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PONDERING CORE ESSENCE
NUMENON |
I have generally been treated well by my experiences in New Hampshire. Starting with summer vacations as a kid and catching my first brookie and brown trout as I learned to fish; choosing my college destination largely based on a sense of place; tons of fish and memories from the Connecticut River and its tributaries; a couple of lunker smallmouths and the largest green bass I've ever hooked; hiking, floating and camping; to say nothing of meeting my best friend and getting married there. I'd recently enjoyed the day amiably touristing with A, visiting some old, familiar places but finding some new ones, too. But it was the apparently complete silence of the night on February 15, 2020 that reminded me why I've got the Granite of New Hampshire deep within me. It was a simple walk to relieve the dog; but the utter stillness of the setting grabbed me. This was a different place than Boston or Lansing or even Casco Bay, and I need such a place in my life. What a pleasure to have been reminded of this. What a gift to recognize (and to be able to act upon) this need. I'm pretty sure that my annual, non-resident fishing license will be an investment in my well-being. Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways
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Progress on my fishing goals for 2019 was discussed in my October 20, 2019 post located at www.numenonfunfishing.com/numenon-home/archives/10-2019 , but because I generally fell short on these, I think I'll just carry them over to 2020. But, with my relocation and limited local knowledge, I am also going to add this; catch a 16-inch trout! This is a super modest goal, but since pond-fishing for trout seems to be available locally (at least seasonally) and the waters I've encountered so far seem to be relatively picturesque, I'll continue this pursuit. So, my Fishing Goals for 2020 can be presented as: 1. Catch a legal-sized striper (28 inches) from amybaby22 2. Share a fresh fish meal with Uncle M 3. Catch my biggest ever striper 4. Catch a false albacore! 5. Catch a 6-pound "bass" (green, brown or sea-) 6. Catch a 16-inch trout! I don't see how a season could not be viewed as a success if it includes the accomplishment of just about any subset of these goals! There are many other possibilities to spice my season, too. I have so many new (and familiar) waters and experiences potentially available to me, it is just difficult for me to visualize how I will choose to spend my fishing time. But, let's admit, the surf, Lake Winnipesaukee, the Merrimack and Connecticut Rivers all beckon; as do Upper Narragansett Bay, the Cape Cod Canal and certain fresh waters of Little Rhody and Maine. More importantly, I also envision sharing a specifically-crafted, unique experience with each of my girls in 2020. These may or may not involve being on the water or fishing; only time will tell! Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways In my first post here for 2019, I mused and shared five goals for my 2019 Fishing Season. With both boats now put away for the winter, I guess I am in a position to evaluate how I fared in 2019. How about 0 for 5? Ouch! But, the details really aren't so bad... Legal-sized Striper in the New Boat One might think that a single striper out of 180 swung over the side of amybaby22 in 2019 would have measured 28 inches, but that just didn't happen. A few were close, but any striper over 25 inches or so was "big" for me this year. Population dynamics, weather, timing, small boat in protected water, choice of light tackle and lures; these all contributed to the lack of big stripers. But, I enjoyed awesome, fun fishing along the way, and I can't say that I recall encountering and losing any big stripers, so I've nothing to feel bad about. And, in all honesty, bigger fish were generally scarce this year; a "keeper" wasn't a sure thing for anybody on a given trip this year. Share a Fresh Fish Dinner with Uncle M This didn't exactly happen, but it could have. Some sea bass and scup were kept and cleaned in May, but they were still in cold storage when I left for Michigan. And I could have kept some tailor blues on my last trip, but I was staying in a House Divided. Only Uncle M had a taste for these, so I chose not to harvest any blues. I could have even joined him for lunch on my last full day on the Cape, but I was busy winterizing the skiff, so I deferred. I did hear the "Stuffies" and "Chowdah" were pretty good, though! Land a False Albacore In my limited opportunity, this just didn't happen. I never got touched by a tuna in 2019. I was a bit late for the best part of the season in my chosen waters, and the general consensus was that 2019 was no 2018 for funny fish; and 2018 was