Fishing

 

A day off from yard work to go fishing. We contracted with guide Steve Spatafora from iOutdoors for a 2-hour fishing trip on Lake Tohopekaliga, Lake Toho to the locals. Up at o’dark hundred to pick up Clara and drive to Kissimmee, which Google Maps said took 40 minutes when I checked the day before, but was only 20 at 6:00 Sunday morning. For once, we were early to an event. 

We had worried all week about whether to cancel this venture, because Tropical Storm Fred was working its way up from Cuba, projected to head directly up the west coast of the Florida peninsula. Not too much wind, but lots of rain. We had until Friday afternoon to pull out, or we paid the whole price. I hemmed and hawed, however Grant thought we should go. Fred moved westwardly, and the weather was beautiful. 

Clara got the first bite and reeled in a nice bass soon after we stopped. I had several bites but couldn’t get the hang of setting the hooks. Several shiners later, I had a massive pull and managed to catch a big fish, too big for my poor shoulder to handle, so Patten took over and expertly hauled in a 5# 11oz bass. He caught a couple of others, I sacrificed more bait to my inept skills. Grant sat and pretended to fish, but he was just happy to be put on the water.

The entire time, Capt. Steve hooked shiners on our lines, cast out for Clara and me (although she did start casting her own line after a while), tried to talk us through how to give the fish some slack then set the hook, moved the boat to different fishing holes, and generally, kept up a patter of information about Lake Toho and it’s flora and fauna. He earned his pay. 

Just in case I think buying a bass boat would be a good idea, I need to keep in mind we paid about $450,  including guide with boat,  bait (those wild shiners were $25/dozen; we needed 2 dozen), and tip. Capt. Steve’s boat was $88k, and that doesn’t include a trailer, fishing rods, tackle, and gas.  Not owning a boat: priceless.