Be Careful About Badmouthin' Bowfin to Some Folks

One person who quickly comes to mind is kayak fisherman Ron Ameika, the fella holding the 26-inch, 5-pound 7-ounce "bruiser" in his lap in the photo at right. He caught this fish back on Feb. 28, 2016.

Another is Wisconsin angler, fishing guide, and writer, Andrew Ragas.

"I like these doggies, and so should you," said the latter. "They aren't cute puppies, but they sure fight like hell, are strong and muscular like a bull, and fun to catch..." all points that I feel sure Ron would endorse.

Ragas went on to note that angler sentiment toward these fish in northern Wisconsin is really bad.

"I have visited boat landings where I have seen these fish disposed of on shore," he explained. "I also have seen these fish hung on bulletin boards and signs of sophisticated access sites, as well.

"I severely frown upon anglers who kill and dispose of these fish. Do that, and you're never again welcome aboard my boat," he continued. "They are native species, with ancestry dating back to the prehistoric period. They are more native than any carp species that have invaded and infested most major waterways in North America. They also are more native to North American waters than the Great Lakes' salmon species...believe it."

Bowfin are a highly adaptable species of fish that can tolerate most environments. However, they fare best in eutrophic waters (warm and weedy, less oxygenated), which are habitats commonly found in the large shallow bays and backwaters of lakes and rivers.

"I don't understand what makes people want to eradicate bowfin," said Ragas. "If anglers seriously think these fish are bad for the particular bodies of water they dwell in, they are sadly mistaken. Another common mistake anglers make is their confusion in thinking these fish are the much destructive, invasive snakeheads, rather than innocent bowfins. Both have teeth, but only snakeheads can travel on land and have a darkish black-purple coloration, mixed with white with pink and red tints.

"I am an advocate for all species of fish," continued Ragas, "and I enjoy fishing for most species. There is no reason whatsoever why any species of fish, other than Asian carp, should be killed for fun, or eradicated due to false beliefs.

"Take it for what it's worth, ladies and gentlemen, but no fish is a 'trash fish'," concluded Ragas. (I know one person he never would have convinced of this last statement: that ol' redneck from West Virginia, otherwise known as the late Dewey Mullins.)

The author of the full-length version of this article, Andrew Ragas, has been a fisherman since the day he physically was able to handle a rod and reel. During his youth in the 1990s, when walleye populations were very strong and healthy in Wisconsin's Minocqua area, he grew up as a walleye angler, fishing alongside his father and grandfather. Then, as he reached high-school age and obtained a driver's license, he took up new fishing opportunities. In the 2000s, as bass fisheries were expanding in northern Wisconsin, bass fishing became his passion.

A Case of "I Have Felt Your Pain"

Early one Saturday afternoon, an 11-year-old boy was sitting at the end of a pond that was within walking distance of his house. He had lost his last hook and worm to a snag more than an hour earlier but wasn't ready to go home yet because of the turmoil he knew he would have to endure there.

So the lad instead had been watching a man in his boat for a while and taking note of the fact he wasn't having much luck. He wanted to ask the man if he might have some hooks and bait he could spare, but he lacked the courage just to ask outright.

The boy knew there was a chance he perhaps could find more hooks in the garage if he were to go home, but he also knew if his mom spotted him, she might not let him return to the pond. She often coped with the situation at home by dragging him into her troubles, even though there was no way he could help.

As a result, the lad simply continued sitting there, watching the man drift ever so slowly toward him. 

"Although he doesn't know it," thought the lad, "that man controls my fate. He's my last hope. There's no one else around, and I've already scoured the shoreline, looking for lost or discarded hooks. Will I get to spend the next few hours fishing, or will I be stuck just killing time?" he wondered.

The boy was about to ask the man how we was doing when the latter spoke first. "Caught some bass on the other end of the pond," he said, "but not much for a while now. You doing any good at this end?"

"I caught some nice bluegills earlier," the boy responded.

"How come you're not fishing now?" the man asked.

"I lost my last hook and worm on a snag," replied the lad.

"Well, listen," said the man. Since I'm headed in, you can have the rest of my worms, and I'm sure I have an extra hook or two as well. Walk over to the boat launch, and I'll give them to you when I get there."

At the launch, the man handed the boy a pack of Eagle Claw hooks and a small styrofoam box full of large night crawlers.

"Wow! Thanks, sir," said the boy. Now I can fish for the rest of the day," noted the lad, thinking that he maybe shouldn't have said that last part. 

The man hesitated and looked at him with a mixture of curiosity and concern. His eyebrows furrowed just a little.

"He must be wondering why a boy my age would fish all day by himself," thought the lad.

Then, though, the man smiled and said, with kindness and no judgment, "You're welcome, son. I remember what it's like. Good luck."

Now fast forward more than 40 years. The boy is now a man with his own boat, purposefully drifting into a favorite cove on a nearby lake when a young boy on the shore asks, "You catching anything?"

The lad is sitting on the bank, with his elbows on his knees and his chin resting on one hand. He isn't fishing, but there's a rod on the ground behind him.

As sad as it sounds, the man's first instinct was to pretend he hadn't heard the boy. Why? Because he had a line in the water and was over the targeted hot spot, and partly because of the times we live in.

"I would have to get closer to talk to the boy without yelling, and I could see he was alone," the man thought. "What would people think about a 55-year-old man, barefoot, in shorts and a T-shirt, talking to a young boy without his parents around? Was it really worth the potential trouble?"

The boy was persistent, though. "Can you hear me?" he asked. "I want to know if you're catching anything. You must have caught something."

"A couple of pickerel," the man acknowledged.

"Were they big ones?" asked the boy.

"No, but they get very big in this lake," said the man. "I've caught a couple over 20 inches right in this cove, not far from where you're standing."

"Maybe I'll catch one," said the lad. "I mostly just catch bass and sunfish. I don't think pickerel like worms."

"Nothing wrong with bass and sunfish," said the man. "They get very big here, too."

"I've caught some big ones...well, maybe not real big, but big for me" responded the lad.

"Do you fish here often?" asked the man.

To this point, their conversation had been like a ping-pong game: question and answer after more questions and answers. The boy could talk at an amazing pace, but now he hesitated, looked down at his feet for a moment, and then said, "I fish here all the time. I live just down the road. I easily can walk here."

"Do your parents ever fish with you?" asked the man, who recognized that this question, in the current day and age, might be inappropriate. He asked anyway, though, because, in his heart, he already knew the answer.

