Fun Fishing Trip!

Last night, I spent a few hours on the Mississippi fishing for bass. It was a beautiful evening, with a crisp, brisk breeze that eventually calmed down about an hour before the sun set. There was a stillness on the water, with no one else around except my fishing buddy, making it feel like we had the whole river to ourselves.

I observed a lot of waterfowl, even though that wasn’t the purpose of my trip. Without my camera, I could only take mental snapshots of the seagulls that were clearly out-fishing me, diving with precision to catch shad as if it were effortless. Watching them gave me clues on where the larger bass might be lurking. It was fascinating to think about the shad's constant struggle for survival, dodging predators both above and below, relying only on the safety of their numbers.

Fall colors were still at their peak, adding a vibrant backdrop to the scene. Several species of ducks flew overhead, a reminder of the seasonal changes. Bald eagles cruised along the shoreline, scanning for easy meals, while a blue heron fished with patience, occasionally spearing prey. There’s something majestic about seeing these creatures coexist in their natural setting, each finding their place in the river’s ecosystem.

The fishing was fantastic! The bass were clearly on the hunt, following the shad and aggressively fattening up for winter. I managed to take pictures of about half of the fish I caught. Watching the bass explode out of the water to chase the shad was thrilling, but surprisingly, topwater fishing wasn’t very effective. Still, the strikes on my lure along the bottom of the water column were electrifying and kept me on my toes.

After arriving back at the landing, I took a few moments to reflect on the evening. It struck me how much I had needed this time on the water. Sometimes, being out there feels like hitting an escape hatch—where the mind can drift freely, and the body can just be. Watching the river, alive with so much activity, filled me with a sense of awe, wonder, and curiosity. The frequent tug and pull of big fish on the line always helps too! The evening was a sublime reminder of how intricate and interconnected the natural world is, and how stepping away for a few hours can help reset the spirit.

Posted on October 26, 2024 04:25 PM by daughterdad