Memorial Day Reflection and Fishing

HOW DO YOU CELEBRATE MEMORIAL DAY?

One of the cool things about lake living is that we get to meet lots of people who are using our ‘back yard’ for recreation – fishing, boating, kayaking, and more. On Memorial Day morning, I was hoping to meet and interview someone who I think is representative of the Memorial Day holiday – being thankful for our freedoms, and most of all, thankful to all that served to represent America and especially those that gave their lives and making the ultimate sacrifice.

This Memorial Day holiday weekend was beautiful, weatherwise, with lots of family and friends, of course, food, and activities on the lake. Late yesterday afternoon, we heard, then saw the ‘sound of freedom’ (borrowing that comment from a few retired US Air Force friends) as a C17 from nearby NC ARNG flew overhead, coming back from making an appearance over the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race in Concord.

On Memorial Day morning, I met fishermen, father and son Mike and Jason Loflin, both born and raised in Rowan County, specifically Rockwell.

Once the duo shared their names, I asked if they were brothers, I guess I made Mike’s day, as dad and proud fishing mentor. Well, it must be good Rowan living and High Rock Lake fishing, I really could not believe he was Jason’s dad. Mike is retired after 35+ years working in the fire sprinkler industry. Jason is in sales for Atlantic Coast Electric Supply.

The Loflins fish at Hight Rock four to six times a month. “We have been coming here our entire lives. High Rock is great for crappie, bass, and catfish. I just caught a good size bass, but let it go. We normally keep the catfish and crappie if the size is right, “said Jason. “The largest fish I caught in High Rock was 7.9 pounds!”

I asked why they prefer High Rock over other nearby lakes such as Badin or Norman. “That’s an easy answer, it’s quiet here. Less fishermen means more catching for us,” laughed Mike.

Normally, the father and son team put their Bass boat in at Tamarac Marina or the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission ramp at Dutch Second Creek, on Bringle Ferry Road, Salisbury. “It was pretty busy this morning, with the holiday and all. We started off a tad later than we wanted, and our normal launch site was full, guess others had the same idea as we did. So we decided to put the boat in at Southmont’s wildlife ramp. With the water so high, from all that rain we got this past week, we were a bit concerned about making it under the Hwy. 8 bridge. We did, we were happy, as our best places to fish are around the dam and coves off the main channel,” continued Jason. The pair will fish until the lake gets busier with the holiday recreational traffic likely after the lunch hour.

I asked the duo what Memorial Day means to them. “We appreciate the sacrifices our military personnel have given so we can do what we love to do,” Jason proudly shared.

AND SOON ITS FATHER’S DAY, FISHING IS GREAT FOR ALL GENERATIONS TO ENJOY TOGETHER

It was great to see dad and son fish together, and Jason shared that he and his three-year-old daughter, Madison Reese got to enjoy her first springtime fishing excursion at High Rock Lake. “Maddie’s mom (Ashley Sellers) and I have REALLY LOVED seeing her take to the water.  She has also sparked a huge interest in fishing, which makes me A HAPPY DAD!  She caught her first fish all by herself on our last trip out!” declared Jason.    

I would love to hear from you on what your favorite lake activity is, or someone that you would like me to feature in 2022. Please email me at highrock@YourRowan.com.

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