With the holiday hub-bub all but over, it’s time to look ahead—while remembering the achievements, failures, and the opportunities that were neither won nor lost (just missed) over the past year.
Like most, I like to set a few goals I can aim at during the coming year. Some people call them “resolutions,” but that just sounds too official to me—like something you might hear at a large corporation’s annual stockholder meeting. And unlike some I know, I tend not to set goals that focus on negatives—don’t do this, or that, don’t, don’t, don’t!
No, I prefer positive goals, enjoyable goals, fun goals. That said, here are my Top Three.
1. Take My Wife Fishing More Often
Make that “as often as she can stand.” As I review 2011, I regret that I can recall few times that Elaine and I fished together. She’s not a diehard, and that’s okay, but she used to be.
Back when we were college kids, she caught a 13-pound hen steelhead on the St. Joseph River in Michigan on a sunny Saturday afternoon when the mercury sat at 5 below zero. A few weeks later she caught a 9-pound, 1-ounce female steelie from an ice-covered pier near Muskegon. That fish earned her Second Place in a one-day derby that had close to 400 entrants.
These days she prefers warm afternoons and calm water. Which is perfect, because I’ll fish anytime, anywhere. I just need to invite her to go along on the nice days more often so we can enjoy it together.
2. Catch A Muskie From My Kayak
I first tried kayak fishing three years ago and quickly found out why it’s the fastest-growing segment of sportfishing. I love getting into places (quietly) that I could never reach before. Plus, sitting nearly on the surface brings a new and exciting perspective to the sport.
I’ve targeted bass, crappies, ‘gills and catfish, but I’ve seen countless videos in which anglers subdue sharks, sailfish, giant redfish and other monsters from their ‘yaks, and my experiences just can’t compare.
Muskies are the largest predator available where I live, so bringing one of them boatside is my goal for 2012.
3. Discover 10 New Things
This goal shows up somewhere on my list every year, and it bubbled to the top for 2012. I always strive to discover at least 10 things I hadn’t known before. They might involve fish behavior, a new lure presentation or knot. Often they center on learning a new lake. Sometimes this one is a win; other times it’s a fail. Still others it’s a missed opportunity. But you can bet I’ll do my best to achieve it next year.
Here’s wishing you all the best in the New Year, on and off the water. And if you have fishing goals you’re willing to share, I’d love to hear them. -- Kurt