Winning
and Losing?
by Jeff Ryan
It's
October again and the season is changing very
quickly. The boat is cold in the morning and the
clothing are getting thicker. This is a favorite
time of year for me because it allows me to
reflect on a Midwest season gone by and assess
the improvements for next year.
Every
season is different, each with their own seperate
challenges as well as ups and downs. This season
was in a nutshell a lesson in learning. A
professional circuit with new lakes, weather
conditions and life's obstacles all bound up into
a season on the water.
Each new
lake I fished this year was amazing in the amount
of diversity in vegetation and water clarity. I
had fished similiar lakes but as we moved farther
north the fish related in ways I was not truly
used to. As I always say to myself, "I can
catch the fish, but will they be big enough to
win?"
This year
the fish came, but the size did not. Finishing
out of the money time and time again, yet putting
fish in the boat. Tough competiton, yes, hard
weather adversity, definately, but for my partner
and I we learned a ton, we never gave up and we
logged it all and archived it.
We met
some people along the way who will be a big help
in years to come and going up against legends in
the north country is like paying our dues. We'll
be back, and ready and more experienced next year
and as we climb the ladder ,as the old guard will
have to step aside and learn from us.
This
positive mindset is what gets me to the water and
keeps me there fishing humps and rubble and
breaks most people can't even imagine. So I take
the mediocre season and write a journal to keep
it in perspective. The trophies will come, I know
it.
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