FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

Weather

81/45.  Sunny skies.  Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. (A basic carbon copy of Monday and Wednesday, except the wind did not blow even a little.  How about cooling off?  Not a chance.)

Lake Level

Wednesday 95.31.  Today 95.27 msl.

Activity Times

Major 11:01 am to 1:01 pm.

************The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

*************

While still sick of the weather pattern I decided to go ahead and fish Friday morning.  The lake conditions are still the same, though the slow decline continues.  The water temp was down to 72 at daylight and it was a little brisk on the morning ride.  But again, it was dead calm, and I mean flat with not a breath of wind.

My day started off with a bang when a big one smashed the buzzbait on the first point I fished.  When going for a picture, oops, left the SD card in the computer so no picture.  Of course the minute I dropped him back in the lake my old brain went you have your phone.  But us oldsters are still learning to adapt to the new days so at least I got a couple of pics later.

One of 4 off a short stretch.

The buzzbait only produced one more halfhearted bite so time for the swim jig.  But the fishing was tough and it was a while before the next one.  My magic tree was empty, the deep brush that has had them was empty, so it was trolling motor down and just cover the miles.

One short flurry on the swim jig.

The surprise, the bite came on a flat mud bank in about 3′ of water.  They were pounding the swim jig and 5 jumped on and I missed a couple.  The best I can figure is it was a calm bank with the sun shining right on it.  Maybe the little cool evening slowed them down and there was some crawdads or shad warming on the sunny bank.  So that should have been a clue, right?  Nope.

For the next 2 hours not a bite.  In fact it was so slow finally headed back down to see if there were a few white bass feeling like cooperating.  Then the big surprise, in a couple of hours only one really small bass jumped on trolling shad crankbaits.  At that point the relator let us know the offer was accepted so I called it a day.  It might have been one of the overall slowest days in a long time.  But this weather pattern is not the best and obviously I do not have them cornered.  But I will keep after it until the trucks are loaded and we hit the road.  The memories made on Coleto will always be treasured and during the heyday I put untold big bass in the boat.  Just maybe there will be one more for the road.

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I love getting pictures and reports from readers and here is a perfect example of some good ones.  This band of oldsters has been putting the hurt on them and wanted to let you see.  But as my practice has been you send them and I don’t tell.  But suffice to say they had a good day.

That is a real one!

Did you say flounder?

As a side note my buddy had some trolling motor troubles, so he took it to Tejas Boat Works a Victoria company that is a certified Minn Kota service center and he had nothing but good things to say about them.  I will get by there and meet them and fill you in after I do.

The tug is the drug.

Last week my buddy had trolling motor troubles so he dropped it off for repair.  What makes that story interesting is he had a backup trolling motor which many of us do so he put that on the boat and fishing he went.  It looks like the same switch that failed on his other one locked in reverse, so they spent the day going backwards which he reported was “interesting”.  But that is the way with us who fish, we get it done one way or the other.  Hopefully I am progressing enough to join folks one day soon.   Good job and thanks for the pics it got my blood flowing this morning.

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And to you all who have sent additional well wishes thanks they are so appreciated.  I decided not to post them as it would seem self-serving but suffice to say they are humbling.  I am getting a little better but still not perfecct.  But I am thankful things are looking up.  Still a ways to go but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

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And I am happy to report we have one more thing off our plate. we accepted an offer on the house.  Now the usual inspection and assorted things to be done by the buyer and if all goes well we will close on December 18th, which is perfect.  Close, then the Boss works her last day and we are finally out of here.  So holding our breath it all works out as planned.

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Monday looks a little sketchy with some rain in the forecast with high winds as the front blows through.  But the plan is to be on the water early looking for the big bite.  So keep on stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

If I was not jonesing to fish it would not be happening tomorrow.  It is too nice if that is possible.  Fortunately, the week ahead looks perfect.  Some clouds with a little rain and wind, perfect for the fall bite and I will be hard at it.  But with the fishing being what it is who knows, maybe it will be a good day.  The swim jig will get the majority of the work tomorrow, just have to concentrate on cover.  One thing I am thinking of doing before I hit the road is share all “my spots” and what I have learned over the last 15 years, I hate to have it go to waste.  Not sure how I will do that but mulling it over.

Weather

89/53.  Sunny, along with a few afternoon clouds. Very warm. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.  (A basic carbon copy of Monday.  How about the wind blowing and cooling off?  Not a chance.)

Lake Level

Today 95.31  Yesterday 95.31 msl.

Activity Times

Major 9:10 am to 11:10 am.

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Other than a 3 – 5 degree drop in the water temp depending on where you were today was a carbon copy of Monday.  It was definitely cooler and I barely had enough shirt on for the ride, but it is a sign of things to come.  I hate to bitch about the weather when it is so nice but the picture below is the most wind I saw today.  But it sure was nice not to battle the fog.

When you are glad to be alive this makes your day!

