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Date: April 2, 2019 Body of Water: Flat River, Kent County Boat: None, Shore Fishing With: Conference Call Attendees Target: Suckers Time: 2:45 PM - 5:15 PM Conditions: 50 - 55 degrees F, clouding over with a developing strong SW breeze. All area ice is out, but only within the last week. Water levels were just slightly high and the river's flow was clear. This had been the first above-freezing night in quite a while, and local frogs had awakened. A smattering of black stoneflies were emerging during the session. My original and long-standing plan for the day was to follow up an early morning East Grand Rapids appointment with a bass-fishing session on Reeds Lake. I could picture the six-pounders eating my jerk-baits. Of course, things don't always go according to plan. The appointment was rescheduled for the middle of the day, and work demanded some attention later in the afternoon. But, if the timing was right, I could be done in Grand Rapids and on my way back east by the time the conference call in question called to order. I'd have to stop driving to safely participate, so if the timing were supreme, why wouldn't I stop at a favorite streamside location? And so I found myself alongside the Flat River at 2:45 PM, hoping to intercept a couple (or more) of suckers in my first open-water fishing attempt for 2019. I was pleased to find the river in good shape, at a fishable level and clear. A beaver had felled a tree right into the heart of my preferred eddy, and I found several new-to-me, unexpected snags during the session. But the important aspect of the attempt was this; by 2:59 PM, I had two baits (red worms) in place (weighted with one or two small shot) as I called in to the scheduled conference call. My role involved much more listening than talking; I enjoyed watching my rod tips while I listened, took notes and absorbed various signs of Spring. A conference call is certainly enhanced when one is fishing, even if you do miss the first couple of strikes of the season! At one point, my downstream rod looked like a Great Lakes down-rigger rod bucking in a holder, but somehow that fish got away before I could get to it. I missed a more modest bite on my closer rod just as the call was winding down. Both strikes were recorded in my meeting notes. And while I'd no fish to show for my efforts so far, I was ahead of schedule in knowing that at least a few fish were present in the hole. With my work day now completed, I quickly scouted any potential new location. I returned to my eddy, knowing it was the best local option. With a few fish present, I thought my best chance for catching something in my remaining time resided in this same location. I re-baited my hooks and waited, but this time with full attention on the rods and the ability to react more quickly. Just a few moments later I sensed a slight but steady pressure on the closest rod. I came tight to a fish right next to the sunken log. It's golden flashing instantly revealed it to be the target species, a Golden Redhorse. This one was big and feisty enough to pull some drag, but in short order I led it to my feet. The real 2019 Fishing Season was now underway! ![]() In the next hour, with careful attention I was fortunate to convert two very light bites into two more suckers. These were more modestly sized. The second fish of the day was a plain White Sucker, while the third was another showey Redhorse. What do I have to say about this? It's just sucker fishing (and not even fast and furious sucker fishing), so what's to say? Once again I began my season in a favored, comfortable spot. I got bitten during a work-related conference call, I enjoyed the company of some aggressive Canada geese, I got my hands dirty and my feet muddy. There will be plenty of time for Going Large for Legitimate Quarry in 2019, but there should always be time for the simplicity of this, too. Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways
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