Ted Wells: Chattanooga Fishing Report

  • Thursday, April 3, 2014
  • Ted Wells
Seasonal greeting.
 
It was a windy day, but not too bad as I and my fishing companion Victoria Elizabeth Wells (circa 1995 USA) descended the mountain a little bit, then took a right through the TVA Raccoon Mountain Reservation, and about five whole minutes later got to the boat ramp.  Really, it doesn't get any better!
 
Not too much difficulty putting in, wind was brisk.  This time I remembered to make sure the motor was OFF before connecting it to the battery! 
 
My fishing companion got it real quick why this is considered the Grand Canyon of the South, and please don't tell people.  It is kind of nice the way it is.  For me, I always get all sentimental and sappy when I go there, sort of like church.  Maybe for me that is what it is.  She went, "Oh, yeah, I get it.  This is really beautiful."  The Princess is correct.
 
We silently motored around to the sort of secret spot, found it, and I sent down the anchor.  Victoria asked, "how deep is this?"  
 
I replied, "about 265 feet, and it is really a cave down there.  I cannot logically explain how I found it, but when you fish every day for a year, you learn things."  I think she accepted this as something everyone knows.
 
We fished for the better part of three hours or so.
We both got a burn on only one side of us.  The rod bent down once, and it felt good.  The fish got off.
 
Work continues on Serial Number 0000002, Elder Mountain Boat Works, and this little turtle came in the garage and watched me for a long time, and then I think he has probably gone on!  What a cool little turtle.
 
For every day you fish, you live another (extra) day in your life.  
 
For me, fishing is not unlike everyone else, but I dream about it. Gavin Atkin, in his book Ultrasimple Boat Building, says, " When I build a boat, I achieve a dreamlike state, envision it, and then follow it."  I know that sounds somewhat unconventional, but it is certainly true for me.  When I go to sleep, I deliberately select kind of what I want to think about, and if I have been fishing that day I always dream about it.  The best dreams.  Peaceful dreams.  This was a day!
 
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.

Henry David Thoreau

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/h/henrydavid107147.html#D4g99blIVKdxTtWj.99
Many men go fishing all of their lives without realizing it is not fish they are afterHenry David Thoreau

Tight Lines, and peas.

Ted R. Wells
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