, but the Maples stand out to me. If you can’t already tell, I had a wonderful few hours there this morning. Just me and the gators, birds, squirrels and every other kind of wildlife that I heard but didn’t see. And of course, the fish.

In at about 7 this morning after a real hard rainstorm went through last night, so I wondered if there would be any activity with all the newfound bugs and stuff tha got washed in. That thought was just wasted time. With high hopes I lifted the fly rod from the box along with 3 other rods. That was also wasted time, as the buggy whip got no interest at all and I kept my UL Lightning rod in my hand for the rest of the day. Should have just gotten it out first and moved on. High hopes and all that. I hadn’t made 3 casts with it when it felt like it hung, but then moved. Very little control over the first fish of the day as this LMB kinda did whatever he wanted to for a little bit. He received the CPR treatment as did all the others today, and set there a moment as much as to say “cool, I thought maybe I’d be dinner”, and slowly finned away. And it had just begun

Slowly, as I worked my way through familiar territory, the bite got a little better, then a little more. Never was it off the chart, call your friends good, but it sure kept me busy. The fog generated from last nights rain had something to do with this, I think, and it stuck around til almost 10 when it slowly let the clear skies in. It wasn’t a day for big numbers. I could have had a very nice meal out of the ones in the pics alone. What made the day special for me was those that came to visit. It has been over a month since Ive caught a Redbellied Sunfish or a Shellcracker, and a little while since i caught a Crappie that was noteworthy, but today was that day. I lost a couple of good copperheads that would have been picture worthy. Also had 5 or 6 Gar, but haven’t seen a mudfish in a while either. All totaled I believe that between 40 and 50 fish went through my hands today, some small but still counted. Most of these fish, I believe, are in some stage of bedding which gives them their best colors of the year. The Redbellies are ferocious on the take, much more than any other like them except Warmouth. The fight on my little tackle made me smile and raise my eyebrows several times as they gave a good accounting of themselves. But we all know, nothing is forever.

As the fog burned off I noticed the river traffic becoming heavier. The birds had sung enough for a while and took a break. Most of my familiar spots having been gone through, I wrapped up the rods and went for a ride. Caught a few others in a different spot and spent too much time jumping wakes from ocean boats and crazy people,and it was then that i heard my conscience tell me that it was time to go. Back to the ramp without too much trouble and on the trailer with hardly any wait at all, I counted my blessings and headed home before something raised its ugly head. Had some issues with the power to the TM yesterday that Cray was good enough to take a few minutes and help me through, and today went without technical difficulties. I always look forward to my shorter, early morning outings, but this one way above average. I’ll carry a good smile for a while, and i hope that you get into them to give you one just like mine. It also makes folks wonder what you’ve been up to. Hope to see you on the water soon, til then.......Skeet.