Fishinggggggg

I would so rather be fishing instead of working today. I try to take a day off every two-ish weeks or so to get my fishing in. My co-worker is my fishing partner in crime so we have to make sure we can both get the same day off. I find fishing to be so cathartic.We fish at our super-secret-fishing-spot at the San Luis Reservoir in California. I call it my "happy place." Upon arriving there, I feel a sense of peace as I stare out over the water.

Fishing has gotten me through some tough times. I have fibromyalgia and am often in pain. I remember the first time I went fishing, I was really ready to throw in the towel. But I found that sitting in the baking sun helped my aches and pains to feel better. A couple months ago, I stepped down from my position as a courtroom clerk to a judge (long story). Although I am still a courtroom clerk, I am not a "floater" courtroom clerk which means I fill in wherever instead of having a set judge. I felt like a failure even though I knew it was the right decision. A long day of fishing allowed me to set my thoughts straight and see the change for the blessing it would be. Everything seems to come together at the lake.

So, what do I fish for? Stripers, baby! I have been fishing since June of 2016, about twice a month, except for during winter when the weather was way too stormy. I never caught anything. We started up again in April I think it was and actually started catching stuff, although they were never keepers. Then, a month ago, I caught my first keeper, and the next time another keeper, both at 18". This one day, my friends and I probably caught 20-something fish between us that were not keepers (luckily they lived!). Fishing is relaxing; catching is a rush!

We generally use anchovies as bait but we have been known to use blood worms. K's' daughter is the "bait bitch." She generally baits the hooks for us because, well, she is better at it than us. We CAN bait our hooks but not as well as the BB can. I, personally, would not touch a blood worm because they are MEAN! Plus, she likes her bait bitch tip that I giver her for a good days' work! We use magic thread to keep the bait on, although the bait twizzlers are getting very keen at stealing our bait these days.

As an amateur, I don't know a lot about poles. I do know that one of the three my husband and I purchased about a year ago, snapped in three the trip before last. My friend uses an Ugly Stik and I am looking to get one for Christmas (hint, hint, hubby!). If anyone has any suggestions about poles, bait, etc., please leave me a comment so I can look into your suggestions.

Anyway, off to work for now. Ta-ta!