Big Dave is my brother, and I love to go northern pike fishing with him because it is good company, and Big Dave knows all of the best lakes to go fishing. I could never catch much for northern pike when I went on my own. After 21 years of fishing with Big Dave, I feel qualified now to say what I learned from him.
Here are some things I learned:
Spoon Color Matters: When I first started fishing, I had no idea that fish would bite different lures with different consistency. One time Big Dave and I were fishing on this lake, and it was as dead as a graveyard. Not a single fish was biting. Big Dave suggested we change spoon colors, so I switched over to an orange spoon, and shortly after that, I reeled in two northern pike–one right after the other. It picked up fast from there, and the lesson I learned about fishing that day is that if one spoon doesn’t work, then try another.
The Fish Are The Cherry On Top: The great thing about fishing is that the simple things can be enjoyed without distractions. For example, the sun is setting, and as you are fishing you are enjoying the beautiful sunset over the lake. The wind is cool and refreshing, and if the fish are biting, well that makes the trip that much better. Nonetheless, you have a memory that will stay with you until the day you die either way.
Pick A Shiny Lure: Big Dave taught me that on a sunny day, you want to pick a metallic spoon because fish love shiny objects, and the sun will reflect off the metallic spoon. They can also see it from a long way away, and they will chase after it.
You Never Know When They’ll Strike: Fishing with Big Dave, at first I lost a lot of fish because I was not paying attention. They would always strike at the most inconvenient time–when I was daydreaming. Fishing with Big Dave taught me to pay attention more because you never know when that northern pike will strike.
Trolling: Big Dave taught me that fishing right along the edge of the weed drop off was the perfect place to catch northern pike with spoons. He would use a depth finder to help him fish right along that edge. He had practically mastered fishing along the edge. It takes some practice to do this because I tried doing this with a friend, and I was nowhere near as good at it–didn’t catch nothing.
Good Company Means Good Fishing: Fishing in good company is not only a great memory, but it also means that things won’t grow dull when nothing bites. You can joke around and tell fishing stories while you wait for the fish to bite.
Some of my fondest memories were fishing for northern pike with my big brother Dave. The best part was not just the fishing, but the fact that I got the chance to know my brother better. Fishing is a great camaraderie sport, and it guarantees memories that will last a lifetime.
