My First Fishing Trip in Romania

     Last night ended late and this morning came real (reel) early.  I had signed up to go on the first NSF Deveselu fishing trip (I'd been suggesting it since right after I arrived).  So at 0900, seven of us set out with my good friend Nicu for a day of fishing just 22 miles or so from the base.

     The ride to the lake was amazing!  The sunflowers have bloomed in the week since I left.  They follow the suns journey across the sky, pointing to the east in the morning and then ending the day pointing west.  Fields and fields of sunflowers carpet the landscape around the base and stretch for miles (kilometers) as far as my weary eyes can see.

     Standing next to these gorgeous plants, I am dwarfed by even these early bloomers.  The blossom of each sunflower is larger than the size of my head!

     We arrived at the lake and I was amazed at the beauty.  Weeping willows circled the water and the grass was a vibrant green all over the surrounding hills.  The owner of the lake has this pier and several cottages for overnight stays.  Out behind the cottages, he has HUNDREDS of bee hives and BILLIONS of bees (I saw them) who go out and gather pollen from the sunflowers.  Talk about a female dominated society - the male bees fly out for dozens of kilometers, risking their lives to feed the colony and keep the Queen happy.  I guess man mimics nature.  The beekeeper then collects the honey and takes it to sell at the market.

Is this idyllic or what?

Ahhh, there's a cow in the water....a shepherd with his herd is behind the trees but this cow took a detour

Some local Romanian ducks and geese - they all quack the same though!

There's that herd of cows again.

I made a friend.  Makes me miss my Bella more though 😓

Me and Jon Hill

Our SECO

I haven't seen a frog in YEARS.  They were all out today croaking and getting froggy jiggy!

Cute little cottages

I told you there were bees - there's even more around the left side, I couldn't capture them all.

The great fisherman

Our MWR coordinator Justin

Miss Carol preparing to cast

A relaxing day of fishing beats a day in the dorm.

SECO looks at home on the shore

And the winner of the biggest fish, the most fish, the smallest fish, and the ONLY fish goes to one each - Jon Hill.

     Now it's time to eat.  Knowing we may not catch enough fish to feed everyone, our great guide Nicu, his friend Felix, and our seasoned fisherman and chef (name unknown), brought some carp, assorted vegetables, beer, and lots of fresh bread. They made us a gourmet meal fit for kings and queens.

Let's top the day with another fine Romanian beer - Timesoreana (Tim-E-shwar-A-na)

     Our chef prepared Utica - a local Romanian salsa made from roasted fresh tomatoes, parsley, onion, garlic, and a little red chili pepper.  Coupled with the breaded fish, grilled zucchini and mushrooms, and bread - it was an awesome meal.

     Here's the "Deadliest (Least Deadly) Cast" fishing crew after a long hot day of casting and reeling - we all had a great time and Jon Hill goes back with bragging rights.