The past few weeks have been heavy on my aquatic addiction, my mind wondering away from daily routine and longing for the open waters. The scarce moments that I could escape didn’t bring me that natural high that we so long for. Days went by that I didn’t feel that tug on the other end of the line. Frustration of the little fishing time I had rose and at home my counterpart was becoming…ah well you know. This weekend the odds weren’t in my favor, I almost felt like that chick from the Hunger Games only with a beard. A fishing Conchita as to say……(mind wondering again, sorry). The temps dropped like mad and that usually means tough fishing. Still I took advantage of some spare hours and headed out to the big open waters. The first mark I fished didn’t bring me any action, normally that place was always productive. The next spot was a tiny mark with only 50 meters of interesting structures. But it shows that even the smallest spots shouldn’t be overlooked. I dropped my Black EP streamer towards the deep end of a drop-off and let it sink halfway. After a few strips there was the undeniable tug of a pike followed by the heavy head thumbing that signals the start of the fight. She wasn’t that big so the fight isn’t an epic story to tell but I was freaking happy. She was in her 80’s in length but I was curious about her weight. The scale just tipped 14 pounds! I checked twice since I couldn’t believe that she was already that heavy. I admired her whilst she rested on my flippers before she went down into that dark and cold place where she came from. Thanks lady, I’m back on track! Brian