A New Year, Challenges, and Fishing Follies
by Wanda Garner
I was given a challenge recently, but due to short notice, my very hectic schedule, and one of my children having surgery yesterday, I was unable to accept the challenge. For those who know me, they know that I love challenges! I have a very competitive nature and I love proving to others that I can do anything I set my mind to. I’ve tried to extend this same mind-set to my daughter. I tell her I want her to be “tough”; an independent woman, with a determination that will break any barriers in her way. I watch her working with our critters and realize she's headed that direction. She can herd a flock of turkeys to their pen in only seconds. They know she’s the boss. I’ve seen her stand her ground with our meanest rooster and be able to stroke his back as if he were a kitten. This same rooster, I’ve seen grown men run from. At the ripe age of 12, there aren't too many things she'll back down from. Did I mention she killed her 4th deer this year?
Back to my challenge… My challenge was to catch a carp on New Year’s Day, competing with other anglers across the country in an event called First Fishing Folly. When I told my husband about the event, his first response was, “Why would anyone want to catch a carp on purpose?” I had to laugh. In fact, my first thought was “Susan Brownell, the Fishermom, would!” and then after looking over some of the photos from past FFF events, my thoughts were, “Well, who wouldn’t?” They say a photo is worth a million words and the photos of the past FFF events tell it all! Smiling faces, huge fish, friends, and lots of memories….
I recall a fishing trip I took my young son on several years ago. Casey was only 9 years old and wanted to go fishing. I decided to take him to one of the local lakes, actually hoping for a big carp. I had heard tales of how big the carp got and how easy they were to catch in this particular lake. The land owners around the lake were mostly retired couples who enjoyed feeding the fish and watching them from their docks. Seems they weren't fished very much. Casey and I were in for the time of our life! What an adventure that day ended up being for the both of us, with Casey hooking into a huge carp which nearly carried him off into the lake. This is honestly about the most experience I've had in carp fishing.
This time of year, you are more apt to find me snuggled deep in my camo sitting in the deer woods waiting for a trophy whitetail to show up than fishing my favorite fishing hole. Instead of my spinning reel you’ll find me toting my .243. There is just something about water and icy temps that just don’t seem to go together. However, I know many, who will brave the cold temps to try and hook a big one. In fact, even my husband has been guilty of fishing in temps so cold that his wet shoes literally froze to the ground! So I’ve decided that I’m going to extend my legs and stretch a little… I’m going to try something new this next year… carp fishing in the winter!
I’m extremely sad that I was not able to accept this invite and challenge this year and participate in the First Fishing Folly event of 2010. However, with that said, I have already vowed that I will be prepared to not only participate in the next event, but will promote the event through WomenAnglers, encouraging my writers and other female anglers to register and join the fun. No doubt, my daughter will be right by my side trying to out-fish me Jan 1st, 2011!
For more information about the FFF, check out this website: http://carpiopedia.pbworks.com/The-First-Fishing-Folly-page. Also, be watching for updates, stories from those who participated in this year's event, and an interview/photo of the winner posted right here on WomenAnglers.us