It has been unseasonably cool
of late here in Minnesota, my home state. And it
has many of the state’s anglers a little cranky.
Summer, they believe, should be warmer than the middle
50s during the first week of July.
Who can argue with that
logic?
When you live “Up
North,” there is always this haunting
feeling that the summer will end prematurely,
that the snow will start to fly around the
first of September, that the chronically short
open-water fishing season will become even
shorter.
Still, summer will bloom.
It always does. Warm temperatures and high
humidity are only a stiff southern breeze away.
And the winter, well, it won’t arrive
until at least Halloween.
That’s the good
news.
The bad news is that
far too many people this summer won’t
be basking in the joys of fishing. That’s
because they don’t know how to fish.
They either haven’t been taught the sport
or they haven’t had the time to learn
it. Worse yet, there are many nonfishing adults
who have children who want to learn to fish.
What to do, you ask?
The first thing to remember is that fishing
shouldn’t be mistaken for nuclear physics,
so don’t be intimidated. Just do it.
While the sport has become increasingly sophisticated,
the key is not to get lost in the wave of fancy
gear and gizmos that are all the rage in today’s
marketplace.
Start simple. Purchase
an inexpensive rod-and-reel combination, as
well as a few hooks, bobbers and sinkers, and
start prospecting. A simple hook tipped with
a worm is the perfect “presentation” for
panfish.
For angling neophytes,
panfish provide no better quarry. They are
a constant source of action (very important,
especially for kids) and can be found in virtually
every watershed (very important, too). They’re
also fantastic for the table.
Learn to cast well. Casting
well, however, takes practice, so do so well
in advance of a fishing trip. If you need instruction,
find someone who can teach you.
Be comfortable. Take
along sunscreen and a kid-friendly insect repellent
like Deep Woods Off. The sun’s refraction
off the water can cause serious sunburn, which
can dampen an otherwise great day of fishing.
All exposed skin should be covered liberally
and often. The same is true for insect repellant.
Mosquitoes and other bugs are part of the fishing
experience, but they don’t have to ruin
it. A fishing hat and polarized sunglasses
(like our Babe Winkelman line of fishing sun
glasses) are also mandatory. Both reduce the
sun’s glare and provide protection against
a stray hook. They also let you see beneath
the water’s surface. Lastly, don’t
forget the rain gear. You may need it.
Safety first. If you’re
fishing from a boat, make sure you understand
how to navigate it. If you don’t, take
a boating class. According to the U.S. Coast
Guard, eight of 10 boating fatalities could have
been prevented if boaters would have worn a personal
floatation device. Federal law requires recreational
boaters to carry one Coast Guard-approved life
jacket of the correct size for each person on
board. Remember, too, that states have their
own laws. So it is up to you to know them.
Alcohol consumption is another problem. Many boating accidents are directly
attributed to alcohol use, say safety professionals. If you’re going
to drink, do so when you’re off the water.
Bring food. Fishing takes more
energy than you might think. When your blood
sugar starts to ebb, a sandwich and a cold can
of pop will do you wonders. Also, pack a few
candy bars for the kids. If you’re watching
your carbohydrate intake, Jack Link’s beef
jerky is an excellent low-fat, high-protein snack.
Handling fish: While I encourage
everyone to keep a few fish for the table, I
also encourage all new anglers to practice catch-and-release
angling. And that starts by learning how to handle
fish properly. Bottom line: The longer you play
a fish, the more stressed it will get. And the
more stressed a fish gets, the greater chance
it won’t survive after it is released.
Also, use barbless hooks as much as possible.
If you hook a fish too deeply, cut the line and
release it as fast as possible.
Make memories: At its core,
fishing is about memories. It’s about spending
a day with your family and friends on a beautiful
lake; about making a shore lunch and hearing
the pan sizzle with your catch; about watching
your son or daughter landing their first fish;
about watching the sun rise in the morning, and
watching it set at day’s end. Perhaps more
importantly, it’s about making a connection
with the outdoors that will change your life
in ways that you can’t even begin to imagine.
All that for fishing? You bet. Even if it’s cold outside.
Good fishing.
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