Some Observations from a cranky old man.

[cassidyta]

First of all, no, I am not the cranky old guy.

There is a guy who I have run into several times at one of my local lakes. He is usually fishing in a float tube and works the points closest to the launch. He and I have spoken a few times at the lake and the local tackle shops but had never fished together until this week.
With the water down, his normal points were not producing. I offered him a back seat and he accepted.
Now Chris is a retired USMC SgtMaj. He retired from the Corps in 77 and recently retired from the state as well. He has no family and this crusty SOB is likely short on friends as well. It was almost funny how he acted as though he was doing me a favor by riding in my boat.
The first thing that caught my eye was that he brought two rods and no tackle box nor bag. In one shirt pocket he carried a spook and in the other a pack of worms all the same color. He had one pack of hooks and a few weights as well.
I asked him if he needed any baits, and he just chuckled and said, "Why the F&^* would I use anything except what I know works?"
A great question and I had no answer for it.

Throughout the day, from spot to spot, He continued to pull up fish. I picked up a few here and there, but he was consistent at every spot. At one point he hooked into a real good fish. After a few minutes of fighting it, he reached over and pulled up a 5 lbs beauty. He proceeded to unhook it the same way you would a dink and unceremoniously toss it right back in as I was asking if he wanted a picture. He laughed for the only time that day. "A picture doesn't make a fish any bigger or smaller"

I asked him about the biggest bass he had ever caught. He simply shrugged and held his hands out to his side to show a length. "That's the problem with you damn kids, you are too worried about size". He then went on to explain to me how he has never weighed a fish. He couldn't understand why I would have a scale in the boat. I chuckled and said it is for when I break the world record. He sorta cocked his head and then said "Son, I sure hope you never do break it." I asked why not and his explanation was simple. "If you are so caught up in catching the biggest one, then there is nothing left to fish for once you do."
He then proceeded to hook into a small fish. He adjusted his drag to play it for a minute before landing and releasing it. Pretty much the same way he ahd done every fish on the day no matter what the size.

Now I am not saying that Chris is right nor wrong, but it sure had me thinking when the day was done.