By Dwayne Zboril

I have always kept a written record of my fishing adventures and now I will share them with you. I have fished for all types of fish in my life, some large some small but each one was as important as the next. My life of fishing has inspired me to do many things, one is to write. Along with journals, articles, and tips come photographs, paintings, sketches, and more. While submitting this journal I will also submit artistic images including photographs, sketches, and some poetry as well.

I will begin this journal with my latest fishing trip and expand from there. The day was cool, a norther wind was beginning to pick up as the day went on. The water was stained and high due to a recent storm that engulfed the area. A faint ray of sunlight broke through the clouds, warming my face slightly with its warm embrace. I took a deep breath, the air was thick, a sweet and sour aroma from the recent rains. The water began to ripple within the grasps of the northern wind. I pulled out my lure of the day, a pearl colored spinnerbait ( 3/8 oz double willow leaf blade ). My first cast of the day landed near a overhanging willow tree.The branches of the sagging tree slightly touched the water. I used the branches as a marker, a pinpoint of sorts to start my pattern.

The water erupted before me, a thrashing mass of pure power raced with all of its might. My line peeled from my spool, the drag whined from the onslaught of power. I pulled back securing the hook and feeling the full force of the powerful beast before me. The water boiled from the wild movement of the now enraged predator. I bore down and put the pressure on the fish, forcing him to yield. My rod bowed with the erratic motion of the struggling fish. Little by little I gained line, inch by inch the battle was leaning in my favor. I steered the fierce competitor to the shoreline, not letting up on the pressure. A dark golden colored mass approached, mouth open, gills flaring in a wild struggle. Again I held firm, not yielding in my strive to conquer this battle. My intense pressure began to take hold, the massive creature began to yeild, the battle was mine.

As I leaned down I looked into the dark eyes that were staring back at me. Two adversaries had waged war with one another, a sense of admiration for one another filled the air. I held the jaw firly as I lifted the prized catch before me. I admired and respected this beautiful creature. Slowly I lowered the beautiful golden largemouth into the water, water flowed over his gills bringing strength back to the weary warrior. As the water splashed before me the amazing creature disappeared below to fight another day.

dwaynez