The holiday season is upon us - I love this time of year. 

Time spent with friends, family and the endless barrage of holiday parties is, sometimes depending on one's actions, literally intoxicating.  There seems to be a feeling of humanity that is upon most people these days… people seem to be a little more patient, a little more pleasant and actually considerate to complete strangers.  I was on the subway the other day and someone actually wished the entire train "Merry Christmas" as they exited.  It was nice.

So what does all this have to do with fishing?  Nothing really, In Canada, it's a tough time if you're an angler, the water is still soft, bass season is closed for seeming an eternity and Mother Nature can be a little testy.  In the US, most people who enjoy the outdoors have switched from Casting to Blasting as the fall hunting season is in full swing. And we won't talk about our friends in the Caribbean, they get to fish 365 days a year!

There are a lot of anglers these days thinking about fishing rather than participating in our sport… which is okay because there are countless magazines, web sites and videos that can keep the idle angler keen and wishing they were fishing. Every single outdoors web site is listing their "wishlists" of gifts to acquire or buy … you have to check out the WFN News section of WFN.TV as Gear Expert, JP DeRose lists his top 5 gifts for the holidays. http://www.wfn.tv/news/video.php?video=401533

 I on the other hand would like to take up some editorial space and list some of my personal favorite reflections on the last while - of course all related to fishing and WFN's Reel Road Trip.

The Crazy

Swimming with Sharks

What an absolutely insane and stupid thing to do.  I admit a serious lack of common sense and judgment in pursuit of a good shot.  While in the Bahamas on Ship Channel Cay, we were filleting a recent wahoo catch to give to the locals.. I had the bright idea to enter the water and shoot the lemon sharks, blacktip and nurse sharks as they devoured the carcass.  I knew it was time to get out of the water when the big lemon shark rolled over on me… that was a bit too close for comfort.  Video is at http://www.wfn.tv/video/video.php?video=1131

Hand Grabbing for Catfish on Kentucky Lake

Also known as noodling, hand grabbing for cats isn't for the feint of heart… I've produced extreme sports shows before and often had the opportunity to participate in each of them but nothing, repeat NOTHING compares to this.  Sticking your hand in a muddy hole where strange creatures abound… you could grab a Water Moccasin, Snapping Turtle, Alligator - I should say they will grab you.  People die noodling and they say hand grabbers have certain male anatomy that is made of steel.  Video is at

http://www.wfn.tv/reelroadtrip/video.php?event=114

The People

Anglers are an interesting group of people and if you really think about it, we're all a little nuts - beating ourselves up in pursuit of fishy things.  I can confidently say that anglers are some of the most devoted people I have ever met. 

Early (early) mornings, long days often coupled with less than favorable weather conditions, moments of boredom followed by explosions of pandemonium, extreme excitement, intense disappointment etc. All for what?  A shot at the unknown - big fish, numbers of fish, new species of fish.  Shooting the show, I have had the fortune to fish with some of North America's Best… and Im not just speaking about professionals… Bottom line is anglers are characters and some will surprise you.

Gerald Swindle http://www.wfn.tv/video/video.php?video=3262

Mike Iaconelli - http://www.wfn.tv/video/video.php?video=2764

Bill Dance - http://www.wfn.tv/video/video.php?video=1069

Frothy DeSilva - http://www.wfn.tv/video/video.php?video=3155

The Fish

And some of my most fond memories of the last 2 seasons of WFN's Reel Road Trip obviously come from the fish we've chased over North America.  I have a new found appreciation for all piscine species.  It doesn't matter if we're targeting freshwater panfish or pelagic monsters from the depths of our oceans… I love to fish for anything that swims… so much so that I have become a Committee Representative for the International Game Fish Association; the world's record keeper.  Looking after our fishing resources is vital to overall health of our planet. Bottom line, when the fish go, humanity suffers greatly. I would encourage every angler to become a member of IGFA, they are making great strides in protection and conservation of our waters worldwide.

http://www.wfn.tv/video/video.php?video=1085

And the species are incredible… off the top of my head, I totaled a minimum of 25 different species in freshwater and saltwater that we have landed for WFN's Reel Road Trip… and though every fish is outstanding,  here are some memorable catches.

Sailfish - http://www.wfn.tv/video/video.php?video=3154

BlueFin Tuna - http://www.wfn.tv/video/video.php?video=1095

Spadefish - http://www.wfn.tv/video/video.php?video=401302

Conch  - http://www.wfn.tv/video/video.php?video=2953

Bonefish - http://www.wfn.tv/video/video.php?video=401312

Tarpon - http://www.wfn.tv/video/video.php?video=3202

So all in all, it's been an outstanding 2 seasons for WFN's Reel Road Trip.  And I wanted to share a personal story to leave you by.  While away on a trip in November, my wife phoned me to let me know that our 3 year old son was in the backyard "fishing for marlin." (I live thousands of miles from an ocean)  When I got him on the telephone, he informed me he was having a "tremendous day on the water!"  He had landed 2-blue marlin and lost one at the boat.  Well I about died laughing… and I got to thinking - his new found love for fishing was spawned by a small bit of success while fishing off a dock. 

Needless to say, Will loves the sport…To this day, he'll ask me if I want to talk about fishing, lures and seaweed all the while "lipping" his marlin… I couldn't be more proud… Please take a kid fishing, show them a good time, be it playing with the bait, or catching fish - it'll pay dividends for our sport in the future.

Best to you and your families this Holiday Season… we'll see you down the road!

Melnyk