Steven A. Ellis
Kennesaw, GA
At 12:55 PM 3/13/01 -0600, you wrote:
>Well, it finally came to pass. After listening to Ray Wolff wax poetically
>about the pristeen marsh and the pulling in of net after net of Northern
>Red-Bellied Dace and Fantail Darters. Of prehistoric fish called Gars and
>Bowfin and Burbot, I finally made a trip up his way and twisted his arm
>into taking me collecting. After spending one mildly cold day under mildly
>bad conditions, I came to the quick conclusion that Ray should get a
>Pulitzer Prize! We didn't get one Northern Red-Belly and we actually got
>skunked on the first two spots we even hit. I started to have my doubts
>that Ray had actually ever even netted a fish. I was cold and my knee was
>killing me, where I slipped and fell on the ice, I was begining to think
>that driving three hours for this might not have been the best way to spend
>my day off. Then it happened. We stopped at a roadside ditch. My suspicions
>about Ray where now entering the delusional phase. Here was a drop of water
>that only looked to be 15 x 20 feet. It appeared to be no more then a
>ditch. I played along and figured I'd get out and have a look see. After
>all, it's safer to be out walking around with an insane person, then it is
>to be riding in his truck. So I looked around, and to my surprise I found a
>floating dead Northern Pike. This Pike went about 23 inches long! Awefully
>big for a ditch! Then we spot a dead Bowfin, this one about 16 inches long.
>Begining to think that Ray may not be as crazy as my earlier experiences
>had led me to believe I dipped my net in and pulled out a net FULL of fish!
>WOW! There was all kinds of things in there! Baby Sunfish and Perch to beat
>the band. Baby Bullheads, Tadpole Madtoms, Tadpoles, Golden Shiners and
>several other natives that I don't even remember. (Hopefully Ray does and
>will fill in where my memory leaves off. I really need to take notes.) We
>dipped several more times and each time it was the same, a net full of
>fish. We crossed the road and found the same in another ditch. Just
>incredible. Ray tried to educate me and describe how this ditch is actually
>connected to the larger Marsh area and the fish come up in here to feed and
>take andvantage of the open water, but to be honest I didn't get much of
>it. I was too excited to be catching fish! I kept a few Bullheads and
>Madtoms, nothing too exotic, and we headed off to another spot. This time
>we stopped on what can best be described as a backwash area that empties
>into the Wisconsin River. There is a large pond like area that empties
>through two concrete sewer pipes into the River. On the down water side of
>the pipes there is a stack of large rocks. After kick around in the rocks
>we netted Fantail and Rainbow Darters as well as some Sticklebacks. Very
>Cool. I have two of each of the Darters at home in my tanks, right now.
>
>What a great day. Ray is truely a good guy to spend some time with and even
>though winter may not the best time to be in Wisconsin netting fish. I had
>a blast! We also saw Deer, Turkey's, Sandhill Cranes, Bald Eagles, Osprey's
>and all kinds of other critters. Thanks to Ray for putting up with me and
>giving up a good part of his Saturday. I had a great time and look forward
>to his heading down to my area where I will try and return the favor.
>
>Ty
>
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