Instead of starting down lake with the buzzbait I headed up to try it there which was obviously the wrong choice.  While 5 jumped on it was not as good as Monday.  The weather of lack of it could have had as much to do with a shorter morning bite.  I stayed with it a little to long but as the last hurrah is right around the corner I gave it the good go.

Best I could manage on the buzzbait.

After that it was the swim jig and it turned out to be almost a complete bust.  One smacked it fairly hard and did not hook up, but clearly my fault as I was late on the hook set.  It was a little surprising but oh well, it is fishing.

3 pitching plastics to wood.

It was getting later in the morning so time for the old standbys with mixed result.  My magic tree which produced 4 the other day was empty, surprising this time of year but with no wind and mile high sky you never know.  Other than my plans to troll back time for one of my most consistent banks, deep water with brush.  So pitched the beaver style bait and 3 jumped on in that short stretch.

His twin on back-to-back casts.

The claims made by many tackle companies are just hype, but not in the case of the Berkley beaver.  Their claim that fish hold on to it like some ridiculous 8x longer is actually the case.  When pitching it they often swim right out of the brush, maybe because they want to get away from their buddies, but they really do hold on to it longer.  You can actually let them swim just a little bit to make sure they have it than set the hook.  Often you do not feel the bite it just starts moving or goes slack and it is nice to be able to play a game of touchy feely that with other baits is often the kiss of death.

To finish off the day time for a little trolling to the ramp.  Today the rattle trap put 3 in the boat and only one small hit on the Bang O Lure.  One advantage of trolling is you get a feel where the fish are, and today it was 2o feet in areas where the channel dropped off.  No white bass but I did lose a big crappie and what was probably a catfish.  One area near the discharge cove gave up a bass both days, not a bank you would normally expect to catch them but they were visible on the locator.  You just never know.

************The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

*************

So while it was slow it is not surprising.  As clear as the water is it needs either the wind or some clouds, and both at the same time sure helps.  Now the good news, next week looks totally perfect.  Cloudy with rain chances, some wind, Monday thru Wednesday looks fabulous.  I am going to give it a rest the next few days and do a little more packing, then Monday it is on and one of those days will be epic.  Coleto is setting up for some great fishing and it sure would be nice to end my time here with a couple of really good days.  But with a month to go it will happen, thats what makes us fishermen – tomorrow, one more cast, a different bait, we just keep on going.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

Finally after weeks I will be heading to the lake in the morning.  While my eyelids are still not perfect it has been a major improvement.  Not sure if the fishing is worth a hoot but who cares.  And the Boss wants a fish fry so will end the day trolling up some supper.

Weather

88/56.  A few passing clouds, otherwise generally sunny. Continued very warm.  Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.

Lake Level

Today 95.31 msl.  last time I fished 6 weeks ago 96.23 msl.  (Almost a foot, can’t wait to see the ramp.)

Activity Times

Major 7:30 am to 9:30 am.  Minor 2:20 pm to 3:20.

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I am finally starting to get a little relief.  The medicine is starting to work, and while not perfect I can finally drive so I headed to the lake like a big boy.  It would be impossible to tell you how I feel but it looks like I am getting my life back with the least amount of hassle considering.  So the fish on Coleto better look out because we have 6 weeks to go and I intend to make them pay.

The lake is definitely down, but the color is awesome over most of the lake.  The water temp was 77 – 80 degrees and the wind was light and never did get over 5 mph.  It was foggy as all get out when I got there at daylight and it was a little bit before I could leave the ramp.  If the lake keeps dropping the ramp could be an issue at some point to come.

Love the early morning buzzbait bite.

Until the fog lifted at 9:30 5 jumped on the buzzbait including 3 that measured.  They were on steeper banks with wood and were pulling it under.  I preach all the time about holding the rod level and pointing it straight at the bait.  When they do that pull under thing you have a tight line which gives you the chance to stick em.  It was fun so next up time to throw some plastics.

I hit my magic tree and caught 4 off it in nothing flat, one of those was a keeper so things were looking up.  Since I was just wanting to see what was happening I switched to the swim jig and they liked that.

The swim jig did its part.

They were definitely eating the swim jig.  They hit it pretty good and I maybe missed one and boated 5 of which another couple were keepers.  While a big fish did not jump on considering no wind and high sky the results were promising.  As it was getting hot time to do a little trolling on the way to the ramp.  And that worked.

And the Bang O Lure added a couple on the way in.

4 jumped on, 2 on a shad crankbait and 2 on the Bang O Lure.  Trolling gave me a chance to see where the fish were in the water column, and most were shallower than 15′.     It was a little surprising to catch a couple as the Bang O Lure only runs about 5′.  The nice thing about the white bass, besides he is on the plate tonight is it was a little bigger than the average for Coleto.  It just might be a good year for them and the time is coming.

All I have to say about the fishing today is it was so good to be back.  Now it will be watching the weather for that cloudy rainy day, and it will be a killing.

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Jingle Bells

Home Sweet Home.

