I do most of my fishing on local farm ponds or public-access lakes/state parks. Fishing from a boat is OK, but I really dig hitting the docks at first light with a cigar and a thermos of hot coffee. Doesn't really matter if I catch anything or not, there's just something immensely calming about the dawn on the lake. Spiritual, in fact. Of an early afternoon, I'll trudge around the banks in boots, jeans and a long-sleeved heavy shirt finding the "impossible" spots that most of the "amateurs" either miss or refuse to work themselves toward - lunker central!

The one thing I absolutely hate though is catching a couple of keepers and not having enough total catch to make it worthwhile to clean 'em. I refuse to clean a small catch and freeze it, I absolutely refuse!