After another slight hesitation, the boy said, "It's just me and my mom. She doesn't like to fish. Her new boyfriend is nice enough to me, but he doesn't fish either. He has to work a lot. Sometimes they argue about that. They were arguing this morning, but it's OK, because she let me come here."

The lad was back at his initial pace now and might have gone on, but the man interrupted him by asking, "Why aren't you fishing now?"

"I ran out of hooks," said the boy. "I was about to head home when I saw you."

The man was close to the shore now...close enough to have the lad step aside so he could beach the front end of the boat. "I have plenty of hooks," he said. "Here, take this pack. And you can have these worms, too. I'm not fishing with worms today, so I don't need them."

"Thank you so much," said the lad, with a huge smile on his face.

The man was about to back away when a thought occurred to him. "Hand me your rod for a second, son."

"Why?" asked the boy.

"I'm going to tie a Rapala lure on your line," said the man. "They're great for catching pickerel. Just cast it out and reel it back slowly."

The boy's smile broadened considerably.

Meanwhile, the man went back to the middle of the cove and watched the boy work the Rapala. On his fourth cast, he shouted, "Hey, mister! I got one. It's a pickerel...a big one! Well, not real big but big for me. Thank you so much!"

The man then motored close enough to be sure the lad could hear him. "You're welcome, son," he said. "I remember what it's like. Good luck."

Author Mark Fiorentino has been obsessed with Einstein's Field Theory ever since hearing about it when he was only 10. He worked for many years in the high-tech industry, including for IBM. He penned this article for the Granby Drummer, a community-based nonprofit organization whose goal is to inform and educate Granby, CT residents on local issues. The preceding is a slightly amended version of the original piece.

Remembering Some Dads Who Started It All

What Comes Around Goes Around

Was reading the other day about a fella who was reliving some moments he had spent with his dad.

"We started fishing together when I was only 4," he said. "And I still recall Dad jokingly saying that was the last day of his fishing career...but his best day ever on the water. What he meant by that statement was that he knew he would be spending a lot of time teaching me the basics, tying my knots, taking my fish off, and trying to get my lures out of trees.

"Twenty-nine years later," he continued, "my dad is a healthy 64-year-old. However, his eyes aren't as good as they used to be, so he relies on me to tie his knots. He loves to use very light tackle, nothing bigger than 4-lb. test. Anything bigger," he says, "is cheating (which means I cheat).

"One particular day, while fishing a great bass pond in my area, we were doing pretty good. My father was landing some pretty big fish, so he was asking me to retie numerous times for him. I must have tied 40 Palomars for him that day.

"As a result, I didn't get much fishing of my own done...but that's OK, because it was my best fishing day in 29 years."

A Time to Take a Break, And a Time to Rekindle

Another fella wrote: "I've been fortunate to have a dad and grandfather, both of whom were huge fishermen in my life.

"When Papaw passed away in 1997, I hung up my rods for a spell. He and I had spent every summer on the lake for five years while I was out of school, and I just didn't feel like doing it any more. I had lost my passion for it.

"My dad and I continued to hunt and bowfish together, but it wasn't until 2003, at the coaxing of my brother-in-law, that I again took down my rods and went fishing with him. The passion came back, and I went out and bought a bass boat. Haven't missed a beat since.

"I take Mom and Dad every chance I get. And every once in a while, when I'm out by myself, I feel like there's a special person on the backseat of my boat. There's no better feeling in the whole world.

"It's always nice to take your elders out fishing and help them forget their problems for a while. You also create more memories that will last a lifetime."

Take Advantage of All Your Time With Dad

That's the advice from yet another fella, who went on to divulge that he lost his dad back in 2002 but hasn't let that impact the wealth of great memories he has about him, adding, "my one regret is that Dad passed about eight months before I bought a bass boat and thus never had an opportunity to take him out with me."

This fella went on to describe something he and his dad often talked about until the latter's demise. The story went like this:

"Dad and I were fishing in his 15-foot fiberglass boat, with a 25-horse engine. I was in the front and had foul-hooked a small shad, so decided to put it on a hook and drop it on the bottom for a catfish.

"It was January, I think, and while the water was a little chilly, the air wasn't..and usually isn't...that bad in South Texas. We had one of those old, massive aluminum tackleboxes, with a hip roof and about 20 trays on each side, and as luck would have it, the box was wide open. As I stepped off the deck, my foot went directly into the tacklebox, and I lost my balance.

"While reaching for air, my hand found a swivel seat (the operational word here is swivel). In the process of breaking my fall, however, I swung around and hit my dad from behind, sending him overboard. Moments later, a hand appeared at the side of the boat, followed by Dad's head, with his eyeglasses hanging from one ear. He had this look of disbelief on his face that was so funny I couldn't help but laugh.

"I then asked him the fist thing that came to my mind: 'Hey, Dad, how deep is it?'"

"His response was pretty straightforward: 'I don't give a d*** how deep it is! Just get me out of here!'

"At this point, though, is where I had some trouble. Both Dad and I were laughing so hard, I could barely get him back into the boat. And you know what? I still burst out laughing, even today, every time I remember that incident."

For Week Ending Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021

Tuesday, Jan. 26 (from Ron)...Fished from 3 p.m. 'til sunset. Caught a mixed bag, including a bowfin, three chain picks, and two bass that weighed in at 2-12 and 6-5, respectively. Of all, though, the bowfin was the one that really made my day. The next couple of days aren't looking so good weather-wise.

Wednesday, Jan. 27 (from Ron)...Went in search of panfish in Back Bay. Favorite haunt, favorite lures, and favorite techniques...but nary a panfish did I find. Least I didn't get skunked! Did manage one wee dink bass for the effort.

Saturday, Jan. 30 (from Ron)...Partial sunshine didn't help much, and there was no bite to speak of, either. Did manage to catch one chubby chain pick to avoid the skunk, but that was all.

(Don't mind tellin' ya, Ron, that you're a far better man than me to have gotten on the water today. Get at it while you can, my friend, 'cause if experience has taught me anything, it's that all you can do at my current age is to look back on your youth and smile.)

"Don't Overlook the Tried-and-True"

That was the advice of bass legend Bill Dance back in a 2010 article. He was referring to old-timers...lures, that is, not people.

"Seriously," he said, "I'm talking about 're-discovering' an old lure, one that might have gotten buried in the bottom of a tacklebox or perhaps is hanging in the garage or a workshop. You know...an age-old bait that once was the hottest thing on the market, an absolute must-have to hook hawgs.

"And if you've been around as long as I have," continued Dance, "then you've seen many baits grab their share of the immediate spotlight, only to have others take center stage."

