LEE COUNTY LAKE REPORT: Keep it simple

Buying fishing equipment, supplies, bait and knowing what to fish for can be overwhelming for the beginning angler.

So, keep it simple.

When I was a kid, fishing was as commonplace as flattops and PF Flyers. I owned one rod and reel from my childhood until I graduated from high school.

This fishing pole was my buddy. It even had a name, Tinkerbelle. Yeah, I know, but it was what it was.

Tinkerbelle was always sitting in the corner of the storage room ready to go fishing. On the window seal beside Tinkerbelle was my tackle box, stocked with everything needed to catch fish, except live bait.

It was a pocket-sized Prince Albert can that fit perfectly in the front pocket of my worn and faded Liberty overhauls. The contents of this tackle box consisted of two or three Roster Tails, an assortment of hooks and lead and a homemade stringer. The three-quarter mile walk through the woods to Edwards Pond usually supplied everything else needed.

When I arrived at the pond, it was not uncommon to have accumulated a few grubs, crickets, grasshoppers and maybe an earthworm or two.
The right size stick tied to my line worked great as a cork. I wasn’t aware bait shops had been invented until I went off to college.

Since this time I have invested thousands of dollars in rods and reels, tackle boxes and every kind of lure or gimmick known to man. If there is a fish bait out there I haven’t tried, I’d like to know what it is.

If the truth be known, Tinkerbelle and I probably caught as many fish and had more fun during them early years with less stress and expense.

Getting started doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive, educate yourself. A good all-around rod and reel that will provide years of fun and service can usually be purchased for less than $20. An assortment of hooks, weights and corks shouldn’t run you over $10. So, around $30, plus your bait, should get you started.

Successful anglers target one species of fish. They rig their pole and use specific bait for the species they are trying to catch. Fishing for whatever bites may not be as productive.

The main thing, get started and keep it simple. What I would give to make that three-quarter mile walk with Tinkerbelle to the banks of Edwards Pond again.

Thank goodness for the treasure chest of memories from my childhood.

Lake hours: Sunrise to sunset, closed on Monday.
Amenities: Boat rental, cabins, fishing pier, boat ramp, restrooms, picnic tables and bait house.
Water level: Full pond.
Visibility: 36 inches.
Water Temperature: 64 degrees.
Bream, Bass and Crappie: All are moving into shallower water and being caught in decent numbers on fall downs and fish reefs.
Catfish: Some signs of moving toward the shallows, but several limits have been caught in deeper water.

Dwight Lake is manager of Lee County State Lake. He may be reached at 749-1275.