Hot tips are where ya find ’em
Written and illustrated by Doug Nelson
HTF Contributor
The other day, while visiting some friends who now reside in an assisted living facility, an elderly gentleman I had met many years ago stopped by the table where I and several others were having coffee and cookies.
“Have you been catching any trout lately,” he joked in his thick Finnish accent.
“No, but I’m getting anxious to go again. I’ve got spring fever already and it’s only February!” I replied.
Well, one thing led to another as it often does with fishermen and before you know it, you had to watch where you were stepping because the two of us were catching and cleaning imaginary trout right there in the dining room.
Now I’ve said many times in the past, brook trout fishermen are very secretive when it comes to telling where they actually catch trout. Many will barely admit to catching them in the water. Finding out where that water is requires subtle interrogation techniques that the FBI and CIA would envy. Rarely do you find someone who is willing to divulge one or more of their secret spots. More often than not, looking for these spots has led me off on many wild goose chases, but it just so happens that I like chasing wild geese. However, every once in a while, one of these tips turn out to be a real bonanza and for that reason alone, I can’t take a chance on missing out.
My friend, who I’ll call Len, was an avid hunter, fisherman, and trapper in his younger days. His body no longer allows him to roam the woods and waters he once did, but his mind is as sharp as ever and I love to hear about his outdoor adventures even if in the passing years some of the facts might possibly have been embellished. I never tire of listening and I relish seeing his eyes light up as he relives those bygone days.
We started talking about places we had both fished and then he went on to tell me about some places that I had never been to. Needless to say, I was taking detailed mental notes all the while trying to look somewhat
disinterested so as not to scare him off or cause him to clam up.
I know a lot of things can and do change over the years. Where fish and game were once found might now be a housing development, shopping mall, four lane highway, or a mining operation. This didn’t diminish my interest in the stories one bit.
When I returned home later that afternoon, I got out the map to see the areas Len had referred to. Sure enough, the creeks were there just as he had described. To make doubly sure I had gotten the directions right, the very next day I went back to see Len with a large rolled up map. When I got there he was in an exercise class. I waited for him in the hallway. He spotted me right away and I could tell by the big grin on his face that he knew what I was up to.
We pulled a couple chairs up to a small table in the hall where the light was good. I had brought along a magnifying glass in case Len should need it to see the small print. I’m glad I did…turns out that Len could see just fine, but I need the magnifier. If any of you ever see me talking to a coat rack or hat stand like Mr. Magoo used to do, tap me on the shoulder and remind me it’s time I got some glasses.
I learned a lot that morning, not only about where he caught trout, but also the techniques he used to get them. I’m pretty sure that if trout were still in some of these creeks, I would have heard of somebody fishing them at one time or other. But I can’t take that gamble, so this afternoon, I’m going to make sure my hip boots are patched and ready to go, my reel has good line on it, the reel is greased and oiled, hooks are sharp, the broken hinge on my creel is repaired, and I have a full can of bug spray. I told you, I have spring fever!
Lest I forget, I have to buy some film for my camer a, too. Len told me to take lots of pictures.
Doug Nelson is an avid outdoorsman and lives and writes in Virginia, MN.
