Fishing

Last week, my dad and I made spur-of-the-moment plans to fish at a private pond near his house. I drove up the day before and spent the night. We arose early the next morning and headed out. The day was PERFECT! Low humidity, mild temps (for the end of July), and a gorgeous setting. We were blessed. The sunburn I got wasn't a blessing, but a lesson learned for next time.

My dad setting up shop.

An Eastern Kingbird.

Daddy's first catch: a pretty bream (or perch...same thing).

Finally I caught one, too!

Side view of my prize. I was able to reuse the worm for another fish!

An Eastern Amberwing kept trying to perch on my line. I'm probably the only fisherwoman with
a huge camera and lens on her lap. The owner drove by in his four-wheeler and admired my gear.
He was so nice and I thanked him repeatedly for letting us come onto his property and fish.

My first bass!! Daddy said I was lucky to get it because the hook was meant for the smaller bream.
I told him I had just been standing there thanking God for the beautiful day when this fish tugged on my line.
He doesn't believe such things, but I felt compelled to share it with him anyway.

A pair of Eastern Amberwings hovering.

All totaled we caught twelve bream and one bass. Daddy caught most of the bream, but I had the grand prize and bragging rights of the bass. Next time we're going to fish with artificial lures. Worms and crickets are too messy and make me queasy. Daddy didn't seem to mind hooking them for me, but I felt bad that he did all the dirty work.

Before leaving we stopped at the pottery shop that the couple owns. We wanted to buy something to show our appreciation. I chose a beautiful round plate in green with a leaf embossed in the center. Daddy bought it for me which was very nice. He made me feel very loved on this visit, telling me how proud he was of my catches and my photography and how much he loves me. I'm very grateful to have these nice new memories to replace some of the old, unpleasant ones. My younger years were wrought with pain after my sister's death at age 3, and my dad didn't really enter my life until I was in my late teens. He paid child support, but I guess because he worked odd hours as a policeman, I didn't see him much. Anyway, it's never too late. One just needs an open mind and forgiving heart. God has graciously given me that.

Thanks, Anni!

Thanks Tex!

Progress

On Wednesday, Sept 26, 2013, my dad and I made plans to fish on some private property owned by a friend of his. Located in a sleepy, unincorporated town called Progress in Mississippi, it appears the only progress going on is the beauty of the land. It was a marvelous day with the most pleasant weather conditions, though still a tad bit warm.

Daddy caught two 7-8 lb. catfish, a bream, and 2 turtles (or the same turtle twice). I finally caught a catfish and reeled it in all by myself. It was about 5-6 lbs. Daddy said I caught on to casting quickly. I was so worried about maiming his ears, eyes or getting the line tangled up in trees. Have you seen the character Sue in The Middle? I'm a little like that. My grandmother used to say I was fru-fru (clumsy). Thankfully, I managed to end the day without maiming myself or anyone else.

We fished with peeled shrimp and live worms. I could not thread the worms; it put my stomach in a turmoil. I even felt bad hooking the fish, but I've been told they don't feel pain the same way humans do. I hope that's true.

iPhone shot of the pond

Cedar trees starting to change colors

Daddy about to reel in his catch (iPhone)

Daddy's first catfish

Daddy right after he reeled it in

With a bream

Finally, my catfish. Trying to do a selfie with the phone while holding up this
wiggly, heavy fish was a challenge.

It was such a fun day. After Double D looked at the pictures, he wanted to go too, so we drove back two days later. I was the only one to catch a catfish. More photos soon!