Steve Angers

Fog and ice welcomed opening day anglers on Silver Lake. (STEVE ANGERS PHOTO)

April is a cruel month for open-water anglers. The days are longer and the sun is warmer. Insects begin to hatch. Snowbanks start to shrink. Deer take to the fields in search of the first shoots of vegetation. Spring is a rebirth and a reminder of the hope of things to come.

Sights and smells bring back angling memories. (STEVE ANGERS PHOTO)

One of the great things about angling is that there is a season. When the season ends, it is the end of a chapter in the book of life. When the new season begins, there is a reawakening. A chance to begin anew. A chance to start a new chapter.

Walking out of the “pond that shall not be named,” a tear came to my eye. This will be the last time there is an opening day on this pond. The State Fish and Game has plans to remove the “quality pond” designation and replace it with the general law designation for the pond. This means that there will be no closure on the pond. It will stay open all year long.

One of the great things about having grandsons is being able to join them on their life journey. Getting to share their highs and their lows. Sharing wisdom with the hindsight that makes them better human beings and laughing along with them as they try to develop and grow.

Musings and observations while waiting for the waters to warm and the trout to come to life.

Salmonman (left), Muddlerman and Troutman hit the trout waters once again. (STEVE ANGERS PHOTO)

“Where ya' been?” said Salmonman as Troutman walked through the camp door. “Fishin',” said Troutman. “They finally opened the gate to my favorite trout pond.

There is the memory of my dad sitting at the kitchen table and spooning coffee into my glass of milk and opening the paper bag and sliding a chocolate-glazed doughnut across the table. That was the “breakfast of champions” before we would head out on a search for trout.