We finally got some decent weather. Things fell in shape, weather-wise, for something I’ve been waiting for. Bream fishing.
There is a pond where I have fished for the past 40 or so years that never lets me down. I started fishing there when the owner’s wife and I worked together and I got permission to visit the pond. Back then, I used a boat parked on the shore of the pond to paddle around and fish for bass. Today, the old boat still rests on the pond’s shore but I no longer have the agility to handle a boat so instead, when I head for the pond, I’m armed with ultra-light gear and a cage of crickets.
The current owners of the pond have placed a chair beneath the shade of a big oak with shadows that cover an area just off shore where this time of year, big bluegills and chinquapins have fanned out beds for spawning. It’s an ideal set-up for me because all I have to do is take a seat under the shade of the oak, toss out a cricket on a hook and watch the bobber jiggle and slide under. In all the years I have fished this spot, I have yet to come home empty handed.
Such was the case this past week when I took my seat, cast out into the bedding area and was greeted immediately with what I came for. The bluegills and chinquapins were hungry and it didn’t take long for me to catch all the fat bream I wanted to clean.
Then it was back home with my filet knife resulting in a nice pile of snowy white filets
along with a couple I scaled and saved for frying whole that resulted in a lunch after church on Sunday to die for.
After my wife and I enjoyed our first fish fry of the year, and after my traditional Sunday afternoon nap, it was time to settle down, pick up a book I recently received and relive the adventures of an award winning author.
Jim Mize is best known as a writer of humor material and he is one of the best; I have several of his books that validate that fact. Mize’s latest book, The Jon Boat Years, while adding splashes of humor reveals just what an accomplished writer he is. The foreword written by renowned author, Jim Casada, gives a hint of what the reader will encounter when pouring over some 190 pages covering 50 stories Mize has crafted.
“The Jon Boat Years is a striking example of what used to be called a ‘read’ book or
bedside companion. It’s a work for a restful hour beside a cheery fire on a winter’s evening or perched on a porch rocking chair while a summer shower hammers on a tin roof overhead. You move from one little gem to the next like a flow of a gentle run in a trout stream. At one moment you are enthralled and then, transitioning to another tale, you find yourself enchanted once again. Always, though, you are deeply engrossed in what you are reading.”
Mize’s stories are grouped into nine sections including Across Generations, Fishing with Others, Fishing Odd Hatches, A Whiff of Skunk, The Colorado Years, Pondering Deer Stuff, In Pursuit of Bearded Birds, Of Ducks and Dogs and Upland Birds. If this doesn’t get your attention, I’m not sure what will.
To order your copy, and if you love good writing about the outdoors, as I’m sure you do, go to Mize’s website, acreektricklesthroughit.com. The Jon Boat Years sells for $21.99 plus $5.00 shipping and handling. I can assure you, you won’t be disappointed.
Two B’s – Big Bream and good Book. It was a combination that made this weekend extra special to me.
”Two ‘B’s made for weekend fund, bream and a good book.”
Glynn Harris photos
FISHING REPORT
CANEY LAKE – Bass fishing has been best with some good fish caught on swim baits. Crappie have moved back to the deeper submerged tops and hitting shiners or jigs. The bream are bedded and hitting crickets and worms. No report on catfish. For information contact Caney Lake Landing at 259-6649, Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
BLACK BAYOU – Bream are on the beds and hitting worms and crickets. Crappie are good fishing around the trees and brush. Bass are fair on spinner baits. Contact Honey Hole Tackle Shop 323-8707 for latest information.
BUSSEY BRAKE – Big bass in the 10 pounds and better continued to be caught with white spinners, jigs and Sinkos working best. Crappie are back in the brush and are hitting jigs and shiners. Bream are on the beds in the shallows. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – Fishing for bass is good in the river lakes as the water is falling. Crappie in the same areas in the back water. Catfishing is good. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – Bass are in post spawn mode and hitting on secondary points of soft plastics, spinners and crank baits. Most of the crappie have spawned and are moving out to deeper water. Shiners and jigs are picking up some good fish. Bream are on the beds and hitting worms and crickets. Catfish continue to be caught fishing cold worms and night crawlers off the banks. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – The bream bite is on as they have moved to shallow spawning areas and are hitting crickets. Crappie fishing has been best up the creeks on shiners or jigs. Bass are in a post spawn mode and hitting a variety of lures on secondary points. No report on catfish or stripers. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Catfishing is good with mostly smaller sized fish being caught. The bream are bedding and hitting worms and crickets. Crappie are best fishing just off the banks on shiners or jigs. No report on bass. For latest reports, call Poverty Point Marina at 318/878-0101. For information, call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water is rising and except for barfish and catfish, fishing is slow. For information, call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.
