I Need a Boat

            I decided to go fishing Saturday at Amelia Wildlife Management Area. I grew up not too far from it and it is a beautiful well managed tract of land that has a lake on it that is supposed to be full of Bass.

         I drove out there and pulled up to the parking area for the dam. I parked my truck and threw my needle nosed pliers in my pocket, grabbed my rod, and started walking down the path towards the lake.

         The path came to a pretty swift dead end. I was at the corner of the lake but the vegetation was so grown up there was no clear openings toward the water. I made my way through the brush that was about at shoulder height.

         I walked down to the bank. It’s a steep bank on the dam with a few rocks I was able to step onto and cast.

         While I was a little frustrated with the lack of open bank there was a lot of fish activity going on in the lake right in front of me.

         There were fish breaking, and chasing, and jumping down the entirety of the bank every few minutes it seemed.

         I casted my trusty rooster tail in there towards wherever the water started bubbling up with fish going crazy.

         I didn’t have a lot of luck early. I would throw into these areas clearly full of fish activity but I also wondered what kinds of fish they were.

         The shallows near the dam were full of grass so I had some trouble at first keeping my bait out of it. I finally got my timing down and figured out how fast I had to reel it to keep it above the grass.

         As I looked into the shallow water, I saw some small fish following my bait. Just minnows or small brim. None of them were biting but just chasing. I thought if these bait fish are here something bigger ought to be around.

         I casted closely down the bank to my right started reeling and quickly had my first bite of the day. I set the hook and the fish was on without a doubt. I started working him in and the small bass made his way to the top of the water and jumped. Luckily, he stayed on the hook. They often do come off when they jump. But I got him in and unhooked him and threw him back. That would be the only fish I caught that day.

         I kept casting up and down the bank. Had no more luck after about half an hour. I probably could have moved up and down the dam more and caught more fish but I felt my only option was walking along the rocks in the water. Which kind of felt like I was risking life and limb.

         So, I decided to go and try and find some more open banks. I thought possibly near the boat ramp would be better. When I pulled up there was some more open spaces and a large fishing pier. Unfortunately, there was a large family taking up most of the areas that were open. I couldn’t blame them. Going fishing on a nice Saturday afternoon is obviously a great activity.

         I found a few open spots and made a few casts with no luck. Before long I thought this area is probably over fished and you can’t do much on this lake without a boat.

         I decided I was going to head back to the dam. Even though it was difficult to fish there was at least more activity going on.

         As I got in the truck and headed that way I had maps open and noticed another hole of water being displayed on my way and decided to go check it out.

         It was a small pond. It was beautiful but full of lily pads on the edge and there was only one spot I could really cast from. That didn’t stop me. I gave it a try for about an hour. I saw some other small fish in the shallows but had no other luck.

         I decided with my lack of open banks I can find to fish the river I definitely need a boat. I don’t need or want much. Just a Jon boat with an electric trolling motor. I don’t need any bells and whistles.

         A boat would not only give me the ability to fish rivers, ponds, and lakes with less bank access. But it also gives me a sense of freedom that you can only get in the outdoors. The simple freedom to say I want to go fishing and just go. Or to want to be on the water at sunset and just go.

         Businesses close but fishing is open twenty-four seven. And I just want the freedom to say I can go and be on the water whenever I want.