He went on to explain that many worked extremely well and still are on the market. Over time, however, a new fishing fad, technique, tactic, trend, or whatever turned angling attention elsewhere, and that one-time hot-ticket bait was left in the wake. Fishing folks might have forgotten about it as they simply blasted off to the next latest and greatest thing to hit the market.

That fact, though, only means there are many back-burner baits out there that still do a heckuva job putting bass in the boat.

"Sure, some anglers say bass get conditioned to certain lures," said Dance, "but I'm not so sure about that. I've never known a bass to have had a personal one-on-one conversation with an angler. They also don't read websites or magazines, nor do they watch TV fishing shows. That said, all bass do have one thing in common: They eat. And they are aggressive, thank goodness. Further, they will bite a 'tried-and-true thing,' as well as a 'latest thing'."

One such "tried-and-true thing" is the Heddon Sonar, an old-timer that dates back to the 1950s.

Explained Dance, "Now I caught a lot of bass on this lure in the 1960s and '70s. I used it as a 'search bait' when I did a lot of deep, open-water structure fishing. And now, as then, it remains a super bait for locating deep schools quickly. And it works all over the country.

"I'm sure it always will remain an excellent lure. Though many will tell you it's outstanding for when the water cools, it can produce great bass action at other times of the year, too. It's compact, casts like a bullet, and can be fished at a variety of depths. You can cast and retrieve it, jig it vertically, or slow-troll or jig it along the bottom. The lure's flash and vibration makes it hard to pass up, even if it is an 'old-timer'."

A quick tip on using the Heddon Sonar is never to overpower it. According to Dance, "You may work it a little faster in the warmer months, but remember to create the lure action more with the wrist than the arm, and you will get bit more often."

This lure still is available in multiple colors in both 1/2- and 1/4-ounce sizes. And while it's plain-Jane looking and won't win any beauty contests, the lure can catch bass.

So take Dance's final piece of advice and snoop around the bottom of your tackleboxes, in the garage, and any storage buildings to see if there are some "old-timers" just waiting to be pressed back into service. "I'll bet that, like the Sonar, many are still on the market today. Go buy yourself some new 'old friends', tie 'em on, and give 'em a fling," he concluded.

D'Ya Know What Bass Anglers and Real Estate Agents Have in Common?

They share the same key to success: Location is everything. The most successful bass anglers know and understand the migration patterns of largemouth bass. Generally speaking, they can pinpoint fish at any time of year. Their casting skills, equipment selection, and other factors are important, of course, but they mean nothing if you're not concentrating on areas that hold fish.

According to bass pro Jay Yelas, bridges are some of the best places to look for fish throughout the winter months. "Hard, rocky bottoms, adjacent deep water, and vertical habitat combine to offer cold-water bass everything they could possibly need," he said. He offers these four tips to increase your chances of success during all those chilly days on the water:

Avoid stereotypes. Most people think of bridges as giant causeways that span a large area of water. "While these types of bridges certainly offer excellent winter bass fishing," noted Yelas, "spend some time locating older, more overlooked bridges (e.g., such as wooden railroad bridges)."

He encourages anglers to dissect them. "Start by pitching a small, compact jig to the outside pilings, toward the very middle of the bridge," he suggested. "I want to start with what I believe are the deepest posts, because that's usually where the bass will be positioned."

Focus on pilings near large depth changes. "Vertical habitat is an enormous factor in wintertime bass fishing. Everything underwater is basically in slow motion. The baitfish are barely moving, and the bass rarely are eating...in miniscule feeding windows, usually only once every several days.

"Sharp vertical drops give bass the best of both worlds," continued Yelas. "They can suspend off these break lines when they're inactive, but they also have very quick and easy access to shallower water when the need to feed presents itself. In other words, they're able to feed efficiently without exerting too much energy."

In order to capitalize on this lethargic wintertime behavior, Yelas targets bridge pilings positioned on or near a dramatic depth change (like a piling situated in 20 feet of water, just a short distance from a 50-foot-deep river channel that cuts under the bridge).

"I spend a lot of time with my Humminbird Helix, looking for the river or creek channels underneath bridges," he said. "Not only do both the bass and bait use them as major migratory routes, but they're also prone to wash a lot of brush against nearby bridge pilings. Whether it's trees or logs, they'll act as small current breaks and ambush points for coldwater bass."

Timing can be huge. Yelas stresses that winter bass rarely bite all day, adding that "they'll often only bite for 10 or 15 minutes at a time, so you have to be ready to capitalize on it. To increase your chances, target these bridges when there's a fair amount of current. It tends to position the fish on the riprap corners, and you can drag a jig in 20 or 30 feet of water and catch a bunch of them.

"Because bridges often bottleneck bait and bass into a confined area, don't be afraid to fish the same bridge several times throughout any given day of fishing. There usually will be activity in the area, but as is the case with a lot scenarios in fishing, it's all about being at the right place at the right time. If you don't get it right on your first stop, try again in a few hours. It can make a world of difference."

Consider these lures. Yelas uses a select few lures throughout the winter, and they all have one thing in common: small and slow. One is a skirted jig. He sticks with a 1/2-ounce size, as it forces him to fish slowly in order to maintain contact with the bottom. His rule of thumb is simple: "If you can't count each individual rock, you're fishing too fast."

The jigging spoon is another choice. "When I'm fishing pilings near river or creek channels, I'll always have a 3/4-ounce jigging spoon rigged and ready to go," said Yelas. "This bite is at its absolute best when those schools of shad are positioned close to the bottom, within a few feet. That's when you can catch astronomical numbers of bass."

A final choice is the suspending jerkbait. "It can be difficult to beat in cold water," he said. "The long pauses and sudden erratic movements trigger a reactionary instinct that can make even the most stubborn winter bass attack. You'll catch some on the pilings, but it seems the corners are best-suited for the best action. Remember to fish it very slow--sometimes with 15-second pauses--and keep a small bow in your line throughout the pause. You won't always feel the bite, so when you see your line jump, it's time to set the hook."

It's No Secret That Everything Is Big in The Lone Star State

And that includes their fish. Take a gander at this huge 13.02-lb. bass that CJ Oates (right) caught this past Thursday night in Lake Austin. Said the lucky angler, "I was reeling past a wooden dock when I felt the slightest tick." He reared back and immediately suspected he had hooked an enormous largemouth.

"For a moment, I thought I might be hung up," he said, "but then I felt her head shake. At this point, things started getting really serious. During all of this madness, my partner and I didn't have time to turn on our headlamps, so we didn't have much of a gauge of how big she was.

