While there has not been what you could really call a lot of snow so far this winter, other than in the last two weeks, I am totally sick and tired of shovelling the driveway.
It’s barely midwinter and I’m already looking forward, no longing, for the coming of spring – to be heading out on the lake and casting my first line of the season.
With the promise of spring and the start of a new fishing season, there is always something to look forward to.
This year, I’m going to have to buy a new (newer used) boat.
I sold my old boat two years ago and haven’t picked up another one – yet. I’m still looking.
I’ll probably also have to buy some new fishing gear as well. I’ve been contemplating trying a bit of surf fishing out on the west coast of Vancouver Island (Since I don’t have a boat).
A new saltwater spinning reel with a large capacity spool would certainly come in handy. Not that I don’t already own at least one of just about every kind of fishing rod and reel there is, from casting rods to fly rods to spey rods, spinning reels to level winds and centre pins to, well, just about everything else in between.
I know I’ve always wanted to own one of those handmade Scaracione salmon reels – you know, the type with the old-style S-handles, all made out of stainless steel and brass. Or maybe this will be the year I finally spring for a Hardy Cascapedia spey reel. One can always dream.
A decent saltwater spinning reel would cost about $400. A Hardy Cascapedia would be more than twice as much.
As for a handmade Scaracione salmon reel, well, if you have to ask you can’t afford one.
I’m not what you would call a purist when it comes to casting a line, but I will say that I really do prefer fly fishing, whether with a single-handed rod or one of those long, 15 foot, two-handed spey rods.
Fly fishing is a bit more technical, but it’s still a pretty good fit for a guy like me.
I do have to say though, that the whole fly fishing thing is a far cry from the days when I was a kid heading down to the creek with an old metal rod, complete with a Shakespeare bait caster and a can of worms.
Casting a line to fish holding in the shadow of a rock was certainly a lot less technical back then.
Life was less technical.
What I wouldn’t give to be a kid again, to sit on a rock somewhere, casting to unsuspicious little trout and all without a care in the world.
Things have changed though since I was a kid. And although I don’t own a boat, I do own three motors – two different horsepower gas engines for different sized lakes and an electric trolling motor, not to mention the two expensive gel batteries needed to run the darned thing. The gas motors get me to where I want to go on the lake in a hurry and the electric motor allows me to troll more quietly and cover more water.
The thing is, back in the days when I didn’t even own a boat motor and had to row, well, I still managed somehow.
In some ways I think having to row gave me a chance to get to know a lake better. It gave me a chance to look for insect hatches coming off and rising trout.
All I know for sure is this coming fishing season, when (and if) I finally do get out on the lake with a new (newer used) boat, I’m going to make a point of using my oars. Just for old times sake.
As for buying a hand-made Scaracione salmon reel or Hardy Cascapedia, like I said, it’s been two years and I haven’t even managed to buy a boat.