first fish of 2016

Sunday around 2:45, I decided to take my cousin, Brody, to the river to try to bring some trout home. Charlie came with us and was very confused as to why he couldn’t go after the bait himself. I think it was maybe 36 degrees. I wasn’t sure whether the river had been stocked yet, but I caught a nice 13 inch trout in after only a couple of casts. Brody was pumped-and nice enough to take a photo for me. Charlie wanted to know what the heck the fish was doing flopping around in the grass.

I used a brown and red spinner to pull the first fish in, but Brody’s bright green spinner didn’t weigh as much. He struggling to cast it so we switched rods. We walked the river bank for two hours and didn’t get any more fish, not one. Apparently, the river is not stocked yet, and I caught the lone survivor of last year’s release. Brody was such a trooper and very cold by the time he had had enough.

I did bring my catch home. He was too nice to pass up on those fillets. I used this video tutorial to fillet him. Hopefully, the river is stocked very soon. This past weekend was supposed to be the last of cold the weather. It’s downhill from here! Here are my mental notes from the mini fishing trip though.

  1. I should have worn my rubber boots.
  2. A net would be handy but it’s not absolutely necessary.
  3. It’s cold. Wear gloves.
  4. I should bring a stringer next time.
  5. I really need to invest in some women’s outdoorsy pants.

I’d love to find pants that are brush resistant and waterproof but fit like a jogger. Most hunting and fishing clothes are tailored better for men.Yesterday, I was out there in my purple Maurice’s jeggings, The North Face winter hiking boots, Field & Stream Hoodie, Columbia fishing vest, and a crocheted headband. I was quite the fisherman.