Yeah it's finally that time of year again. When most anglers get those ants in the pants feelings. You know those internal feelings that seem to rise right along with the mercury in the thermometers. A time of year when anglers get more agitated than a 3 pack a day smoker trying to kick the habit. When everything you do or see reminds you that those trophy trout and reds are entering your favorite bay at this very moment.
It all starts on your daily commute to the grind in the morning. Your traveling along the same path you travel day in and day out. When suddenly you spot a nice 23T Parker deck out with rods flying in the breeze as he passes you by heading south. Soon your mind begins to wonder as you desperately try to catch up with him swerving through the traffic. Your mind begins to reminisce back to those final days of summer when you last felt that familiar tug of a red as he near the boat. Or maybe it was that nice 20-inch plus trout that made your limit as the sun began to set. Either way before you realize it your 3 exit pass your turn off as you watch you quarry head off into the sunrise. Meanwhile you're hitting the blinker and trying desperately not to mix the next exit.
Those tugs of summer can also take on other forms for instance. Say your mowing the grass in your favorite bait stained lucky fishing shirt and matching cap. As you turn the wheel to make another pass your mind begins to wonder of those early morning trips to the bay with the smell and taste of saltwater as it splashes over the bow of the boat. As you reach the end of the yard and start to make another pass you can almost picture the grass in front of you with a few dandelions mixed in as your favorite stretch of sandy flat. Suddenly you hear a loud noise and your boat has run aground on one of those just below the water oyster reef. You're jolted back to reality and realize you have just run over the weedeater.
Most anglers get antsy this time of year but some anglers really feel those tugs of summer bad here are some quick hints to see if you qualify. When you find yourself thinking about catching the koy from the backyard pond for a fish fry it's time to go fishing. If you find yourself casting lure in the swimming pool in hope that one of the kids may bite its time to go fishing. If by chance you able to hang one and he break the line before he reaches the net, then not only should you go fishing but also change your line before doing so. If you wake up from sleepwalking and find yourself in from of the seafood display at your local Randals, then it's time to go fishing. When you visit your local dining establishment and the catch of the day gets you more aroused than your wife's Channel no. 5 then it's time to go fishing. And the final telltale sign is if you are reading this article to satisfy your needs of feeling those familiar tugs of summer then it's definitely time to go fishing.
The strengths and frequency of the Tugs of Summer manifestations will vary greatly from angler to angler. The before mentioned guidelines are just some suggestions. To borrow a line from Dirty Harry "A man got to know his limitations". In this case an angler must be able to spot the sign of this early Summer decease before it get to emergency proportions. When caught in its infancy the cure is quite simple, so try and remember unlike a fire extinguisher you need not break the glass of your rod cabinet when the urges get too great, a key will do the job almost as fast. Also keep in mind just like last Summer you'll have quite a few weekends before the wind of Fall begin to blow in another end of a fishing season.
Remember try and be patient you will soon be fishing those familiar waters once again. When that all too familiar new boat owner at the boat dock is in front of you relax. After witnessing many an unsuccessful try at backing his boat into the water only to start loading it with cooler, fishing equipment, boat plug, the wife and kids. Take a few moments and count to ten before going down and kicking his butt and sending him back to take the Head in Ass course on boating etiquette. This will not only further delay you getting some relief from your early Summer aliments but can also be quite embarrassing for his and your kid and spouses.
Relief will come soon enough when those hardheads of Summer begin to console tugs. Soon croaker and ugly dogfish will be stealing those priceless shrimp at an alarming rate. While that same new boat owner will be pulling in trout and reds only a few yards from you. This will only further agitate those tugs of Summer but relax you still have plenty of time to get relief. The best cure for the tugs is to fish and fish often. Those near to you say your spouse and employer may not fully understand your delicate condition. You may need to get a note from your local fishing guide excusing you from your other obligations.
The good news is that as soon as that first red starts to peel line from your reel giving you your first line cut on your thumb you will be cured. When you land that first 20 plus trout you thought was another oversized hardhead you will be cured. When you knee -deep in fish guts and heads at the dock side cleaning table ling to everyone that come up to admire your stringer where you caught this nice limit of fish you will be cured. And finally when you are kick back with a cold Shiner Bock in one hand and thongs in the other waiting for those fillets to surface out of the hot grease you will be cured. Unfortunately these feelings occur every year just like Christmas bills and Taxes we all get through them somehow. The bad news is the older we get the more often they seem to arrive just like birthdays. The good news for most anglers the older we get the wiser we usually are and better able to handle those familiar tugs. Just remember to wet a line and your whistle often the rest will take care of itself…
