The Lure of Fishing

It’s a brand new year – and time to take aim on new opportunities. The holiday season always makes me reflective, and somewhat melancholy. Time does seem to move faster the older I get, one of those old adages that somehow comes true.

As I look back on a rather long fishing season last year, I am thankful we survived it, and look forward to a much better one this year. Weather patterns presented my angler with unusual conditions throughout the year, and we can just hope for more normal conditions this year.

Bitterly cold wind and rain for last season’s first tournament in April meant major discomfort for everyone. I watched in amazement as over 60 beautiful, powerful bass boats bobbed on the lake like corks, waiting impatiently for takeoff. I’ve come to appreciate the beauty of the pre-tournament ballet as talented drivers maneuver in close quarters on finicky waters, waiting patiently for their turn to meet the day. The tournament director sends the first boat and the anglers leave, in their predetermined numerical order, to meet the challenges of the day.

Powerful motors at idle, boats glide past the starter, then roar to life as the throttle is pushed to full forward, bows pointing proudly to the sky, then leveling off after those motors lift the boats to fly with only about one square foot of hull in the water, to be “on plane.”

On this day, however, the water had a fierce chop, and the winds were bitter, making it almost impossible to run with any kind of speed. These intrepid anglers pushed forth into the rain at less than half speed, barely able to make plane as the winds and waves buffeted them. Dedication has a whole new meaning for these anglers fishing on the power of a dream, and for the love of their sport.

Less than a month or so later, unseasonably hot weather created challenges of a different sort. Gallons of water and Gatorade_®couldn’t keep either anglers or spectators hydrated. Dedication again presented a different side.

On both days, in entirely different conditions, these anglers fought not only the fish they caught, but nature as well. At the end of their day, they again danced a ballet as they motored at idle speed into the weigh-in… most of them weary, some frustrated, others pleased with their catch and their chance at glory. Such is the power of the dream.

It isn’t easy to be a tournament angler, and it sometimes isn’t easy to be married to one. Two things help. 1) I like fishing and 2) the children are grown and out of the house. I enjoy these weekend “get aways,” and find plenty to do in the areas we visit. I also enjoy watching the male bonding ritual at tournament meetings… listening to the dialog between anglers, who can carry on an entire conversation about the details of their day without revealing which lure, fishing method, or favorite fishing spot produced the “kicker fish.” They say even less to people they don’t know.

It’s amazing to see the continued drive, determination and optimism that tournament anglers possess. In a sport that is filled with so many changing variables, these anglers continually say, “I can do better.” “I am better.” I envy them.

The lure of fishing. It’s worth catching.

-Linda Morton

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