After being sick the last couple of days, there was plenty to do around the house – mow the lawn, pick up after the dog, laundry, etc.  But after feeling like crap for a couple of days, the last thing I wanted to do was work.  What to do?  What to do?  I think I’ll go fishing.

We headed back to the Grand River, and all the while I had visions of smallmouth bass dancing in my head, especially after Matt’s experience there last week.

I love fishing for smallies on the river, but for some reason the anticipation was killing me last night – I was like a kid waiting on Christmas.  At work I could literally feel myself stepping into the water, and caught myself daydreaming about the way the fish would look as they hit my topwater lure…….and it turned out to be just like I imagined it.

We didn’t catch as many fish as the last time everyone headed out – 3 fish for me, 3 for my Uncle, and none for Matt – but the experience, and the “the time well wasted” as they say, was more than worth it.  The sunset on the river was awesome, hanging out with family was great, and getting to watch a few decent smallies pounch on my topwater offering was just icing on the cake (man I love topwater fishing; so much fun!).

And there is just something about being outside that gets to me.  When everything is weighing on your mind, or after a hectic day at work, there is just something to be said for sliding on a pair of waders, strapping on the backpack full of extra clothes, a pop, and a snack, and heading out into the river ; hearing the sound of the water passing by; the sound of a torpedo sliding across the top of the water; and the anticipation of that next strike.

If any of you anti’s are reading this:  it isn’t about the catch, or about inflicting pain, or outwitting a wary adversary on his own turf (although that is quite fulfilling too)…….it’s about the experience – the experience with nature, and being one with our natural surroundings.

And it was definitely time well wasted.

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