Kiss My Ass Big Oil
By Alex • May 2nd, 2008 • Category: Fish Tales
First Smallie of ‘08
Nothing says, “Kiss my ass, big oil“, like fishing less than a mile from home. Not that skyrocketing fuel prices are the reason I chose the particular spot I did last night- but after seeing that Exxon Mobil posted second highest quarter profits in it’s history yesterday, the 10 second commute was a nice bonus.
I hate to admit it, but gas prices are nearly to the point where I might reconsider fishing a further away spot in favor of something closer. Back in late November, I said gas would have to approach $6 per gallon before that would happen. Now I’m guessing I’ll have to eat those words. I’m guessing we’ll see $4/gallon gas by the end of the month.
I’ve wondered if we’ll ever see gas under $2/gallon again, maybe I should change that thought to whether we’ll ever see gas under $3 again?
As always, I had this particular spot to myself last night. I waded the edge of a sandbar, casting out over the drop off, hoping to pick up a smallmouth or two. Carp were sporadically jumping out of the water, and it was a welcome surprise to see a tail pop up near a creek mouth. I cut off the 3′ of 6# test on the end of my leader, and switched to 12# before beginning my stalk into casting range. I get about half way there and a bass boat comes flying by across the river, then about a minute later, it’s wake. I don’t know if the waves put the fish down, or if it was me. But after that, I didn’t see any more signs of feeding carp in my area.
I did pick up my first smallmouth of the year. Then just before dark, a scrappy 8″ perch took a flashy clouser minnow. It was one of those deals when you set the hook, then have to dodge the fish that you just catapulted out of the water.
I don’t know if I’ll make it up the road tonight or not, I guess the grass is getting long. If I started the lawn mower and left it running in the yard, I wonder how long I’d have to fish before it ran out of gas…
Alex got to play chess with an 18" Brown Trout
Email this author | All posts by Alex
Gas prices are out of control. Im taking a few vacation days this week,as I do this time of year every year,and usualy I would give no thought of driving to the salmon river one day, the delaware the next,and the Boquet the same week. This year I have only made one road trip so far and at $60 to fill my tank I think I will have to hit some more local waters instead. I will still have to go to Manchester to listen to Patrick speak at Orivs on Sat. So since that will take about $30 in gas I`ll hit the Battenkill on the way home.
Good luck on the BK!
you are mowing the grass tonight, but nice try:)
supposed to rain all weekend. no chance at cutting the grass. besides it “the first weekend in May”–time for some pike action—finally! heading north tonight after work and with a little help from the rain gods i wont let a little something like mowing interrupt my fishing. i bought my first jeep in ‘93. and now with gas heading towards $4 its time to start thinking about getting a little more fuel efficient. 4 jeeps later and the thought of not driving a jeep has me a little unsettled. it doesn’t help that every time i mention it to a ‘friend or family’ that i get a slack jawed blank stare. i guess i am not the only one that can quite comprehend me driving anythin’ other than a jeep.
well the 9wt is packed with all the ‘flies of hope’ i spent all winter tying so i better head off to work. the sooner i get there, the sooner i leave there. have a good weekend. i am going fishin’.
It’s nice to hear I’m not the only one with this on my mind when it comes time to fish. I put $64 into the van last week, and $60 just this morning. My wife reminded me that a few years ago we budgeted $20 per week. we are 3 times that now. Ridiculous! This morning I had an hour to fish, and I opted for the pond that is a mile away and not too good to me, over a pond that is better, but about 4 miles away……..the decision was made because of gas. stupid, freaking expensive, gas!
With the prices of gas going the way they are Alex, your words from last November might be the only thing you can afford to eat.
And what Jay said is right. Rain all weekend, I’m not mowing either!
Just filled up the “Fishmobile” upstate - $4.03 per gallon, bloody hell - that hurts.
One tank up and one back = $120, I think “Brownlining” is on the upswing…