Cane Poles and Minners’

“A bamboo fishing rod is a meticulously hand-crafted piece of angling gear that shouldn’t be confused for the crude cane poles used by Huck Finn and the boys …”

This was a day to fish the Eno and slay white bass. The Eno had other plans by showing her dirty side. She was a filthy, muddy river with debris floating in all directions. No one was catching fish, and there were plenty of boats to watch. With no fish in hand, we packed up and dragged my skiff back to the house.

Plan B: Crude Cane Poles and Minnows.

Billy is someone I have known for sometime now and he owns/runs Boondinis Sandwich Shop in North Raleigh. His shop and the fly shop I worked at were next door to one another. Lunch for me was common at Boondinis. Billy has a small tack board in his shop that he posts his fishing pics and those he takes with him. These fish primarily come out of Falls Lake and Billy knows the lake well. With 4 cane poles, an assortment of spinning tackle and minnows, we launched onto Falls. I grew up in Raleigh and have spent countless hours on this lake. I know it well. Billy knows it like one of his children. He knows when and how it can be fussy. He knows when it is most productive and caring. Today was a day that we had the sun shining, what I feel were minimal boats and nasty wind. To further the crudeness of the day…cold ones on ice for the layed back foot propping moments.

This was not a day for high dollar rods or reels. Nor was it a day that required strict presentation to elude demanding sippers. Today was a day to appreciate simple fishing and yank in some hard pulling bullies!

Don’t mind the hat. It has no logos that you will recognize.

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