[goodfishin]

So, I've been suffering through a third-degree case of boat envy for the past month or two. My usual spots have all turned into what sound like painful math problems: they're algae-braic equations. I'm not into pike and get no kick from sunfish mania.

What's a landlocked fisherman to do?

Decided to invest some time in nibbling away at the margins of the big reservoirs. Been a learning experience to say the least. It ain't often us shore birds get to fish in 50+ feet of water within castable distance. Also ain't every day we get a chance to try out slip bobber rigs in a hunt for suspended fish.

I'll say this: it ain't easy. An hour-plus trek to big water can turn entirely futile before you're even out of the car if the wind is blowing in-shore. Boy, you boat people have the life... You can just move the boat while us shoreline folks watch fish taunt us by going all Sea World and putting on a show just out of casting range.

Finally, I am happy to say though, I'm making a little progress. I've gotten a few good "'X' marks the spot's" down for 1) perch that should really be called "porch" - because they're as big as one; 2) smallies that punch out of their weight class; and some burly LMBs that remind ya what happens when fish get plenty of food and plenty of exercise. They're rod-tippers...

I still wish I had successfully kissed the a$$e$ of some boat owners by now but in the meantime, still feels pretty good to occasionally hook a 19-incher like this guy and then actually manage to coax him ashore through a minefield of boulders and sea grass.