The Mindful Angler

Saturday morning until Sunday at noon. 4 anglers. All the garbage we brought in, we took out + walked up and down the bank to collect any bits of garbage we could find. All combined, the trash fit nicely into a large dollarama bag. Simple 👌. To my surprise the bank was fairly clean for a change. I wish everyone respected the environment.

Spent Saturday morning until Sunday at noon on the bank. It's been really tough the last few years to afford time to get out fishing. This was only the third time in 2024 I have been able to get out. Although the weather made it impossible to fish through the night on Saturday, both mornings were very productive. This pristine pre-spawn fish was the biggest of the session. 28.8 lbs. Fantastic battle. No baiting was necessary for these fish. Lots of fish came to a single pop up or with some pack - bait around the lead. Next adventure I hope to be able to take my kids out.

This mental health week, let us come together as a community to champion mental health, support one another with compassion and empathy, and work towards a future where mental health is recognized as a fundamental aspect of overall well-being. Together, we can build a more inclusive and supportive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Agreed Smerch. All we can do is educate, inspire and lead by example.

I was always preaching to keep our areas clean and pick up after the ignorant people that can't pick up after themselves but I was guilty for throwing cigarette butts. Once I realized the negative impact they had I quickly changed that behaviour before I quit smoking.

Instant Karma.

Lake Gibson! WOW Smerch. Yes sir those are big fish!

Karma bro

A quick tidy at Rice Lake this past weekend. I was surprised and disappointed to see this. 2 LARGE ziplok bags of spent shells scattered in the area we were fishing. We fished an island and safe to assume it may be an area duck hunters frequent. We left the place immaculate. ##leavenotrace

This was the biggest common caught during our little adventure. 22lbs. The biggest fish to date for me to see at Rice Lake. There is a very healthy population of fish in there.

I had the bigger mirror on saturday and the smaller mirror sunday. It's rare to get a mirror Smerch. 2 is a blessing. And this is the 3rd time I have had 2 mirrors during the same session. The mirror whisperer lol. Just good luck sir and the stars were aligned. The weather was tricky, we had to pick our windows to fish. The wind was raging. I caught majority of my fish on a 15mm banana pop-up. I used what they call a ronnie rig and it keeps the bait up off the bottom. I have never seen a grass carp sir, nor have I encountered anyone who has personally caught or seen one in canada. The chest waders were to stay dry. I was up and down a bank that was getting smashed with waves. Majority of my fish I fought and landed in the water. I often do this. In this particular swim I fished, waders were absolutely necessary. Was a bonus to have them for a photo in the water as well!

The last few years has been difficult for me to get out like I normally do. That being said, I truly appreciate the times when I can get out on the bank. This year I had one short 3 hour session locally, and a trip to Rice Lake this past weekend. Friday night until Monday morning, 3 of us fished when we could. The wind made it impossible to fish for most of the day Saturday, and almost impossible to fish during the night. Everyone caught fish and we had a great time together. I wanted to share the absolute beautiful mirror carp I caught. For most Canadian carp anglers, catching a mirror is nothing short of extraordinary! These fish were the highlight of the trip for all 3 of us.

Incredible. Busy man you are !

Which club sir are you involved with? I am back on the site after many years and although I remember seeing you name, I've forgotten what it is you do. Thanks for forwarding this as well!

Yes! I hear ya. It's nostalgic for most. Lots of people remember their first fish, or going with their parents. I have fond memories of when I was really young and believe that for many years fishing was what I was missing in my life. When my oldest daughter was a competitive rower, I used to fish at all the regattas. When I would land a fish, the kids always came running. They were in absolute aww to see anything. Last year I took some of my daughters friends out for panfish. The smiles and gratitude was incredible!

Thank you Radio. I too am very familiar with the opioid crisis and grateful to have come out of it on the right side. There is no shame in struggling, it's ok to not be ok. Unfortunately there is still much stigma around mental health, and this is a big reason why I try and advocate where I can. Fishing has been monumental for me as a coping mechanism, and I also have witnessed it's positive effects on others and my own children! It would be nice down the road to see fishing recognized as a social prescription, an alternative or in conjunction with some counselling, as opposed to a handful of medication. Thanks for sharing.

In today's technology dominated world, it's crucial to get kids outdoors and unplugged. Fishing offers the perfect opportunity for this! Being outdoors exposes kids to nature, teaching them to appreciate its beauty. Fishing is also a great way for families to bond, creating lasting memories and strengthening ties. It provides a much-needed break from screens, allowing kids to reconnect with reality. Initiatives like the SCGFA kids summer derby introduce kids to fishing, fostering community and excitement. It looks like an awesome event and the kids art contest is very engaging as well. We should prioritize getting our kids outside and fishing. Sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, neighbours, your friends kids, it doesn't matter! It's about more than just catching fish—it's about fostering a love for nature, creating memories, and giving kids the chance to unplug and unwind. Most times when I take my daughters carp fishing, while we wait for a bite they find so many things to do. Finding beach glass has been fun over the last few years. Its so rewarding to see them being kids, getting their feet wet, getting dirty and NOT on devices! I posted the 2 brochures that I was given. I will definitely be attending and I hope to see some members out with their kids as well! 🍻

Where specifically sir?

