The melt pattern is a clear indication of how water warms around shore and extends out. Great bullhead catches can be taken in open shoreline water, even while the remainder of a bay is covered in ice. The mouths of slow-moving creeks are favourites with bullhead anglers because the warmer inflows attract forage that brings in the little catfish. Anchored in the mouth of a creek or channel, with the lantern glowing, is a great way to celebrate spring on a river. Catching fish is only part of the bullheading tradition.
Spring is a time for nature's renewal and a chance to rediscover our own links to the natural world.
Humans evolved as social animals, a fact sometimes difficult to believe in our modern society, where we seldom know even our closest neighbour. A roaring fire on a riverbank brings us back to earlier times when we depended upon the people around us to survive and to flourish. Fire, water, and bullheads are basic elements that break down social barriers and have you conversing with a perfect stranger like a life-long friend. Kids also rally to this combination. They love poking the fire, reeling in fish, and bringing all kinds of young visitors into the ring.