RoxReels

We recently traveled to Conroe, TX to spend some time with our Houston family and get some fishing in! You didn’t know I fished? Well— I don’t. Or I guess I should now say— I didn’t?

We were SO EXCITED for this experience. To be fair, this wasn’t the absolute first time we’ve gone fishing (Michael and I actually went fishing with a mutual friend during our courting stage years ago! Maybe fishing is a good omen for us…), but it definitely was the first time we went on our own. In terms of equipment, we had…nada. We watched YouTube vids to learn the basics of the basics before the trip…everything from how to tie a fisherman’s knot to how to cast the line to what to do with the fish when/if it’s caught!

Upon arrival to Houston, our first stop was Academy Sports to gear up. Maybe it’s Texas, maybe it’s Houston, but oh my goodness the sports stores around here have such substantial fishing and hunting sections! Aisles upon aisles of bait and tackle and ammunition… Texas is something else and I love it. We bought fishing rod/reel combos, extra line, a pack of hooks, sinkers, lures and fresh wormies, bobbers, and most importantly our fishing licenses (these we actually forgot until the last minute and had to rush back out to buy them 5 minutes before the store closed, oops).

A few things we forgot to prepare ourselves with which I do highly recommend: a bucket and ice. I think we were a little skeptical we’d actually catch anything…but read on!

No surprise here anymore, but we caught a fish! Yes, a singular fish. Michael snagged a large-mouth bass and I had to hold the fish while he scrambled back up to the car to fetch the cooler so we had a place to put the little guy. I tried to refrain from naming him, but the name came on it’s own and the fish was dubbed Peter from then on.

The (literal) biggest thing to enjoy in Conroe, TX is Lake Conroe. We spent most of our time fishing from the shore and various boat docks on the property, but I do want to arrange for a boat rental next time! It was so nice to stretch my eyes and gaze out into the distance with the sound of the water lapping up to the shore. We lost track of time entirely and ended up standing out there all day, giving ourselves a nice angry sunburn that remained undiscovered till evening.

I can hardly say I’m speaking from experience, but I see why people like fishing! It’s a mind-clearing, focused experience and when the weather and breeze and chirping bird sounds are just right it’s almost too picture perfect. Far from boring, almost meditative. And the rush that comes when you get a bite!