My last day off was in January. Usually I'm ready to commit myself to an asylum by now, but I guess this year I've just been living the routine. I don't think this is a step change, but possibly I'm focusing on future possibilities. Eventualities. The timing of this trip is poignant; it is mostly people who've retired from the same company I work for. They can be a bad influence on me.
Memory, as a mirror, is cloudy at best. At worst it's a black Sharpie that scribbles on our reflection. - James Wade
It's equally likely that I've been overly focused on my recent oral surgery (and recovery), and that has created novelty, even if a distasteful flavor of it (no pun intended). It hasn't been easy. My timing of the surgery was such that I either do it "now, or wait a year ... I don't want to worry about this while on my fall adventures." This was the right decision given how difficult recovery has been. I've had my final follow-up just in time for Lake Erie fishing - which kicks off the start of these adventures. Serendipity. Hopefully I am ready.
Saturday passed with threats of heavy rain. Somehow I got the lawn mowed with only one brief downpour. S/O was nice enough to help with trim work which made a huge difference. The world won't end of the lawn is too long, but getting this done was a mental burden relief.
I had enough time on Sunday for both a long dog walk and a nice bike ride. I'm lucky to live in the rural area I call home. After knocking out a few last chores, I headed out to Dave's house.
After talking a bit, Dave and I headed to Nick's house. Nick isn't going fishing this year, but I guess his house still makes a decent gathering point. But almost everyone was already grouping, so we picked up only Phil and Dan and headed north.
The drive up felt long. We ran into the car with Mike, Jim and Lou at a rest stop before meeting up with everyone at the hotel. Father Mike was still en route so there was some down time before heading for dinner. I was tired but knew sleep wasn't going to be easy so I resisted the urge to lie down.
I struggled to know what to eat at Jolly Roger with my recent surgery. I ended up with Shrimp 'n Chips. It was, at best, OK... The potatoes were oddly both undercooked and overcooked at the same time. The breading was fat (which is good), but fell off of the shrimp loosely. I'm pretty sure the last time I was actually inside a restaurant was on the previous year's trip - now I remember why I rarely eat out.
Back at the hotel, I turned in early even though it was light.
_________
I woke up at my usual time and messed around a bit on my phone. A group was going to breakfast, but I stayed back and ate my packed fruit; I got the better end of that deal for sure.
I was in Steve's boat along with Dave, Dan, Mike and Jim. The last time I had fished with "The Dude" (my nickname for him) Steve was 2018 I think?
I had a slight headache, but I was pretty sure it would subside once we started fishing (I was right). We motored out and started where Ned and Steve had good luck the previous day.
In short, the fishing, all day, was S L O W. Often painfully slow. It was slower than One Fish Bay.
My first catch was a really healthily fat catfish - which was fun to bring in on light tackle!
Steve did a decent job of trying to get us on fish and he stayed in contact with Ned and a few other captains. But the fish were just not there ... or were not biting (which is it?????).
I think my total for the day was three walleye (it might have been only two), two sheephead, one cat and 1 goby. I have an odd sweet spot for goby. I know they are invasive and are known for raiding the nests of other fish, but they are cute in their own way.
It was so slow that I was ready to be done about an hour before we quit. Total count was less for both boats than what a limit would have been for either boat.
But it was still a good time. There wasn't too much shop talk which was nice. Weather was objectively splendid with reasonable temperatures and low humidity. But fishing may have been better if the wind was a bit more active. Still, just being out on the water was a good break.
Then it was off to the fish-cleaning house and the lollygagging and waiting to hit the road. Only Dave, Dan and myself were heading south; everyone else was staying another night.
The drive back towards home was a bit painful, but conversation was good. After dropping Dan off at his house, Dave and I split up the rest of the fish at his house.
I got home right near dark. S/O helped repackage fish. It would have been nice to take the time to remove all the Y-bones before freezing, but I just didn't have it in me due to the late hour.
So not the best year of fishing ever. I won't take the slow fishing a premonition of what my year's future outdoor adventures will bring.
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