Fishing with an Open Faced Reel on the Ides of March (my First Time with This Reel)

Today was expected to be a beautiful day. The high was to reach 61 degrees Fahrenheit and I was excited to use the fishing license I purchased yesterday. The high did reach the 50's but what I failed to pay attention to was the wind. I stepped out of the car and decided to go fishing anyway. I had bait in our refrigerator and was afraid of leaving it because one of my children would probably eat it. Children in my family take a while to catch on to what bait is. My nephew was three when he swallowed a minnow. My dad looked over and saw the tail of the minnow wiggling out of his mouth but it was too late.

Well, I do not own fishing equipment but my dad does. He now owns less than he did the last time I went fishing in 2006 and could not find a regular rod and reel. So, he gave me an open-faced reel. I thought, open faced reels can't be that different, right? I proceeded to drive a few miles and arrive at Baltz Lake in Pocahontas. I had my camera ready to take a photo of the tiny bait stealers I knew I could catch this time of the year. I was wrong.

There were other results. I took a picture of the lake and of the night crawlers wiggling in the bucket. I was fully prepared to say, "heh heh heh-Beware the Ides of March wormies" on a caption under the picture and post it on here. I came home and my camera battery was so low I could not transfer the picture. As God as my witness, the worms had their day today.

I learned the difference between a push button rod and reel and an open faced reel quickly. During the three hours I spent trying to fish, two were dedicated to untangling the mess I made while trying to cast. I returned to my dad's house about to give up when he encouraged me to go back and try again. So, I did. Cast, tangled, cast, managed to move the reel the wrong way and twist the handle off, fixed that, cast, lost the silver piece the hook went on, hung it in trees, finally the string part was in such a knot I returned home.

Every worm in that container escaped. The few times I did cast they flung off the hook. I realized I was working with hooks too small for night crawlers from the beginning and tried tearing them in bits to help. They managed their way off the hook every time anyway.

When I returned my dad's equipment he informed me the open faced reel is more difficult to use. He said I needed to practice without the hook and everything on it in the yard before trying again. He also promised to go with me the next time. I told him I was not returning unless he did. Maybe I can somewhere find a rod and reel I can work between now and then. No fun in not learning other options though. I'm open to learning the open faced reel but it may not be open for me to learn it.

I took this fishing trip to calm my nerves over going to the hospital tomorrow/my children's test results/financial woes/etc and not need a Xanax. When the trip was over, I needed one.

All I wanted was a picture of a cute little fish. When I catch fish I always put the worm in the mouth of the fish when I return it to the wild. The picture did not happen today but perhaps when I learn how to use an open faced reel it willl. Now it is time for me to wash the worm guts and blood off, take some Benadryl for my allergies, and use calamine lotion as I seem to be breaking out.

Did you know worms can bleed red, black, or just squirt clear liquid stuff all over you? I didn't know they had this ability so at least I learned something today. I learned worms are disgusting and open faced reels are difficult to use. I did not dumb down over the past three years as I feared. It was the difference in equipment.

When I returned home to check on Associated Content my fishing rules and regulations article was approved so there was no insult to injury. If the article was denied, it would have been like rubbing salt in an open wound. I did find a fish like I expected to catch on Wikimedia Commons as well so all was not lost.

Sources to learn how to use an open faced reel:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2098641_cast-openfaced-spinning-reel.html

http://www.angelfire.com/ia3/fishing/howtocast.htm