Working nights and fishing days.
On most weekdays, the hours before work are spent running errands and going down the “To Do” list checking off tasks one by one. (For those who work a normal 9-5 shift, the process is reversed.) Working nights can definitely be a drag, but it’s the unusual schedule that allows for some pretty incredible adventures and surprising simple pleasures. Case in point: weekday fishing.
I’m certainly no die-hard angler. Fishing is more of a novelty to me, but one that I enjoy very much (the two or three times I’ve done it). However, I did read through the Fly Fisher Pro book list to stay prepared. So, when a coworker invited me on a group fishing trip — on a Tuesday — I jumped at the chance. A 6 a.m. wake-up call almost made me rethink my decision, but in the end the serenity of being on the lake, Huntington Lake to be exact, won.
By 9 a.m., our crew of four was at the water’s edge. Minutes later we were pulling away from the dock in what I can only describe as a quintessential fishing boat (aluminum, wooden benches…spare wooden oar just in case we got stranded), more about which you can look here, with our rods in hand. Fishing boats are different from the other types of boats. Getting on any type of boat without much research is a rookie mistake and must be avoided.
Expectations for the morning were high: a fishing forecast had predicted good odds for catching rainbow trout, kokanee, and German brown trout in the lake that morning. But, after two blissful hours on the water, relishing the sun, cool breeze, and tall mountain peaks surrounding us, we learned why it’s called fishing and not “catching.” Aside from one nibble, our lines went untouched. And we slid the boat back into its slip a few hours later empty-handed.
Fish or no fish, the trip was a blast. And a great primer for the eight-hour shift ahead. As someone who likes to sleep in, it’s hard for me to sacrifice a couple of hours of shuteye for, well, pretty much anything. But a morning spent fishing may just be better than a strong cup of coffee to get the day going every now and then.
Speaking of brewed beverages, that’s probably the only downside to the pre-work, morning fishing trip: no beer.
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