I had just entered Wal-Mart with my wife when I saw a gentleman leaving with a cart loaded with fishing equipment. Rods, tackle boxes and other interesting, fascinating items. Like a bird dog on a scent my feet turned in his direction ready to engage him in conversation and see what he had purchased in the fishing line, but my wife anticipated this move and grabbed my collar nearly bringing me down.

She was in a hurry to purchase a few items and knowing I’d probably be flapping my gums at this guy for some time she stopped the situation before it began. She never said a word; just that look, if you know what I mean, plus my collar was rather tight.

Now, don’t let me give the impression I’m easily pushed around by my wife. Why, it’s known I’m a stalwart individual, but on the other hand practical experience isn’t to be ignored. Let’s see, picking up red coals from the fire, ironing your hands, pushing pins in your fingertips, putting cigarettes out on your forearm and other manly feats show great fortitude, but little intelligence. All create pain, pain that hangs around for days and leave scars as well. Perhaps such feats, or similar on the marriage scale, are best avoided.

The look on my wife’s face told me plainly that since she wasn’t feeling well it’d be wise for me to come right along with her and shorten this trip as much as possible. Realigning my collar and trachea I decided Good Husband beat Big Man and we hurried on our way.

However, this incident did remind me trout season is only two weeks away. After the long, long winter it didn’t seem possible the long awaited date was so close, but the calendar doesn’t lie; amazing!

Trout stocking is proceeding at a rapid pace, and soon all the major streams will have received their share of fish. One good thing about early stocking is that the fish spread out. The bad thing is that they spread out too far occasionally. Heavy flood waters certainly wash fish downstream, sometimes a long, long way, beyond where people ever fish in numbers. Then they turn into Pike and Muskie snacks, but there is no helping this.

Perhaps the best thing about the approaching trout season is the hope it brings into hearts cobwebbed by a winter of inactivity. You suddenly thrill to the fact there is something to plan for, something to wish for, buy for, look forward to. It’s a shot in the arm and stimulant. It’s like coming alive again.

Camp needs to be opened and checked out. The yard will be full of sticks and debris from the winter storms. The refrigerator will need restocked, paper plates, cups and other disposable items replaced, the water hooked up, etc.

Now is the time to buy your license. It’s funny how things happen to distract you and if you wait or put off the decision to do it right now you’ll be standing in line the last day waiting to purchase that license instead of heading to camp when you wanted.

Keeping an eye on the stocking schedule and the weather is always a balancing act. Where is the best balance of odds? How high have the streams been, which was stocked before or after any heavy rains, which has the best holding water, where to go? Just like a military campaign.

If you’re a fanatic there will be situations from the previous year that presented significant challenges and you felt that if you had this size hook or some other magic bullet your day would have been more successful.

I find myself staring at walls of fishing tackle balancing this size and color lure against another, wondering if I really do need it, but what if…. it’s terrible trying to make command decisions when filled with indecision if you know what I mean.

Sometimes though you spy something you know for certain you need. I always feel a great sense of relief I actually remembered.

I’ve always had my best success by making lists. My memory’s slightly porous and without a list there is simply no way I can do, buy, accomplish all that‘s necessary for the upcoming big day.

If you want to keep our sport growing now may be the time to ask a young person if they’d like to accompany you on the first day or any day. That opens a whole set of dynamics including the best place to take this youngster to fish. A lake or stream free of overhanging trees and snags is always a wise choice. Also what type of clothing, rain gear, boots and tackle they may have it any. This will also help you decide where to fish from. Lakes, streams with open, grassy banks and gentle slopes are recommended.

It’s always wise to have them practice casting and reeling before you go afield so they’re comfortable and somewhat proficient with their equipment and able to cast into stream or lake.

A camera or small video camera can record the day’s hilarity for years to come, especially if it catches your exasperated look when the youngster tangles everything into a gigantic knot for the 10th time in a row.

However, despite the strain on your nerves, the tremendous thrill and delight children experience catching fish makes it all worthwhile and, more importantly, you’ll have made a loyal friend with unexpected dividends down the road of life.