It starts as soon as I leave my driveway. I’m mentally preparing myself for the grind that’s about to take
place. This isn’t a fishing trip it’s a trophy mission and I’m fully committed to throwing big baits knowing
there’s only two outcomes. Hero or zero.
After I pull into the lake’s parking lot I’m prepared for the looks. Each and every person I walk past looks
at me like I’m some crazy foreigner throwing shark lures in their local trout spot. What they don’t know or
understand is I’m not targeting the same trout they are…in fact all my baits are made to mimic the fish
they target in order to catch the trophies that love to eat stocker trout. Nonetheless I have to smile and
nod as I walk past.
Before making my first cast I take a brief second to soak in the beauty around me. It’s so quiet and calm
that I’m at peace with everything for a moment at least. From that moment on each and every cast I make
with the intention of creating chaos after an apex predator does what Mother Nature has made it to do
and attacks my bait. I cast for hours upon hours without even a sniff knowing this is all the calm before
the storm.
As fatigue begins to set it my mind starts to wonder and my resolve begins to wane. Seconds before
doubt takes over my inner dialog it happens. It’s so surreal I almost question if it’s really happening or if
it’s a mental mirage. It doesn’t matter if its reality or my mind playing tricks on me. I begin to reel down
and prepare myself to swing for the fence. Almost instantaneously as soon as the hooks get buried into
the flesh of the monsters mouth the fight is on.
The first headshake is a make or break moment. Is this another overachieving dink that’s bitten off more
than it can chew, or could this be the goliath bass I’ve been waiting my entire life for. It’s a deep powerful
headshake that feels like there’s a pissed off silverback gorilla on the other end of the line. She doesn’t
just want unhooked she wants to haunt my dreams for the rest of my days.