An Angler's Tale ~ Episode 3: Back to Nature

 

art by AWD

After a week of dealing with a major depressive episode, I forced myself out this morning as a mission: If I was going to continue my fishing adventures, I needed to land something today, regardless of size or species. 

I say this because I've been struggling to keep an interest in fishing as of late, which honestly probably had more to do with the mental state I had been in than my actual interest in the sport itself. That, and the extended heat wave we were dealt this summer has made not only getting out difficult, but catching stuff nigh on impossible as the fish were running deep. Any place that was accessible were typically crowded by others just trying to get a hook in, so that did an unfortunate number on my psyche when it, had I been feeling better, otherwise wouldn't have thought anything of it.

Introducing Level 1: Kerr Scott Dam Spillway!

One of the more popular and fished areas in town. The reservoir spillway has a nice trail that runs along a gentle stream, which is good for crawfish hunting but bad for fishing as it's only a few inches deep. The trail heads uphill from there and is quite the walk if one is looking for a challenge.

The fishing here is super varied and sometimes exciting considering the sheer number of different species that live in this small spillway. It's also quite scenic and full of wildlife, both terrestrial and airborne. 

I would classify this area as level 1, but closer to level 10 as well because of the actual spillway itself. This place is notorious for dishing out large catfish, some of which have even borne local mythos of fish so big hanging about the actual gate that divers had gone in but refused to ever go back because of the size of the fish.

These local legends were actually what had spurred my interest in fishing back into gear several years back. The idea of a catfish the size of a VW Beetle, as unlikely as it is, living at the bottom of this body of water is so fantastical and fun that I couldn't help but not want to build up my fishing skill in order to tackle it someday!

This little inlet where the Yadkin River meets the cold flowing stream from higher up is where I like to do the majority of my gear testing, as the fis are usually readily available and quick to pull in. Bluegill, bass, and sometimes even carp can be seen cruising about in this little pool.

While I am investing in upgrading my rod and reel as an early birthday gift to myself, that stuff won't be here until Wednesday at the earliest, the day before my next day off, and that will get a separate journal entry of its own. 

For the time being, though, I'm taking out the Zebco Omega Pro and the good ol' 5'6 Zebco Rhino pole. This combo has treated me well over the years, but I'm starting to see its faults in both casting distance and inability to properly demonstrate the action of some lures. I'll probably convert this set into something specifically for catfishing in the future.

FISH ON! 1/324 species caught!

The first (of several!) fish I brought in was a Red-breasted Sunfish, One of the most common species of fish in this particular area, and fun as heck to reel in if you can hook a big one.

FISH ON! 2/324 species caught!

The next species was this bass! Pretty sure it's a juvenile largemouth as it lacks the deeper line of dark spots that the spotted bass around here have. I'll come back and update this post with the proper identification later.

And while these were the only two unique species I caught this trip, they weren't the only fish I pulled in! The rest were smaller bass of the same species, likely just beginning their feeding frenzy for the morning. A few made it to shore, while others managed to wriggle off the hook just as they were being pulled out.

But needless to say, this trip was exactly what I needed as it not only revitalized me mentally but refueled my fishing addiction. My next opportunity to get out will be Wednesday afternoon once my new gear gets here.