I had 8 meetings between Monday morning and Wednesday night. Wednesday, I got up at 4:00 am to prepare. Dealt with regulatory consequences of the Patriot Act, other things coming down the road, and safety from prions.

I got up this morning and said, "What the hell, spring is here". I went out to the pond. I tied on a Texas-rigged Lazer Tail with a barbless hook. First cast, I got a strike. It took a while but I finally landed the beast. T'was a largemouth. I didn't weigh it but it looked well over 10 lbs. Each of the next four casts got me a bass [although smaller; down to a paltry 2 pounds]. You might consider this boring, but, I consider it a good time. Later in the year, I will get stronger line and try to land some of the channel cat. These things are big. As I have said before, they scare the shit out of the dog.

Of course, the low tonight is supposed to be 8 F. I expect that the fishing will slow down for awhile. Still, it was a good way to celebrate spring; at least paganwise.

Best Wishes,,,,,

Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), March 21, 2002

Answers

Well, Z, it appears you don't have any fishing brethren here to celebrate with, but I will join you in being happy that Spring is kinda sorta here. Long may it live.

-- Little Nipper (canis@minor.net), March 21, 2002.

Z, You will appreciate the humor in the fact that here, in The Pacific Northwest, we had a major snowstorm on the first day of spring.

Ahhhh, fishing... In an intertube off of Homestead Florida, running the line through my toes to feel if I got a little nibble.

Of curse going out between the Keys always brought in huge fish (non't remember what kind..didn't matter if we could eat it), but around here we are so regulated that I don't know where to go to fish. Certainly not in Puget Sound off of Seattle, did that once and told the pollution made the catch inedable.

Fishing is one of those "natural highs" and even without a nibble, enjoyable.

-- Cherri (jessam5@home.com), March 22, 2002.

LN:

I think that you are correct. Most of the folks here are urbanites and have little understanding of anything that isn't paved. I am just happy that the post is still here. Most of the things that I have posted in the last few weeks have disappeared into the mist and fog. ;o))) Pup and I are at home writing policy. He is helpful.

Çherri:

Yeah, Washington is a strange place. They have a wildlife person at every boat landing collecting data. In my experience, most people lie to them. It makes no difference to me: I am a catch and release person. That is why I use barbless hooks. I have never fished down south where you live. Mostly, Whidbey and north of there. Last fall I did catch the mother of all crabs. The stupid thing grabbed a spoon for pinks. At first I thought that I had the largest salmon ever landed. When I go it on board, it used its other claw to grab my leather glove. Çut right through it. It was as stubborn as Anita. I finally gave it the spoon and threw it overboard.

Pup and I just finished whole wheat-cheese bread sticks. Slatered with egg white mixed with homemade maple syrup and covered with sesame seeds. Pup likes them.

Best wishes,,,,,

Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), March 22, 2002.