Catching A Bass...

OK. This bass may not seem big to you BUT it was HUGE to my granddaughter. It was one of the first fish she ever caught. It is great for all of us to get out and go fishing. I think sometimes it is even more important to show the youth in the up-coming generation what fishing is all about:

• Fun
• Skill
• Comradeship
• Patience 
• Relaxation

So go out and show someone younger than you what fishing means to you before the end of this year's great fishing season...I want to go ice fishing, but that is a little cold for most kids unless they have really fished before.

I had that fishing fever bad yesterday, but I was way too busy to fix it. I put aside time today just to get in some fishing in a new spot that I am dying to try. I have a few new spots because of their location in the river or the structure that is there, I think and hope that there are some good sized bass around.

I picked today's location because of semi-easy accessibility. The weather folks have predicted thunderstorms; I only have a short time frame to fish, and I don't want to waste the time getting to my fishing spot.

Because I want fast action, I'll be trying some new lures that I have. Later today on my way to the river, I will determine which ones and which colors to use. I'll update this blog to let you know the results.

I already have my rod and reel in my car and all set to go as well as my tackle box.

P.S. Don't forget to bring the sunscreen, something to eat and drink. If you're like me, I tend to get a little carried away and always want to fish longer than I expected. Don't drink too much - Relieving yourself takes valuable time away from bass fishing!!!

Teaching my Granddaughter About Fishing

I feel like we need to teach the up-coming generation all about fishing. If we don't, it will be lost.

Even though we have gone fishing before, I wanted to show her how our state and its people support fishing whether it is large mouth bass, small mouth bass, rainbow trout, brown trout, tiger trout, etc. We took a trip to our state's fish hatchery in Sandwich MA.

They have 'gum ball' machines where you put in a quarter and get some fish food....Don't forget to bring a cup or something to hold the fish food in or you'll have the pellets all over the ground, not in the water for the fish. All my kids loved going here. When you toss in the fish food, the fish splash the kids and they all squeal.

This was the first trip there for my granddaughter. Now I know she'll be begging to go back again. She could see how the fish vary in size. She wants to catch one of the 'big ones'! No rod and reels and hooks are allowed here. These fish are the ones that they use to propagate more fertilized eggs for future fish populations.

She could see how many fish are raised in the multitude of cement troughs with various types of aerators to raise the level of oxygen in the water. She could also see the difference among the trout - rainbow trout, brown trout, tiger trout, brook trout, etc. This fishery doesn't have any bass, but it is a great learning experience for everyone. What a better way for her to see how the fish grow - up close and personal!