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Jack Wollitz: Some time away from the water enhances fishing
I like pizza, but I cannot eat it every day. It’s the same with fishing. I love my time on the water, but too much of that good thing can get tedious.
Say what? It’s true. Sometimes, after particularly busy weeks on the lakes, I suspect I may go fishing more out of obligation than to climb a new summit. It’s possible to take fishing for granted when it’s available anytime we want it.
It’s good to take a break every once in a while, even (or especially) from the activities we truly enjoy.
So it was that around the time when my 2018 fishing season was starting to feel like “work,” Barb and I took a break and headed south.
I had a fantastic spring, summer and fall on our local lakes and rivers. I fished this year on all of the reservoirs near Youngstown – Mosquito, West Branch, Berlin, Shenango, Pymatuning and Lake Milton – as well as Lake Erie and the Ohio River.
I’d hooked and landed my fair share of fish, finishing the season with a flurry on Lake Erie during two November trips that began in 35-degreee weather.
Cold days on the water take their toll on the body. My bones were ready for Florida sun. I think my brain was ready for a break, too. Warm sunshine soothes the body and recharges the batteries.
It felt good doing nothing with the fishing tackle. Just soaking up sun was all the action I needed.
After a week of basking in the warmth, however, I started to hear the casting rods leaning in the corner beckoning. The lures I packed seemed to be calling my name.
But I was liking the respite. Sure, there were largemouth bass a short walk from our place in the sun. I knew I could catch a few, but I also knew it was pretty darn nice just simply loafing.
So I resisted the call – for a few days, at least.
Finally I decided the time was right. I grabbed a rod to which I’d tied a buzzbait and set out on foot for one of the nearby ponds.
Something a little sinister creeps into anglers’ minds when they know they are getting away with something their buddies are unable to enjoy.
Generating buzzbait bites wouldn’t have been possible in the snow flurries at Mosquito that day, but they were a dime a dozen for me. Even the 12-inchers were a blast, but the three-pounders were all the more spectacular.
I was glad I’d taken a break. A few weeks of absence had made my heart grow fonder of my recent bass fishing opportunity.
Most anything can get old when we can have it any time we want. In Youngstown, with great pizza joints just minutes from our homes, we pretty much take pepperoni pies for granted.
After a few weeks of rest and relaxation, it’s great to return to action.
Just as the pizza tastes better after a few weeks without it, the fishing is more fun when the next trip is more adventure than chore.