"When I got her to the boat, she started jumping and splashing, and it was hard for my buddy to net her in the darkness," explained Oates. "It wasn't until he picked her up and set her in the boat that we were able to turn on our headlamps and finally see how big she was. We couldn't believe what we had done," he continued.

Oates later would refer to his fish as feeling "like a mini school bus," adding that "she was so massive that I could barely reel her in."

That fish turns out to be the second "Legacy Class" largemouth bass to have been donated live to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department already in 2021, marking a fast start to the department's seasonal Toyota ShareLunker Program.

Several divisions make up this program, but only "Legacy Class" fish--those weighing 13 or more pounds--are used in a selective breeding program that runs during the January-through-March spawning period. Biologists encourage spawning and raise the young for future stocking opportunities throughout the state.

Oates' caught his fish on a football jig less than a week after Travis Moore (above, left) weighed in a 13.44-lb. largemouth that he had caught on a Carolina rig during a tournament on Sam Rayburn Reservoir.

As Moore related, "This was one of the best days of my life. I've caught a few 12-pounders and a handful of 10s, but this one is special for me. As a bass fisherman, giants like this is what we fish for every time we go out on the water."

According to the ShareLunker website, "Out of the millions of bass anglers in Texas, only a select few ever have crossed the 13-pound threshold."

Thanks for the tip, Jimmy.

For Week Ending Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021

Monday, Jan. 18 (from Ron)...Launched at 1000, with winds at 8 mph. Recovered at 1300, and the winds had increased to 18.5! Too windy. Managed to land five bass at 1-9, 1-15, 2-3, 2-6, and 2-10 before getting off the lake. I didn't find any chain picks, but a friend I was with caught a few.

Tuesday, Jan. 19 (from Ron)...Just had to get out and enjoy the wind. Made quick trip to Albright's and trolled around the oxbow. Didn't expect much and wasn't disappointed. I did have something on that felt like about a 1-5 but never found out what it was. Avoided the skunk with one dink bass. Was good to be out and about. I guess if I had tried shoreline, points and visible structure, I may have found more, but my elbow is sore, so I just trolled some XTS and enjoyed the sunset. Surprised I didn't find any panfish this time of year.

Thursday, Jan. 21 (from Ron)...'Twas a slow bite this afternoon, but the weather was great. Landed a 1-12 and 1-13 bass, as well as three chain picks between 22 and 23 inches. Tomorrow should be even better weather!

Friday, Jan. 22 (from Ken)...Unlike baseball's homerun king, "Hammerin' Hank" Aaron, I struck out today in my trip to West Neck, but that's OK, 'cause I still enjoyed myself after about a six- or seven-week layoff. Was sad to learn that Hank no longer is with us. According to what I read, he passed in his sleep overnight at age 86. As for my bassin' today, I truly wasn't surprised at the outcome; even told the wife before I left this morning that I expected to register a skunk. Wasn't for a lack of trying. I wore the water out both north and south in the creek with jerkbaits and an assortment of crankbaits, but didn't have nary a strike. Saw two fish today (spooked one with the trolling motor and had one follow my bait to the side of the boat), but that was the extent of it. Talked momentarily with a kayaker when I came in. He already was out when I launched about 10 o'clock. He said he had gotten four bass, of which only one was a keeper, while using a white spinner. When I told him about my skunk, he let me know the two fellas who pulled out just ahead of me had said the same thing about their day. Water temp when I shoved off this morning was 38.5, and the best I saw all day was the low 40s. The breezy conditions made for an all-day cool one, but I stayed comfortable. If nothing else, I've learned how to dress for a fishin' day, even though I still haven't figured out how to put fish in the boat every time. Not sure when I'll get out again, but am hoping it's not quite as long as this most recent layoff.

Friday, Jan. 22 (from Ron)...Because it was "warm," I was hellbent on trying to fish. Wind was brutal, but I managed one chain pick before I called it after only a half-hour. Re-launched at Ashville Bridge Creek, but it was way too shallow. Oddly, the wind was south, but the gauge was falling and falling quickly. Oh well, there's always tomorrow.

Saturday, Jan. 23 (from Ron)...Just got back from a really good trip on the water. Caught six bass: 1-8, 2-1. 2-12, 3-2, 3-3, and a 6-lb. 6-oz. new personal best ever! Man, what a great fight the latter was! Between 1230 and 2 p.m., caught two chain picks, and then the bass turned on. Wind was blowing about 22 mph and temp was in high 30s, with wind chill in the high 20s, but I tuffed it out until just after 1530, and glad I did. The chain pick had a nice size fish in his belly--I suspect a shad.

(May have been a cold day, Ron, but I have to say that you've certainly had a couple of "hot hands" in recent days. Way to go!!!)

Sunday, Jan. 24 (from Ron)...Was nice to be out with just a very light wind for a change. Tied on an "old school" Cotton Cordell Red Fin for a change, and it landed my only bass of the afternoon. Weighed in at 3-0. Also caught three chain picks on the ol' reliable XTS. I kind of like the larger hooks on the Red Fin; makes it easier to deal with, in my opinion.

One More Step Toward Taking the Sport out of Sportfishing

I'm talking, of course, about the use of drones, armed with cameras, to spot fish from above, so that all the fisherman has to do is cast a bait to that spot, get the fish's attention, and set the hook. Click on the following link to see a demonstration of what I'm talking about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVlbxkKRP80.

Thus far, this new wrinkle to the sport has been limited to recreational purposes. I, for one, truly hope it stays that way. Incidentally, if you're perhaps giving some thought to trying this way of fishing, here are some other things you should include in your thought process. For openers, a drone must be registered and marked. And, as already noted, you only can use it to fish for recreational purposes. You also cannot fly it higher than 400 feet. The drone must remain in your visible line of sight. And finally, you cannot fly it at night without proper lighting.

There's one other thing I'll add here, too, based on a different video from the one referenced above, which I saw yesterday. It will pay dividends if you take the time to first learn how to confidently fly a drone before you start trying to use it as a fishing aid. That other video I saw showed Scott Martin fishing with Jimmy Houston at the latter's Oklahoma ranch. The two of them are on the water in a bass boat, along with the drone operator, who just has crashed the drone somewhere in the brush. You see them beaching the boat to go looking for their "expensive toy."

Don't know about how the rest of you feel, but when I go fishing, the last thing I want to have is some kind of major distraction, e.g., such as having to go search for a crashed drone. It's bad enough just having to take the time to pick out a major backlash in one of my baitcasters.

Putting that aside, you further will need to check www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_fliers/ for more information about recreational flying. There you will find that you also must possess authorization before flying a drone, and you're required to possess the proper pilot license in your state.

