Memories await us on opening fishing weekend
The 2021 Wisconsin Inland Fishing and Trout Seasons open this Saturday. Since the state saw a major increase in fishing license sales — ranking fifth nationwide last year with over 1.3 million sold — I suspect a lot of people are looking forward to fishing. We need more tackle boxes and less Xboxes is the saying.
More fishers shouldn’t dampen anyone’s spirits for fishing. Wisconsin has 5,000 more lakes than Minnesota; we have plenty of places to wet a line.
It does mean the boat landings and popular shore fishing areas may be a bit busy. So pack a snack and drinks in case you end up witnessing, for lack of better terms, a landing/launching event.
Some of us kind of play it by ear, every year — kind of like I do. But I know some families around here have some very time-honored and memorable traditions surrounding opening weekend of the fishing season. I’ve been invited to several, heard stories of more, and enjoyed them all.
Memories and fish camp stories will be created this year like every year. Memories like educating a first timer about camp rules such as “what happens at fish camp stays at fish camp.” Because “loose lips sink ships” we tell them. Maybe someone brings a new fishing kayak to camp. Maybe they dump it and do a little swimming.
Yet fresh fish fries usually create the best memories. Opening weekend fish camp is about spring, making it through another winter, and about good, old-fashioned fun and camaraderie.
I recall a very windy, rainy cold opener when I was about 12 or so. Rain gear back then involved a garbage bag with three holes for your head and arms. True old school guys like my dad didn’t give up, and by the time he finally got sick of bouncing in the two foot waves for hours and we headed in, my brother and I were so cold neither of us had warmed up by the time he wanted to go out in the evening.
Fifteen years later, a fishing opener saw a raging storm start about 6 p.m. on Friday and rain until 4 a.m., forcing us to sleep in our trucks. We wanted a campfi re that night and didn’t get one. After an hour of mostly fighting the dreaded east wind in canoes and small boats, we headed for shore. We finally set up our tents, pulled our dry firewood out of the truck, and built a raging campfire by 9 am. We roasted hotdogs, enjoyed a couple beers, told stories, sang songs, laughed, and stayed warm. That evening the wind died off and the fish bit. I liked that opener much better but have good memories from both. Make a quick check of the regs for the body of water you intend to fish because bag limits, size structure, and dates change often from one body of water to the next. A quick check of the systems like trailer lights, boat engine, trolling motor, electronics, boat lights, and gear might just keep you from going viral in a social media video. Making sure the plug is in is an important check.
Any towing company operator located in proximity to a popular lake or several lakes will tell you leaving the vehicle in reverse and just setting the parking brake while launching is not a good idea. But someone in Wisconsin is going to do it this weekend.
It will be an easier recovery than going through the ice, but there’s that viral video thing hanging out there. Watch out for people and pets running around in the parking areas and by the launch. Everyone’s excited, and pets get loose and are even more excited.
PFD’s or lifejackets are a must. Make sure you have enough and they are still working properly. The big thing is making sure they are in the boat and didn’t get removed last year for some reason.
They are the of thing that is better to have on and not need then to need and not have on, especially when underway. If you have young fishers aboard make sure you have one that fits them properly.
And check that a rodent didn’t get to one and wreck it. Check your fire extinguisher if you need one, and consider having one even if your boat is small enough that it isn’t required.
Wishing you a great opener; stay safe, and good luck.
THROUGH A
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CHUCK K OLAR LOCAL OUTDOORSMAN
