Redhorse sucker fish....yick and yuck..but COOL!

There are few fish I don't like catching and try to avoid ...afterall a fish is a fish in my universe! Yet, SUCKERS just creep me out generally. There is nothing worse then fishing for smallmouth and bringing in your line and there is a creepy white sucker on there! The worst part must be the sucking slurping noise they make after a few seconds out of the water.

Now I say all this...but a sucker or even catfish or carp of a GOOD size does entice my fishing instincts. Recently made an after dinner trip with my son to the Almonte Fish and Game Sanctuary on the Mississippi River to try and catch some smallmouth...but after wading into the river we both could see some sort of sizable suckers near where we were standing..so a change of plan took place to get one of these instead. Off went the bobber.....and down when the worm and hook to sit on the edge of low sitting rock in the water and the waiting began. The wait was SHORT as it was literally a minute or two before we could see the fish trying to suck up the worm and with one quick pull one was hooked and the fun began getting him back to shore. Once we finally got back to shore and pulled him out ...we could see he was RedHorse Sucker (holy geeze...was he a weird looking thing...but still awesome at the same time). Took a bit of effort to dehook him with his crazy lip..but got it done and he swam away back with his buddies. I'm not sure I'd purposely try to catch one again....but was totally an interesting experience!

What is with MEN thinking Woman can't fish????

Ok...I have something to get off my chest! What is with men and their issues with women fishing?? I'm so SICK and TIRED of people (OK mostly OLDER MEN) making comments about me and fishing. It started with my daily purchase of worms at the local gas station last week.....2 of the older male clerks asked "where my husband was"...and "do you want us to cut up the worms for you...we know girls don't like to rip them apart" on multiple occasions....(to the point I was angered and finally snapped back...I'm the FISHER PERSON in my family..I don't need anyone's help). That isn't nearly as bad as the comments under the breath of men fishing near me on the banks about what I'm doing there...(but I generally get the last laugh as I catch more and bigger fish then they do...it kills me with laugher inside...ok not very buddha like..but hey...no ones perfect). That all being said...fishing can also make you strike up some great conversations with total strangers (who are willing to offer you their lunch .lol)

On Monday I was VERY EXCITED to FINALLY get out and take a trip to ALMONTE and fish the bottom of the hydro dam (which is labeled a fishing sanctuary till the first Monday in June...which was this Monday). The bay and rushing water makes an amazing spot for fishing...and not PANFISH..(love them...but I'm sick of them now...after 248 fish so far and 96% being panfish I'm ready for the BIG BOYS - see the "fish caught" count on the sidebar). From the second I got there I could see fish everywhere...(trout, bass, perch, crappie). Started out with worm and bobber (always like to test the waters to see where bites of any kind are coming from) ..caught some perch...but decided it was time for some lures (finally it was time). Took out my older jointed baby pike lure and caught some smaller rockbass and smaller smallmouth. Decide to switch up to a popper (something I've only started using this year as I wasn't comfortable with the reeling style before) and BOOM...the small and largemouth were on my line like crazy.

I was quite upset ....i finally caught a guy who could be a largemouth entry for my OAA and when I got him in the net and took a look...the poor bugger was missing his TAIL...(had obviously been ripped off by something bigger)...so this guy was 15" without his tail...but what can you do..figure he's worse off them I am being a fish with no tail (it trumps my entry by far) and will continue my search for those OAA entries :)

Must say that sitting there fishing in the bright sun around lunch time with tons of people visiting the park above was LOVELY! So many people came to sit by me just to watch me fish and chat (one guy offered me his fries)...all very pleasent and interested that I as a GIRL with a ROD by herself fishing. I'll be back again VERY SOON!

Everyone in the family wanted to go fishing after dinner the same day....(think the little man was so excited from all his catches the evening before that he wanted to do it again). Out we all went to the bridge on Hwy 7 in CP..and it was super fun! The kids were both catching up a storm (worming, catching and de-hooking themselves)...I sort of watched by the sidelines till they got tired of fishing and decided to play survivor man (trying to make a fire out of rubbing sticks together). Put on my new Rapal Crankin Rap lure...and it took about 5 minutes til I got a great largemouth on the line...only issue was (as I find it always is with 2 tri hook lures) is this poor guy was hooked good in everyplace, but I took my time and was patient and saved the dude (hubby was ready for me to cut the hooks and replace...but I said to just wait a minute or two and see what i could do :). Of course...as it usually is on family outings with 2 small boys....there were TONS of distractions...including "MOM" being said every couple seconds that I turned around and my worst fear happened....I miss cast and hooked my Crankin Rap into a high tree . I was surprisingly calm and hubby tied it off to a tree till I go next time with boots and hopefully can recover it (but being as awesome as it is..i may just by another one :) Monday was Fantastic! I'm working Tuesday this week...but hoping to take advantage of a VERY VERY hot Wednesday and those bass coming up to the warmer water!