According to the Outdoor Foundation’s annual report on fishing, 57.9 million Americans went fishing last year. I was one of them. Christine was another. Most of my children and all my grandchildren were, too. About 20%–25% of America’s fishing enthusiasts will go fishing at least once during this 4th of July holiday weekend. So we dedicate today’s holiday weekend missive to the nearly 60 million of us who enjoy fishing.
We start with this 45-pound catfish taken by on the Mississippi River near Memphis.
In this photo Captain Danny of the Fish Memphis Guide Service is helping Christine hold the fish for the photo.
When I last wrote about fishing (back in February), it was about largemouth bass fishing in Lake Okeechobee.
In response to my November 18th fish story, reader Vernon Jones sent in this interesting note about Florida history:
Dear David,
Happy to see you fishing on Lake Okeechobee. I was born in the town of Okeechobee back in 1945.
In those days, the entire county was home to just 3,000 people. We had exactly one red light at the intersection of US-441 and State Road 70.
The devastating 1929 hurricane had swept across the southern lake, killing thousands. Growing up, I knew a few old-timers who survived to tell the tale. My late friend Lawrence Will—a South Florida pioneer from Belle Glade—authored several books on it, including The Hurricane of 1929 and his most famous work, A Cracker History of Florida.
I’ve seen photos of President Herbert Hoover visiting Okeechobee to assess that damage. He authorized the massive Army Corps of Engineers project to build a dike around the lake. It was no quick fix; the undertaking lasted over 40 years.
I vividly remember watching a lone dragline in the 1960s, tirelessly carving out the rim canal along the east side next to US-441. Bucket by bucket, it piled sand, shale, and muck until the barrier reached a height of 30 meters, encircling the lake.
Growing up in the 1950s, the Kissimmee River flowed completely free. It held some of my favorite fishing holes. In 1961, I pulled my lifetime best from those waters: an 11 ¼ pound bass!
The subsequent dredging of the Kissimmee was necessary to regulate water flow and protect us from future storms. Unfortunately, it also meant the disappearance of my favorite fishing spots. So, I learned a new sport and took up water skiing on the newly widened river.
Thank you, Vernon. From one octogenarian to another, I wish you tight lines and safe travels.
Now to teethy fish.
Story 1: The Barracuda of South Andros
Our first tale comes from an early May trip to South Andros. The wind was too strong for long casting with a fly rod, so we switched to spinning rods and trolled the reef.
The lure had been trailing behind the boat for only a few minutes when a large barracuda slammed it with incredible force, immediately setting the hook. The fish ripped line from the reel, running several times against a tight drag as it tried to dive back toward the coral structures. I steadily pumped the rod to gain back line, feeling every head shake and surge of the heavy fish. Finally, we managed to pull it close enough to the boat to see its long, silver shape gleaming in the clear waters near the world’s second-largest reef.
The strategy produced two barracudas. My friend (another David K.) and I each had our turn with a 20-minute fight. Here is the fish being held by the mate while I took the photo.
Here is a better look at those teeth:
Story 2: The Northern Pike of Hatchett Lake
This next set of teeth belongs to a Northern Pike from a summer trip to Hatchet Lake Lodge in Northern Saskatchewan.
My guide on this trip had been with me on a previous trip exactly 18 years earlier. Talk about a coincidence. We looked at each other and said, “I know you.”
This pike was taken on a 6-weight fly rod, and bringing it in took about a half-hour. Because I was on a light 6-weight fly rod, I had to let it run against a drag that wasn’t too tight so the fish wouldn’t break the line. Fortunately, the fish was taken out in deeper water — it could not get me caught up on a rock, tree, or other sunken obstacles. I managed to control the fight out in the open until the fish finally tired out.
It ran to the backing near the end of the spool three times. Having exhausted my supply of steel leaders, I turned a 20-pound leader around and used the thick “butt section” to tie to the streamer.
The pike cut about halfway through it, but the leader held long enough for me to get the fish into the boat for this picture.
Story 3: The Tiger Fish of Zambia
Our last story is exotic. This tiger fish was taken on a spinning rod on a remote safari in Zambia.
The backdrop for this adventure was the Zambezi River, which is among Africa’s longest rivers, and very wide. As we traveled, we could see a pod of hippos clustering on one side of the water and large crocodiles resting along the banks. Our guide carefully navigated the boat to keep a safe distance from the hippos. They are highly territorial animals and could easily tip the boat over if we got too close.
Christine and I caught several small tiger fish on fly rods. I asked the guide why only small fish were active.
“The big ones are deep,” he replied. “You will need to strip faster.”
“I cannot do it any faster,” I said.
So, I switched to a spinning rod and put on a “Rattle Trap.” That lure is a heavy, sinking minnow imitation with internal pellets that rattle so the fish can hear the pinging.
Because of the teeth, I used a steel leader on a heavier spinning rod. I sent the cast as far as I could and then proceeded to reel as fast as I could. The lure was down about 20 feet when this fish slammed it.
Special note for my fishing, GIC, and Maine camper friend, Tom Heller. You once asked me what my most exotic fish was. This tiger wins the prize. Single prop to a dirt strip, two hour jeep ride through jungle, tent camp on river — all gear (4 rods) in 70 pound gear bag. And only one day to fish. I thanked the fish before releasing it. But I didn’t kiss it.
For this Sunday morning, we offer a break from the world we have been writing about. Thank you for allowing me to share these fish stories.
Tight lines to all readers,
David
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