So, Miss Peggy Parker-Blanchard passed away at 98. Tired and worn from this world but still a light to all who knew her. A gracious and loving woman that was ready. Of course she knew it was coming, don't we all? And she is Home now, while those of us left are preparing to bury the remains of something that is no longer there. Nope, she's gone, and we honor her by treating that old earthly body with dignity and respect and look forward to the time we can join her.
Jerry is coming from up north to stay on the beach, where I'm sure it is cooler. We'll all gather and sit and remember. Betty will be there too, as we will, old people all and ones bound to her through thick or thin. She asked me once about the old house and fishing the flats and had attended Cecily's wedding there. She knew that water, I could see it in her eyes, and of course she knew about the old house. Sonya and she would talk all the time. I'm sorry we're apart now. Sonya will be honored to sing for her one last time.
And I thought about all these things at 4am on the way to the shore. The crescent moon was in the sky and it was as cool as it has gotten this fall. I had caught it perfect somehow, and the tide was just beginning to move as it headed out. Yes, plenty of action and I watched a bit before fishing. I knew it was finally time for the shrimp to be moving to deeper water on the nice cool morning. Shrimp were being chased here and there, often dying in a quick splat as the fish sucked it off the top of the water. Some of those splats were IMPRESSIVE!!!
I had a VooDoo shrimp on the rod. White of course, with some brown pinstripes in it. Of all the objects to try and copy, a shrimp is definitely the hardest. And those VooDoo baits are at the top of the game, you can make them imitate perfectly after some practice. White trout can be caught almost every cast under the lights, and I've taken to not setting the hook on them. You can tell when one gets on, and most of the time see them in the lights, although sometimes they hook themselves anyway.
And so I invented a new technique. Previously, I'd been running the bait slowly across the top with a jerking motion, about a foot deep. But after noticing some of the action, I realized that those shrimp JUMPING seemed to elicit the most viscous strikes. So I sped up the routine, and JUMPED the shrimp across the water.
BAM! It worked! A very nice speck took it and ran. You have to let a speck run with the bait to have any hope of getting a good one, and I was glad it didn't spit the bait before I set the hook with a little flip of the wrist. It was ON! Good fish! It pulled the drag some and fought mightily to get in the pilings but I kept it away and finally put it on the dock. Yes, nice fish. VERY!
I KNEW those big specks were there but getting them to bite is a whole 'nother story. I can't count the times I've seen a big one hit the lure and then spit it right back out. Skipping that lure seems to take the finnicky out with great success. One I missed almost took the rod out of my hands. Literally.
And then I caught the personal best of the year doing the same thing. I almost took a picture but decided against it and just remember the big fish swimming away out of sight once more. Yep, that routine is deadly. I quit while I was ahead, as I had forgotten the pliers and those big specks have sharp teeth! The last one nicked my hand getting the lure out. If they don't swallow it, you have very poor chances. I headed up the bluff and washed up, and turned the A/C on in preparation of the events to come.
And looked one more time at the lights on the water before I left.
I arose before the sun after a sleepless night. I don't know why I couldn't sleep, maybe it was because I left my pillow at home. It was VERY nice outside and after the coffee was made, walked down to the pier to watch the action.
And it was happening too, the waster alive with fish, jumping shrimp, and excitement. The kids next door had fished at the wrong time, choosing sunset instead of dawn.I watched for long minutes choosing not to get all fishy smelling so early. As the eastern sky turned red, I headed back up the bluff to sit and watch light come upon the world and the pelicans start their dives. It's a beautiful day here.