Fish Stories

Sometimes you just have to understand the real story

The Kayak Bass Fishing Trail at Chickamauga Lake has come to a close and I was truly reminded this weekend what being a true ambassador for the sport of kayak fishing really is. Twice I was aproached by new-to-the-sport anglers and was asked about how to rig a kayak. Neither were fishing the tournament or had any idea that I was.During pre fishing I found some cover that was holding what I considered the motherlode of tournament winning fish. 

After fishing the area for about three hours on tournament day something didn’t feel right. I had a small limit but there were very few bites and no big fish like I had found earlier in the week. Frustration was creeping around the edges of my psyche. What had changed in just a couple days! 

Suddenly I hear a voice (no, not the omnipotent one) “Hey!Where can I get some of them there kayak sessries like you got?” I had been so engrossed in trying to figure out what I was doing wrong, I never even heard him coming. So, after explaining how to get to Fishing Online and all that YakAttack had to offer. He thanked me and asked if I was catching anything. I told him that I had caught a small limit that wouldn’t be enough to win my tournament. 

“Oh! Well you should have been here yesterday. Me and my buddy caught two over five and several two and three pounders!” The look on his face was pure joy!He thanked me for the information and explained he didn’t know I was fishing a tournament and that he wouldn’t get in my way as he proceeded to paddle in front of me and started fishing. 

Every emotion hit me all at once.. I was angry, disappointed, incredulous and hungry. I hadn’t eaten anything for breakfast and I was mad at myself for that too. I put my rods up, kicked my Torqeedo throttle down, pulled my cooler out and commenced to filling my angry gut with sustenance. I needed a new plan.. it was too late to move to another ramp. So I figured I would hit the main river and go until I found the first cut and start all over. 

Something happened on that two mile trip, after that cold pepperoni roll hit the bottom of my stomach. I started getting a new perspective. What had really happened? You see, here was a new kayak angler who had had one of the most amazing days of fishing he had ever experienced. He went home with tales of huge bass bragging rights. A story, told in very minute details, about the day he “slayed em”. The baits! The technique! Color choice! Water conditions.. how understanding water level and weather conditions lead him to his mastery of the bite, at least I think that’s what most of us would have done. He was the hero of the neighborhood and beyond compare. He was exalted and looked upon with great favor by those closest to him! 

Now I know you think I’m over extrapolating from the story I was told, but am I really? How do we feel when we have those perfect do no wrong days on the water. When our friends are hanging on every word during the retelling of our greatest achievements in the sport. Our families are proud. We are looking at getting another reel or new accessories because we know we can recreate those rare moments more often and easily if we just have the right equipment. Right? You see, we as ambassadors of the sport have a responsibility to represent this sport in such a way as to welcome all who want to be a part of it. To exhibit patience and offer help when asked or not asked. 

So I’ll leave you with this. Take time to make time for those seeking our help. Because the real story isn’t always about us.

Post Scriptive: If he hadn’t told me what he did then I probably would have sat on that spot all day and not salvaged my day by moving to a new spot.