certainly not as good as 2017. The limited number of tuna I did find within range this year were not interested in my lures, as they seemed to be regionally interested in only the tiniest live baits. But, I'm certainly looking forward to 2020! Largest-Ever Striper When you don't catch a keeper, it's tough to get a personal best. I did, however, catch my largest-ever scup! And, I had a lot of good fishing and fun along the way. 6-Pound Black Bass This is the least likely goal to achieve, in my opinion, but it kind of did happen! Still, I won't give myself full credit, because A caught her 6.1-pound smallmouth while I was busy with a measly four-pounder. What a catch! And I might never scoop, with a single swipe, over 10 pounds of smallmouth into the net again! What do I have to say about this? Well, I already have my first 5 goals for the 2020 fishing season! I'm sure I'll add a couple or few, too, but these will already provide the motivation for next year. And, I won't say I failed in any way; I enjoyed the process in pursuit of these. That process is, ultimately, much more important than any particular outcome. Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways What a month! Well, at least for my fishing. Each and every trip produced fine fishing for the targeted quarry, whether it was trophy smallmouth bass on Lake St. Clair or the early-season stripers of Cape Cod. I caught fish in new water and with new techniques. I netted a 6-pound smallie for my best friend and another day's Big Bass earned me a cold beverage from another. I wore my hands and thumbs out with dozens of stripers in a few days. I scored bonus fishing days on the water with loved ones. I planned, adjusted, persevered and executed. I launched a new boat! I enjoyed (pretty much) every minute on the water. I am at least willing to consider the nomination of May 2019 as my Best Fishing Month, ever. In terms of consistency, quality of experience, big fish, action and fulfillment, I cannot recall a better 30-day stretch. I'll do my best to develop future nominees, but I will also recall this past month's efforts with gratification and satisfaction. Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways It was good to be reminded that, every so often, things turn out even better than could possibly be expected. Lake St. Clair was very generous to me on April 27, 2019. I'd never fished there that early in the season, and I felt like I was gambling with conditions as I jammed a session between a Small Craft Advisory and the watch for the next Winter Storm. The details are available above, www.numenonfunfishing.com/numenonfunfishing , but let's just say that conditions were more pleasant, the bass more plentiful, and larger than I could have reasonably asked. With four bass over four pounds, a virtual limit over 20 pounds and a very sore left bass thumb, it was an unexpectedly good day on the water! Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways This week provided for a comfortable, if less than productive, start to the 2019 open water fishing season. I managed to fit in a simple, weekday shore session to start things off. I bent the rods a few times and got satisfactorily slimy and dirty. On Saturday, Numenon made her initial splash for the season on a welcoming, soft Spring day. The catching proved impossible, but the fishing itself was satisfying, if only to finally be out there, have everything work as expected, and to be among the cranes, loons, geese and ducks. While I look forward to some more exciting and productive fishing in the coming months, it was nice to break in the new season in such a relaxed and comfortable manner. Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways A nice day stretched before me; it would include a half day of work, sunny skies with temperatures getting into the mid- or high-30s, and a planned ice session with a good friend on a quiet lake. But first, it was time for Ollie's morning walk! With a leisurely schedule for the day, we were 45 minutes or so behind our regular schedule. The sun had already risen and conditions were bright. Songbirds were evident and actively singing! A couple of hundred yards from the house, I heard it for the first time in 2019; a tom turkey was gobbling! His mind was on Spring; he was feeling it! Later that afternoon, I reasonably chose to wear sunglasses while I drove to McEwen Lake. And the roads were dry! And while the fishing was not so hot, it was a pleasure to be outside without gloves or knit hats. And I did score a pretty decent crappie, so I can't complain about the fishing. The Groundhog had declared six more weeks of Winter on February 2. I'll give him that; three more weeks to go. In my mind, I choose to believe that February 22, 2019 was the Tipping Point where Winter started ceding to Spring. I welcome this progression. I hope I am not too misguided in these thoughts. Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways Along with the New Year come New Goals. These are just a few of the things I hope to make happen in 2019. By no means are these my most important goals, but they're fun to think about because they are fishing-related. In no particular order: Land a Legal-Sized Striper in the New Boat I'd prefer to not count my chickens, but this should be the most likely of the goals to accomplish. I don't care which state coughs up a 28-incher, but hauling such a fish over the gunnels will initially validate the new boat's purchase. It might be all about timing, as the last few years in Maine have produced only a very small percentage (2-3%) of legal-sized stripers for me; and so my best bet might be earlier in the season at Cape Cod. I wouldn't mind scratching this modest goal off my list early; and if I do it in a new location or with a new technique, all the better! Share a Fresh Fish Dinner with Uncle M I am not too keen on eating fish, but I can tolerate it occasionally. I even enjoy the very occasional fish I harvest myself. Since Uncle M and his Significant Other both expressed disbelief in my dogged pursuit of fish last fall, with no potential opportunity for a meal, I know that they would appreciate a few sea bass or striper fillets. Uncle M even expressed a taste for bluefish. I should be able to provide them something whenever I am on Cape Cod. Plus, sea bass, scup and blues are all very gyotaku-worthy. Land a False Albacore I've had The Fever and there's only one cure; I need to land one of these funny fish. Catch My Largest-Ever Striper This is a tall order, but I might as well state it as a goal, and I might as well do it this year. If I don't accomplish this, it will simply slide to 2020. And if I do, I am sure that this will stay on my list perennially. I've approached, but never confirmed possession of, an honest 20-pounder. Let's face it; that's a beautiful fish, but by no means a giant striped bass. I'd like to make some progress towards that giant. Land a 6-Pound Black Bass A 6-pound bass here in Michigan is an outstanding fish, and one cannot expect to catch one unless one is on the water a lot, at the right time(s), and a bit lucky. What more could one ask for from a fishing season? As I drafted this, I was thinking about freshwater fish and so envisioned a lunker largemouth or smallmouth bass. But, as I type this, I think I will liberalize this goal to also include black sea bass on Cape Cod. That, too, would be an awesome catch! I'll be satisfied with any combination of these, I promise! So, here's to an excellent 2019! Good luck to you and yours! Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways From the excitement of Costa Rica to the simple satisfaction of watching my slip float pulled down by yet another Maine striper; from having absolutely no idea what the depths might yield next to sight-casting for a 20-inch smallmouth and watching her eat my Ned Rig; from day-dreaming about the Striper Cup boat to shore fishing in the rain all day for albies; 2018 provided a nice mix of adrenaline and relaxation. And while I was mostly alone, I shared some of the best times with family, loved ones and friends. I really couldn't ask for more. Still, I bet I try to squeeze more out of 2019. Regarding 2019, Isla Mujeres sailfish are being researched and discussed. Michigan smallies and New England stripers are a given. I would like to try some ice fishing this year, gyotaku a few new species, and I'm certain that some other opportunities will present themselves. Here's to continued health and enthusiasm, as well as the stable foundation of happiness and security that makes this all possible! Not just for me; but, for all! Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways It's only mid-November, but the holidays are here; there's snow on the ground; Numenon is winterized and tucked away; and my effort for the 2018 season might very well be complete. So, just for fun and any possible insight, here are a few pie charts breaking down my 2018 fishing experiences. ![]() My move to mid-Michigan has reduced my interest in, and opportunity for, chasing trout and salmon. But those resources have been applied to my bass fishing. Meanwhile, a single day of walleye fishing was enough, and I will simply admit my surprise that I didn't spend more time chasing pike and muskies. Many good fishing things happened for me in 2018! Let's see what I can do with whatever 2019 offers! Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways |
Steve LachanceVia Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Michigan and now, back to New England! Archives
June 2024
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