I’m Still A Guy

Technology is a cool thing. I didn’t think that I would be as dependent on the technology of today as I am. In some ways I wish I weren’t…then there are times that it is pretty cool. I recently had a birthday, #49, and decided I would like to have one of these cool I-pods that everyone seems to be enjoying. I know this doesn’t sound like me and my two boys flipped that Dad had bought something like this. I purchased an I-pod Shuffle and went about downloading a bunch of my favorite music on it and proudly I was able to figure this out on my own; don’t laugh as I was fairly sure I would need help.

Last week was one great fishing week as I caught a bunch of fish, including hooking into a large smallie that not only busted off my fly…but broke the last inch and a half off of my beloved Cabela’s TQR (Tight Quarters Rod). Harrison was about 10 feet to my right when I hooked this big bruin and had little to say when the fish jumped and presented its full size to us. It was at that point that the fish made a hard left hand turn downstream…and at the same time that my rod tip caught an overhanging limb and as they say, the rest is history; not only did he take my fly but left me holding the last bit of my 2 weight rod. To say that I had done battle is an understatement but for a minute or so it sure was fun.

My little rod had a 10 year warranty and so I quickly returned home, phoned Cabela’s and found out that the TQR rod was back-ordered for six weeks. I had already had my eyes set on a TFO 2 weight rod that was 7’3” and thus ordered the rod as a replacement, kicked in a few extra Cabela’s bucks and began waiting for my favorite UPS man to pull into our drive.

This past Friday found mom and dad on my front porch with dad helping me build a new set of steps. We were about halfway through when my Shorthairs started barking and that means someone is close….sure enough it was my new rod, here in only 4 days! Dad and I finished the stairs and the three of us made our way into Spencer and had a bite for lunch…my mind was on the afternoon; knowing I had a few hours and a new rod that needed to be bent on a fish.

The good thing about our area is that there is lots of fishing to be had and within 30 minutes I was putting together a new rod. I started with my ‘hero’ marks; I put 3 marks on the inside of all my fly-rods, one at 12 inches, one at 15 and one at 20, this quickly allows me to gauge the length of any fish I catch and with bass I know if they are legal (14 or 15 inches). A little drop of pink fingernail polish makes a mark that is clear, easy to see and only takes a moment to set up.

Today, I would be listening to music on my new Shuffle as I fished and frankly I felt odd at first but who in the world can beat flowing water, blue skies, smallmouth and George Strait? I had tied a few new flies in styles and colors that looked like flying ants hoping that I could fool a few of the finicky smallies that I had encountered over the past week.

When I got to the first big hole I eased around and placed myself below the fish. I tied on a black and yellow ant in size 8 and made a cast above the hole allowing the bug to dead drift into the hole. On the first cast I saw a flash in the water, always a good sign. On my second cast I watched as the bug entered the hole and the end of my fly line stopped and dipped; I quickly set the hook on a fat smallie and the battle was on. I was not sure how my new rod would handle the stress of this strong fish and I quickly got all my fly line on the reel and allowed the drag to do its job. This fatty was not happy to have been hooked and he put up a fight of about 2 minutes before I backed him up and was able to lip a 15 inch smallmouth that had to weigh 2 ½ pounds. I snapped a few photos and it was at that moment that in my ears was ringing a familiar song…it was Brad Paisley’s “I’m Still A Guy” and I had to laugh because for those of you that know the lyrics there is a portion that talks to the gal seeing a beautiful lake for a picnic and the guy seeing a largemouth up under the log. I hit replay and listened to the familiar lyrics and had a humorous moment all on my own as the song nailed my relationship with Vickie and probably for many of our ‘guy’ readers…as they have a similar relationship with their significant other. To each their own….but I know I am still a guy and landing the several smallies on this glorious afternoon was special; so guys, get out there and get going as that big fish up under that log is waiting for you as we all Enjoy the Great Outdoors.