Misguided Fishing “The Curse begins”

Fishing guides are supposed to make fishing in a new location more interesting. They guide on their knowledge and reputation. It is not regular work, so guides need to keep their clients happy or they soon find themselves out of work. “Putting clients on fish” is the most important part of the job. It also helps if they good at BS as fishing trips are measured in days and not hours, and it helps entertain the clients.

Hiring a guide is expensive. Rarely do they charge less than $200 for a day of fishing, and often more than that. In addition, the expectation is that they will clean your fish and you will tip them for a good day of fishing. In our case we tip out of guilt.

Don and I are cursed. It is not us individually, but the two of us in combination. Sure, you might not believe in curses. I didn’t use to believe in curses, but I do now. When we became cursed I don’t know. Maybe Don insulted someone who owned a billy goat. After all, he is an avid Cardinals fan. Possibly it was a student or parent who spent time at both of our schools. I can think of several who were up to the task. He did have a professional palm reader in his school area. “Evidence? Show Proof, you say” ok you asked for it.

Misguided Fishing Evergreen

Paul C. is a local Bloomington guide not to be confused with my “Principal of Fishing” buddy, Paul O.B.  Paul C. gets lots of work from his reputation. He is frequently written about in the newspaper. He even travels to Minnesota to guide in the Boundary Waters.

Connie bought me a package for Christmas. It involved a custom built fishing rod (Paul is a craftsman), and one half day guided fishing trip for a friend and me. I took Don.

I wanted to catch walleyes (actually hybrid walleyes) on Evergreen Lake. We fished the main lake for hours. No fish were caught. We moved into a cove, no fish. After about four hours, we packed it in. Paul felt so guilty he offered to take me on another trip. He did make a nice rod for me, although a few years later, Don broke off the tip inside my boat rod locker.  I didn’t feel cursed then, just back luck. Getting skunked was part of fishing.

When I fished with Paul C.  by myself, we caught fish. I still use the techniques he taught me. Apparently without Don and Rick in combination, no curse.