Memorial Day Fishing Trip - not catching trip.

     On Memorial Day one must pay the respect to those whose ultimate sacrifice made this day possible; The American Revolutionary War estimated 33000 killed and wounded, The Barbary Wars (against pirates on the Barbary Coast) 377 killed and wounded, The War of 1812 with 6,765 killed or wounded, The Mexican - American War 5885 killed and wounded, The Spanish American War 2047 killed or wounded, The Philippine - American War 3950 killed or wounded, WWI .about 257,404 killed or wounded, Korean Conflict 128,650 killed or wounded, Vietnam 58,209. Not included in the above numbers are those killed or wounded in conflicts with the Native Born Americans, the so-called Indian Wars nor are the number inclusive of Somalia, Grenada, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, Afghanistan and any number of other conflicts where people have lost their lives, either physically or mentally. Nor should the numbers be considered to be the most accurate count, but simply numbers one can find by searching various sites.
      After paying the proper respect one can go fishing, in this case on Lake Raven near Huntsville Texas.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/raven/
http://www.texassportfishing.com/Region_3/raven_lake.htm
http://www.fishingworks.com/lakes/texas/walker/moore-grove/lake-raven/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huntsville,_Texas
http://www.huntsvilletexas.com/
http://www.city-data.com/city/Huntsville-Texas.html

     Huntsville is also home to some of the largest penitentiaries in Texas.
http://tdcj.state.tx.us/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huntsville_Unit
http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/jjt01

       One was particularly impressed by a fishing report / suggestions stated on one site "Lake Raven Details - Bass anglers are most successful fishing either just after sunup or just before sundown with top-water lures and soft plastics fished at the edge of the hydrilla. During early spring bass can be taken from shore by flipping soft plastics into nests. Redear sunfish can be taken on live night crawlers or crickets in the same areas."

     As a result the car was loaded, the canoe was loaded, the outboard was loaded, sandwiches made, drinks put in the cooler, say let us not forget fishing rods and tackle. We are ready to go.

All loaded and ready to go.

     The total drive is only about 85 miles / 137 km so it is accomplished in about 1 1/2 hours depending on traffic. There was little to no traffic on the Freeway, but lots of traffic on the road into the park itself. It seemed as if all of Houston decided to visit this one park on this particular day. Eventually we make it to the boat ramp and get ready to get on the water.

Ready to be pushed into the water and fishing lines put over the side.

Headed for that most famous spot which is guaranteed to bring fish.
To the edge of the hydrilla where the fish are rumored to be.

     We saw many people fishing, some in kayaks, some in bass boats, all just as enthused as we were.

A father son team fishing from kayaks.

There is something on the line,

in this case a small branch snagged on the bottom.

According to the GPS we are near the middle of the lake.

There is lots of hydrilla so we must have arrived.

There is also a blue heron peeking out from behind the big leaves in the back.

The blue heron in flight.

 

      We spent quite a bit of time fishing, using soft plastic and top water lures, along the edge of the hydrilla. One can only assume the fish read the same statement and decided to go elsewhere. It would appear the blue heron was interested in our progress.



It appears to be saying "look at them, casting this way and that way,

using this lure or that lure, and for what, not a single fish yet".

"May I suggest you try over in that direction!"

So we asked "Where?"

"Come on, follow me and I will show you".

 

      So we went over there, and also in that direction, and several other places, again following the directions to fish along the edge of the hydrilla. Nothing.

      We did, however, observe many people having a great time on the water, some on paddle boats, others swimming, some in canoes. It looks like most of Houston decided to go to Huntsville State Park.

A family having fun on a paddle boat

Kids and adults jumping off of the swimming pier.

Note the boy on the left about to jump. 

Here he is in the air just before hitting the water.

A family enjoying a paddle in a rental canoe.

 

       So we caught some nice pictures, lots of sun, the wind in our faces, the smell of water and slightly rotten vegetation, the laughter of children knowing that summer is right around the corner.

But, alas, we didn't catch any fish but had a great time.

 

      Next time we will catch fish. As a matter of philosophy, I have come to the conclusion, after much intellectual deliberation that it is actually not a matter of catching fish, but a matter of catching the fisherman / woman and have him or her depart with the dollars in the quest of this or that gadget which is sure to bring in fish.