What War? Gone Fishin'

[JPK Huson 1863]

Guy with a gun must be bored plus annoyed he's on duty. No wonder he turned his back on all the fishing. LoC describes this as at a ' military bridge ', Bull Run- but really? Fishin'.

Maybe someone knows what you catch in those waters- yet another from Bull Run. Stick and string, gone fishin'.

This past weekend was remarkable for the number of cars up and down our lane out here in the woods. It's just woods, a big creek, a ton of rocky hills and deer, bear, turkey, raccoons and yes, snakes. And bugs, pick one. So nothing to see here. BUT. First day of fishing season opens Saturday. Our creek gets stocked and BOY does word get out. One of my favorite times of year. You see Dads trailing kids trailing poles, bobbers kicking up dust on the way out from line imperfectly reeled in. Fishermen marking their spot as carefully as surveyors setting up tripods. I'm sure women are welcome but sorry, maybe one in 30 and she'll be some nice young wife determined to share his interest. Please no one get upset- I'm a girl, I fish. Been watching this annual migration to our creek for over a decade. We don't seem smitten.

This is our best-known image of ' fishin' ' in ACW archives. Have to say that's where I'd choose if headed out for pickerel or catfish. Maybe a big black bass.

It's the timelessness here. Snooping around era photos, invading the privacy of ancestors isn't really stalking is it? I realize it's uncool and unfair to put words in the mouths of those no longer here to correct erroneous statements, too BUT. No one can tell me men didn't march over bridges, look down and think " Bet there's some big ones in there ". These images a little prove it- given the chance, they went fishin'.

Cropped and enlarged, Georgetown Ferry - off topic but that buggy's signage is from a business selling pop corn. Little amazed there's only one fisherman here.

Having had a shot at tracking down even what regiment might be attached to some of these images and failed beyond entire battalions it hit me- doesn't matter. In fact, I think I like them more for their anonymity. Not a lot in common with our ancestors. Watching damp men squelching along in waders and wellies this Saturday? Found something.

Wharf at Alexandria, Virginia. Two small boys, legs dangling while the business of war passes behind them? Fishin'.

Hang on. We ate a lot of fish 150 years ago.

Hancock's troops passed over this hasty bridge, there's a pontoon bridge in the background- and a soldier gone fishin' in the North Anna.

Jericho Mills is awesome, next.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Jericho Mills, North Anna. It's actually a terrific tif image if you're smitten by pontoon trains- wagons and equipment litter the shore here. And men off duty, camp fires, some wading and washing by maybe the engineer corps- and fishin'.

He's here- perched on the bank with a hopeful line in the waters of the North Anna.

And sorry- it's so blurred you can't really be offended. This is what I mean when I say snooping old photos feels a little like stalking. Bet this guy never, ever knew there was a photo of him in nature's swimsuit.

Oops. All he wanted was a bath and a dip.

 

[DBF]

Well we all know - a man's gotta eat - a man's gotta bathe. Great find on the pictures.

 

[Patrick H]

Once again Annie finds some great photos for us and spins off a really enjoyable thread! I am a particular devotee of creek fishing, and I like to wade those clear, rocky bottom creeks and flyfish. We don't have any trout creeks where I live in Missouri (they are all a couple of hours south of me.) But we have some clear water creeks with nice pools and lots of sunfish of various species. In the southern part of my county there flows a nice small river with wild populations of smallmouth and largemouth bass, and also green sunfish. I imagine there are other gamefish species, too. Along the western edge of the county, another, more substantial fiver flows. It has bass, sunfish, crappie, catfish, spoonbill and lots of rough fish. Just south of my town there are several clear creeks with similar populations. I love fishing these streams.

 

[JOHN42768]

Why not fish on their time off? Relaxing, mind clearing and a chance of something for dinner.

 

[Patrick H]

I forgot to mention that a MAJOR river flows past just a few blocks north of me--The Missouri! It's been on all the news channels lately. Even when it's not on a rampage, it's too big a stream for me to fish, but lots of others do.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Missed coming back here- sorry! Remembered this thread yesterday because they're still pulling trout out of our creek, two palamino on a fisherman's stringer walked past the house- anyone go out this year?

 

[Kurt G]

the trout opener in Michigan is later this month . Used to do a lot of flyfishing in northern Michigan . Hoping to get back in it again.

 

[Stone in the wall]

Missed coming back here- sorry! Remembered this thread yesterday because they're still pulling trout out of our creek, two palamino on a fisherman's stringer walked past the house- anyone go out this year?

The Alexandria pictures reminded me, that 3 buried ships era 1700's had been discovered 2015 - 2018. now I'm looking at my fishing pole over in the corner. Thanks

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

the trout opener in Michigan is later this month . Used to do a lot of flyfishing in northern Michigan . Hoping to get back in it again.

Daughter's husband does a lot of fly fishing- I've fished since forever and can never get a grip on fly fishing. It's really hard! Either the line becomes irretrievably tangled or ends up in the water, or a tree. Anyone doing it and bringing home dinner has all my respect.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

The Alexandria pictures reminded me, that 3 buried ships era 1700's had been discovered 2015 - 2018. now I'm looking at my fishing pole over in the corner. Thanks

Fish just love those wrecks, it'd be a great twofer. Well, depending on where, could get dicey. Snorkled over one, in shallow water, all excited, looking down at all that history. A BIG fish was circling over it like I was swimming around over both, THEN the guide reminded us what barracuda looked like. They look like they're safe from anyone wanting to see one close-up.

 

[Stone in the wall]

Fish just love those wrecks, it'd be a great twofer. Well, depending on where, could get dicey. Snorkled over one, in shallow water, all excited, looking down at all that history. A BIG fish was circling over it like I was swimming around over both, THEN the guide reminded us what barracuda looked like. They look like they're safe from anyone wanting to see one close-up.

Oh, ships were buried a short distance from the docks and found by construction crews. Seems they were used as fill along with dirt for maybe new warehouses back when.

 

[Michael W.]

Somehow trying to fish with naked guy bathing a few feet away would just ruin for me. Not to mention scaring off the fish...

 

[captaindrew]

Great stuff, I'd be there fishin with them. The kids on the dock reminded me of me when I was a kid waiting for Dad's boat to come in with fishing rod in hand.

 

[donna]

Wonderful photos.

 

[ealexander1865]

Just remember to put the fish down when the battle starts, General Pickett.