It’s time to go fishing

Another year has come and gone… and it’s time to slow our lives down a little and enjoy summer.  That means taking yourself or your kids or grandkids fishin’.

I’m ashamed to say I haven’t been yet this year.  Free time is hard to come by and well, I’ve been running and cycling too much and fishing too little.  Running removes the cheeseburger and French fries from my midsection much better than standing in the river or even paddling a canoe.  But it’s not as much fun.

Someone asked me once, if I had to give up running or fishing what would it be.  That’s an interesting question.  I run and/or bike 4-5 times a week.  I’m lucky if I go fishing more than 6 times a year.  But there’s just something about fish…

My license plate since 1996 has had a brook trout on it.  My wife recently asked me to ditch it to save a few bucks.  I was incredulous.  “Don’t you realize that’s a part of me?” I asked – truly wondering if she really knew who I was.  The discussion thankfully ended quickly and my brookie is safe for another year.

There are other indicators that come to mind daily about the love for fishing even when time doesn’t permit an outing on the water.

I never cross a bridge over a creek or river without craning my neck to see what’s down there.  If there’s a nice riffle running next to a rock, or a deep hole under an overhanging tree root, my mind’s eye instantly takes a fix on where to best stand and cast.  I’ve sworn a hundred times to fish the section of Buffalo Creek that you see from Interstate 81 near Lexington.  I’ve been driving over it for more than 20 years, and it’s still calling to me.

At the Rotary Club meetings on Wednesdays there are always interesting people involved in projects that merit our attention.  But a week seldom passes when a group of us don’t trade stories about upcoming trips, or the one that got away. 

A friend told me this week that he’s going after tarpon in Florida in June.  He knows a guy who’s taking him out of some secret place.  “New rules” he said (designed to protect the fish) prohibit anglers from even pulling the fish out of the water for a photograph.  They must instead be released alongside the boat.  “If I catch one,” he promised, “I’m jumping in the water with the fish.  I’m gonna have that picture.”  Not a one of us questioned his position.

So summer is here.  It’s been months of stress, during which time I survive by picturing a warm day wading the James, or idling through the morning mist on Lake Champlain with a 7.5 horsepower Johnson outboard on a 30 year old rowboat.

I may run or bike every other day and it’s no doubt a part of who I am – but so is fishing. Perhaps the beneficial effects of a fishing grip last longer than those of a workout.

It’s time to get back to my roots.

I’ll see you on the water.

The Carlin Chronicles Fishing Picture Competition runs from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend.  All fish must be caught on or after Saturday May 24th to qualify.  Either the fish or the fisherman must live in Virginia.  Official rules and regulations will be posted soon!