In a relaxed paddle I arrived at the bay. The bay is protected from any rough seas by a barrier island. Two inlets feed the bay from the east and west end of the island. The inlets or wide and shallow with a deep but narrow channel in the center of the eastern inlet denying all but the smallest motor boats access. The weather forecast was spot on, warm, wispy clouds and a light breeze. Everything was perfect.

Then to my left like wolves circling their prey I spot a flock of seagulls. The seagulls spotted a school of shrimp that had been forced to the surface by toothy speckled trout. To myself I thought that this day was going to be memorable. I paddled to the feeding frenzy and began to fish. After several casts and nearly every bait that I had, nothing, nada, zero, zilch, these fish were not interested in artificial lures and I didn't have any live bait. Under my breath I cursed Mother Nature. The fish were here, the conditions were perfect and I was even holding my mouth right, but no fish took my lure. I cursed Mother Nature more and louder.

Then out of nowhere, WHAM, something struck me in the left side of the face. My ball cap was knocked off as were my sunglasses. The left side of my face was covered with some kind of goop. After gathering myself I saw what had blind-sided me. It was a mullet. As a final retaliation Mother Nature had slapped me in the face. I tossed the mullet back into the water. Fish slime had gotten in my eye and my left contact lens was useless so I had to remove it. I washed my face off and put my sunglasses back on. I immediately gave my apology and return to fishing with my one good eye.

A few minutes later my rod was nearly jerked from my hand. In less than an hour I had caught my limit of specs. I made the short paddle back to the truck and loaded all my gear. As I started the two and a half hour drive back home I thought to myself that this was one of the most memorable trips that I have ever had and one thing that I will always remember is don't mess with Mother Nature.