I went crazy on eBay. I work in advertising and I was on a trip with my managing partner and he told me he gets all his fishing gear on eBay. I decided to take a look for myself and bought a ton of stuff – for next to nothing. I had to rebuild my tackle box, and instead of splurging at Dicks I’d give eBay a try. Plus it was easier on the wallet, therefore the wife, and I didn’t have to go anywhere.

So I got my bobbers, spinners, worm box, pack of assorted snelled hooks etc. delivered from eBay.  It still wasn’t enough so I went to Dicks anyway and bought more spinners, split shots, and some powerbait corn.

I rode my bike down to the part of the river that I felt would hold fish. I Found an opening in the bank and casted an Uncle Joes fly spinner. 1/8th oz. Gold blade with red and yellow feathers. It was a Friday, so I knew the river was stocked that day. I recalled the article I read and slowly retrieved my spinner so the “blades barely turned”. About my fifth cast I was hooked up.

I didn’t know what I had on my line. Whatever it was it hit the bait hard and fought very erratic. A few more cranks of the handle and what looked like a trout was flipping and flopping on top of the water trying to shed the treble hook from its jaw. Adrenaline set in and with only 15 more feet left to get him on the bank, I angled my rod away from the debris in the water and hoisted the brook trout on shore.

Oh my god, I thought, this two dollar spinner actually worked! The article from five years ago still held true! Crap now what? OK – just in case I brought a tape measure, I knew the fish had to be at least nine inches for it to be a keeper and it was easily twelve. I stuffed the trout in my new creel and made a few more casts. I picked some beautifully colored pumpkin seeds and blue gills. All very healthy looking fish, clearly well nourished and oxygenated judging from the vibrancy of their colors. I picked two small largemouths as well.

I wasn’t after panfish and bass. I caught one trout and wanted to catch more. I hopped back on my bike and rode the paved trail around to the east closer to the Parkway. I found another area where I could get some room to make good casts. There was a gentleman with his dog on the opposite bank dead sticking. I don’t know how he did that day, but after ten minutes I was hooked up again. This time I knew it was a trout, it felt bigger and it was. With no net I Iifted the rainbow over onto the bank. The hook popped as soon as I got it ashore. Call it beginners luck. People were walking by amazed with what came out of the river. People love to see fish, especially kids. It makes me feel extra special when I can share an experience with others. Meanwhile, as onlookers passed I got my tape out just to make sure the fish was legal. My hands were shaking with excitement, as I measured the fish at 14 inches. No brainer, in the creel he went. It was almost dark, but I live close and my 18 month was sleeping so a few more casts wouldn’t hurt. Sure enough I picked out another brookie and stashed him away too! Three fish in less than 45 minutes.

I got back on my bike with tackle box, rod, and creel of fish on hand. I couldn’t wait to get home to show Meg and call my dad. The experience brought me back to my childhood years when I would catch a bass across the street and run home so my mom could snap my picture with a disposable camera. A short bike ride and I am home.

My shit-eating-grin said it all. Meg knows I got something or something good happened at least. I spilled the fish onto a folded brown Trader Joe’s bag and we both stared with a surprised look. As I reflect on it now, I think we were just as amazed that the river in our backyard produced these trout. Not to mention we now have fish in our house to eat. I called my dad who is Mr Outdoors. He goes by Chief to all his grand-kids, in my opinion he puts Bear Grylls to shame. He walked me through how to clean a trout. I understood, but went on YouTube anyway. After cleaning them I had to get a picture before storing them for dinner the next day.

Don’t mock the shish kebab stick too hard.