ANGLING TIPS

ANGLING TIPS
Jack Wollitz
Too soon over. That's how the Pennsylvania Dutch might describe the 2003 fishing season.
As I write this, all remnants of thoughts about getting out for another day on the lake are blowing in the wind -- and the snow. So now it's time to take stock on what worked in '03 and, just as importantly, what didn't.
I like to jot down a summary of my fishing activities each fall. It's easier if you do it trip by trip, but most of us are procrastinators. Your memory should still be fresh enough, however, to do a good job of capturing the highlights and lowlights from the past five or six months.
Consider all the factors, including water temperature and color, sky conditions, general weather patterns, the size, number and identity of the species you hooked, and the lures that were most productive.
Record all those factors in a summary of your experiences each day on the water. And don't forget to include the depth at which the fish were caught and the kind of cover or structure on which they were lurking.
Go ahead and add a little commentary to your notes and try sketching diagrams to make your report interesting next spring when you start referring to them for tips on what to try. Include photos if you have them.
Logging the 2003 fishing season will be a nice way to pass time on a cold and blustery day. Plus, it will give you a foundation for success in 2004.
jwollitz@aol.com