Mid-Autumn Blues: When You Can’t Go Home, You Fish
Mid-Autumn is all about family reunions, right? But this year, thanks to pandemic restrictions, I couldn’t head back to my hometown. For a die-hard angler like me, there was only one way to spend the holiday: chasing fish by the river. No other options—though I’ll admit, I was a little nervous about venturing to a new spot as a relative fishing newbie.
Let me tell you, this day was equal parts excitement and chaos. I’d been planning it for days, and when the morning finally rolled around, I was up at 7 AM, chowed down on a bowl of spicy noodles, grabbed some snacks for later, and hit the road. The destination? Guojiatuo, a spot a coworker had mentioned in passing. I had no clue what to expect, but that’s half the fun (and terror) of exploring new fishing spots!
The Quest for the Perfect Riverside Spot
Navigating the Unknown (and Asking for Directions)
The drive only took about 30 minutes, but my mind was racing the whole time. Would there be any fish? Would I get lost trying to reach the river? Would I end up going home empty-handed on a holiday? The uncertainty was killing me, but the thrill of a new adventure kept me going. It’s not every day I get to spend an entire day fishing—this felt like a luxury!
As I got close to the area, I spotted a street cleaner by the road and figured she’d know all the hidden paths to the river (local knowledge is gold, especially when you want to avoid crowded spots). I asked her for the easiest way down to a quiet stretch of the river, and she gave me directions that sounded like they’d lead to a less-trodden area. Perfect.
Following (and Ditching) the Crowd
After parking my car, I started hiking toward the river. Up ahead, I saw two older guys decked out in fishing gear, tramping along the same path. But halfway there, they bailed! They grumbled that the trail was too rough and turned back to a nearby commercial fishing pond. Me? I was determined to keep going. No way was I settling for a crowded, predictable spot on Mid-Autumn!
Setting Up Shop: Battling the Current and Sun
Getting My Gear Ready (and Hoping for the Best)
After a 10-minute hike, I finally reached the river. Let me tell you, the current was raging! I started second-guessing my coworker’s recommendation, but I’d come this far—no turning back. I pulled out my gear and got to work:
- Rod: A beat-up 4.8m rod that’s been with me on every adventure (it’s seen better days, but it’s reliable)
- Bait: Fish King 5+5 fishy-scented mix (I used both pull and rub bait methods)
- Line: 2.0 main line and 1.2 leader, bought cheaply online (fingers crossed it held up!)
- Hooks: Size 5 Haixi hooks plus 0.5 Qianyou hooks
- Depth: I targeted about 2 meters—any deeper, and the current would have swept my float away completely
- Weather: The forecast said 22-28°C, but in reality, the sun was blazing hot! I was sweating through my clothes in no time.
The Slow Start (and Tiny First Catch)
I found a small eddy where the current was a little calmer, tossed out some homemade rice wine and corn as bait, and settled in. For the first 30 minutes? Nada. Not even a nibble. I started panicking—was I going to go home empty-handed on a holiday? That would’ve been so embarrassing!
Then, finally, my float twitched! I reeled in, and there it was: a tiny, bright little fish. It wasn’t much, but it was something! The river current makes fish so active, though—this little guy was zipping around like crazy. I was pumped.
Mid-Day Chaos: Sun, Snacks, and a Crab Invasion
Battling the Heat and Snags
By noon, the sun was brutal. I’d brought an umbrella, but the narrow, rocky spot I was in made it hard to set up properly. I snapped two leaders on snags, and my snacks were starting to melt in the heat. Just when I thought things couldn’t get weirder, my float suddenly disappeared under the water—big, dramatic movement that had me thinking I’d hooked a monster. I reeled in as fast as I could… and found a tiny little fish that looked like it was starving! It had grabbed the hook like it hadn’t eaten in a week. Talk about a letdown.
Quick safety tip: If you’re fishing on rocky riverbanks, watch your step! I slipped and almost fell into the water the day before this trip, and those rocks are slippery AF. Trust me, you don’t want to end up soaked (or worse) on your fishing adventure.
The Crab That Ruined My Moment
After lunch, the fish seemed to go quiet. The sun was so hot, I swear I was sweating out oil! Every now and then, I’d see a perfect little bite on my float—something that looked like it should be a big fish. But every time I reeled in? Nothing. I started questioning my fishing skills. Was I doing something wrong? Did the fish just hate me?
Then, on my third missed “big bite,” I reeled in and found a crab clinging to my hook! The little guy just stared at me like it was my fault I’d interrupted its swim. I swear, it was like he was saying, “I’m just passing through, chill out.” I couldn’t even be mad—he was too weirdly cute. Still, I was ready to throw my rod in the river at that point.
The Final Hour: A (Small) Victory
I stuck it out until 5 PM, mostly because I was too sweaty and tired to hike back up the hill to my car. But then, in the last hour of light, luck turned around. I hooked a small crucian carp—finally, a decent fish! And right after that, I reeled in a tiny grass carp by accident. I had no clue there were grass carp in this fast-moving river, but I wasn’t complaining. Between the two, I had enough for a small grilled fish dinner that night. Perfect.
Driving Home: Mid-Autumn Sunsets and Fishing Daydreams
On the drive back, I stopped to snap a photo of the sunset over the hills. It was a pretty end to a chaotic, sweaty, but totally fun day. I didn’t go home to my family this Mid-Autumn, but I got something almost as good: a new fishing spot, a few stories to tell, and enough fish to make a cozy dinner.
Sure, I spent most of the day sweating out my soul, snapping leaders, and being trolled by a crab. But that’s the beauty of wild fishing—you never know what’s going to happen. I’m already planning my next trip to Guojiatuo, though next time I’m bringing more sunscreen and a bigger umbrella. And maybe some crab bait, just in case the little troublemakers come back!
