I was one of those women who went fishing with their husbands just to be outside to enjoy the scenery, read a book or catch some sun.  I can remember many times being mad because Driftr had caught a fish and I had to get up because I was laying on the live well or he needed help with the net. even had a Musky (while I was helping) flip and stick a hook in my finger only to flip again and have it rip it back out.  Needless to say fishing didn’t seem to be my bag. 

My husband is a taxidermist and I see many people young and old with that excited exhilarating glazed look in their eyes with heavy breathing from excitement when they come to our door.  Never did I think I would feel that kind of excitement over a silly fish but I have!  I caught the fishing bug from some very nice Walleye fishing people. 

I had all the intentions in the world when I agreed to go along on this trip to hang out in the room and write a grant for work and just go to the social gatherings.  Needless to say that didn’t happen!  My plans began to change immediately after we arrived.  The buzzing excitement at the Gull Motel was awesome.We just got a new boat and our anticipation to go put it in the water for the first time didn’t help matters any.  We rushed around and got going.  Needless to say with the new boat and not knowing this part of Lake Erie we didn’t do too well but we did get three fish. Scott & Cindy Golden were there to meet us and take pictures of our big catch. Hee Hee.    

I was then sent immediately to the store to get freezer bags to freeze our big catch of the day.  What a surprise to me when the guy in front of me was buying an electric knife and asked if I was there fishing.  I explained to him we had come to this Walleye Central fishing tournament and he told me he was there from out of state fishing but didn’t know about the tournament.  It turns out this meeting would be very beneficial to me! (Will tell you about it later).   I made it back to the Gull with the bags and the excitement surrounding the filet tables.

 My first response of the tables was ewwww and “I’m outta here”.   >This was my first meeting of Sheila and I heard her ask my hubby “ is that your wife?”  with a snicker as I made a quick exit.  Well I decided to sneak back and at least take this picture because it was so exhilarating.  The night died down and some of us went out to dinner to listen to Scott’s funny stories and make plans for the next days fishing. 

5:00 AM came awfully early and I was still wanting to pull out and not go along but . . . with the excitement of the night before and with the new boat I figured I better go along to help out incase they did catch fish. They caught two Walleye and lost two but all in all it was an okay day with learning the new boat and all its features.

We came in early to get ready to go to the fish fry and go back to the filet tables.  Poor Bob Kuehl had to sort threw two garbage bags full of fish quickly to find the one he wanted to have mounted before Bob (Just Look’n) cut its head off.   He was hustling  . . . .

     Oh here it is . . . . I think.  :-)

   Whew he found it!  

 As we pulled into the fish fry Ebi was there to meet us and shortly after Vanessa and her son pulled in.  As Vanessa was getting out of her car I greeted her to her surprise since she had no idea who I was. (I had put two and two together from chatting with hubby all these months about his Walleye Central friends and that’s how I knew who she was.)  Vanessa and I became fast friends.  She is a great gal and her son is a very nice young man! 
 

We entered the building to be met by Rick and Judy LaCourse. These two are the sweetest of couples. 

My conversation with them was the start of my head being turned toward maybe this Walleye fishing isn’t that bad!  >As I talked to them I discovered we were very ill equipped for our endeavor on Lake Erie the next morning and in the next few hours between visiting and eating I proceeded to gather up some new fishing equipment.  First I acquired some new Off Shore Side Planer boards.

 Then I acquired the information of where to get Reef Runners the next morning and believe me others had learned the same information because the store was packed with others looking for the same thing.

  This one was my good luck charm! 

Cindy & Sheila were also busy at the fish fry.

  Their job was to take names and get fishing partners lined up.  I was partnered up with Ebi, which just boosted my already growing interest in this Walleye fishing.  I had met Ebi about three years ago at an unofficial Walleye Central get together in Port Clinton along with Just Look’n & Bob Kuehl, Busy and a lot of others.  I was the only girl at this one.  I was excited to be partnered with Ebi since I knew he knew allot more than I did about fishing. 

When the planning of this fish fry was being made I had agreed to help.  As Mary and I talked she agreed that there was enough help with the fish and I was let off the hook (no pun intended) to take pictures, chat with people and just have a good time. 

It was a full house! 

I just went around and eves dropped on all kinds of people.  Learning lots of interesting stuff. 

I was hoping to get this plaque but . . . . . . . . . .

                                                                                        I did win this!!!!

I was so excited to hear my number being called when this came up and the cheer from some of my new found friends even if they did tease me that it was rigged! 

The next morning at 6:00 AM Ebi showed up a little green around the gills. Hehehe  He was out until 3:00 AM partying with some of the others.  As I went out the door to get going for our first day of the tournament and I was already excited  the guy who I had met at the store (I told you I would tell you about him) came up to me and gave me an Eriedescent Reef Runner. He told me this had been the best lure for them all week.  He told me not to bring it back to him without teeth marks on it.  Well let me tell you my new pole and that Reef Runner was the only thing that caught fish all day and I did return it with teeth marks on it!.   I didn’t reel them all in but I did reel this one in!

I learned more this week about fishing than I ever thought I would care too.  Being around all these people who care and take their time to teach the very beginner is very enlightening.  I thank you all!  I wish somebody would invent an automatic reeler though because these fish are really tuff. Oh maybe that’s where Driftr comes in:

We will be back!!!