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We don’t get ready anymore like we used to. Back in the day, we would load the boat, go down to the first open water lake and kick the motor off just to make sure it was gonna run on the opener. Gear was packed, fingered, repacked several times, just to keep our hormones intact. You’ve no idea how many practice casts a guy like me could make in any parking lot days prior to the big day. New line absolutely, old trusty rod and reel pal of many an annual campaign, of course. Handpicked bouquet of flowers for mom, done.
Who was in the bow, used to be a black lab, he never complained if it was too early, too hot, too windy, rain, labs love being wet, share a soft mushy peanut butter sandwich, grrrrrreat, and when I would hoist a walleye into the boat, dog was shaking just as bad as I was, it was a walleye on opening day, better than any bunted infield single any day.
I would lift gallons of minnows from the traps sometimes twice a day, now I load up with no more than two dozen, it’s not for a lack of enthusiasm, it’s just age has shown the more practical aspects of my overpacking, like using the nine iron when the seven iron, the scoring iron, would have been just fine.
Oh I still get pretty excited, but now the boat gets a once over from the local marina, he calls when it’s purring. I’ve bought more rod and reel combos this winter and even this spring, the deals are fantastic. It’s not all about Mother’s Day flowers, but don’t worry, don’t worry, I bought those ahead of time. Because now, it’s time for the opener.
Hope to see you out there.
--The trout whisperer
