Are you ready to do some fishing

                    Wow , I think I came across the right topic to write about for my blog . A beginning fisherman's view on the sport . His attempt at at learning the sport , getting his equipment and learning how to use it . Well , yesterday I made a large investment , got the hitch put on my van , so I could tow my boat when its ready . So now I am at the point of no return . I bought a boat, the hitch , and some equipment , not mention I have a Michigan Fishing License for the 2016 season . So that is making a commitment to the sport .Tomorrow is the first day of the season and I plan on being out there early .
                   As you know yesterday I went got a hitch put on the van . I would like to mention Midtown U-Haul of Kalamazoo Michigan . The were quite helpful in the whole process , from when first met with them last week to set up the appointment ,to the installation . The staff was very professional and knew their product . If I was to need anything the have again I would use them again . I thank them for helping me to get ready for a great fishing season .
                I found the cane pole that my dad gave me as a boy . Apparently he has used it over the years , because he has rigged it . Now I just have to learn to use it . I do have a lot to learn about fishing, but its a lifetime sport and you will always learning something new . I just hope I am up to the challenge . Do I have the right equipment , Will I catch something , or anything  tomorrow . Well I will write about it in my next entry .

It's almost the first day of the new fishing season , a lot left to be done

                               Well  today I went and made the commitment to do some fishing this year . Went to Merchants Hardware in Union City Michigan and bought my fishing license to go fishing for the entire year . So early Friday mourning I will be out there with thousands of others trying to make that first catch of the season .
                               I got and e-mail from Cabela's  whom I ordered some running lights from a couple of weeks ago . They have shipped my running lights for my Jon boat . There was a slight problem in shipping but I can say they quickly resolved the issue and I thank their service department for taking action so quickly . Because of this experience I would order from them again .So now my Jon boat will be on the way to being out on the lake soon . I get some more warm and dry weather I will be able to finish painting it . Then be ready to work on installing the new transom and running lights . I saw on line and idea on how to make my own oars , I will try this and ask my brother for some help in making them . All that's left is to find a trailer to haul her in and get a trolling motor at least a 50 lb thrust . That would at least get me three miles and hour on a good batteries . The go to the state offices to register the boat and trailer and I will be good to go with few minor purchases to make , life jackets , first aid kit , a horn , fire extinguisher and maybe I will be all set .
                             Tomorrow will be a long day , when get of work I will make a forty mile drive to be in Kalamazoo to get my trailer hitch installed . Speaking of which I need to be getting some rest for work . I need to be at my best for work from now on . Something made sense in a class through work . Everyday is an interview , so I need to look my best , have a good attitude , and give my work my all  now that all eyes are on me because I made it known that I want more from the company . So between this my blog ,fishing , the need to find my own place and the job my plate is full . So i guess I need to put into effect to be the best in everything I do so that it just happens naturally . So there is a lot of improvement that needs to happen . So its off to bed I go and will write next on opening day about my first experience fishing in many years .

Some preseason thoughts about fishing

                          I have got to say fishing as a sport and hobby can be a bit overwhelming . For one there is the wealth of information out there on the sport , two there is the laws and regulations , there is the cost .I found myself looking at books on the subject , even searching the internet , there is so much out there to sort through and to absorb . Even on you tube there is all those how to video's to go through .
                         The first day of the 2016 season is on Friday .My Jon boat is not even close to being ready . I have so much to do to get it ready and at the same time I also need to be working on getting my own place to live . I can't be living on my brothers farm forever . I need my own space , and he needs his .I walk into a sports store or any store that has fishing tackle , wow there so much stuff . What of do I really need , the there is the stuff that you need for the boat just to be legally out on the water . I am now realizing the getting the boat ready may take a little more time . So I will have be satisfied with fishing from the shore line . I found out about a dozen or so spots that could go to . I will be writing about each one I try and each one of my missteps along the way .
                               I should find a fishing buddy to go along with , so I can pick up some pointers from them . My problem is I work a third shift , so there is not much of opportunity to meet people outside of work . So I will go out and check out this spots on my own and maybe meet some people along the way . I  fully intend on making this a full time hobby and learn as much as I can . Even if it is by trail and error .As time goes on ,as I blog more about my exploits , hopefully more people will read this blog and give me their thoughts and ideas . See on Friday or shortly there after when I write about my first mourning of fishing .

