A couple of hats from years past at the 

Kiwanis Walleye World derby

at the Bay of Quinte in Napanee, Ontario

ABOUT THIS BLOG ...

"ONE CAST ... ONE FISH! is based on the idea that if you learn to read the water and understand your quarry you will know where the fish are and therefore, where to cast. Weather, time of year, water temperature and many other factors also must be considered. The goal being, of course, to catch a fish with each cast. Now, with that being said we can snap back to reality and face the fact that the fish have a goal of making you cast much more than just once to get even a nibble!

MUSKY

Take for instance Muskies.Known in the angling world as the fish of 10,000 casts. Enough said on that but other species may be a bit more reciprocal toward our efforts.

NORTHERN PIKE

Northern Pike, although related to the Musky, are much more enthusiastic about letting us accomplish our goal. They will attack with fury and destroy your lures. Even the smaller ones, referred to as "Hammer Handles" can put up a furious battle. They will be attracted to almost any lure you toss out there and you will be tired of catching them before you are tired of casting.

Sunfish, are one of the species in the category of Panfish. They are, in general very willing to nibble at almost any offering anytime.

SUNFISH

They will come alone or in massive schools. They will be inquisitive, shy and cautious at times but usually very cooperative.Almost always they will be our objective when taking kids out fishing for the first time. Because of their abundance and competitiveness it is actually possible to realize the One Cast, One Fish dream.









Moving on to the other fishes we now will encounter the not to be fooled easily groups.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Also in the Panfish family are both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass. They will however, require you to present your offering with stealth and precision. They can sneek in, take your complete lure in their mouth and spit it out without you even knowing it. Bass will attack your top water lure and make your heart skip a beat. Are they in the weeds? under the log? Hiding in the snarled roots of an old stump or cruising the open waters? Will they react to a rubber worm, crankbait, swimbait, buzzbait or spinner? Figure that out on any given day and you might succeed in One cast, One Fish.

WALLEYE

Walleye, part of the Perch family, are fish
that require you to be very knowledgeable
of their habitat, forage and seasonal movements.
 The majority of walleye are caught by
trolling deep diving lures or drifting with
live bait. Only on rare occasion will you be
actually casting for them.

TROUT

Trout are also another species that can provide that One Cast, One fish thrill but only when fishing in small stocked streams on the opening day. Visit any stocked stream on the first day of the season and you will see that many an angler acquire their daily limit with the same amount of casts.







Let's face this one fact... If we could really catch a fish on every cast there would be no adventure in it and  it would be called "catching" instead of fishing.

Thanks for checking out my blog and if you like fishing stuff don't miss my YouTube Channel ...

Link ------> LEN F ... YOU-TUBE CHANNEL

ACCIDENTAL BAITS !

  Searching for the perfect lure or bait is confusing to say the least. There may be times to just let Mother Nature take over for you in this quest. This is not a lesson in "Match the Hatch" but more of a "I can't believe I caught this on that". My good buddy Rick has a story that he tells over and over when he gets the proper opening. It goes something like this...

 "I was fishing with my cousin at a farm pond one evening. My cousin was kinda new to all this but ready to learn. As darkness was moving in I knew the bass should be in a feeding mood. Cast after cast went unrewarded until one of my cousin's flailing attempts went higher than it did further. The trajectory of the lure attracted one of the little brown bats that fluttered about. Getting hooked in mid-air, this creature of the night came down with the weight of the lure. The crash landing, in the water, was more than the normal uncontrolled flight pattern of bats. This left the little bugger, with lure attached, flopping around and squealing quite loudly. The whole incident was unexpected and left my cousin in a panic. He quickly turned to me and said, "What do I do now?". Without hesitation I ordered, GIVE ME THE ROD ! Seconds later a five pound bass hit the bat and was hooked with the entangled lure."


 Seems that a pattern has developed that, among other things, always includes an arrant or unintended cast. As is the case in this next little tale...

 Some years ago, during the "Spring Crappie Bite" I was being successful with a small jig head tipped with a rubber grub. The Crappies were congregated under the overhanging bushes as they often do when in spawning mode. This made it a requirement to cast precisely at the very edge of the bushes. Well it wasn't long before the inevitable happened. My tiny lure landed a bit further than planned and snagged up in the flora. Now since these lures are pretty much "a dime a dozen" there was no need to move closer to the target to retrieve it. That, of course, would have also spooked the school of procreating fish. So I figured a few quick tugs would either snap the light line or free the lure. The latter being the result with the addition of a leaf that remained attached. The kenetic energy of the line springing back sent the lure with the impaled leaf over my head and twenty feet to the rear of the boat. So, ok I thought, just turn around, reel it in and all is back to normal. Well since the leaf gave the lure a bit of buoyancy it remained on top as I retrieved it. Just about back to the boat is when I saw the Musky following right behind. All I remember from that point is the terrific swirl, the swoosh and the snap of my four pound test monofilament line. Ummm, now what kind of leaf was that?


This last fish story is one of hearsay but worth repeating so here goes...

A lone fisherman on a Canadian lake was watching a black squirrel pick nuts from the very end of a low overhanging branch. The weight of the animal had the weak limb bent and nearly touching the water. To his amazement a large Northern Pike jumps out of the water, snatches the unsuspecting critter and disappears into the depths. The old man is flabbergasted by what just happened. He returns home, calls his buddy and relays the details of the just witnessed event. The following day, on his pals insistance, the man takes his buddy back to show him the scene of the crime. To their astonishment, as they paddle around the corner to view the tree, there is that darn old pike putting more nuts on the end of the branch!


