RV Smallmouths

[Billfish715]

The pictures of what I think were white perch that were on the video that was posted about the RR brown trout got me reminiscing about when RV was constructed and being filled for the first time and the white perch we would catch. We used to park in the camping area and walk along the banks on the south side casting spinners for smallmouth bass. At that time, the reservoir was supposed to be managed for smallmouth bass and trout.

The old farmland was still exposed in some spots and the old farm hedgerows made incredible fish habitat. It was not unusual to catch over 50 smallmouths in a morning. We often came across schools of white perch as well.They were large and put up quite a fight. The impoundment was alive with smallies. Wading parallel with the old hedgerows in the warm, clear water was something special for a young boy. Catching exotic fish like the smallmouths along those hedgerows was even more memorable.

On the way back to the car, during the early summer, we picked black and red rasberries and blackberries until we were full and then filled old coffee cans that we brought with more of those delicious wild berries. What a place! We always saw snakes, and deer and pheasants and other wildlife on our hikes. I was fortunate to have an uncle who was really into the outdoors and who cared enough to take me along on those adventures.

As the summer draws near, think about taking a youngster along fishing with you. Maybe you can help a young cubscout get a fishing badge by taking him to a local pond and catching his first fish. Memories last a long time and may pay off in dividends long after you've hung up your waders. Keep kids fishing and take every opportunity you can to help them do so.