Cabin Fever - Part II
by Dennis Udlinek
This is great! We had a drought and now it's over,.. hopefully? Know how I can tell? My boat is covered with snow. The day after Christmas I had to put my rig in four-wheel drive to get out of the drive way, and my dog is about to drive me nuts!
Last year as you recall in "Cabin Fever" Part I, we were experiencing a little cabin fever or "bassitis" as it's officially named. It got underway after the "real" New Millennium and now with more frequent snow falls than last year, I find myself almost regretting I actually prayed for snow. Me, a devout snow "home" bird, I never pray for snow! For those of you who don't know what that is, the snow "home" bird is much like the regular "snow bird," only he wants the snow to go south for the winter! Snow has covered everything, besides our boats, it's covered docks and boat ramps, and then, just when it was starting to look like we were going to get a break around Christmas in snowed again! Boy, what I wouldn't give for a Chinook to blow in! You know, those sixty-degree winds that get the juices flowing in your casting elbow. Now, just in case we continue with this admittedly needed seasonal pattern, and you've forgotten how to handle this adverse condition, here is a reminder of some helpful diversions for getting through the inversions of winter.
First of all if it's snowing outside one must remain calm, remember, even the slightest glimpse at the Outdoor Channel and other so called "fishing programs" could send a fellow into a panic attack causing the near fatal condition of "bassitis!" Remember, the a for mentioned mysterious condition which renders men completely absentminded causing them to totally forget everything unrelated to bass fishing, including birthdays, anniversaries and especially the holidays.
The best approach to take for this sickly phenomenon is to make a charitable donation of your television. If that seems too drastic, then cover it with an old tattered boat tarp and put a picture of Aunt Sally on it. The next obstacle to overcome is the taunting from fishing magazines arriving in your mailbox. Did you ever wonder about those articles on "winter fishing" with everyone pictured wearing shorts? Who are these people, and where the heck are they winter fishing? It ain't Cascade Reservoir I can tell you that!
How about when you're waiting in line at a grocery store, and you keep hearing this faint chant from the magazine rack. It keeps calling out, "hear fishy, fishy, fishy!"
Also, what time of year do you suppose all the Bass Pro, and Cabelas catalogs start showing up with all the new lures, rods, boats and you-name-it reach your mail box? You guessed it! Just in time for the 10th snow fall of the year. So what do you do? You take out the new rod and reel you got for Christmas, cast a plastic plug off into the snow, only to realize the guides have iced over and you can't reel it back! And what's even worse, it's your lifetime dream reel and you have no chance of hearing the drag scream from a real fish - for at least 3 months!
OK - don't panic, wait for the bluebird (hopefully) days of February when a Chinook wind might be blowin' in that warm tropical breeze that brings up them ole' bronzebacks. Now, those are the days! The only antidote to cabin fever - unless you've forgotten to get your gear ready, is goin' fishin'! Some of my best fishing trips have been in the wintertime!
Warning: ALWAYS remember to have your hooks sharpened, new line on your reels, repair work done on rods and reels, and a fishing trip already planned out as soon as weather breaks. Are your maps ready, fishin' strategies laid out, tackle boxes cleaned out and organized, and the truck filled with gas?
A couple more things; Don't forget your mother's birthday, and don't forget to put the plug in your boat!
Good bassin' to ya'll in the New Year.
Other Resources:
Cold Weather Treat - Crappie Fishin'
Wintertime Bassin'
Idaho's Warmwater Fish
Fishing Reports
BASS BOOKS:
The Art of Tying the Bass Fly: Flies for Largemouth Bass,
Smallmouth Bass, and Pan Fish
By Skip Morris, Richard Bunse (Illustrator)
Fly Fishing for Smallmouth Bass
By Harry Murray
Bill Dance on Bass Fishing
By Bill Dance, Tim Tucker
Advanced Bass Fishing - Hunting and Fishing Library
By Dick Sternberg