An Outdoor View: Distractions

While waiting for a bite the other day, it dawned upon me that the main reason I don’t catch many fish is because of distractions.

For example, when people around me are catching fish, I find myself losing focus. I try to see what lure they’re using, and what they’re doing that I’m not doing. Did they land that fish yet? What’s that guy’s problem? Must be a big one. That’s the third fish those guys have hooked since I’ve been here. Lots of stuff ricocheting around in my head, but not much of it stops long enough to become useful.

Of all the countless distractions that have interrupted my fishing, the worst happened late one October, almost 40 years ago, during my early years of fishing the Kenai. From break-up to freeze-up, I fished at every opportunity, back then. If I could get my boat in the water, if the motor would start, and if I could find someone to go along, I’d go fishing.

Getting people to go fishing in late fall was sometimes a challenge. On that day in the 1970s, my wife-from-another-life, myself and another married couple — let’s call them “Bonnie” and “Bill” — were in my 15-foot boat, spinner fishing for silver salmon at the 2nd Hole, a couple of miles upstream from Bing’s Landing. The temperature that morning was a little below freezing, but I figured it would warm up as the day progressed, as fall days will do. The others weren’t eager to be fishing on that cold, dark morning, but for some reason had agreed to come along.

We had the river all to ourselves, a benefit of late-fall fishing. The fishing wasn’t great, but it was steady. Every half-hour or so, one of us would hook a silver. The water had become so cold during previous month that the fish hardly struggled at all, but just slid into the net.

For some reason, the temperature didn’t raise that day, but began dropping still lower. And that’s when the whining started.

“How long are we going to fish?” Bonnie said.

“We just got here,” I said.

I noticed a little wind on the water. “A ripple on the water is good,” I said. “The fish will start biting better now.”

As predicted, they did. We soon had three silvers in the box.

“How much longer?” Bonnie said through blue lips. “I’m going to need a bathroom sometime.”

“We’re only a few minutes from home,” I said. “Oh, look! See the eagle? You see a lot of wildlife this time of year on the river.”

“The only thing I want to see right now is a blazing fireplace,” she mumbled, reeling in and putting down her fishing rod.

The light breeze stiffened, forcing us to cast downwind. Bill said something about no longer having any feeling in his hands or feet. I was determined to fish awhile longer. Maybe it wasn’t comfortable fishing, but it was the only fishing around until the lakes froze thick enough to walk on.

Small whitecaps began forming. Half an hour later it started snowing horizontally. We were soon coated in a blanket of the cold, wet stuff.

“N-n-now c-c-can we g-g-go?” Bonnie said.

“I’ve had all the f-f-fun I can stand,” Bill said.

Fearing a mutiny, I said, “OK, OK, we’ll go. I hate to quit so soon, but it’s hard to fish with so many distractions.”

They probably thought I was talking about the wind, the snow and the bitter cold, but I meant the whining, the worst distraction of all.

That happened a long time ago, but the memory pains me still. We left just when the fishing was getting good.

Les Palmer can be reached at les.palmer@rocketmail.com.

More in Life

Sara DeVolld performs as part of the Waltz of the Flowers Corps de Ballet in “The Nutcracker” with Eugene Ballet at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Shona DeVolld)
Becoming part of a ‘magical holiday tradition’

Local ballet dancer Sara DeVolld performs in Anchorage for ‘The Nutcracker’

A copy of Sherry Simpson’s “The Way Winter Comes” is held in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Off the Shelf: Inhabited by winter

Juneau writer spins haunting tales of Alaska’s darkest season in 1998 short story collection

These festive gingerbread cookies are topped with royal icing and sprinkles. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Rolling out the gingerbread

With Christmas around the corner, it’s time for the holiday classic

Paper chains made of gratitude strips adorn a Christmas tree at Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna. (Photo courtesy Meredith Harber)
Minister’s Message: Grateful and kind

What if, instead of gathering around tables and talking about what has already happened TO us, we challenge ourselves to return kindness to the world around us

Roasted broccoli Caesar salad provides some much-needed greens and fiber to balance out the rolls and gravy. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
A toasty, warm salad for a cozy Thanksgiving

This warm side dish provides some much-needed greens and fiber to balance out the rolls and gravy

Nick Varney
Unhinged Alaska: Some things never change. Nor should they

In the dawdling days prior to Thanksgiving, things are usually as serene as a gentle snowfall within our modest piece of nirvana

This photo from the early 1960s shows Jackson Ball enjoying the Christmas holidays with his eldest three daughters. His fourth and youngest daughter was born less than a year and a half before Ball’s death in 1968. (Photo from Ball Family memorial slideshow, 2022)
Human Complexity: The Story of Jackson Ball — Part 3

Misfortune was written across the recent history of the Arlon Elwood “Jackson” Ball family

File
Minister’s Message: Reflect upon our daily joys and blessings this Thanksgiving

There is nothing like missing something like your health to make you grateful for having good health.

Forever Dance performs “Snow” during “Forever Christmas 2022.” (Photo courtesy Forever Dance)
Forever Dance ushers in Christmas season with annual variety show

“Forever Christmas” will bring the sounds and movements of the season to the Kenai Central High School auditorium

Marvel Studios
On the Screen: ‘Marvels’ messy but very fun

Where the film shines is in the stellar performances of its three leads

These snowballs are made of chocolate cupcakes are surrounded with sugary meringue and coconut flakes. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Snowballs for a snow day

Winter-themed cupcakes celebrate a day at home

File
Minister’s Message: God’s selfie

I can think of no one word that encapsulates our age, that defines our collective priorities and focus better than that innocuous little term