Extreme Fishing For Girls!!!!

Just after Christmas, I went to a local hunting and tackle shop with a friend. We had a great time digging around all the really cool stuff. I wandered over to the fishing rod department to check out what they had since I was planning to get some gear and start fishing in the new season. Suddenly my eye caught hold of something so wonderful, so fabulous, I did a double take. I took a step closer and swooned...

A pink fishing rod!

I asked the sales person if it was a "real" rod or just a novelty item. She assured me that it was a sturdy angling rod that would be good for fishing for smaller salmon and trout. Just what I needed to get started! And, not that I needed any more convincing, but she also pointed out that there were two LED lights running off a dynamo in the reel!!

Of course as soon as I got home I dropped lots of loud hints about my find. After all, I had a birthday coming up! And sure enough, last week, on my birthday, I received my pink fishing rod along with a tackle belt and a starter kit of tackle and hooks. I was so excited, but resigned that I wouldn't be trying out my new stuff for at least another month.

I was wrong.

Kitimat has been experiencing the most unbelievably beautiful weather. All week the temperature has been well above zero, with bright sun and clear skies. The snow is melting, the water is running, it feels like Spring!!! And so this afternoon our friends called to see if we wanted to go fishing on the Kitimat river.

We quickly decided to go along, if only to enjoy the fresh air (and the bonfire, hotdogs, and marshmallows!) Fishing licenses start in April, so it really wasn't worthwhile to purchase one for a month. However, a quick internet search revealed that one day permits are available, and so we loaded up my gear and headed out! We stopped at a tackle shop to buy my permit and I got my "anglers number." You have this number for life - exciting!!! We made another quick stop for weiners and continued to the river.

I had a great time casting and reeling in (although it was so sunny it was hard to see the lights). We decided to move to a sunnier spot beside a large log jam (trout apparently gather around fallen trees). After a few more casts I realized that I hadn't put a worm on my hook. So I headed back to get some bait. I was assured that I would've been fine without a worm, but to feel free to use some. I was pleased that years after my Dad showed me how, I still had the knack, and the stomach, to bait my own hook! (With apologies to the worms, I'll remember you always!)

The river was fairly shallow, so getting snagged on the bottom was inevitable. Most of the snags were easily released. However, one cast very close to the trees got snagged really well, and no amount of coaxing would release it. I had no room to move downstream to ease it out, unless I was willing to climb the trees...

Well, I'm a thrifty sort, and I also really hated the thought of having to go back to the fire with my line cut. So with the phase "no lure left behind" in my head, I started clambering up the logs. I felt muscles I hadn't used in a very long time. I quickly realized I would be more mobile if I took off my groovy tackle belt (think a fanny pack with three sections, one of which is holding a solid plastic miniature tackle box). Free of my belt, I moved a bit easier over the logs, but I did have to watch out for frost (slippery!) and sticks (trippy!) I got into position and started moving my line around, to no avail. She was stuck.

By now my pal had joined me. She was able to see my lure, and pointed it out to me, so we had an idea where it was snagged. She also came up with the idea to find a large stick to bump the rock off of my hook. Well, the stick ended up being a tree. If you've ever tried moving a tree through a briskly flowing river, well, let's just say it's a great resistance workout for your arms. Finally, thanks to hard work, innovative thinking, cooperation, and a very heavy stick / log, my line was free. Still attached was a very relieved looking worm. I lost him soon after (to the river, not a trout) but it was nice to see him come through that ordeal.

So, no trout were caught, but we had a great time and a yummy campfire supper of hot dogs and marshmallows. Soon I'll have a regular permit and there'll be no stopping me!

Now, where can I find a pink fishing vest...?