Thanks for reading ... "ONE CAST ... ONE FISH !"

My "Fishing" Bucket List ...

I was recently getting bored with my life and decided to see what was not checked off on my Bucket List. My intention was to find something that would excite and motivate me. I wanted to again feel the anticipation of what was to come. So, looking forward to the preparation stage of whatever was next, I reached into my dusty, if only imaginary, bucket.



Most folks have a diversified list of things they want to do before the final day. My collection has only one theme which is of course Fishing. It is, however, a mixed bag of where to go, what to fish for, whom to fish with and what to visit. After my many years of enjoying this sport I have crossed off quite a few things. Now all I wanted was something that perhaps has eluded me or maybe a forgotten quest that was still actually feasible.I knew there must be something left at the bottom.

Gazing at my list brought back memories of the things that had been done. Recalling some of the accomplishments, now check marked, slowed me down a bit. From catching my first fish as a child to now proclaiming that " I have the burning desire to go fishing although I know, that if I never catch another fish that I have caught enough fish". There were simple things done and others that required intense planning and a never give up attitude.

I was able to close my eyes and relive some of the trips to lakes in Florida, North Carolina, Minnesota, Michigan, South Carolina and Tennessee. Also, the first of many trips to Canada.








A trophy Walleye, Musky and Steelhead also had the telltale check-mark beside them.

Starting a guide business, which led to meeting and fishing with well known celebrities in the fishing world had also been checked.

 Could it be that there was nothing left? That thought brought me back to reality and it was time to look further down the list.  Ah, yes my boat which I was thrilled to get and more thrilled to get rid of!

Although it is probably fun to fantasize about doing things that really will never happen I have my limits. Some goals are set high but all have a real possibility. At my age I know that kidding myself is crazy.

 Sure enough, at the bottom of the list are two things without checkmarks! I fumble for my glasses so that I can read them and hope they are still in the realm of possibilities.

 The first item is one that has been haunting me for many, many years. It simply says "Go to Florida for Bone Fish". Ummm... perhaps a guide down in the Florida Keys will read this and send me an invite for a all expense paid trip out on the flats. Hey, it's possible!

 Next is a more recent wish that I have tried but yet to succeed in. Again simple in words it says, "Catch a Lake Trout". Since my best shot at this is in Canada during ice fishing season I will plan to try it again next season.

Bittersweet it may be but I'm glad to see the list almost complete. My plans at that point would be to not add new stuff but pick out a few that standout and do them all over again!

                                But I ask .... No one really has a bucket do they?

FLEA MARKET FISHING ...

Fishing at Flea Markets

 I have the ability to smell fishing gear at flea markets or yard sales the moment my foot steps from the car. The first visual signs usually come by my line of sight being above the crowd and scanning for fishing poles in the upright position. Once I spy them, get out of my way because I'm on a mission!

 Sunday mornings usually begin with a trek to Jake's Flea Market just outside of Boyertown, Pennsylvania on Rt. 100 North. Jake's has weekly vendors and also one time sellers that display whatever your little heart desires. I only mentioned Jake's because it is pretty close and convenient for me. There are, I'm sure, a few other ones that could hold great fishing treasures also.



 Each new season usually yields an abundance of used fishing equipment. Almost every type of rod, reel and lure can be found and purchased for a fraction of it's original price. Once you find what you want don't forget to negotiate for just a little better price.

 Buying at a Flea Market usually means no returns. With that in mind you should take your time and inspect things very carefully. Tackle boxes will be displayed with or without lures. Look at the hinges, snap locks, trays and especially the corners for any abuse. Rods can look nice at first glance but again be aware of worn line guides, reel locking mechanisms, cracks, scrapes and loose handles. Rods with cork handles need special attention to make sure the cork is not split or loose.

 Lures are pretty simple unless your looking at the vintage or antique ones. Rubber worms and other creatures should only be purchased if they are still in the original manufacturer's package or at least in a well maintained plastic box.



 Reels can be tricky. There are so many possible reasons that a used reel is not up to par. I rarely purchase a used reel but I'm not saying you can't find a good one either. If what you want has some damage but still usable it will give you the advantage to haggle a bit.

 Last week I picked up a nice box of assorted rubber crayfish and frogs (see picture) for just seven bucks. If I would have had more money it could have got crazy because this guy had a ton of similar stuff that made me weak in the knees.

 Next I found a vendor with a pile of fishing rods. I found one that I really had to have and it was tagged at eighteen dollars. After my inspection I made my offer of twelve bucks. He countered with fourteen and I agreed. So for twenty-one greenbacks I took home what would have originally cost over sixty hard earned dollars.

 

  A few notes about Jake's Flea Market or any other one that you should visit. Try to arrive early for the best selection. Usually by 7 AM everyone is set up and ready to sell. Many of the vendors will pull up stakes by Noon if the weather is hot. Walk the rows of tables in some controlled pattern so that you don't miss anything.


 Look at all the tables because sometimes a fishing item can be hiding where you least expect it. Most items are negotiable but at times just fondling an item will get the seller to come down in price without you saying a word.

 There are usually many yard sales in the area but it takes a lot of running around to find any fishing gear. If your looking to add to your existing tackle or need a few things just to start out a good flea market can be the best spot.

  So now is the time, get out there, have some fun, and hunt down some fishing gear at bargain   prices!

Thanks for reading ONE CAST ... ONE FISH !

SUNFISH, PERCH, OSPREY and FISH WARDENS !