Glimpses of an Obsessed Fisherman

A couple of weeks ago, I went to an area called Bass Island.  Interesting park name since a recent water survey conducted by the local utility company revealed no bass.  Anyway, I am just starting to head out to a nice looking spot when some guy notices I am carrying a fly rod.  He attempts to talk to me about all the fishing he has done with a fly rod and other adventures.  After concluding this guy is a "one upper", I cordially say farewell.  I finally reach my spot and lay my rod down on the ground so I can use my net to see what aquatic life is in the water.  Out of the corner of my eye I see the "one upper" moving towards my location but I focus back on the task at hand.  After a minute, I happen to look up again and I hear myself yelling

 "Stop"!!!!

**CRACK !!!! ** 

I hear the words, "Oh crap!" escape from the mouth of the "one upper".  The "one upper" has stepped on my favorite fiberglass fly rod.  A 4/5 weight Steffen Brothers fly rod.

He attempted some apology but the words seemed to go over my head.  The "one upper" was remorseful enough to reimburse me for repairing the rod so that was at least one redeeming quality.  So the rod has been sent to the rod maker to replace the broken section.  In a sense it was my fault as I broke one of the rules regarding fishing rods and the placement of rods.

1)  Never lay them down on the ground
2)  Never have them hanging out or around your car trunk
3)  Avoid rooms with ceiling fans.
4)  Never place them on top of a car

So while my favorite fly rod is getting repaired, I have resorted to hitting some smaller water using a 2/3 weight fiberglass pack fly rod. It is nice to put into the car and use when you find that sweet looking body of water as you are driving into work and you have about an hour before the work day begins.

So one such morning after I dropped my wife off at work, I spotted a nature preserve and thought to myself that such a place should have a creek or something.  So I pull in and as I surmised I spot a small creek.  This creek has a few pockets of water that one could easily hop across but that did not deter me from taking out my yellow pack rod and lining her up.  Did I tell you that I have rubber boots in the car too?  Yeah, I pull a Mr. Rogers and change out of my office work shoes and into the boots to go fishing in the early morning hours. 

Surprisingly, I get a bluegill and then a couple of real whales.  I pull in a few creek chubs.  These small "minnows" are actually pretty voracious feeders and the small insect imitating fly I was using were taken by these sharks quite well.

Needless to say, it was time to head off to work.  What an awesome way to start the work day.  I think others may think I need some serious intervention.  Regardless, it was a blast.