Monday, March 11, 2013

Taking Chances to Taking Pics


Once again, it didn't turn out the way I thought.  The water was warmer, but the fish didn't come out to play.  As it turns out, local master Forrest didn't have much luck the day before either.  I managed to squeak out a 22.5" pickerel, but that was it.

On a spinnerbait

The action was miserably slow, 
so I decided to play with the zoom lens instead.  

Cormorant (with blue eyes)

Noisy local hangout

See the blood?

Monday, March 4, 2013

The Flip Side

Sometimes things just click and go better than expected.  For example, I was surprised when I received a call from the VA gamefish tagging program saying I won an award.  It turns out I tagged the second most spadefish in 2012.  

Humbled to be in this group
After looking through my records, I ended up with 60 tagged spades (caught more than that, but didn't tag them all).  I admit, it was a pretty sweet feeling knowing I accomplished that in a kayak.  

So with that jolt of motivation, I ventured out to the Elizabeth River the next day to stick some more fish.  Like I mentioned before, sometimes things just click.  I had all the popular hot spots entirely to myself.  Granted it was a little rainy, but the wind wasn't too bad.  For a Saturday in February, it felt surreal that no one was there.  And in my solitude, I proceeded to tag trout after trout.  It almost felt like I could do no wrong as MirrOlures, paddle tails, and minnows all found their target.  None were huge (up to 22"), but I had a great time.  Sorry no pics.


A week later, I met up with fellow Werner Paddles prostaff members, Richie Bekolay and Drew Camp to see if we could wrangle up some sweetwater species.  

Photo credit: Chip Camp

Optimistic with the recent string of good graces, I took out a brand new paddle (Werner Kalliste) as well as a new reel (Daiwa Lexa 100HS) thinking it was going to be a good day.  Well, as luck would have it, nothing went my way.  The one fish I hooked shook it's head twice and out came the lure.  I popped off two spinnerbaits while casting and hung a third one in a tree.  Uncharacteristic rookie mistakes plagued me most of the day, but at least I got some decent pics of Richie's fish (link).

I may have been pouting as much as this guy.

Richie connected 4 times with two going over 20".  
Drew had one at 16".  

And as hard as I tried I still came home 
reaking of Monsieur Le Pew.


Hopefully next time I'll find myself on the flip side once again.