It is early and the sun is slowly beginning to rise as William and I pack our things for a morning fishing adventure at Lakeshore Park. This park is located on the Ross Barnett Reservoir and is our favorite fishing hole. The fish are spawning this month and we hope to catch some perch.

We arrive at the park and set up the fishing poles and chairs by the bank of the reservoir. There are other people along the bank with their fishing poles and a few in boats not far from us. It is a friendly and optimistic group this morning. There are several people who have caught fish and are using buckets to house the day’s catch.

It is not long before one of our bobbins goes down in the water. I quickly pull on the pole to pull the fish out of the water.  The fish fights as it comes out of the water trying to escape the line but all goes well and out comes a medium size perch. It is a beautiful fish that is admired before being delivered into the bucket. William puts new bait onto the line and the pole is once again in the water.

I decide to explore the park while William watches our fishing poles and lines. There is a group of geese in the park this morning. The wildlife in this park is fun to observe and photograph. The geese are happy to see people in the park because of the food that is given to them. They will deliver quite a show to get free food. This morning someone is feeding them bread while they strut and show their glory.

My observation on the morning stroll is the marina across the bay. The boats are pretty sitting in the docks. People will be in this marina all day taking rides in the boats. I enjoy taking photographs of this area. The people are fun to observe. There is usually an interesting and diverse group sharing stories of the day .

The marina is also home to some of the reservoir water life. Ducks and geese split their time between the marina and park. The reservoir water between these two points provide abundant food and shelter for the birds. The marina is a place where alligators have been spotted as well. There have been some days when alligators will swim between the boats searching for food.

Alligators have become more common in this area through the years. They are mostly harmless unless disturbed. I have lost more than one fishing pole when an occasional alligator has decided he wanted my fish. It is better to let them win the prize than risk life and limb for the fish.

It is time to check on William and the progress of the fishing poles. He has caught two more perch and has decided to try catching fish along the shoreline. Sometimes the fish will come extremely close to bank in the spawning season. I sit down and watch the other fishing poles as he walks down the bank.

There is a snake in the water this morning. He is quite large and colorful flowing through the water. Usually they will pass by people unless disturbed. I sit quietly and let the snake swim by the poles without moving. Snakes are poisonous here and not to be taken lightly.

My bobbin on the fishing pole is going down again in the water. I pull on the line to bring the fish in to shore but pull too hard. The fish gets away and now my line flies through the air and is now stuck in a tree. An entertaining site to see for observers as I try to get the line out of the tree. William returns and saves the day by retrieving the line. The line gets new bait and is returned to the water.

We have some new visitors as a hawk tries to get his lunch in a nearby tree. He is climbing the tree with a squirrel. The squirrel is faster and more efficient in the tree than the hawk. The hawk struggles for a while and then moves on to try for easier game. The squirrel then returns to a safer spot on the ground.

Following this spectacle is a group of geese with their goslings going toward the water. These birds are protective of their young and do not allow anyone near them. They are entertaining to watch as they cross the park to the water. I take a photograph and return to watch the fishing poles.

The morning ends and the temperature has risen. It is now hot on this day and time to return home. William gives our fish to some of the remaining fisherman. We enjoy fishing but do not keep our catch. Most days the fish are either put back into the reservoir or given to people around us.

We pack our things and return to the truck. It has been a peaceful and beautiful outing with nature providing food and recreation. William and I look forward to our return on another day.

copyright 2017 Debbie Pierce

 

 

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via Daily Prompt: Delivery