THE MAGIC HOUR

As the sun began to fall the big girls came out to play. 22-incher pushed six pounds.

There is much to be said about the final hour of the day, the 'magic' or 'golden' hour...the twilight zone. There are some writers who claim this is the very best time to catch the big one, the mystical time when creatures great and small are stirring. New sounds from different critters are now in the mix. Nocturnal things fly about in an effort to capture insects. Bats, snakes, bugs, and more, emerge and welcome the dawning of night.

Cubbyhole at the tree root was home for some hawgs.

Places that seem normal during the day take on a whole new light when the sun is calling it quits. Night sounds take over like the drumming of cicadas. Fish can get active, too.

Day time calmness.

But despite all the lore and mystery surrounding the magic hour, I have found that, on most occassions, fishing has not always been improved or any better than many daytime efforts. Yes, the hatches are coming off and the bullfrogs are groaning, but the fishing is only marginal, sometimes shutting down completely with the falling of the sun. Some species kick it up a notch...crappies, walleyes, catfish...perhaps stripers or hybrids in some waters. Bass, however, don't always come running to the dinner bell at last light. But once in a while, they do...

Nice, late evening bass took a stick worm.

My son Matt with a Twilight Zone bass on a surface frog.

As the sun drops, senses heighten.

All creatures great and small become vulnerable.

But there is a degree of excitement, even charm that comes with fishing at the Magic Hour. It's almost like every living thing is on edge, ready to bolt, even explode, at the chance for a meal or for very survival. Sounds in the distance seem louder and movement in the brush just a little scarier. With amplification of the senses, everything seems more intense. We try to become more aware of what our surroundings are, or could be.

Sundown bass gave me a scrap. Some of the blood is mine.

Stick worm pig...16.5 inches and almost 3.5 pounds. FATSO!

Big-headed bass was gaunt and light, despite pushing 22 inches.

Doesn't look like much, but in the shade of this tree...

What is astounding to me is the fact that a Great and Merciful God created and ordained all the sights and sounds of the Magic Hour according to His hand and great detail. He created the heavens and the earth and all that they contain. His hand painted every cloud, painted all the leaves and air-brushed every blending of the colors in the twilight zone. Those big bass are but mere gifts from a gracious God who loves all of us. I like the way Psalm 19 : 4-6 explains it...

'In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun,which is like a bridegroom coming from his pavilion.
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens and makes it's circuit to the other.
Nothing is hidden from it's heat.'

Yes, the MAGIC HOUR, is always a gift from the Lord. Catching a fish is just a bonus.