Freeport

This weekend's adventure was Maine. Freeport, to be specific, where the L. L. Bean flagship stores are.

But I didn't go for the shopping. I actually went to do some kayaking and fishing in the Casco Bay. Although I did do both, it wasn't really what I had in mind. My original plan was to rent a kayak for 2 days, paddle out to one of the remote islands in the bay, and enjoy a weekend of fishing and relaxation.

Unfortunately I didn't get my act together until almost 10:00, so after the 2 hour drive up to Freeport there wasn't really time to do everything I wanted. Particularly since I don't own a fishing pole and I don't know thing one about buying one. Is a 7-foot rod long enough to cast from the shore? Can a pole rated to a 17lb. load cast a 2-oz. lure? How do saltwater bait differ from freshwater?

I've never really been fishing many times before. In fact, I can probably count the number of times I've seriously gone fishing on one hand. My biggest catch? a 1-lb. catfish at camp McKee in Kentucky: slimy, disgusting, yet somehow very exciting. Somehow it's always intrigued me. Hunting in general, but not the idea of killing. Just the survival aspects, I guess.

I ended up getting a nice spinner rod and reel and was even able to try it out that very night...


...although I didn't catch anything until the next day when I went to Portland.