With fishing delayed, the planning season continues

It is one of my firm beliefs that what we now have upon us is a failure to communicate — with Mother Nature.

I am thoroughly convinced no one in the scientific community, if in fact there is one, knows a dipsy-doodle about how climate change relates to spring fishing.

Let’s face it. Every year of our angling lives, we spend lots of hours — day and night — dreaming about that big muskie roaming the weed edges on Lake Catherine.

We pine for a bucketful of Lake Michigan jumbo perch. We meet Joe and Jim for coffee at some high-priced java joint and plan a strategy for the big walleye foray in Eagle River, Wis..

The magazines are stacked up in the bathroom, waiting to be perused and studied as if a midterm quiz is about to begin.

By the time June rolls around, many of us have forgotten how much seasonal suffering we’ve endured. But for now, well, those are the breaks.

I keep busy by answering e-mails from readers and radio program listeners.

Here’s a typical missive, from Fred in Palatine: “I am ready to go right now, since the winter has really depressed me. I will be in Canada a couple times this year fishing for pike and muskies. I’ve read several magazine articles where the authors stress that treble hooks are the way to go for big muskies. One of my friends likes to use a single hook. Is there any right or wrong way to go with this issue?”

I’ve used both treble-hook setups as well as single-hook buck tails. I rarely lose a fish using one large hook. But because countless television fishing personalities drawl their way through a half hour of boring minutiae, these self-appointed sages continue to preach that a treble-hook spinner will bring more fish to the boat.

Rollie K. e-mailed me from Prospect Heights. “I have a 14-foot aluminum boat I use for most of my fishing. I use an electric motor or just row. I’m now ready to purchase an outboard. Any suggestions?”

Outboard motor purchases are highly subjective. Ask a half-dozen anglers about their choices and you’re liable to get as many answers. Personally, I don’t believe there’s a bad outboard made today. Well, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration. For your boat I would go with a 9.9-hp motor — maybe in 4-stroke, but also keep in mind the new Evinrude ETECH 2-stroke engines have a very satisfied customer base.

I take it that since you have been rowing and using the electric, the body of water you fish isn’t that large — and a 9.9 will be more than enough horsepower to get the job done. Ask around and see what other fishermen have to say about their rigs, but I’ll just bet each one will swear his brand of motor is the best.

Gene is from South Elgin. Here’s his e-mail. “I want to get my grandson an old-fashioned cane pole, but I can’t find one in the larger stores like Walmart.”

Well, here’s one case where small has it all. I suggest you locate a bait and tackle shop — these are about the only places that keep cane poles in stock. Give Jim Nelligan’s place in Palatine (The Salmon Shop) a try.

ŸContact Mike Jackson at angler88@comcast.net, and catch his radio show 6-7 a.m. Sundays on WSBC 1240-AM and live-streamed at www.mikejacksonoutdoors.com.