Peace and lead

I’ve enjoyed fishing ever since I got my kayak. There was never a time where I was too busy to get otw. I had quiet a good work life balance. Sometimes during the day I would go down to the garage to tweak my fishing gear, or play with my recent toy - rod, reel, lures. It’s like being a kid, except without adult supervision.

Well. It was bound to happen at work that I eventually got a manager that, let’s not say anything, but just that I was working non stop. And so from august till now I’ve been mostly MIA here. Around that time I decided to get a Lee Production pot for lead melting. I was getting low on 3oz. sinkers and decided to make my own. The melter arrived, but I was so busy that I didn’t even have time to try it. I know many of the folks here don’t think there’s anything unusual about it, but that’s exactly the point of this post. It was an anomaly. Or an omen, whatever you want to call it, that as someone who really enjoys fishing and playing with anything fishing, that lead melter was sitting at the corner of the garage for months.

Last week things at work finally calmed down. Like from 9ft swell one day to lake conditions the next. I was so relieved. And I knew right away what I’ll do on the morning of thanksgiving. I would melt lead.

And so, my wife took the kids out early, and the sun rose in all its glory, and there was a perfect breeze just enough to blow the lead smell away, and I let my mind dive into the simple existence of a man with his toys in his garage, melting lead, and doing the repetitive casting operation. I loved every single moment of it. And I felt I found myself again after so many stressful months at work.

I don’t know if there’s a point to this story. My feeling is that many of the old timers in this community have probably been in a similar situation many times before. But for someone like me, who always had time for hobbies and enjoy the little good moments in between, I found the last months very unusual.

Before I forget, let me attach some pics. And if anyone has similar stories they want to share, then I’d love to hear from you

Thanks for sharing your story Li-orca.

Working in tech I am all too familiar with the schedule demands you describe. Coming off a break-up of a 9-year relationship and what might be a relaxed schedule for a bit - I'm hoping to get the kayak gear into serviceable shape and get out on the water for the first time in a long time. I smell Doran crabbing on the horizon. Too bad camping spots are so tough to get.

Those are some spiffy sinkers - looking good!   

Thanks everyone for sharing! I’m feeling 2024 is going to be a great year. And this stonework is amazing! You got talent