And who says gals can't fish!?!?!?!
By LaDonna Tonak
I applied for a paddlefish snagging tag last year and didn't get one so was REALLY excited this year when I got my tag. A couple of guys I know told me it was a lot of work. They were willing to help me out with trying to snag a paddlefish by taking me out on the boat and letting me use a rod. I had been assured that I would feel like I had been hit by a truck by the end of the night. So one gorgeous October day, I left work early, met my friend in Yankton, and we went over to his buddies' house to head to the river. We got the boat out on the water. The guys explained to me how to snag. I let the line out. Snagged about 5 or 6 times and had something. Reeling it in was a bit of work for me as I normally reel with my left and the reel was right handed. When I finally got the fish in the boat, it measured 34 3/4". Just a quarter inch under the slot of having to put it back. Being greedy, I decided to keep it as I was sure I wouldn't get one any closer. When we got back to the house, the guys cleaned it and packaged it for me. They are still giving me a bad time about only spending 10 minutes on the water and having the biggest keeper that had been on the boat that season.