Take that, you April fool !!

This is kind of a report, but since no kayaks were involved and it's mostly humorous, I thought I'd just put it in here.

I went for a swim in the lake yesterday, trying out the swimming wetsuit for the first time. The suit worked out well, I just need to wear a swimming cap next time, as the cold (~50 degree) water made my ears utterly miserable. I think mostly due to water running down inside as I turned my head to the side in order to breathe. The feet and hands were fine once they numbed up a little.

Anyway, on to the fishing related portion of the post: As I came in from my whopping 500 yards of swimming and  am in about 3 feet of water, a d@#$ed bass bites me on the toe. Twice !!

Silly fish didn't know I had the rod rigged up, and on the dock ready to go. So yeah, about 20 minutes later, I landed him. A good chunky fish of about 16 inches. Take that!!!

I had another bite as well, complete with a scale that came in on the tip of the hook

Maggie thought I was nuts. James had fun splashing in the water while dad swam, but did not want me to give him a hug when I got out of the water. Jonathon stayed home with the nanny.

Regards,
Scott

Great story Scott.  I love the revenge factor although probably just trying to protect the nest.  What did the little luv nibble feel like?

And you hooked a scale?  Is it in working order?

Nice productive April Fool's day.

Michael

Try Doc's Pro Plugs for your ears.  Mine have been $money$

Scott......THAT'S FUNNY.....!!!....

"swimming wetsuit".....
1)  how thick/thin.....and is neoprene?
2)  is it a 'testy' thing to put on
3)  is it a 'testy' thing to take off after you've gotten wet
4)  is it gunna be a 'testy' thing to have to dry off
5)  despite the suit...you still have that (ugh) "cold moment" going in?
6)  you buy it at a "dive" shop?   spensive?
7)  you wear a speedo under?
  is black?

Judd

Jonathon stayed home with the nanny.

Good Times, Scott.  What I appreciate most about your stories is how you've gone from living in your camper shell to having a nanny!  Well done.   

Michael,

It's definitely territorial behavior, though I've never seen actual beds in this part of the lake. I got bit there last year too, when I was trying out a diving wetsuit. I had mask and snorkel on that time, and saw the fish actually go for my legs. It's pretty funny watching this fish that maybe weighs 2.5 pounds go after something 80X its size. As for the "bite" itself, it feels like a pretty good poke is all, different than your typical puny bluegill bite. There was however what had to be a bluegill or sunfish that bit the crap out of my wife as we swam across this particular cove a couple years ago. Hard enough to leave a couple bite marks. Maggie was definitely not amused, and still get's anxious when she thinks about it.

Judd,

It's a "Triathlon" wetsuit, but I'll never use it in a Tri. It's a one piece, 5/3 mm, with I believe a 2mm panel under the arms for greater flexibility. Easy to get on and off. Nowhere near the PITA whose name is freedive skin in wetsuit.

I wear a speedo as I'm getting in and out of the wetsuit on the lake shore. Right by the little kid's playground. No sense in scarring kids for life and/or getting an indecent exposure rap.

When that first bit of water runs down the neck and down the back, iit's really not pleasant. Other than that, anything covered by the suit becomes plenty warm. I think it would work out pretty good if you were to use it in 65-70 degree water for freediving, or maybe for doing a short session for abs up here. When getting out, I'll get out of the sleeves and torso, towel off and put on some fleece, then go on to get out of the bottom.

I purchased it at Aquan. I think full retail was $169, but I had an ISE coupon that reduced the price by 20%.

It's black skin-out with blue polka dots Brand is Neosport.



Art

Thanks for the tip! I wore a swim cap today, and it was certainly better. But on the swim back across the cove I was thinking ear plugs might be the way to go. That or a 3mm dive hood.

Eric,

I've gone through a couple boom and bust cycles. Just 4 years after camping in Chateau Nissan, I was riding the crest of the DotCom wave, and worth a fairly significant sum. On paper at least. Then came DotBomb and it was back to real life. Which has turned out pretty darn well. As for the nanny, well I travel about 80% of the time now, and Maggie puts in 50 hour work weeks. With two kids under 3 and no handy grandparents, a live-in was the best option.

Regards,
Scott