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One of the blessings of my childhood was the pond adjacent to our house. I think we took it for granted, but it offered a home to a nice variety of fish, frogs, turtles and ducks. Now, I say a variety of fish but for the most part the only thing I caught was a sunfish. (Late in my teens my friend John caught a crappie in that pond which actually shocked me! I had no idea they resided within.) For a time, we had some large and colorful goldfish, but the raccoon put an end to that.
When I look back I recall watching the fish and learning from them. There they were, perhaps eight or ten gathered together in a foot of water. I’d drop that baited hook and they’d all scatter. One or two would start venturing back until, finally, one could stand it no longer. Little bites at first, tugging at the worm, and then GOTCHA!
I was studying, without knowing it, the psychology of a fish. My findings were not very scientific, but I did feel they made me a better fisherman when we went out in the river. For instance, while others were casting far out from the boat I would just PLOP, let the line drop right there. I’d learned that fish are curious. The boat may scare them at first, but then they’d come to check things out. I caught just as many as everyone else.
I’ve been studied; so have you. The lure is in the water, specially chosen. If one doesn’t work, He’ll grab another and try it. Some may bite at most anything, while others grow old and wise, never taking a nibble. Some things really raise my curiosity. I swim so very near sometimes. Have you ever ventured close enough to see the reflection of the sun on the hook? Have you ever ventured close enough to see the reflection of the Son on the hook?
