I haven't exactly been a modern day Magellan with my efforts to live up to my #OneWord. Oh sure, I've done a little of this (coached a varsity level volleyball team for the first time) and some of that (fished on opening day for the first time in a looonnnngg time), and of course I veered off into the world of mobile phone technology. But none of that stuff felt like true exploration; all were more like opportunities provided by circumstance. Until today.
Today I went fishing to a lake I've never seen in a corner of the county I've never been in. Ok, ok - so I wasn't Neil Armstrong bopping off across the moon......baby steps, people, baby steps. The day was warm but not hot, a scarce breeze was blowing, so I decided it was time to find a new lake. I studied a map of the county, read some lake survey results, and chose the lake I would fish.......until I noticed another lake slightly east of the one I chose. A lake with a better name....better survey data......better water quality......a lake that somehow tugged a little stronger at my thoughts of exploring. Decision made, I hooked up the boat and was off.
And I chose.......wisely. The lake was beautiful, the water clarity as good as advertised. The fishing was decent enough - not terrific, not terrible - to keep me on my toes. The drive to and from took me through scenic lands and forests, and was a good reminder that I am surrounded by some high quality landscapes in this east-central section of the state. In fact, today I decided that were it not for the wilderness paradise I have waiting for me up north there are pieces of land around here that would be suitable for me to die on. All in all it was a terrific fishing trip, one that far exceeded my hopes and expectations. I boated six of these....
....none of which were very big, but they all put up a good tussle. That's a largemouth bass, by the way, my favorite fish to target in the summer. I also lost a bass that might have been the biggest one of the day - but isn't that what's always said about the one that gets away?!? Caught a few accidental sunnies, and one little hammer handle northern pike. As I said, not terrific fishing but I think the lake has potential for some really good bass and sunfish action.
What's the lake, you ask? It's the one I shall return to alone or with blindfolded companions. It's a small lake that's off the beaten path, and when you find a hidden gem you don't go giving a bunch of clues to the quarry, know what I'm sayin'? I get disgusted with some of the lakes I fish in this area of the state - too many weeds, too many people, not enough fish. But this lake was as close to an up-north kind of lake as I've found around my area, so I'd like to keep it that way. Quiet....calm.....mine.
With a successful day of exploration in the books I sign off for the evening, leaving you with the image I was left with as I loaded up this afternoon. Call it a clue if you'd like....if you can find the lake based on this picture I will gladly share its waters as a reward for your ingenuity.
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