Should I arrange a shore clean up? For May maybe? I could likely get volunteers from the CCS. My family would join. Id be more than willing to provide the garbage bags, latex gloves and sharps containers for any needles we may encounter. THOUGHTS?

Yes needles are common these days. Luckily only 1 that Im aware of that came from the SCGFA spring clean-up, my daughter found it by the water. Puncture proof gloves are a must, but pliers or tongs work too. Safest place to dispose of them sir are in a sharps container.

I remember your posts Smerch. You too are a true ambassador! We can all make a difference.

Witnessing garbage at fishing spots has long been a source of frustration for me. Several years ago I was inspired by a true fishing ambassador and steward of the environment, I felt compelled to take action. With the support of the Canadian Carp Society, I initiated the CCS LEAVE NO TRACE garbage drive, aiming to raise awareness among our core team and beyond. This initiative was very well received in our community and across all social media. Trash can lead to closures of our favourite fishing spots. Nobody wants that. It can harm wildlife, pollute waterways, and spoil the beauty of nature we cherish so much. We have the power to change this. By educating ourselves and others, by engaging in responsible practices, and by leading by example, we can be the driving force for positive change. We can make a real difference by not only bringing home the garbage we bring out with us, but also by bringing a garbage bag with us fishing and picking up after others. Leaving our fishing areas better than we found them not only leaves you feeling good, but also promotes positive karma. At the SCGFA general meeting I was so pleased to see that there are other groups doing similar initiatives and promoting shore cleans ups! I hope this year to see others engage in this practice, participate in group clean-ups, share photos and inspire others to do the same! #LEAVENOTRACE

Great ending to the story Smerch. You are a gentleman.

1 in 5 Canadians in any given year struggle with a mental health issue. I for sure am one of them. One of the best ways I cope is to go fishing, the other way is to advocate and help break the stigma surrounding mental health. Fishing is the ONLY activity that most times I am able to be completely present in the moment. I am hoping to spark some engagement on the NFN surrounding mental health and fishing 🙏 Mental health and mental illness can seem a bit confusing, so let's break it down. Mental health is basically how you're doing emotionally and mentally overall. It's about feeling good about yourself, handling stress, and getting along with others. Think of it as your mental well-being. Now, mental illness is when things aren't going so great in your head. It's like having a cold, but for your mind. This could mean feeling down a lot, worrying too much, or having trouble focusing. Mental illnesses can range from mild to serious, like depression or anxiety disorders. Here's something alarming: even though a lot of people deal with mental health issues, many aren't getting the help they need. Can you believe that 1 out of 2 people struggling with mental health aren't getting the support they require? That's a big problem we need to fix. Anxiety is super common too, affecting 1 in 8 people. It's like that jittery feeling you get before a big test, but turned up to 11. And then there's the opioid crisis, where 21 people in Canada die every single day from overdosing. Not only is this a physical health issue, but it's also got big mental health implications. Addiction is tough to deal with on its own, but when it's mixed with mental health struggles, it's even harder. Scary fact: 200 people in Canada try to end their lives every day. That's a huge number, and it shows how crucial it is to raise awareness and support each other when it comes to mental health. Canada has made progress in mental health care, but we've still got a long way to go. We need to smash the stigma surrounding mental health, make it easier to get help, and make sure everyone understands what's going on. Remember, it's totally okay not to be okay. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. One cool thing that can help your mental health is fishing. It's a chill way to relax, connect with nature, and just take a break from everything going on in your head. The positive impacts that fishing can have on one's mental health cannot be denied! FISIHNG OFFERS: Stress Reduction, Mindfulness, Physical Activity, Connection with Nature, Social Connection, Sense of Achievement, Escape from Routine, Therapeutic Benefits, Relaxation, Improved Mood, Decreased Anxiety, Enhanced Concentration, Boosted Self-Esteem, Increased Vitamin D Exposure, Mindful Breathing, Mental Clarity, Improved Sleep Quality, Reduced Symptoms of Depression, A creative Outlet, Appreciation for Wildlife.

The leathery one with not many scales was 21 lbs. The fully scaled mirror I forgot to weigh in all the excitement. We fished an entire day in cold and windy conditions in early April. The first fish came and we were in such disbelief that we caught, not to mention the fact on how it looked. When the 2nd fish hit, and we realized it was another mirror, caught on the same bait, from the same location, in all the excitement and photographs we forgot to weigh it! I believe somewhere between 18 - 20 lbs it would have been.