The traditional Chinese medicine rice for making wine appeared like caviar, each grain full, crystal clear, shining with a rouge red light.

With this appearance, it's more than qualified not only for wild fishing but even for use in high-level competitive platform fishing.

Aside from the rice for making wine, the production of fermented corn in old jars went very smoothly. The ideas were all set; all that remained was to get the dosage right and streamline the process, which was a minor issue for Yu Dong, a professional.

The first batch of new models, once fermented, had a robust and authentic aroma that was even softer and richer than Zhang Yang's impression of the old jar corn from the West Wind in his past life.

The results were promising in the lab's control group test; the specific practical ideas would need adjustment during warm outdoor field experiments later.

The two main products initially took shape, and there's no need to talk about the hand bait. Following Zhang Yang's chosen flavor direction, the three universal bait formulas for wild fishing had been completed.

After handling the preparation and initial research of these new products, time unknowingly moved to April.

As Qingming approached, the earth warmed, and more and more people went outdoor fishing. Zhang Yang finally saw a piece of fish news worth exploring in the fishing group.

About 100 kilometers from W City, Xiaolou Reservoir in Wen City opened its gates; according to the group anglers, the spring fishing situation at the reservoir was very good!

The afternoon he received the news, Zhang Yang informed his parents.

When going fishing, Zhang Yang entrusted the small shop's business to his mom, while his dad, already the key overseer at the bait factory, mostly spent time in the production workshop.

Early the next day, Zhang Yang drove with Xiao Yi to Xiaolou Reservoir. Having not fished properly for nearly two and a half months, Zhang Yang was incredibly eager for this fishing start.

This time, only Zhang Yang and Xiao Yi went out to film wild fishing content in the reservoir, making it seem quieter than the bustling large group trips before.

Still, Zhang Yang enjoyed this fishing trip a lot.

With fewer people, it's easier to pack light. Zhang Yang preferred to fish low-key, as too many people and opinions would disrupt filming plans.

Besides passion, Zhang Yang's fishing now had clear objectives. The new wild fishing column's premiere episode wasn't uploaded yet, and Zhang Yang wanted to make a strong impression with it.

At dawn, with equipment and cameras packed, they headed straight for Xiaolou Reservoir.

After roughly two hours of driving, Zhang Yang and Xiao Yi arrived at Xiaolou Village, where Xiaolou Reservoir is located.

Driving through village roads, Zhang Yang consulted a local and quickly found the reservoir at the southeast corner of the village.

Compared to Qianjin Reservoir, where they played for a long time last spring, Xiaolou Reservoir was much smaller.

Standing above the man-made dam, looking down, the reservoir was about eighty acres, forming a fairly regular trapezoidal shape. Except for the northern side, the east, south, and west sides were flanked entirely by neat man-made dams.

It was already seven thirty. Zhang Yang glanced around and noticed at least twenty or thirty cars parked alongside the production road atop the dam, with about twenty or thirty anglers fishing near the west and north banks.

Spring fishing aims for sunny, sheltered spots; you could tell from the anglers' position choices.

"Let's go, Xiao Yi, grab your gear, get out of the car!" Zhang Yang called out, opening the trunk to take out the gear.

"Brother Yang, we came a bit late today!" Xiao Yi placed the camera around his neck and looked around.

Zhang Yang grinned: "No worries, such a large reservoir, fewer people than a black pit! First unload the gear, then consult the reservoir owner about the rules!"

"Okay!"

In a jiffy, Zhang Yang carried his fishing box and gear bag toward the three small mud houses on the north bank of the reservoir area.

From afar, he saw a simple courtyard marked off with bamboo poles and iron nets, where the reservoir's owner likely lived.

While Zhang Yang was unloading the car, the owner inside had already noticed the new anglers.

As Zhang Yang reached the door, it swung open, and a fifty-something, gray-haired middle-aged man stepped out.

"Fishing, young man?"

"Yes, sir! First time here. What's the fishing situation in the reservoir now? How much is the fee? What are the rules?" Zhang Yang politely offered the man a cigarette while seeking information.

"In spring, mainly carp! A hundred yuan for twelve hours, no reels on casting rods, no length limit on rods! You keep the fish!"

The reservoir owner lit Zhang Yang's cigarette slowly, expressing.

"You see, we came late to start fishing. Perhaps give us a discount since we traveled over 100 kilometers from W City!" Zhang Yang continued.

Perhaps the cigarette eased the reservoir owner's guard, along with Zhang Yang looking young, deterring his alertness.

"Minimum's still a hundred! The large carp have been coming out pretty well in the last three to four years!"

"Deal! Here's the money!" Zhang Yang promptly finished the negotiation, paid cash immediately.

After paying and gathering preliminary information from the reservoir owner, Zhang Yang led the way to the water's edge on the north bank.

Descending from the dam was steep, about thirty degrees, but the area hadn't been paved, so there was plenty of short grass, making it easy to walk.

Zhang Yang quickly got to the water, set down his gear but didn't rush to cast or bait, instead tucked his sleeves and strolled toward the nearby anglers.

"Hello, brother, when did you start? How's the fishing?" Zhang Yang politely struck up a conversation.

At a reservoir, even strangers appreciate friendly chatter.

The person eyed Zhang Yang and answered, "Less than an hour with the rod, bait's not soaking yet! Came for the second time, had a decent haul the day before, about thirty to forty pounds of carp!"

"Thirty to forty pounds? Not bad at all! How's the size?" Zhang Yang praised while offering another cigarette.

"Three to four ounces smaller, over a pound larger! Also snagged a few golden carps, around two and a half pounds!" The person accepted Zhang Yang's cigarette and briefly described the fish types.

"Using maggots?"

"Yes! Maggots! Rarely small fish disturbing here!"

"Thank you!"

"You're welcome!"

...

After a brief chat, Zhang Yang strolled over to the western anglers.

Using similar inquiry techniques yielded information similar to the first individual.

The only difference was the east bank anglers caught more than the north bank; supposedly the most, with swapping continuously over a day and a night, caught over 160 pounds of carp.

This matched the fishing group's information closely, easing Zhang Yang's mind.

However, on the way back, Zhang Yang puzzled over one thing.

The anglers who came earlier had baited for almost two hours, yet nobody had much activity or caught fish!

Recent weather had been steady, the bait's effect should have manifested faster. Zhang Yang didn't dwell on it further and returned to prepare for fishing.

The reservoir's fish were primarily carp, so baiting naturally called for the rice for making wine.

Zhang Yang opened a pound bag of upgraded rice for making wine into a basin, mixed in some yellow clay and commercial bait from the bank, and prepared a long-lasting bottom bait for carp.

With no one on either side, Xiao Yi helped arrange the fishing platform; Zhang Yang used a moderately 4.5-meter rod, setting up right by the water's edge.

After locating the bottom, tuning floats, and completing the setup, Zhang Yang began today's fishing.