Back-to-Back Fishing Wins in Chengdu: 2 Days, 2 Pond Titles (Oct 10-11, 2024)

Okay, let’s cut to the chase—if you told me last week I’d be writing a post about winning two fishing contests in a row in Chengdu, I’d have laughed so hard I’d spill my boba. But here we are: two days, same pond, same beat-up tackle, same “wait, is this actually working?” energy, and somehow? Two “pond champion” titles. Let’s break down the chaos, the clouds, and the fish that decided to play nice (sort of).

The Setup: Chengdu’s Weather Was Trying to Sabotage Me (Spoiler: It Failed)

Chengdu’s weather is like that friend who says “I’ll be on time” then shows up 2 hours late with a random snack. For days before these two trips, it was nonstop rain—gray skies, soggy shoes, the kind of weather that makes you want to curl up with hot pot instead of casting a line. So when October 10 rolled around and the sun popped out? I thought, Finally! The fishing gods are listening!

Wrong. Sort of. Let’s get into the first day.

Day 1 (Oct 10): Sun, High Hopes, and a “Meh” Catch (That Still Won)

I dragged my buddy Li (who’s the worst at keeping quiet when fish are nearby) to the local pond—you know the one, the one with the rickety wooden dock and that guy who always brings too many snacks. The sun was shining, the water glinted like a cheap diamond, and I set up my rod with the same old worm rig I’ve used since I was 16. Li kept muttering about “jinx weather” but I waved him off. Sun = fish feeding, duh.

Three hours later? I had 5 small crucian carp. Li had 1. The pond owner walked over, squinted at our buckets, and said, “Well… you’ve got the most. Title’s yours.” Wait, what? I stared at my sad little pile of fish like, Is this a prank? But nope—turns out the other guys had even worse luck. One guy had zero. Another had a single minnow. So I took the tiny trophy (a plastic fish keychain, let’s be real) and thought, Okay, beginner’s luck. Tomorrow will be different.

Day 2 (Oct 11): Clouds, Doubt, and Another Win (How?)

Woke up on the 11th to gray skies. No sun. Just that damp, misty Chengdu vibe that makes your socks stick to your feet. I almost bailed. But Li texted: “Free hot pot if you win again.” So I dragged myself out, same rod, same worm rig (why fix what’s… not broken? Even if it’s confusing), same pond, same Li (still loud).

This time, the bite was even slower. I sat there for 4 hours, watching the bobber do nothing but bob in the wind. Li fell asleep on the dock. A dog stole his chips. I was this close to packing up when—plink—the bobber dipped. I yank the rod, and there’s a fight! Not a big one, but a fight. Turned out to be a 6-inch grass carp. Then 10 minutes later? Another crucian. Then another. By the end of the day, I had 6 fish. Li had 0 (he missed the second bite because he was napping). The other anglers? Let’s just say one guy left muttering about “bad juju” and another gave me a side-eye like I’d cheated.

The pond owner handed me the same keychain (apparently they only have one) and said, “You’re on a roll. Don’t tell the other guys I said that.”

The Real Secret? It Wasn’t Skill (Shhh, Don’t Tell Anyone)

Let’s be honest: I’m not a pro angler. I don’t know all the fancy lures or the “best times to fish” (clearly, since the sun and clouds both “failed” and I still won). So what was the deal? I asked the pond owner later, and he laughed and said:

“Most guys here overcomplicate it. They use 10 different rigs, check the water temperature every 5 minutes, and yell at the fish. You just sit there, don’t move, and don’t let Li talk too loud.”

Oh. So the secret was… not being annoying? And not scaring the fish with Li’s snack-induced rants? That makes sense. Let’s break down the (accidental) tips I learned:

1. Less Is More (Even If It Feels Like You’re Doing Nothing)

I used the same worm rig both days—nothing fancy, just a hook, a split shot, and a nightcrawler I bought from the corner store. Other guys were using $50 lures, spinning reels, and even a fish finder (for a pond? C’mon). But the fish didn’t care. They just wanted a worm. Lesson: Don’t overspend on tackle until you know the water.

2. Chengdu Weather Is a Liar (But Embrace the Chaos)

Everyone says “fish bite best in sunny weather” or “cloudy days are better”—but here’s the tea: Chengdu’s weather doesn’t follow the rules. One day sun, no fish; next day clouds, some fish. The only thing that matters is showing up. Even if your socks are wet. Even if Li is snoring.

3. Let the Other Anglers Be Distracted (Thanks, Guys)

I swear, half the guys at the pond were more focused on their phones than their rods. One guy was live-streaming his “fishing journey” and missed three bites. Another was arguing with his girlfriend about why he “needs” a new rod. So while they were distracted, I was just… sitting. Waiting. Not missing bites. Shoutout to their chaos—my win wouldn’t have happened without it.

Why This Matters (Even If It’s Just a Plastic Keychain)

Let’s get real: Fishing isn’t about catching 100-pound tuna (unless you’re in the ocean, which I’m not). It’s about the little wins. The way the water calms you down when you’re stressed. The way Li’s snoring is somehow comforting (don’t tell him I said that). The way you can win two “contests” without even trying, just by being patient and not overcomplicating things.

And for all my fellow Chengdu anglers? This is a sign: Don’t let the rain or the gray skies scare you off. Grab your rod, grab a snack (Li’s tip: bring extra chips, the dog loves them), and head to the pond. You never know—you might walk away with a plastic keychain and a story to tell.

What’s Next? (Spoiler: I’m Not Quitting)

Li already booked us for next weekend. He’s convinced we need a “lucky hat” (I think he just wants an excuse to buy a new hat). The pond owner said he’s hiding a “secret spot” for us (probably just the dock where the dog doesn’t hang out). And me? I’m sticking with my old worm rig. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it—even if it’s confusing why it works.

Oh, and if you’re in Chengdu and see a guy with a beat-up rod, a plastic fish keychain, and a friend who’s always napping? That’s us. Come say hi. Just don’t distract us—we’re on a roll.