Reading the Water

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Role Models.  I am always looking for role models.  As I paddle on the river, I watch the birds.

Do they dive after every ripple in the surface or fleeting shadow running through the water?

No, they are patient.  They are efficient.

The top avians hunters watch the water.  They are patient.  They read the water,

Whether it be the Osprey, Great Blue Heron, or fidgety Kingfishers, the birds are the most amazing fish catchers.

What do I learn from them?  As someone who fishes from a kayak, I don't have the time or endurance to blindly cast to every pocket of water.

Instead, I look at each piece of water.  Is it deep enough? Is the bottom rocky?  Does it look like something would be waiting there?  I cast my line . . .

Yep!  I hook up with a nice smallmouth.

And again in a new spot!

I don't cast to every piece of water.  I watch the water.  I pick my casts carefully.  I try to follow the lessons of the birds . . .

Black Brook

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There are those little slices of water we pass by everyday as we drive to and from.  You drive over a small bridge and glimpse a sliver of water.  You wonder what is there.

By the river house there is a small stream - Black Brook.  I found a small pull-off near a bridge and parked there.  I pulled my little kayak off the roof and put in.  Black Brook is just 12 feet wide and quite shallow.

There is little development along the brook.  It felt very pristine and private.  I saw deer along the bank and osprey in the tall trees.

The water is quite brown and weedy.  As I paddled along I could see the weeds were right up to the surface.

As the river meandered, I could see the weeds would disappear.  I knew I found a deeper pocket of water.

A few casts consistently would result in a small bluegill or bass.

I paddled downstream and got pulled into the quiet and peaceful setting.  I could have continued on, but the sportsman in me wanted to find bigger water.

I turned around  and paddled upstream.  As I passed under the bridge by the pull-off I could see the brook had a different feel.  The water was covered in duck weed.  The water was still shallow, but I saw a bend ahead.  Maybe the water was deeper there and held a bigger fish . . .

Success!  I nice largemouth bass.

I still need to explore more of Black Brook.  I wonder if there are deeper pockets of water with bigger fish . . .

Winning and Losing

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I do love chasing after smallmouth bass.  The river is rocky and there are a number of nice pockets for these great fighting fish.  I paddle about to my favorite spots and cast about.  I fish light weight tackle and barbless hooks, so it can be challenging keeping them on the hook when they jump.

Sometimes I land them . . .

. . . and sometimes I don't!

Enjoy.