If you get past all of this preparation, you may find that it's actually fun to fly a drone, but be advised: There's also an ethical aspect to fishing with one of these "expensive toys." It affords an advantage that no one really should have. Don't you reckon that reason likely accounts for why all the pro fishing networks...thus far, at least...have so much as said, "thanks, but no thanks?"

As subject-matter expert Coty Perry explained, "Drone fishing increases the efficiency of your casting accuracy, which can lead to over-exploitation. We're only in the beginning stages of technology to reach amateur fishermen. What happens, though, in 50 years, when fishing isn't even a sport anymore because it's so simple?

"Anyone with enough money can go out and buy a $1,500 fish finder and a $1,000 drone and catch anything they want," continued Perry, "because the technology is overpowering. It takes some (make that all, as far as I'm concerned) of the fun out of it, if you ask me."

Going to a body of water, trying different rods and reels, fishing in unique locations, and testing out different times and weather patterns--that's all part of the thrill of going sportfishing...whether you catch anything or not. It may be a primitive way of fishing, but it's the only one in which I want to be involved.

I don't ever want to see a day when I drop my boat in the water and know exactly what I'm going to catch before I even leave the dock. That'll be the day...with or without any music...that sportfishing dies.

So You Think Fishermen Don't Lie, Huh?

Then consider this account of a sports writer who interviewed the winner of a bass tournament on a bitterly cold winter day a few years ago. It was raining, the wind was howling, and he asked the fisherman how he caught his fish. A sly grin came over the fisherman's face, and he said, "I caught all my fish on topwater lures in Rodman Slough." Now just about everyone knows that it's extremely rare for a bass to take a topwater lure in the wintertime.

Later, the sports writer caught up with the angler's amateur partner and asked him what the "real" story was. The partner replied, "He caught all his fish on jigs above a rockpile in the south end of the lake."

Face it: Secrets are just part of the fishing game. And if you fish the tournament scene, you'd better think twice before you start sharing any "honey holes" with a partner...even a "regular" partner. I have a good friend who made that mistake a few years ago, and he paid dearly for it.

Turns out my friend couldn't fish for a spell, so his non-boating partner went and joined up with another fella, who won the first tournament they fished together. My friend was at weigh-in that day and asked his former partner if he had shared any of their spots. The partner's response: "Sure did. As a matter of fact, I showed him all the spots."

To say a friendship was ruined by that incident would be an understatement. You see, my friend had been letting that partner shower and spend Friday nights before a tournament at his house as a matter of courtesy. He also had been fixing Friday evening dinner and Saturday morning breakfast for him, in addition to preparing sandwiches for him on tournament day. He further often had had to pick up part of the partner's entry fees.

It's situations like the one I just described that lend a lot of credence to that saying, "No good deed ever goes unpunished."

With that introduction, let me share some fishermen's feelings about the secrets they keep (or not), as revealed during a search of the Internet:

"I started to realize this year that expert fishermen don't tell all their secrets. I think most, if not all, hold on to the really good stuff. I don't think they should spill all. If a person puts all that work and time into this sport, they should keep the really good stuff they find from others. What it seems like they do is kinda point you in the right direction, and then you have to work hard to solve the mysteries. And to be honest, I like it that way."

"I'm no expert, and if I kept secrets, nobody would be hurting. The one thing I shut up about is small ponds that easily can be ruined if they receive too much fishing pressure, especially from meat fishermen. If someone else shows up and asks how I've been doing, I'll tell the truth unless I have caught some good ones, in which case, I just say I've caught a couple of small ones."

"I don't mind telling absolutely anything I know about techniques, lures, or patterns on a particular body of water. Growth comes from knowledge, and if no knowledge is passed on, it eventually will die."

"I agree that fishermen love to be crafty and secretive. Ever noticed how some guys always put their rods out of sight if you approach them so that you can't see what bait they're fishing? In some cases, you ask them what they're catching fish on, and they'll tell you topwaters, even while you can see their line is dragging across the bottom."

"Maybe I'm too dumb to know better, but I get a kick out of helping others catch fish. More than once, I've had anglers see me catching fish and ask what I'm doing. I always tell them. A couple times this happened, I was fishing small grubs on light jig heads and line. I once gave the young guys a few grubs, and another time I gave away some Roadrunners. I've been on the receiving end, too. Many years ago while fishing a local lake, I watched two guys catching fish one after the other on a bank I just had fished without catching a single thing. When I asked what they were using, they gave me a couple of jigs, a half bag of grubs, and showed me how to use them. I caught fish the rest of the day...and hundreds since because of their willingness to help me. For me, that's a part of what fishing is about."

"The two most important secrets of bass fishing are: (1) The largemouth is the largest member of the sunfish family. This makes the bass a schooling fish. So, if you find one, you have found a bunch. (2) Once you have found fish, don't leave them to find more. 'Aha! you say. That's simple enough.' Yet, on any given day, I watch boatload after boatload of people bypassing fish. The trolling motor is running, and the fisherman is intent on finding that next location. In the meantime, we leave the lake day after day with both numbers and size, because when we fish, we live by nos. 1 and 2."

"My belief is just because someone lets out a secret doesn't mean the person who hears or reads it will use it. For instance, I was fishing with a buddy last summer, and I was having a far better day than him. He was using all my equipment and standing right next to me but just wasn't having any luck. Well, he wanted the rod and bait I was using...that had to be the answer, he thought. He insisted, so I finally agreed to switch rods. Well, guess what. On the next cast, I landed a 4-pounder, and he was ready to go home."

Just about everyone knows fishermen can be secretive and less than truthful about the size of fish they catch and how they catch them. This has been going on for ages. Tournament fishermen are a perfect example. They not only guard the secret places where they catch their fish, but they also jealously guard the type of lures they use to catch those fish.

The story is often told about a well-known tournament fisherman in bygone days who never would go into a local tackle shop as long as other customers were in there. He instead would wait until the store was empty, then go in to do his shopping.

Tournament anglers are known for putting different lures on their rods before weighing in to fool their competitors. Many years ago, I fished with a guy who always removed the lures from all but one rod, to which he then attached one of the ugliest multi-colored spinnerbaits I ever had seen. Finally, one day I asked him if he ever had fished that lure, and he said "no." I then challenged him to give it a try, and don't you know he boated a 6-plus-pound largemouth on the first cast. I'm still not sure which one of us was more surprised. In any case, it helped us take 1st place and big-fish honors that day.

