I love bobber fishing! It is so exciting to see your float move or start to go under the water. Too often people miss the fish because the pull on the line when the fish has let go.

Let me tell you the story of Bill and Rita. They are a very active retired couple. They lived all over the country while working as a teacher and postal inspector. Rita told me at one point, they moved three times in five months. Since retired, they have become world travelers.

I met them just after they returned from an Alaska trip. They tried fishing in Alaska, but weren’t very successful. One of my clients told them to book a trip with me. They were told, “Bear will get you fish!” I target Trout and Bass not Salmon or Halibut. I fish with ultra light gear rather then broom sticks (heavy rods).

We met at one of my favorite lakes and headed out to find the fish. They seemed to enjoy the luxury of my 22’ pontoon boat. They snuggled up on the sofa as I searched for the fish.

Well, it didn’t take long to spot a nice size school of trout. I stopped the boat and dropped the anchor. I set up the rods with a nice fat night crawler and bobber. I showed them how to cast and offered my assistance if desired.

As the bobbers sat on the water we started to get to know each other better. As we were talking it started. Rita’s bobber started to bounce in the water. First a bump, then it went under, but came up soon. Rita asked what happened? I told her that trout seldom just swallow the entire worm like a Bass will. Trout like to pick at it first. Her bobber started to dance again. Boop, Boop and then it went down and stayed down. I told her to reel in her fish. Rita was so excited to see the trout on the end of the line. She actually caught 3 fish before Bill got one. Bill would see the bobber start to move and try to set the hook. I told him to be a little more patient. He complied and started to haul in yummy trout.

They caught about 45 trout that day. They were actually close to their limit after only an hour and a half of fishing. We spent most of the day doing catch and release and enjoying the bounty! I have two live wells on board the boat, so we can keep the fish alive and fresh. Sometimes the challenge is catching a smaller fish to set free so we can keep a larger trout.

Bill Rita and I had a wonderful time on the boat that day. Rita told me that she has never caught that many fish in her entire lifetime. Rita said they would do it again. Bill said he wanted to book three trips next year.

And just think, it all started with a bobber and worm.

Ken Bear Cole