Heart Breaking Moment

Location: Ashe Park Pond known also as Pheonix Lake

Lure: Rapala Jointed BSD Shad Rap

This morning I was sitting on the couch watching WFN. It only took about 10 minutes of watching before I wanted to go fishing. The closest most accessible place to home is at the local park. I jumped off the couch told Mom I'd be back later. First swinging by Walmart just to see if I could find that magic lure. Starring at the lures in the fishing isle I just couldn't decide. I noticed a Rapala package laying on the floor so I took that as a sign picked it up and headed for the checkout. On my way out of the isle I noticed an older man and a young boy they were looking for the boys first rod I helped them decide on Zebco 33 and suited them with a few lures I've had decent luck with. I finally got to the park and set up a base camp in a shady corner of the pond planning to work my way counter clockwise around the pond. The Rapala has excellent show in the water fights through weeds and around obstacles fairly easy. About 1/4 way around the pond the wind started to pick up but I could use it to my advantage. I would make a cast parallel to the bank and the wind would blow all the slack toward the middle of the pond which gave my lure more water time. I found a spot that would normally be impossible to fish because of reeds and shrubs, casted and perfectly landed (thanks to the breeze) exactly where I wanted it to go. Reeling in my line suddenly went slack so I caught up and set the hook. This fish was huge It took off with my lure straight out into the pond and was taking drag faster than I could reel to fight back. All you could hear was" zzzzzzzzzzzzzz come on zzzzzzz come back this way zzzzzzz" as everything else seemed to freeze around me. My heart was racing, I tightened my grip, I tried to fight back, then the line went limp. I tried a few small jerks trying to get his interest but sadly the fish had dropped the lure and I retrieved it without a trophy on the other end. But i guess it happens.

http://www.ashecountygov.com/ParksandRec/index.htm

Ashe Park is an excellent place to spend and afternoon with friends or family. In the past year the parks and rec team have really increased the quality of the pond and the park. Now equipped with two docks, a professionally designed disc golf course, and skate park. There is certainly something there for everyone. 

The pond has an assortment of fish; bluegill bass carp catfish and recently stocked trout. every once in a while some fortunate angler will reel in a 6+ pound large mouth. They hosted a trout derby in April and are Hosting a Catfish derby this September. It is definitely not to be under estimated.