Skittish Birds, Howling Wind, Limits of Patience...

Got my better half to go out fishing this past Sunday.  Besides, she bought the boat right!  Anyway, thought it would be a good day to get out on the water for some peaceful time out away from the house.  Wind was blow'in a little, but figured, eventhough the reports were good on North Sabine, we would be better off fishing in Keith Lake.  I always like a good excuse to fish there.

Well, that was a good call from a wind standpoint.  The wind was blowing pretty good, roughly a 15 mph clip out of the the ESE.  Not the best of winds for Keith Lake, but would have been way better than attempting it on Sabine.

Got out of the launch and headed not more than a half mile out when my wife spotted a flock of birds.  We had to attempt an approach from a downwind position.  That wasn't a good idea.  Shutting down 200 yards away, trying to troll into the wind, and then cast into the wind, you might as well be pulling against an anchor and casting into a brick wall.  And, my wife, although quite adept at using a rod'n'reel, hadn't been out in awhile, birds could have laid eggs in that reel after a couple of those casting attempts.

To avoid impending frustration, we ran into Johnson Lake, then into Mud Lake.  Spotted some bird action there as well.  Had a better opportunity to position upwind and work in silently.  But, the birds, at first glance, began to disperse.  I know, the fish are still there.  We caught a few undersized trout and reds, but without birds, an outgoing tidal current, and the wind, it was difficult to stay on fish or to find them.

We made several attempts at birds, everytime, no matter how far away we started in, they scattered.  With that frustration, anchored at a favorite floundering spot, baited up my wife with a live shrimp, while I chunked a glow/chartreuse curly grub tail, tipped with shrimp.  No matter, no flounder, no trout, only a lone redfish would be a taker.  He ended up a celebrity in these photo shots before returning to the waters.

Getting the wife out was very nice, she enjoyed the ride and fishing despite the wind.  But not catching fish with all the effort in that wind can tax ones patience.  I for one don't want to push the limits of patience, so it was time to head on home.