All the rhetoric from politicians and bad news from Wall Street are making me sick and I'm going to do something about this problem. I'm going fishing! In these uncertain economic times and with both presidential candidates getting nastier when they talk about each other, I find this is the perfect time to go on an extended fishing trip.
Since the same guys that got us into this mess to begin with, have promised us that they're going to fix all of our economic problems, there doesn't appear that there is much my government requires of me in this situation. In fact, I don't think they want my help at all in figuring out how to save our country financially; my congressman ignored my opinion on the mortgage bail out bill. I think I can better serve my country by sitting on the beach with a rod and reel while watching diligently for terrorists to invade us via a hijacked shrimp boat.
A troubled economy is nothing new. Will Rogers, in speaking about the Great Depression of the '30's said, "It isn't what we need that is hurting us, it is what we're paying for that we have already used up." Those sentiments apply today and I don't feel like worrying about things I can't fix, so I head for the Gulf of Mexico!
Some might say I'm burying my head in the sand and ignoring my country's problems. Just the opposite! It clears my head to fish in the surf and allow the salty air to blow the cobwebs away. With a brain that's unencumbered by a lot of useless talk; I could come up with a solution to the economic crisis we're facing without spending any money! That would be a concept wouldn't it?
October is a great month for fishing on Florida's northwest gulf coast. Water temperatures are cooler and schooling fish are plentiful almost everywhere around Apalachicola, Florida which includes St. George Island, Carabelle and St. Marks. Autumn fishing around the area is one of my favorite things to do, whether there's political turmoil or not!
We have far too many laws in the United States, but I believe there should be one more! It should be illegal for anyone to worry about anything while they're fishing in the surf. There are more important things to concern yourself with when you're standing on the edge of the beach, hoping that a monster of a fish will take your bait and head for Galveston
Without having as much as a nibble, thoughts such as, "Is my hook strong enough to snag the big one? Will my line be strong enough to hold him? Do I have the right drag set on my reel?" These are the really significant questions one should ask, rather than silly stuff like the economy or who the next president will be. One has to keep his priorities straight when you're surf fishing.
I won't think about the stock market dipping so low this past week that my 401K program dipped so low that the local rescue mission is saving a place for me at their annual "Thanksgiving for the Homeless" dinner. Turkey and dressing, ham, mountains of potato salad and buckets of turnip greens are served by the mayor, city councilmen and other local dignitaries who use this event as a photo opportunity for upcoming elections. By that time I will probably feel right at home, but I'm not going to worry about such things when I'm wrestling a giant Pompano onto the beach!
There will also be no TV, computers, radios or newspaper anywhere within my reach while I'm on St. George Island. Like the majority of citizens in America, I have a low opinion of the media anyway, so I'll not enable them by listening or reading while I'm gone.
When I return to real world and wake up in the morning, grab a cup of coffee and turn on the computer, my screensaver will show me a picture of a flock of seagulls that are fighting each other for a dead shrimp. I'm sure I'll question the sanity of returning to same old grind and financial chaos I left for a week!
Bob Alexander is well experienced in outdoor cooking, fishing and leisure living. Bob is also the author and owner of this article. Visit his sites at:
http://www.homeandgardenbob.com
