The Lorelei Method of Fishing

So I am off to Turkey and Greece in just a couple days, but I took some time to bond with my dad doing one of the things he likes best: fishing. We left last Wednesday and got back Friday, each leg of the trip with its nine hours of good fun in the car. Maybe that is why I can't ever get friends to take a trip with me there...oh well. At least my sisters usually come. This time, however, it was just me and the fellas...five fellas.

Anyhoo,we had three days of fishing. The first I spent with my dad and our fishing guide friend Peanut going for "big fish." That basically means that we sit in the boat with sculpin (the weirdest, most prehistoric looking creature one can ever see) or shad (a type of minnow) on our hooks. We rarely catch anything and spend most of our time talking or I read (that's how a few years back I was able to plow through the Grapes of Wrath in just a few days). This trip, dad and I got a lot of "spring cleaning" done. We figured out the best itinerary for our Argentina trip, thought up a name for our new newfie (Cassiopeia. Cassie, for short. Our other newfie's name is Ursa, so Cassiopeia seems to fit.), and I researched my three guidebooks about Turkey and Greece. I found I could concentrate much easier sitting outside on the boat than I would have inside at home. I think that is why I like fishing; it gives one time and a good environment to concentrate, relax, and enjoy nature.

Mind you, nature was trying to freeze us out. Everyone was super surprised at the ferocity of the cold. By midday I had no feeling in my fingertips. Peanut, dad, and I pulled up on shore and I ran to the bathroom. I held my fingers under hot water for few minutes and they still did not completely thaw. Dad bought himself and me gloves and sweatshirts. Mine is totally psychedelically tie-dyed (you'd be proud, Comando).

The next day gave us much fairer weather. At one point we were all wearing t-shirts and pants. I fished with my uncle and Peanut's son Shannon concentrating more on quantity of fish than size of fish. Using Powerbait gave us almost non-stop action.

It was during this time that the "Lorelei Method" was first developed. I'd cast, set the pole down in the boat, and wait for it to start jiggling. When it looked as though a fish has taken the big gulp, I'd pick up the rod, give it a jerk to make sure the fish is hooked, and then reel it in. Shannon taught me how to tie on the hook, so I'd do that, and then repeat the process. The method works quite fantastic, and both of the other guys laughed and eventually followed suit. They teased me about it the rest of the time because the method is so lacksidasical. I'd be reading or looking around and they'd say, "Hey, Lorelei. You're getting a bite." Then I'd go through the process. It only failed me a couple times.

A little after midday we got bored of catching so many fish, so my uncle and Peanut's son went for big fish, while I put on some waders to go fly-fishing. I spent an hour to two hours walking around, casting, and recasting, but only got a few bites. Later that night, we went fishing on the bank near our house and I still didn't catch anything. I was quite shocked, because usually my sisters and I at least catch a couple fish fly-fishing. My dad later pointed out that the tippet, the last "line" before the hook, was too short and that the main line, which is quite thick, was most likely scaring the fish away. That makes sense, but I was sad we didn't fix the problem in the beginning. At least I had fun walking in the river. Waders always give me the sensation of walking on the moon, which I quite enjoy.

The final day I fished with Shannon and one of my dad's friends Ken. I've been fishing with him before and, although he likes to pick on me until no end, fishing with him is always entertaining. I learned about all sorts of things I never probably would have learned on my own. For example, Nascar and cars in general. This guy owns around fifteen cars and LOVES Nascar. I thought I had heard about every aspect of cars during World Mission Tour, but I was ever so mistaken. I learned the intricacies of how rain affects the racetrack, that fans camp in the inside circle of a racetrack (apparently there used to be a lot of boob flashing in that area), that restricted long track races aren't as interesting as other races, how certain companies are allowed to have only a few drivers (because if they have more drivers they can check out more tracks and it's not really fair to other companies that can back less drivers), how apparently everyone cheats a little, and, most importantly, that Nascar is a game of inches. Woo hoo, doggies!

The trip was relaxing and testosterone filled. According to Ken it was also an investment in my future. Because I know how to tie hooks and clean and filet fish, the boys are supposed to be schooling. Until that time comes, I think I'll just sit back, wait for a nibble, and then, if I so choose, reel one in.