The Truth About a 2-Pound Bass

"A lot of bass anglers are tight-lipped about fish locations and what baits they're using to catch them, but as for the numbers and sizes...well, that's often a different story. For example, you might hear someone say, 'We caught so many big fish, we were culling 2-pounders.' Or, you might hear, 'We caught plenty of fish, but none were over 2 pounds.'

"Being what I'd call a pretty fair bass fisherman..., the 2-pounder I kept hearing about caught my attention. In my younger days, it was easy to overestimate the weight of a fish, but after a few years of tournament fishing, estimating weights became a little easier."

Thus wrote bass angler, outdoor writer, and TV co-host Lyle Johnson (left) back in 2005.

"The thought of 2-pound bass in the livewell always got my blood flowing," he continued. "A 2-pound bass was a nice fish to me, but sort of routine or a little on the short end for some. Surely, all these bass fishermen couldn't be exaggerating the truth," he thought.

Accordingly, Johnson decided to undertake some scientific research and test out just how big a 2-pound bass really was. He speculated that "if people could catch five 2-pound bass every time they went fishing, they'd do well."

The source of his research data were the recorded weights of tournament anglers, amateur and professional. In some ways, the results weren't a big surprise; in others, though, they were amazing. The facts concluded that if you could catch five 2-pounders every time you went fishing, you could quit the grind of your 9-to-5 job and earn a good living bass fishing. And some years, you'd win a lot of money.

Subsequently, Johnson ran across a BassFan survey. The question posed was: "What size of bass do you typically catch when you go fishing?" The answers to choose from were: (1) up to 2 pounds, (2) 2 to 3-plus pounds, (3) 4 to 6 pounds, (4) only 7-plus pounders, or (5) I only fish for bluegills.

"When thinking about my vote," said Johnson, "the first one that came to mind was 2 to 3-plus pounds, but that's what I wanted to catch. The question was, 'What size of bass do you typically catch when you go fishing?' Typically, I caught up to 2-pounders if averaging all my catches, so that's how I voted."

Once Johnson got to the results page, he learned that 41 percent of the people had voted like him, but 49 percent had said they usually caught 2 to 3-plus pounders. With more than 2,500 votes cast in the survey, he mused, "If these guys are honest, they're missing their calling."

Continuing his research, Johnson dug into results from the Bassmaster Elite 50s, a series that lasted two years, with four tournaments each year. His goal was to find out where five 2-pounders would have placed in that competition. He learned that the answer was one first place, two seconds, and one each of the following: 8th, 13th, 16th, 27th, and 30th. "Not bad for fishing against the likes of KVD, Mark Davis, and Greg Hackney," he concluded.

Johnson then checked the results of some Bassmaster Classics. Five 2-pounders per day in the 2005 competition would have beaten that best gathering of pros by a whopping 17-01. Your finish in 2004 would have been 13th, 8th in 2003, 9th in 2002, 4th in 2001, and 1st in 2000. You also would have won in 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, and you would have scored plenty of Top 10s along the way, too.

"So, just how big is a 2-pound bass?" asked Johnson at the end of all his research. "Bigger than most of us think. Is it possible that we now have proof positive of the adage that fishermen don't tell the truth?"

In checking my records of the Dewey Mullins Memorial Bass Tourney Series, I have to admit I was a bit surprised to learn that five 2-pounders would not have placed in the money at any one of the tournaments during our COVID-shortened 2020 season.

"A Hypothetical Big Bass Boat in the Sky"

That phrase, along with this one, "vessels to convey the mortal remains of outdoor enthusiasts to that glorious final harbor," are part of the advertising campaign for Glory Boats of Little Rock, AR. This company specializes in Jon boat caskets as "a creative way to show your true love for the outdoors."

These vessels come in three different colors: woodland camo, marsh grass, and pink camo, all of which, according to the advertising, "attract plenty of attention on social media and hunting and fishing circles across the United States."

The idea for these caskets came as "a bit of a joke," as reported in the Raleigh News and Observer. Seems that Glory Boats owner Joel Schmidt, when interviewed for that article, told the story that his 74-year-old father had taken a fall from a ladder, and the family wasn't sure if he'd made any sort of final plans for his funeral services.

As a result, the younger Schmidt began giving some thought to what he would do if his dad didn't recover. He considered the idea of perhaps just burying his dad in his fishing boat if it became necessary. Subsequently, though, he started checking around the Internet for something along the same lines. He couldn't believe that nothing like what he wanted existed.

It turns out the elder Schmidt survived his fall, but that didn't stop his son from founding Glory Boats and bringing the concept you see in the accompanying photo to light. The Jon boat casket retails for $2,800.

Said the younger Schmidt, "If you saw this in a funeral home, you'd know for sure that fishing boat caskets were made for the avid lover of the outdoors... . It's definitely not your typical Jon boat, and it isn't built to float or maneuver. It's an actual funeral casket that can be buried to forever celebrate the lives of outdoors men and women."

(NOTE: Please be assured no disrespect is intended by this post. I'm merely publishing information that I feel some might be interested in having for their own planning purposes.)

"You Just Gotta Watch Out for Ol' Geezers Pulling a Boat"

That's how an old-timer described his feelings after a couple of things happened in the span of only a couple of weeks.

"First, I ran over my mailbox," he explained. "Then, while backing the boat into the driveway, I ran into the frame around the garage door. I'm beginning to think I'm a hazard looking for a place to happen. Now, there's a bit of a hole in the door frame of the big garage door, but at least there's no damage to the boat or prop...as far as I can tell. Nothing seems to be safe the past couple of weeks," he concluded.

One thing is certain: There is no set age when all old-timers start seeing their skills--whether it's fishing, driving, or whatever--slip a little. The main thing is that we all remain alert for some of the typical symptoms and, when that occurs, begin making adjustments...or wish that we had.

It's been a lot of years now, but well do I still remember when the time came for my brother and me to ask for our dad's car keys. Both my brother and I had seen the progressive downturn in his driving abilities. It began with a minor bump here and there of other vehicles.

And then there was the one occasion when I had gone home on leave, and Dad and I had planned a day's bass-fishing outing. As usual, we took his old school bus that he used for his carpenter work, vacations with Mom, and all of his fishing. I had a bird's-eye view that morning as Dad pulled up to a stop sign, then turned the corner too closely and scraped the side of his bus in the process. I asked him if he knew what he had done, and he said "no." He also said he didn't believe me--even after I pointed out the scrape marks to him once we arrived at our destination.

The day of reckoning finally arrived when I got a long-distance phone call from the sheriff's office in my hometown, saying that a town local had witnessed Pop take out a whole length of steel-girder railing near the city park...and just keep driving. The sheriff's rep told me that they were going to strip him of his driving privileges if we didn't, so I assured him we would take care of the matter right away.

