Chasing the Last of Danjiang Redfin Season: A Couple’s Fishing Adventure
Ugh, blame it all on the pandemic! When our daughter got her acceptance letter to Wuhan City College, my wife and I spent two whole weeks prepping her stuff for campus—five big boxes, no joke. She said, “I’m gonna study hard for another seven or eight years, finish grad school before coming back. Better bring as much as I can since I’ll be living mostly on campus.” Material support locked in, right? Then the school dropped a bomb: students from our area had to delay reporting because of COVID. Are you kidding me? The Danjiang redfin season was about to end! And I’d promised my wife we’d go—like, must go!
The Wait That Almost Broke Us (But Not Our Fishing Spirit)
The three of us were on edge: our daughter waiting for the new reporting date, and us glued to fishing reports every day. Finally, after nine days of waiting, the school’s update came. The plan? Drive from Xiangyang → Wuhan (drop off our daughter, no stopping) → straight to Danjiangkou Kangjiagou. Let’s go!
Road Trip Mode: Teamwork (and Naps)
My wife and I took turns driving—she insisted I rest so I wouldn’t crash and burn while fishing. On the Danjiangkou loop road, she made me pull over for a quick nap. “Save your energy,” she said. “We need photos of the scenery, you, and the crazy fishermen who brave any road.” Smart lady.
“Follow the Dragon’s Mountains” (aka Navigating Hellish Roads)
Quoting an old saying: “Searching for dragons, count the winding mountains—each fold is a pass.” Yeah, that’s exactly what we did. Four tunnels, who-knows-how-many hills, and village roads so narrow and twisty I swear one wrong turn meant a 50-meter U-turn (thanks, navigation). But we made it—barely.
Basic Fishing Setup (Because Details Matter)
Before we even cast, let’s list the gear—critical for anyone chasing redfins in Danjiang:
- Date: September 17, 2024
- Spot: Danjiangkou Reservoir
- Line & Hook: 3lb main line + 2lb leader, size 10 gold sea hooks
- Rod & Float: 10-meter rod with 13-meter line (single hook to avoid snags)
- Bait: Fresh corn + red worm pellets (we chummed frequently)
- Depth: 8-9 meters, fishing 20-30 cm off the bottom
The “Famous” Angler Who Wasn’t There for Fish
When we arrived, the spot was packed. There was this internet celebrity angler—name was Ganggang or Bangbang?—who’d been there for days. He caught almost nothing, but I could tell his spot had tons of fish. Dude, he wasn’t even there to fish! Just streaming. Ugh, wasted a prime spot.
“30% Skill, 70% Spot” (And a Lucky Break)
I live by that rule. The owner tried to put us in a spot with no one else—hell no. But then a guy who’d been catching a lot said he was leaving and we could take his spot. Score! I rushed to peel corn, ready to cast as soon as he packed up. But wait… he didn’t leave until dark. The owner yelled for dinner, and I’m like, “C’mon man!”
Respect the Veteran (Even If It Means Waiting)
Props to the angler with a crutch who stayed glued to his spot. Total legend. But man, waiting till dark? I couldn’t rush him—anglers have a code. No new chum for me; I just watched everyone else hook up. My wife and I were just… standing there, jealous. Then she hooked one! Her grin wiped all my frustration away. Yes!
Night Fishing: Rain, Tiredness, and Tiny Fish
It got cold and started raining. Night bite was garbage. By 11:30 PM, we had five or six fish. I was so sleepy I could barely hold the rod. We packed up, crashed in the car, and I snapped a pic of the tiny fish at my feet—there were so many, it’s crazy.
Day 2: Full Battle Mode (and Wife = Photographer)
Woke up early, hit the water hard. I kept chumming every cast, keeping the bait fresh. Anglers joked around, and every now and then someone yelled “fish on!” We had a few good bites, then a new guy showed up to stream. My friend adjusted his float, and bam—he started reeling in nonstop! Everyone cheered. When my wife’s not around, I fish. When she is? I take photos. Pro tip: If you want your wife to not bug you while fishing, get her hooked on it. She loves the fun of it now.
Final Catch: 10 Pounds (Perfect, Right?)
Total haul? Exactly 10 pounds. Ten—ten perfect pounds. I couldn’t be happier. That’s the magic number, right? Ten means “complete” in Chinese, but even without that, it’s just perfect for our little adventure.
Bonus: The Daredevil Winter Swimmer
Oh, and a senior winter swimmer showed up. You think he didn’t jump in? C’mon. He’s a pro. Warning: Don’t try this if you’re not trained—super dangerous. But watching him was wild.
So that’s our story: chasing the last redfin of the season, dealing with pandemic delays, crazy roads, and a celebrity angler who wasted a spot. But in the end? We got 10 pounds of fish, my wife had fun, and we kept a promise. Next time? Maybe we’ll skip the celebrity spots. Or just bring more corn. Either way, Danjiang’s redfins are worth every crazy minute. Have you ever chased a fish season to the last day? Drop a comment—let’s swap stories!
