New Years Resolutions 2005

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS--2005
By Bob Jensen

It’s the end of one year and the beginning of a new one. Each New Year holds promise and reasons for optimism for all of us. Many folks like to start each New Year making a list of things they want to quit doing or start doing better. I don’t. However, if I was going to make such a list, and if it was going to pertain to fishing, it would look like the following.

If I could, I would spend more time in Minnesota chasing bass in early June, right after the bass opener. I would concentrate my efforts in the Alexandria region and north to the Bemidji area. This region provides some of the best bass fishing in the world for both quantity and quality. I would spend a lot of time in water less than five feet deep, and would be throwing a lot of Reed-Runner spinnerbaits. On many days I would expect that my partner and I would catch at least fifty bass, and wouldn’t be surprised if we caught one hundred bass on some days. We would not kill any of those fish regardless of how big they might be.

Now jump ahead about four months to October. If I could, I would spend as much time in early to mid October chasing walleyes throughout the Midwest. I would cast a Fire-Ball jig and large redtail chub to the weedlines, Roach Rig the deeper waters, and troll Frenzy Medium Divers at night. The biggest fish would come at night; the most fish would come on the jig/minnow during the day. The shorelines will be alive with color from the leaves on the trees, and I will frequently remind myself how fortunate I am to be a part of this.

I will spend more time experimenting with new fishing methods. That’s how I will become a better angler.

I will spend more time honing tried and true fishing methods. That’s how I will become a better angler.

I will be more open-minded to new fishing lures, lines, rods, and reels. So much of the time I find something I like and don’t try the new stuff. That’s how I miss out on even better stuff.

I will go out of my way to be a better steward of the earth. I don’t litter or make a mess of the boat ramps, lake shores, or anywhere else outside, but some people just don’t understand about cleaning up after themselves. I will try to clean up after others as much as possible or reasonable. Of course if it’s June or October and the bass or walleyes are on the bite, I might have to clean those messes up later. Whether it’s empty cans, lure packages, or old fishing line that someone left lying around, I will do all I can to leave the area nice for the next person.

Regarding life in general, I will try to be more tolerant and more patient(I want more patience and I want it right now).

In reviewing this list, I’m glad I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions. I wouldn’t get much work done.

Happy New Year!

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