It’s a warm, quiet morning other than the sounds of the chirping insects, bees buzzing and the occasional frog’s croak. The sun glints and gleams off the silvery shine of the water as it laps against the bank. I extend my arm back, a firm grip on the handle. Then in one motion, I propel my arm forward, hitting the release button at the proper time and watch my lure sail through the air making a satisfying plunk as it hits the water. The reel clicks as I begin twirling the handle to bring my line back to shore, hoping to attract a fish on it’s way back to me.
As I lift my lure from the water with only moss attached, I feel a twinge of disappointment at not getting a bite. I clean the lure and prepare to cast again, ready for my day at the lake to continue with renewed hope the fish will soon begin to bite.
I have always enjoyed fishing, but I had set my pole aside for many years before dusting off my old skills to see if I love it as much as an adult as I did as a kid. My boyfriend is a fisherman, and knowing this, I suggested we spend a day at the lake for the Iowa DNR free fishing weekend at the beginning of June.
I was hooked — pardon the pun — even though I struck out on that first day at the lake. Tim was teaching me how to lure fish, which I never did in my youth.
Fishing was something I always did with my Grandpa and Grandma Rodgers — catching bullheads my grandma loved to cook. We would have picnic days at the lake with my siblings, parents and my uncle. Other times it would be a smaller group, finding a secluded fishing hole in Tama County — nightcrawlers in tow. We’d toss our baited hooks in the water and wait for a bite.
Lure fishing is quite a bit different, so that first day I was just learning what speed I needed to use to get the spoon to spin or the rapala to flutter. I had just one bite that first day, but nonetheless, I wanted to go back and try again.
I secured my fishing license the next week — sending a picture to Tim to let him know I was serious about wanting to go again.
On our next fishing expedition, we found ourselves at Rock Creek State Park, near Kellogg. I have fuzzy memories of visiting the lake as a kid. Everything seemed familiar yet different at the same time. It is a wonderful place to fish, with plenty of jetties to fish from and the option of renting a boat. It’s also the place I finally caught a fish.
I felt like I was getting the hang of lure fishing. Tim assured me I was doing things right, so I knew eventually I was going to get a fish. I could see the spoon spinning as it neared the bank. Out of nowhere, a bass emerged and went for my lure. I struck the line and hooked him. I reeled him to shore, feeling proud I had successfully caught a fish. The fish flopped himself off the hook. I picked him up, posed for a picture, then returned him to the lake. My first catch in 15 years.
Tim, of course, always has better luck than I do. I think between all of our fishing trips he’s caught 11 fish to my two, but who’s counting? However, I caught the largest fish, a nice-sized freshwater drum that is probably my biggest catch ever.
We have visited Mariposa County Park and the Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve as well. Such lovely places to go, right here in Jasper County. I can’t wait for our next fishing trip — Tim’s going to get me out in his boat for the first time. Wish me luck.
Contact Pam Rodgers
at prodgers@newtondailynews.com