"Reflecting on the Season" (c) 2001 by Justin Hoffman

    As the days get shorter and the cold starts to set in, a realization dawns on me that the open water season is just about to bid farewell. In a matter of weeks, it will be time to unpack the boat, winterize the motor and seek shelter for its tired body. The hard ice of winter will soon be beckoning anglers from far and wide to puncture its outer shell and savour the joys of ice fishing. This time of year always seems to come too early for most, but looking back over the past year, the season was again full of memories and accomplishments. Reflecting on the highs, and the lows, seems to always put things into perspective for me.
    This past summer was the first time I have had the pleasure of staying at a fishing lodge. In fact, I stayed at two, and both were first rate and an awakening of the spirit. There is nothing like waking up to the call of the loon or sitting by an open campfire that adds a certain type of quality to a fishing excursion. Even though I did not catch a ton of fish at either lodge, the memories I took back will always stay with me. I recommend trying a lodge this coming year to all of the readers - - you will not be disappointed.
    I had the pleasure of fishing with a variety of people this past year, which always seems to make fishing excursions more lively and interesting. Friendship is one of the great facets of life that fishing holds, and even though I spend a great deal of time on the water solo, it is still nice to share the excitement with a fellow human being. Not only is the conversation a pleasant addition, the techniques and tips you can learn from watching another angler can be invaluable. I definitely intend to share the boat with some new people next year, and I hope you will do the same too.
    Fishing itself was sometimes tough this past season, with the number of fish I put in the boat down from previous years. The serious heat wave and drought during the summer did have an adverse effect on the fish population, and water levels were down considerably in many of the lakes I traveled too. Not that I'm trying to make excuses for a "sub-par" year, but to highlight the fact of how fragile nature and our ecosystem is, and how we must work hard, and together, to protect our valuable fishery. I did have some banner days on the water, such as the day I put twenty largemouth into the boat while flipping cane beds, or the excitement-filled day I shared with my friend Jason this past spring, hooking crappie after crappie on our favourite little lake. I also look back at the fishless days and realize that there is a lesson to be learned there too.
    I spent a lot more time this season noticing the small things that add to a successful day on the water - and the majority of these things did not involve fishing whatsoever. Watching a blue heron wade the shallows for his breakfast, or a large snapping turtle swim past the boat on his way to the far bank are some of the sights I was lucky to behold. I have learned over the years that fishing is constructed of a lot of different pieces, and admiring and interacting with nature is one of these treasured components. Next time you are out on the water, lay your rod down and take in the scenery before you. There are so many things going on while out on the lake that they are so easy to ignore until you take the time to experience them.
    While I sit down to write this, I notice that there are three more weeks until the open water season officially ends. Big, beautiful musky are in my thoughts right now, and I plan to be on the water a number of times searching for that elusive trophy. I am sure I will do battle with some brisk weather and may even have to dust some snow off my toque, but I would have it no other way. Fishing is a part of who I am, and a proud part at that.
    Have a great season this coming year, and experience the memories that fishing provides, one day at a time.