Taking his keys and driver's license was one of the hardest things my brother and I ever had to do. Dad didn't fight us. He immediately handed everything to us...but noted that he didn't care, 'cause he would just keep on driving. To make sure that didn't happen, we sold all of his vehicles, deposited the money in their bank account, and explained why we had taken that action.

Bottom line: Some folks are lucky enough to retain their driving privileges right up to the end, but aging forces others to relinquish those privileges. If the latter aren't capable or choose not to see the writing on the wall, it's often family and/or friends who get that unenviable assignment.

Whether the old-timer in the opening of this post had to give up his driving privileges is anyone's guess. He may have just been having a streak of bad luck.

This much I know: I recognize the fact I have no business towing a boat down an interstate any longer. That's why I limit my fishing trips locally. And the day very well may come when I'll have to downshift again. If/when that time comes, here's hoping I don't go kicking and screaming.

To Wet or Not Wet Fishing Line: That's the Question

I read here recently about a guy back in the '90s who learned a serious lesson from the water in a small pond he had been fishing. Turns out that bacteria was discovered in the water, and the pond had to be shut down...but not before people who had been swimming there developed symptoms.

While this fella didn't swim there, he often retied by first wetting the line with his lips. A trip to the doctor and a blood test confirmed that he indeed also had the bacteria in his bloodstream, and ensuing days found him battling a fever and strong stomach cramps, as well as spending lots of extra time "on the throne."

Once he was well, the fella returned to fishing the same pond, but anytime he had to retie, he spit into his hands, then ran the line and knot through it, cinched down, and finished by wiping his hands on a towel or his pants.

The question that comes to mind here is this: Do you still need to use saliva at all when cinching down knots today?

Because a lot of debate still exists about this question, some knot-strength testing has been done, both with and without saliva, using fluorocarbon, monofilament and braided lines. Following are the results of the experimentation, measured in the amount of tension required to break a knot, using 20-lb. Berkley Vanish fluorocarbon. A non-slip loop knot with two twists was used in all the testing of fluorocarbon and monfilament lines. Knots were soaked in water to mimic real-life application.

In the no-saliva tests, the breaking strengths registered 13.05, 15.66 and 14.80 lbs., for an average of 14.50 lbs. Those numbers compare to breaking strengths of 15.11, 13.20 and 11.80 lbs. with saliva, for an average of 13.37 lbs. In conclusion, the knot without saliva was 8 percent stronger on average, than the knot with saliva.

For the second rounds of testing, 20-lb. Ande Monofilament was used. The no-saliva knots yielded 17.08, 17.04 and 16.96 lbs. breaking strengths, for an average of 17.03 lbs. The knots with saliva registered 16.48, 15.97 and 18.45 lbs. breaking strengths, for an average of 16.97 lbs. In conclusion, the knots with and without saliva yielded essentially the same results.

In the third rounds of testing, 10-lb. Power Pro braided line was used with a braid uni-knot (through the eye twice, with seven turns). The no-saliva knots registered 16.97, 19.29 and 15.54 lbs. breaking strengths, for an average of 17.17 lbs. The knots with saliva registered 21.14, 16.79 and 19.62 lbs. breaking strengths, for an average of 1981 lbs. In conclusion, the knots with saliva were 12 percent stronger on average, than the knots without saliva.

These tests, according to the people who ran them, show that it's no longer necessary to use saliva to ensure line doesn't burn on itself as you cinch it down. Not only do you not need it, but it's apparent you actually could do more harm than good, as shown by the results of the fluorocarbon and monofilament tests.

At the same time, however, you should take notice that the range of results was greater for all of the knots with saliva, than those without it. So yes, it's possible that saliva could make a knot stronger, but it's also possible that it could make a knot weaker...as a result of the coils in the knot tightening down unevenly.

In case you're interested, you can click on the following link and be taken to a video that demonstrates the testing results discussed above: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS8e4bT6c3Q.

For Period Ending Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021

 

Thursday, Jan. 7 (from Ron)...Fished Milldam on the 5th, but think I got out too late (4 p.m.) and caught a skunk. Fished Tecumseh a bit earlier today and caught seven bass and three chain pickerel. The bass came in at 1-4, 2-7, 2-11, 3-5, 3-11, 4-4 and a nice 5-3! I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the bass. Bite was good between 2 and 4 p.m,, then nothing until dark. Oddly, all three chain picks were right at 20 inches. Everything fell to the XTS Minnow. (Hey, Ron: Ever considered seein' if Bass Pro Shops would hire you for some commercials with that bait? You certainly whack some fish with it!)

Sunday, Jan. 10 (from Ron)...I launched about 10 a.m. and made the long trip to the burrow pit (Crystal Lake). Tried some deeper diving crankbaits (e.g., Husky Jerk Shad and Shadow Raps) to no avail. After a couple hours, I decided to head back to the main lake and fight the wind. Glad I did. Tied on the ol' XTS and began to troll. Made quick work of four chain pickerel up to 24 inches and then started to find some bass. Didn't weigh the first three that went between 1 and 2 lbs. Then, though, I caught a nice 3-3, 3-5 and a fat 5-6!  Never did try a Mann's 1-Minus as I planned. Figured if the XTS Minnow was working, I should stick with it. Wind on the open lake between 12 and 2:30 was brutal, but I'm glad I toughed it out.

Tuesday, Jan. 12 (from Ron)...Did an experiment this afternoon. Trolled an XTS Minnow and a classic Rapala floater (in the chain pickerel picture), and I have to admit the Rapala out-performed the XTS. Caught six chain pickerel between 20 and 22 inches, five bass (a 1-8, 1-14, 2-3, 2-10, and a 3-3), as well as one crappie. Of the 12 fish caught, nine fell to the Rapala. With the cold weather, I am not a fan of the three trebles on the Rapala, especially with the chain picks and their teeth!

Wednesday, Jan. 13 (from Ron)...Decided to purchase a Rapala original floating F-9, which is smaller than the one I was using yesterday and only has two trebles (they are only $7 at the Wal-Marts). It is about three inches long, as is the XTS. Trolling both today, the XTS caught six fish and the Rapala only one, but it was the one bass that counted, weighing in at 4-8. The rest were a 1-14 and 2-5 bass, plus four chain pickerel, all at 22 inches. Am finding it very odd that all the chain picks are running 22 inches long. I'm positive that I'm not catching the same one over and over. First hour was pretty good, then a long hour and a half lull before the 4-8 fell victim to the Rapala about 4:20 p.m. Only difference today that might explain the slow bite was that there was a south wind, vice the north winds I have been experiencing.

