Sometimes things just click and go better than expected. For example, I was surprised when I received a call from the VA gamefish tagging program saying I won an award. It turns out I tagged the second most spadefish in 2012.
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| Humbled to be in this group |
After looking through my records, I ended up with 60 tagged spades (caught more than that, but didn’t tag them all). I admit, it was a pretty sweet feeling knowing I accomplished that in a kayak.
So with that jolt of motivation, I ventured out to the Elizabeth River the next day to stick some more fish. Like I mentioned before, sometimes things just click. I had all the popular hot spots entirely to myself. Granted it was a little rainy, but the wind wasn’t too bad. For a Saturday in February, it felt surreal that no one was there. And in my solitude, I proceeded to tag trout after trout. It almost felt like I could do no wrong as MirrOlures, paddle tails, and minnows all found their target. None were huge (up to 22″), but I had a great time. Sorry no pics.
A week later, I met up with fellow Werner Paddles prostaff members, Richie Bekolay and Drew Camp to see if we could wrangle up some sweetwater species.
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| Photo credit: Chip Camp |
Optimistic with the recent string of good graces, I took out a brand new paddle (Werner Kalliste) as well as a new reel (Daiwa Lexa 100HS) thinking it was going to be a good day. Well, as luck would have it, nothing went my way. The one fish I hooked shook it’s head twice and out came the lure. I popped off two spinnerbaits while casting and hung a third one in a tree. Uncharacteristic rookie mistakes plagued me most of the day, but at least I got some decent pics of Richie’s fish.
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| I may have been pouting as much as this guy. |
Richie connected 4 times with two going over 20″.
Drew had one at 16″.
And as hard as I tried I still came home
reaking of Monsieur Le Pew.