Fishing Adventure Begins

 We decided we needed a new hobby to keep us busy during our self imposed exile from Washington during the winter months when we live in our condo in Lake Placid, Florida.  We do have a motorcycle, and the development has a lovely salt water pool, and we read a lot, but that still leaves a lot of hours for us when we are used to working. 

Since there is water everywhere - fresh water in canals, lakes, rivers, and creeks, and salt water in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, we decided to look into fishing. My son, who is an avid and expert fisherman, suggested we talk to people who were actually fishing (they are everywhere) and observe their tackle and techniques. We didn't want to spend $1,000 on tackle for a catch and release fishing program, so we prowled the flea market in Okeechobee this weekend.  We found a fishing pole for $10 (you get what you pay for and it was definitely a challenge to use it).  The picture represents $16 worth of gear, and we still needed weights, leader, bobbers, and minnows.  That was another $16 this morning as we headed out toward Lake Istokpoga.

One of my favorite parks - used mostly by people launching boats into the main lake, but with lovely boardwalks and places to sit in the shade while we fish, and most important of all - restrooms with running water.

You can see my tackle box (Walmart Grocery Bag) and donated minnow bucket that Ron is carrying and me with my $10 fishing pole ready to take on Lake Istokpoga.

And I did have a bunch of bites and actually caught a fish...I had to blow the picture up a bit to make it look more impressive....but it was at least 6 inches long. I sent him back to grow a bit bigger.

    Fun day, even though I did end up with a bit of a sunburn.  I did learn what a Blue Gill looks like in person.

Starting A New Year 2022

First visit to the Farmers'/Flea Market in Okeechobee in 2022.So many varieties of peppers and tomatoes.

Even more than one type of eggplant!