Friday, Jan. 15 (from Ron)...Fished this afternoon and caught five bass: 2-1. 2-5, 2-10, 2-11, and a 3-5, as well as a nice 24-inch chain pickerel with a dented back. The wind was brutal, gusting up to 17 mph, and for all the warmth and sun, the wind put a damper on it. The XTS and Rapala were the lures of choice.

Saturday, Jan. 16 (from Ron)...Had some rudder issues. Tweaked the steering cables and launched for a test drive. Yak now tracks dead straight...no more constant right turn with hands off the steering handle. Since I was out there anyway, of course I set a line out with the XTS attached. Caught a 1-13 and 3-2 bass before the weather changed for the worse. Clouds rolled in, wind kicked up, and the whitecaps forced a retreat. At least no skunk. The 1-13 was healthy, but the 3-2 was kind of skinny.

[One thing is certain: No one ever can fault Ron for not being dedicated to his chosen sport. I especially appreciate the fact that, every time he goes, I always get a report on his trip. Sure wish a few more anglers would be as accommodating. Too many bass anglers today, though, still live with that "God forbid that I should tell anybody else what kind of trip I had" mentality, for fear it'll somehow give everyone else a leg up on them at the next tournament.]

Sunday, Jan. 17 (from Ron)...The best way to test out any new accessory is real-life conditions. I have four or five old broken Hawg Trough measuring boards. Finally broke down and bought a Ketch Carbonite measuring board. Added some flotation to the back and had to test it out. Guess what?  It works really well at measuring fish, and my flotation modification works great, too! Cut and glued pool noodles into the cracks on the back. Caught five bass at 1-5, 1-8, 2-0, 3-2, and a 3-10, as well as a crappie and a 22-inch chain pick. Bit breezy, but not too bad. Of course, all fell to the XTS slow-trolled.

Virginia DWR Announces New Rule for the New Year

As of Jan. 1, 2021, any person using a Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR)-owned or managed facility, including boating-access sites, must have a valid Virginia hunting, trapping or fishing permit, a Restore the Wildlife membership, an access permit, or current certificate of boat registration issued by DWR to use the facility.

This rule does not apply to persons under the age of 17 or passengers with a permitted operator. However, the operator must have a permit.

Along with issuing this new rule, the DWR also provided the following FAQs for everyone's information:

Why do I need a permit?

This change is due to state legislation that brought rules governing DWR-owned and managed boating access sites in line with rules at other DWR access sites in order to allow all users of these sites to have equitable access.

What do I need to launch my kayak or paddleboard at a DWR-owned or managed access point?

 

You must have a valid Virginia hunting, trapping or fishing license (check this link: https://dwr.virginia.gov/licenses/), a DWR Restore the Wildlife membership (check this link: https://dwr.virginia.gov/restore-the-wild/), an access permit (check this link: https://dwr.virginia.gov/access-permit/), or current certificate of boat registration (check this link: https://dwr.virginia.gov/boating/registration/) issued by DWR.

Do I need a permit if I am a passenger in a kayak or boat?

No. If you are a passenger in a boat with a permitted operator, you do not need a permit.

I am 16 years old. Do I need a permit?

No. The new requirement affects only those who are age 17 or older.

Where can I buy this permit if I am already at the access site?

You can download the Go Outdoors Virginia licensing app (check this link: https://dwr.virginia.gov/app/), or you can log in at GoOutdoorsVirginia.com (check this link: https://gooutdoorsvirginia.com/) and purchase a permit.

What happens if a law-enforcement officer or Conservation Police Officer determines that I used a DWR access without a permit?

You may receive a summons for the violation and be subject to a $50 fine, plus court costs.

What does the permit fee go toward?

Funding generated by these fees will help DWR meet the increasing demand for outdoor recreational opportunities through land purchased, ongoing maintenance of current boating-access sites, construction of new boating-access sites, and maintaining more than 225,000 acres that are open to the public to enjoy.

If I'm participating in a group trip with a kayak, canoe or tubing tour or rental company, do I need a permit?

Each operator over the age of 16 of a kayak, canoe or tube using the facility is required to have a permit. While tour or rental companies may provide guidance in purchasing the permit, it is the responsibility of the individual using the DWR access site to ensure they have the appropriate access permit.

When do I need a special-use permit in addition to a hunting, trapping or fishing license, access permit, or Restore the Wild membership to use a DWR-owned or managed boating-access site?

Special-use permits (check this link: https://dwr.virginia.gov/forms-download/PERM/PERM-005.pdf), along with the necessary access permits, are required for any commercial use (to include tournaments), or for any non-boating or non-fishing activity at DWR boating-access sites and associated parking lots.

A Year None of Us Likely Ever Will Forget

"Sometimes a year has been so disastrous and so terrible that entering a new year will automatically mean entering a wonderful year. Let's hope that New Year saying from contemporary Turkish playwright, novelist and thinker Mehmet Murat ildan proves to be true in 2021, considering the hardships that have been felt around the world this past year...the year of Covid 19.

Even though it has been months since the pandemic hit, I still can't get over the horror stories you see on TV and/or read about in the daily newspaper. Hundreds of thousands have died, with thousands more added to the list every day.

Then there are those survivors who have had their lives turned upside down by the coronavirus. Businesses, from Mom and Pop operations to big-name corporations, have had to close--in some cases, for keeps.

And check out those never-ending food lines that, as a result, swamp parking lots all across the land. Many of these folks who, through no fault of their own, now find themselves on the "receiving" end of these lines are the same ones who previously were on the "giving" end. And even with all the help that's being provided, there still are some people going hungry...including children. That's why my wife and I, like a lot of other folks, have been making donations to the local foodbanks.

Time and again, I've been reminded of an era that, until now, I always had figured was permanently behind me...in the rearview mirror, so to speak. As a youth in grade school, and even through part of middle school, I was acutely aware of families in my little hometown who really struggled to make ends meet. For that matter, I sat in class with some of the children involved. And if it hadn't been for others helping them from time to time, they likely wouldn't have managed.

It's been so real that I sometimes have felt like I've been strapped into a time machine and sent hurtling back to those long-ago childhood days. And now that the vaccines are arriving on the scene, I find myself remembering those early days when the school health nurse and local doctors set up station in the school gym to administer the polio vaccine to all of us.

Since I began this commentary with a saying, I want to end it the same way, with these words from the British poet Alfred Lord Tennyson, "Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, 'It will be happier.'" Let us all hope he's right.

Please accept my sincere wishes that each and every one of you enjoy health, happiness and prosperity in the year ahead.