Kayaks and Largemouth
As Larry and John drove along Route 95 heading south in the pre-morning darkness of a chilly spring morning, they shared the road with several trucks towing expensive bass boats. Two kayaks were strapped to the top of Larry’s Jeep. In sharp contrast they would be fishing the same waters in pursuit of the same fish.
Often times we, especially sportsmen, are falsely led into believing the “required equipment” needed to get out and do what we want to experience. I blame the endless fishing and hunting shows on TV for bombing us with the long and expensive list of things we must have to be able to bass fish, turkey hunt or even just go for a hike. This could not be further from the truth.
Saturday Morning On the Water – Kayak Bass Fishing
Saturday morning in spite of the passing cold front and high winds, Larry, John and me, pushed our kayaks into Mattawoman Creek sharing the largemouth fishing with those expensive shiny bass boats. At one point during our morning, I joked that some of those bass fishermen were wearing rain suits that cost more than my kayak.
Yes even in a kayak you can catch largemouth
In spite of the weather, John was able to catch a few good sized Largemouths during our morning. I myself never did land a fish on Saturday. That’s fine by me; I was spending my time with some friends on the water watching the day unfold. Three Canada Geese circled and landed on the water between Larry and myself as we pitched soft plastic baits in a patch of lily pads. A very vocal bald eagle sat watching high in a tree top. Wood ducks pitched into a small creek damned by a large beaver dam. An osprey sat on her nest.
Go Outside and Play
Yep, being out on the water doing something I love is much better than sitting at home wishing I had the money to buy a bass boat and ten new fishing rods. We all have seen the inspirational posters that say in one way or another, “life is not a dress rehearsal” or that we get only one go at life, live it to the fullest. In contrast through the commercialism of today, we are often led into believing we need to have just the “right” stuff to go out and enjoy. Wrong. Getting out is the important part, not the stuff.
Hence why the motto of Augie’s Adventures is; “It is not the one with the most toys that wins. It is the one who plays the most.”
I challenge everyone this weekend to just go out and try something out of doors that you want to try; even if you don’t have all the “must haves” that TV tells us we must have.
I think I can fit.
You never know how it may turn into an experience not to be forgotten. Like a certain guy, losing his hid-a-key and having to fit his big butt through his truck’s window to unlock the door.
