First fishing trip of 2012

Sunday, March 11th, 2012, I woke up to a 5 year old standing next to my bed. When I opened my eyes, he says "Dad, I am going need warm clothes to go fishing today?". That's my boy!!! The previous day I had promised to get the boat out of hibernation for the maiden voyage of 2012. I followed through with the plan and in the heat of the afternoon sun, we were off to the lake with the boat for the first time in 2012. But, "the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray". The batteries that I had charged once a month over the winter did not include the starter battery.

So, towing home a boat with dead starter battery and two disappointed boys, we needed a new plan. The new plan, "After dinner, we'll go fishing from shore while the boat battery charges."

While eating dinner Kurt, Luke, and I are discussing where to fish and what lures to use. Mom appeases us by engaging in our conversation. Kurt says "I want to use my frog lure". So, after a long lecture from Dad on how frog lures won't work this early in the year, we head to Kurt's secret spot. He's insistent on using his frog lure.

So, before we can reach the water's edge, the boys tell me nature calls. Kurt's is self sufficient; Luke needs some assistance. While I am tending to Luke, I hear a excited yell behind me, "I got one; I told you that frog lure would work." On his first cast of 2012, Kurt lands a crappie on the infamous frog lure, and Dad has to eat crow.

Kurt's crappie on frog lure.


Luke gets in the action with a crappie on the big joshy swim bait.


The infamous frog lure that Dad needs to add to his tackle box.


Fishing season has finally arrived.