07-02-2010, 09:00 AM
What a beautiful morning! I went to the Hiwassee this morning to play for a few hours, and it was PERFECT! Great temperature with a soft overcast and just a hint of a breeze. The water was glassy and it was super quiet (of course, I&#39;m mostly deaf anyway).<br /><br />I pulled up next to the bank in 15-20 feet of water and put out an anchor. I baited up 4 rods and pitched them all in different directions and sat down to wait. I brought a book and would check the rods at the end of each page.<br /><br />It turned out that the book didn&#39;t last long. My attention was diverted by a squirrel hanging upside-down on a branch overhanging the water and eating some kind of seeds. It would change areas by another foot and again hold on for dear life with its hind legs. What a hoot! I would have bet that I would see a squirrel swimming today, by it somehow didn&#39;t happen.<br /><br />The day warmed a bit and the water started to be dimpled by bluegills who were waiting in eager anticipation for a willow fly to touch the surface. Most flies didn&#39;t last but a second or two, and woe to those that fluttered on the surface and caused tight little concentric rings! I&#39;m afraid that the &#39;gills table manners left something to be desired, as they slurped their flies for breakfast!<br /><br />A dragonfly with a baby-blue nose took up sentry duty near the boat, and facinated me with its ability to hover and dart. It patrolled its chosen homestead with diligence, chasing all insects that dared to invade its 20-30 foot radius space.<br /><br />And from clear across the river I could hear a woodpecker re-shaping a tree to its own satisfaction.<br /><br />I&#39;m glad that I took the time to just sit and watch and listen today - it was extrememly relaxing and a wonderful way to recharge once in a while.<br /><br />And oh yeah, I caught a nice 12 lb. blue and an adolesent 6 lb blue (you can tell because of the pimples it has............)