Tale of two days...
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2026 10:33 am
Here is a story that explains, to me at least, what fishing is all about. So, let me set it up...same lake (O'Neill) two consecutive days. Could not have been more different.
Day 1
Start with a cold morning, and casted about 3000 times in the first hour and snagged the tulles about 6 times, lost a bunch of tackle, and finally landed this dink.
Then gave up on that spot and moved to one of the docks, and it got worse...got a hook in my finger ( I'm ok...) and casted a bunch of junk at the tulles and finally hooked up, and felt some weight...and snap went my leader. Well live and learn, checked the line for any other damage, checked the knot, and all was fine so tied on another hook and off I went. 5500 more casts, and watched a newcomer cast like 3 times and land a 3lber right next to the dock...the hooked up again and felt biggness...but alas...same shit different side of the dock.
Could not take it any more so packed up ( and got another hook in my hand) I should be more careful. Went home mad.
Day 2
Changed the line...2 snaps cant be a coincidence and even threw away what was left on the spool...retied everything and hit the water about same time...right about at first light. My attitude was skeptical but positive and was really enjoying the very calm, flat water no wind and just a bit chilly (37F) when I got there. This time no snags, more careful casts, no hooks in me and i was rewarded with a couple nice ones.
And went home very happy.
The end.
Day 1
Start with a cold morning, and casted about 3000 times in the first hour and snagged the tulles about 6 times, lost a bunch of tackle, and finally landed this dink.
Could not take it any more so packed up ( and got another hook in my hand) I should be more careful. Went home mad.
Day 2
Changed the line...2 snaps cant be a coincidence and even threw away what was left on the spool...retied everything and hit the water about same time...right about at first light. My attitude was skeptical but positive and was really enjoying the very calm, flat water no wind and just a bit chilly (37F) when I got there. This time no snags, more careful casts, no hooks in me and i was rewarded with a couple nice ones.
The end.