The Anticipation of the First Day of Fishing

         Not only have I been working on my boat , over the past two months I have collected some basic tackle to get me started . Here is a picture of what I have gathered . Plastic baits , bobbers , leaders , sinkers and a collection of hooks among other things . I also got two books on fishing .
          Yesterday I made an appointment to have a class three hitch installed my van . A receiver hitch so I will not bust my knees when loading the van ,when not in use . I also spent the afternoon watching how to videos on you tube . Yes there lots of videos on every aspect of fishing . So much so , that you have to wade through a bunch to find beginner videos . I signed up on the Field and stream web site to use to get information . Still waiting on Navigation lights for my boat . They should have been here by now . I did send off an email to them to find out what happened to them .
                    Next week is April First , the day to get my fishing license . I promise you I will go out that day to make my first attempt at fishing in over thirty years .I decided I am going to keep a log book on my fishing . Date , time, weather , What rigs I used , what fish if any I caught , size and anything else to help to learn what works .
Its been too wet to work on the boat . I will also be watching Craig's list For a boat trailer  and a used 5 horse power outboard in the coming weeks . I see this coming together .I am looking forward to making my first catch and so is my cat Chip whom will be sharing in the rewards . So am I making some progress in the right direction on my new hobby .

D-Dawgs Tub

This the boat I am fixing up for fishing this summer 

   Yes , progress is being made , The outside hull painted and ready .Next is to clean up the inside and paint it . I am going to install a new transom also . With a little work she should be ready for some fishing this summer . This week I am having a trailer hitch installed and maybe get a trailer . If I do this I will take it down to the car wash and spray it down to get all the dirt out of it . Then I will be able to finish the paint job. Then all I will have to do is install the new transom , mount the trolling motor and register her . After I paint on the registration numbers ,I will be able to take out on her fist run on the lake . I think I will name her D-Dawgs Tub .
                  I have made some miner purchases of some fishing gear , rod and reel with some tackle that was on sale , a tool bag . cleaning gear , a 5 gal. bucket . Making my own cutting board to fillet the fish . I bought a a couple books on fishing I have been reading , to get a general idea of what I should be doing . My baby brothers mother in law said she may have some gear she would let me have . I am going to talk to her to see if she would show me how best rig my pole . It would be nice to have a couple of poles to work with out on the lake . I know the boat will not be ready for the first day of the new season on April First . I do have a few places spotted that I could fish from the shore line . At first I am going to keep it simple , and build on that .
                I think I will find a bait shop that I will regularly go to , so as I can try to get advise and learn from . What I really need to do is find someone to go fishing with to learn from .

A change in direction

             I have decided to make change in my blog . I am going to write about my learning to fish . My mis-steps and my progress . On April 1st the next years license will available . That's when I plan on starting . I have been making some steps towards this . I have bought a couple of books on the subject ,one more helpful than the other , but still a lot of useful information .
              I bought a Rod and Reel on sale , it just a basic one that came with some tackle and other odds and ends I may need . I also bought a used aluminum boat which I am cleaning up . Still need to get a trailer to haul it on , and defiantly a hitch installed on my van . One last thing a trolling motor .This is turning out to be a costly hobby to get in . I always thought it was just a matter of getting a license . Well it could be , but if you want to get to the good spots in Michigan , boat is really needed . Yes , there are places I could probably go with out one .You just have to find them .
             I am going to spend as much time as I can fishing to make my investment in it worth while . As I go I will learn the sport , I will share the experiences here . For those of you who may read this blog ,I encourage you to share your experiences and advice as well here . I will be posting pictures as well as I go .Here is to beginners luck .