First Spring Fishing Trip 2024: A Peaceful Morning by the Wild River

My First Fishing Trip of the Year: Beauty, Bliss, and Unexpected Catches

Let me set the scene: it’s February 28, 2024, 3°C outside, with a crisp southeast wind blowing at 3-4 levels. I’d been counting down the days to get back to the water—work has been chaotic, and my free time has been as scarce as a big carp in a tiny pond. When I finally squeezed a couple of hours out of my packed schedule, I grabbed my gear, called my fishing buddy Zhao, and we hit the nearest wild river. This wasn’t just any fishing trip; it was my first cast of the year, and I had a good feeling about it. I even jotted down a little poem to capture the vibe before I left—let me break it down for you first, because it sums up exactly how this day felt.

The Poem Behind the Trip

I’m no Shakespeare, but when I’m excited about fishing, words just flow. Here’s the little verse I wrote, and what each line really means:

• “Stealing leisure to seek crucian by the shore”: Yeah, “stealing” is the right word. My free time is so limited, I feel like I’m sneaking moments to fish. It’s not just a hobby—it’s my way to decompress, even if it’s only for a couple of hours.
• “First cast of the year, the world feels brand new”: There’s something magical about that first trip after the winter lull. The air smells different, the water looks clearer, and every ripple feels like a fresh start. I was even testing out new gear, which made it feel extra special.
• “Golden hooks, fresh bait, a bounty of little treasures”: That word “fresh” isn’t just about the bait—it’s about the energy. When you’re out there, even a simple hook and worm feel alive. Every bite feels like a gift, no matter how small the fish.
• “Clear waters flow, and spring is here once more”: Winter felt never-ending this year, so seeing the sun warm my face and watching the water ripple in the breeze? It was a reminder that better days (and better fishing) are ahead.

Okay, enough poetry—let’s get to the good stuff: the fishing itself. Here’s how the day went, gear breakdown included, because I know you guys love that detail.

My Gear Setup for the Morning

I came prepared to test some new gear and stick with old favorites. Here’s what I brought to the river that day:

• Rods: I brought two options—my trusty 6.3m Zhuolu Traveling Three Kingdoms rod and a 4.5m Shenji Generation 2 rod. I wanted to test different depths since the river has some shallow spots and some deeper holes.
• Line Setup: This is where I tried something new: Wushuang Carp Toray pre-made line sets. I used a 1.5 main line with 0.8 leader and size 4 sleeve hooks. Spoiler: these line sets blew me away, and I’ll tell you why later.
• Baits: I played it safe and brought both live bait and prepared bait: a mix of all-purpose fishy scent, all-purpose sweet scent, Wuliang Lure rice wine, and Fishing Home shrimp powder. I also packed some earthworms, because you never know what the fish are craving.
• Float: A Yiwei reed float—these are my go-to because they’re super sensitive, even in windy conditions.

The Morning Unfolds: Wind, Bites, and Surprises

Zhao and I set up about 100 meters apart—he faced west, I faced north. The river was practically empty, which was perfect; no crowds, just us, the wind, and the water. The wind was a bit of a troublemaker that day, switching directions like a kid who can’t pick a snack. One minute I was upwind, the next minute Zhao was. It made reading the float a little tricky, but I adjusted my setup to compensate.

First, let’s talk about those Wushuang Carp Toray line sets, because they deserve their own shoutout. I tested two spools: a 6.3m 1.5 line and a 5.4m 1.5 line. The craftsmanship was top-notch:

• The yellow silicone space beans were perfectly aligned, so they slid smoothly without jamming.
• The float seat had a special inner groove that reduced friction on the main line—no more frayed lines after adjusting the float ten times.
• The scale lead made adjusting the depth so much faster, and it was thick enough to prevent “exploding lead” when casting hard.
• The swivel spun like a top, no sticking, and the silicone anti-tangle bead at the top kept the leader from wrapping around the main line. Plus, that golden finish looked pretty sharp in the sun!

I kept adjusting the space beans to find the right depth, and the line slid like butter—no snags, no rough spots. It’s the little things, right? A smooth line set makes the whole trip so much less stressful.

The Bites Start: From Tiny Minnows to a Lucky Goldfish

It didn’t take long for the first bite. The sun was just peeking over the trees, casting golden light on the water, when my Yiwei float dipped sharply. I set the hook, and felt that familiar little tug—an upstream dace! It was tiny, but man, that first catch of the year felt like winning a trophy. I slipped it into my keep net, already grinning from ear to ear.

For the next 20 minutes, the earthworms didn’t get any love, so I switched to a mix: one hook with earthworm, one with my prepared bait. That did the trick—more dace started biting. Then, out of nowhere, my shorter rod’s float started bobbing up and down like crazy. I set the hook, and felt a heavier tug this time. When I lifted the rod, I couldn’t believe my eyes: a bright goldfish was flapping in the air! It was like a little piece of sunshine in the water, and I took that as a sign of good luck for the rest of the year. I mean, how often do you catch a goldfish in a wild river? That’s the kind of surprise that makes fishing worth every early morning.

As the sun got higher, the water warmed up a little, and the crucian carp started biting. I got a couple of nice-sized wild crucian, and for a little while, I even had a small run of bites. It was pure bliss—no work emails, no deadlines, just me, the rod, and the sound of the river. I lost track of time, which is why I ended up staying a little later than planned. Oops.

Wrapping Up: Lessons Learned and Goodbyes to the River

All good things must come to an end, and when I checked my phone, I realized I was already late getting back. I carefully released all the fish I caught—goldfish included—because preserving the river’s ecosystem is just as important as catching fish. Before I left, I picked up all the trash around my spot, including some leftover bait bags and plastic bottles left by other anglers. If we want to keep these wild spots nice, we have to take care of them, right?

As I walked back to my car, I thought about everything I learned that morning. Here are my top takeaways for anyone planning their first spring fishing trip:

• Wind is tricky in spring: The wind changes direction fast this time of year, so find a sheltered spot if you can. If not, adjust your float setup to make bites easier to see—shallow hooks and sensitive floats are your friends.
• Don’t stick to one bait: I started with earthworms and got nothing, but switching to prepared bait triggered way more bites. Mix it up and see what the fish are hungry for that day.
• Short leaders work better in cold water: Fish are still a little sluggish in early spring, so a shorter leader means more sensitive bites. I used 0.8, but next time I might go even smaller to pick up on those tiny nibbles.
• Test new gear, but trust your favorites: The Wushuang Carp line sets were a game-changer, but I still relied on my trusted rods and float. Balance is key!

Final Thoughts: Why This Trip Mattered

This wasn’t just about catching fish—it was about squeezing a little joy into a busy life. That first cast of the year reminded me why I love fishing so much: it’s not about the size of the catch, but about the peace of being outside, the thrill of the bite, and the little surprises (like that goldfish) that make every trip unique. Even though I had to leave just when the bite was getting good, I didn’t feel disappointed. I felt grateful—grateful for the time I had, grateful for the beautiful day, and already excited for my next trip.

If you’re thinking about getting out for your first spring fishing trip, do it. Even if you only have a couple of hours, even if you don’t catch anything, you’ll leave feeling refreshed. And hey, maybe you’ll even catch a goldfish like I did. That’s the magic of wild river fishing—you never know what’s going to bite next.

Until next time, tight lines and keep those river spots clean!