Day 7 of Lockdown: When Insomnia Leads to a Unexpected Fishing Trip
It’s 5 a.m., and I’m wide awake. Not because my alarm blared, not because a dog barked outside, but because my brain’s been stuck on a loop of work trivialities and that restless itch to get out of the house. After 7 days of lockdown, even the four walls of my home start to feel like a too-small box. Tossing and turning for another 20 minutes, I finally give up. I swing my legs over the bed, shuffle to my desk, and start sorting through some loose papers, scribbling down random thoughts about work and this weird, slow-paced lockdown life. Before I know it, the sky’s starting to lighten, and it’s already 6 a.m.
Let’s be real—when you’re stuck in lockdown, your to-do list shrinks to “eat, work, scroll, sleep.” But today, I’m craving something different. The weather’s been decent lately, no drizzle to ruin plans, and I remember the small river behind my neighborhood that’s usually quiet this time of day. Why not go fishing? It’s close, it gets me outside, and honestly, anything’s better than staring at my laptop for another 4 hours. I grab my gear, which has been gathering dust in the corner since lockdown started, and head out quietly, hoping I don’t wake anyone else in the house.
My No-Fuss Lockdown Fishing Setup
Lockdown doesn’t leave much room for fancy gear runs, so I make do with what I have at home. No fancy store-bought bait here—this is a true lockdown DIY job. Here’s what I put together:
- Bait: I mixed some rice wine-soaked millet with leftover rice from last night’s dinner. It’s not the most glamorous bait, but I’ve used it before, and the local fish seem to love it.
- Rod & Hook: My trusty 3.6-meter fishing rod, paired with a size 3 Iseama hook. It’s lightweight, easy to handle, and perfect for the small fish in this neighborhood river.
One quick problem: the river here has a steady current, and I don’t have a rod holder to prop up my gear. I’m not about to stand holding a rod for 3 hours straight (hello, lockdown laziness), so I decide to fish close to the bank. My goal isn’t to catch a trophy fish—it’s to not go home empty-handed. “No blank day” is my only rule today.
The Slow Start (and Then the Spree of “Little Li Zi”)
I cast my line and settle in on a small rock, scrolling through my phone idly while I wait. Lockdown has made me impatient, so 20 minutes feels like an eternity. Just as I’m starting to wonder if the fish are also in lockdown, my line twitches—twice, then yanks hard. I know that feeling instantly: it’s a “Little Li Zi,” the local name for small, silver cyprinid fish that are super common in this river.
I yank the rod up, and sure enough, a tiny, silvery fish is flopping on the line. I grin and toss it into my small bucket. It’s not much, but it’s a start.
Ten minutes later, another twitch. This one’s a bit bigger, with a brighter, more iridescent silver color and a slightly rounded belly. I snap a quick photo—lockdown fishing wins deserve to be documented, right?
Then, just when I think the action might slow down, my line pulls again. I’m convinced this is a crucian carp—finally, something I can cook for dinner! I pull it up fast, already mentally planning how to fry it up with some ginger and scallions. But nope—another Little Li Zi. Make that three in a row. I laugh out loud, even though I’m a little disappointed. Three tiny fish are better than none, I remind myself.
The Nuisance of Tilapia and the Early End
After the three Little Li Zi spree, the action shifts. Suddenly, my line is twitching every 30 seconds, but it’s just tilapia—small, pesky ones that nibble at the bait without ever taking the hook properly. They’re the ultimate lockdown fishing buzzkill. I spend the next hour reeling in empty hooks, swatting at mosquitoes, and watching the sun climb higher in the sky.
By 9 a.m., my arm’s starting to ache, and I’m getting hungry. Just as I’m packing up my gear, my phone buzzes—it’s my employee, reminding me that we don’t have a COVID test today, but everyone has to stay home unless it’s an emergency. Right, lockdown rules. I grab my bucket of three Little Li Zi and trudge back home, already planning to release them in the small pond behind my house so they can grow bigger for next time.
A Quick Lockdown Reflection (and a Wish for Fellow Anglers)
Walking back home, I realize this little fishing trip was exactly what I needed. Lockdown can feel suffocating—like every day is a repeat of the last. But getting outside, even for a few hours, breathing fresh air, and feeling the thrill of a fish tugging on the line? It’s a tiny, perfect escape from all the stress of COVID news and lockdown rules.
Don’t get me wrong—I’m ready for lockdown to end. I miss going to the office, grabbing coffee with my friends, and even just browsing the fishing gear store for new bait. But for now, small moments like this fishing trip are what keep me sane. They remind me that even when things feel out of control, there are little joys to find if you look for them.
To all my fellow anglers stuck in lockdown or dealing with COVID restrictions: I hope you get to sneak in a quick fishing trip soon. And most importantly, may you never have a blank day on the riverbank. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that COVID eases up soon, and we can all go back to fishing (and living) normally again.
