This is a view from Lake Daingerfield, it looks as if it could be in some north woods lake with the tall pines, the extremely clear blue water and what we were fishing for-chain pickerel-something I’m used to fishing for up north but not in Texas. Another thing that reminded me of the northern woods is that the it was cold, really cold and I tend to be cold natured so that’s saying something.

Lake Daingerfield is an intimate lake-if it weren’t so cold you might call it cozy. Small enough to kayak to each end but large enough to feel like your the only one around for miles. A place like this just forces you to relax, the silence as the sun goes down, the sounds of nature, if not for my tangled mess of line it would have been absolutely blissful. I have greatly improved and feel confident and comfortable on the kayak but there are times when I am obviously clumsy and like a fish out of water, been a while since I”ve seen one of them but still that’s another story.

I tend to go off on my own, kind of get lost in nature and maybe because of the tangled line that bring out my colorful language, it’s better for everyone. It still takes me some time to get settled in, even a place like this, my stress level must be higher or my clumsiness more pronounced on the kayak but it just seems like the first few minutes of being on the water usually finds me aggravated and fighting with my gear.

Out across the lake I finally find my peace, every view around me is a different aspect of tall pines being lit by the last bit of sun and beyond the tall trees I can see what looks like a fire-it’s the sunset sky and it’s colors stream across the lake which is clear and still as a perfect mirror. I love how the colors deepen as the sun gets to the perfect angle in the sky-the electric hour. I think it is because it’s such a small lake but there is a strong smell of the earth on this lake, like the smell in a forest after it rains. There are no other people around the lake and no sign of trash or loud motors to disrupt the sense of calm-the fact that it is in the middle of January and its really cold probably lends itself well to the lack of people but still I enjoy the escape from Dallas.

No fish, nothing following the lure in and not a single bite, but my son caught one and had several chase it in. There is hope for good winter fishing on this lake and I’m sure we’ll be back soon, I’m eager to go on the many trails that surround the lake, the tall trees as you come into the park is such a welcome sight and creates the atmosphere of Lake Daingerfield-it has been closed for quite a while and I’m not sure how it was previously but it is a beautiful well tended park.

Again, did I mention it was cold-when we got back to shore, getting out of the kayak is wet and you really get to feel what fifty something degree water feels like. I will definitely be investing in a dry suit soon as getting in and out are getting more difficult as the winter makes its presence
known.

There are several lakes in the area that I am eager to explore-Hawkins, Caddo-I’ve been there before but never with the kayak, lake o the pines, All of these lakes have chain pickerel which means we can continue to fish into the winter months. Next year I will plan on having a better camera to actually photograph better view of the places, this is kind of a work in progress. Well enough for now-Can’t wait to get out and explore some more-take every chance you get to get out there-it’s one great way to feel freedom and to learn new things-so get out and explore…….