My first Northern Pike

Another installment of - bored and going through old photos.

My first Northern Pike - It was Spring of who knows what year. I could probably look it up on the photo details, but I'm lazy. I remember meeting up my buddy Frank aka Bobba-Dood, at a section of a small creek that forms a rather large pool. The pool is home to a plethora of fish that fall over the dam of a big lake in the area. Musky, Pike, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Walleye, Crappie, and other panfish. I wouldn't be surprised to find sharks and mermaids/mermen living in there.

I was tossing a white spinnerbait with my baitcaster.

Here's a little back story. I was just learning how to use a baitcaster, and all winter I was watching KVD (Kevin Van Dam) videos on YouTube. So, needless to say, I was pretty jazzed and inspired to get out there.

I took Mr. KVD's advice and let that spinnerbait sink to the bottom before I started my retrieve, slowly brought it in, hitting everything I could, and sure enough...I got a hook up! ...and to my surprise it was a Northern Pike! For me to say I was excited would be an understatement. 

Smile for the camera!

For so long pike and musky eluded me (musky much longer...until this past year). No matter how big or small your first fish of a certain species is, you'll always remember the story. I know that goes for me. Maybe that only goes for me, because, I'm not a geezer, yet. =) 

Night crawlers and Cats

Ah, the good 'ole days, baiting a hook with a fat juicy night crawler, casting it out to what you think is the deepest spot on the lake, and waiting. I was rummaging through some old files on an external hard drive of mine, and came across some old pictures.

I haven't caught a catfish in so long. Makes me want to set aside an outing to dunk some bait this summer. With the lake right behind my GF's townhouse, I just might have to do that, while I fire up the BBQ and grill some steaks.

Thee biggest catfish I have ever caught.
(No idea why I'm wearing a batting glove. HAHA)

I had a different system. I always thought adding the bobber helped keep the bait off of the bottom a tad. The fish never minded it. In Illinois, you're allowed 2 rods per angler. I used to soak some bait with my spinning rod, and cast lures with my baitcaster or other spinning rod.

Nice little Channel Catfish at Mallard Lake.

Catch and Release

Salad

These photos are probably 10+ years old, and they brought back some really good memories. If I find any more good ones, you can bet, I will most definitely share them!

Winter Issues

One of the things that keeps me entertained on the web other than blogs, are the many free e-Magazines that are out there. There's a plethora of them, and they all offer a ton of informative and entertaining information. Two of my favorites just released their Winter issues. You should definitely check them out. 

a TIGHT LOOP

Fly Fishing the Midwest

Follow the link - Slip Sliding - Winter 2015

Southern Culture on the Fly

Follow the link - The Winter of our discontent. Winter 2015