| I've been fishing for over 50 years and even more | | | | enough line for what we were doing. I believe I was |
| frequently in the last 10 years; during this time I have | | | | praying for him to get the first strike and sure |
| learned a lot of countless things about fishing in | | | | enough he did after about 15 minutes or so and the |
| general. The most important is that you can never | | | | fun began. |
| know it all. Even a novice can show an old timer a | | | | Now this pike he had on was I guessed about 15 |
| trick or two. | | | | pounds, not that big but the struggle with that little, |
| Over the years I've seen hundreds of anglers come | | | | short toy he had was hilarious to watch. I did not |
| to the areas I fish full of enthusiasm and | | | | believe he would get the fish to the boat but he did |
| determination and they end up leaving frustrated and | | | | although to fast, I had the net and told him to slow |
| confused. With just a little advice this could have | | | | down, he did not hear me as I leaned over to net |
| made for a better experience and more than likely | | | | the fish he had it reeled up to about 2 feet from the |
| created another fishing addict like myself. It may | | | | tip of that little rod, all that pike did was lean on the |
| take some time to turn you into that pro, but the | | | | line and he was gone. |
| enjoyment of the sport would be more easily | | | | I must add here that he also had no leader on that |
| realised. | | | | rig. After that he was so excited and of course |
| When starting out the very first thing you want is | | | | wanted to keep fishing, but asked if he could use |
| just basic information on where and when to fish. | | | | one of my other rods which was fine because I |
| Sounds easy and generally just ask other anglers, | | | | wanted to see him really hook and land a nice fish. |
| lodge owners, bait store owners, heck just ask. | | | | To shorten this story he did land 2 more northerns |
| Now for the fishing equipment, the rod and reel. | | | | and a small walleye. Oh yes I did catch a fish, one |
| Sounds simple enough, but maybe not. As in most | | | | walleye and one pike, but we had a new fishing |
| other sports, cheap or poor equipment will result in | | | | addict here. The next day he went into town to the |
| poor results. As an example I met a fellow from | | | | Canadian Tire store and got properly equipped. |
| southern Ontario (Toronto) while fishing here at | | | | I imagine that young man from southern Ontario had |
| home for Northern pike and asked him how the | | | | some great tall tales to tell when he got home. I |
| fishing was. His remark was that he was going to | | | | wonder how big that one that got away is Now! |
| rent a boat and give it a try. So I asked him if he | | | | A light action graphite spinning rod and reel will handle |
| would like to go out with me that evening and he | | | | most fish you will want to catch, plus it is light |
| accepted. I met him at the dock and told him to load | | | | enough for the beginner to feel even the light hit of |
| his gear in the boat and offered him a life jacket and | | | | those walleye. |
| away we went. I did not notice what he had loaded | | | | So just get out there relax, take your time. Bring |
| at first except he had a nice big new tackle box, as | | | | some coffee or lunch or even better catch your |
| we moved away I asked where is your rod and reel. | | | | lunch and cook on one of the many small islands all |
| He went on to open his new tackle box and | | | | over these northern lakes. Mostly just enjoy it all the |
| proceeded to pull out one of those pocket fisherman | | | | fresh air, wildlife and scenery. Enjoy it all while your |
| rigs. Of course I had a hard time from not laughing | | | | watching that loon, deer or even a moose feeding, a |
| out loud, but went on to offer him one of my other | | | | big walleye might just swim up and inhale your bait |
| rigs already in the boat. | | | | sending that twitch up your line through your rod to |
| Once we hit the area I intended to troll he went on | | | | your fingers. Set the hook and there's lunch! |
| to politely say he wanted to use his own rod but | | | | Well that's enough from me time for supper and a 5 |
| asked what one of his lures he should use for | | | | minute stroll down to the river and make a few |
| northern pike. He had one large red and white spoon | | | | casts and see what happens. |
| and I told him to use that and made sure he let out | | | | |