Page 20 - Discover Summer 2023

’
rma
is
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NTINUED
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nac C
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Fisherman’s Almanac CONTINUED
s Alma
around us, and I think that this may boat for safety gear, tackle, gas and
have made the fish more cautious, and oil. This allows you to maximize your
therefore reluctant to bite. I have been trouble-free time out on the water…
fishing here for several days, and they and don’t forget to follow the moon
are used to seeing us here along with phases. IT WORKS!

other boats.

I know that the “bait-fish” will come As always, use safety gear, operate your
boat safely, dress properly and "TAKE A
over the back of the island, in shallow
KID FISHING!"
water, which is much too shallow for
my boat. So, how do I get to them?

My boat is the only one close to the

island. I choose a “free-line” with a shad

attached, and cast it into the shallow

water where I figure the fish will be. I

leave the latch open on the reel, with

my thumb on the spool. I can feel the
pull of the shad, holding the spool with

my thumb.

When the pull gets strong enough to

where I can not hold it with my thumb,

I know that I have a fish on the line.

Then I close the latch and set the hook,

and the fight is on. Before very long,

we have caught our “limit” of very nice

stripers. I don’t think the fellows in the 2023 SML Summer Moon Phases
other boats could see where we were

catching the fish. I’m sure that they NEW FULL

scratched their heads as we headed for JUNE 18 JUNE 3
JULY 17 JULY 3
the dock, very happy!
AUGUST 16 AUGUST 1, AUGUST 30
Always remember to check your

18 Discover Smith Mountain Lake SUMMER 2023