Thanks to Linda the neighbor across the street for this.  Winter had finally arrived in Colorado and we are so ready to head back for good.  We love our neighborhood walks in the snow, quiet and stunning.  With few folks around it is a winter wonderland but there will be plenty of snow to blow as soon as we get there.  But the snowblower is staged when the garage door opens and in no time flat the drive is clear.

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Wildlife News

Texas –  A new case of chronic wasting disease has been found in a new county in Texas.  I can rant and rave all I want but again TPWD continues to allow captive deer breeding.  Good luck to all you whitetail hunters the future is not a bright as you might think.  When the state says the incubation period might be years remember the inactivity if it goes to shit.

Colorado  –  A voter initiative on the state ballot to outlaw the hunting of mountain lions was soundly defeated.  It had no basis in scientific fact and deserved to lose.  There was never a dispute that there are plenty of lions in Colorado.  Sorry all you tree huggers but lions are not pretty kitties that you can pet when they appear on your porch.  In fact, pet is the operative word, it is your pet they are after.  I always come down on the side of all stake holders having a say, and the issue is dead in Colorado.

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Good Questions – Impossible to really answer.

I’m planning a fishing trip to Alaska next year—dream come true! Any advice on gear or spots I shouldn’t miss? The colder climate will be a new experience for me.

That is not something I can really answer for you but as far as gear there are 2 things I would not go without.  But do your research until you are blue in the face.

1.  A real rain suit.  And I do not mean Frogg Togs, a real heavy duty that will keep you dry and also act as an outer shell so when you layer you do not have to take a big ass coat.  Add a couple of good gloves maybe one heavier set another maybe the wool with open fingers.  And of course, some waterproof boots.  The weather can change in an instant and you can always take it off but wet and cold will spoil the day.  Chances are it will rain one or every day.
2. A quality point and shoot camera with a built-in telephoto lens.  Easy to fit in your pocket, preferably waterproof.  Easy for some quick CPR fish pics.  And be sure to buy a new SD card that you can save your trip on and after downloading to your computer you can save it just in case.  Be sure to label it.  And always have it on you, the wildlife is amazing including in town.
3. Not knowing your where and how plans as far as tackle if I had to cover as many bases as possible it would be a 4-piece 6 weight fly rod and would wait until I got there to buy flies depending on what you are after.  Then a 3-piece good quality spinning rod and reel that can hold 10 – 2olb line depending on what you are chasing.    As most of it is trout or salmon again buy your tackle there.  Might be a little more expensive but at least it will be based on local knowledge.  (Sharp hooks etc are not welcome on the plane.)
4. As far as where just go anywhere and do anything you can, the options are endless.  Big wild rainbows and dolly varden, or salmon depending on which one is on the run.  Do your research on what you want to catch, do, or see at the time you are there.  The fishing is endless depending on your willingness’ to travel or spend money on guides.  Only you can decide how you spend your time.  But no matter what it is a true bucket list trip, good luck.

Here is the link to our trip.  Flossing the Kenai 6/29/2022. | Fish Catching Travel

EASIER TO ANSWER

Nothing beats the taste of freshly caught fish cooked over an open fire It’s a real treat after a long…

You are so right.  I started cooking shore lunch when I guided in the 70’s and 80’s.  whether on an island in the White River when guiding for trou or at a campsite at lakeside I have cooked hundreds of shore lunches.  I always kept it simple, dredge in egg and then shake in a bag with cornmeal, flour, and whatever seasoning sounded good.  It tastes as good today as it did decades ago, as in the fish fry we had tonight.

These questions came from the following site, one of the best places on the planet to catch your fish of a lifetime.  In fact, when I fished that area I caught so many big Mahi I put the rod down and said let’s go back to the sailfish.   Thanks for the comments.

The Dream Girl Charters | Fishing Costa Rica | Puntarenas Province, Playa Herradura, Los Sueños, Costa Rica

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Aransas Wildlife Refuge

As part of the leaving Texas tour we headed to the refuge to see if the Whoopers were there yet.  At the gate they told us only a few were around and not in an area where the public can go.  But with the storms up north I figured they should be there and of all things a giant bunch showed up while we were there.  They should be easy to find now that it looks like the big body of them have arrived.

Here they come.  One of the great birds of North America.

There is very little water in the ponds and consequently nowhere near the number of gators we usually see.  But at least one big boy was in their usual sunning spot.

Not a giant but he had some shoulders.

The big lake is almost dry but the deer and hogs were loving it.

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Thanks

To all of you who commented or texted in my time of woe a big thanks.  I admit it was scary, and it was so hard not to always think the worst.  We are so lucky it has come out this way, not sure I deserve it but will take it.  So life goes on and today I am going to head to the garage and mess around with the boat.  And if all goes well I will be back on the water first of next week.  (Today.) Our life will be taking a big shift as will the blog and I so appreciate those of you who have read this stuff for the last 14 years.  All who know me will not be surprised that I won’t shut up until the bitter end.  Thanks it was good to know you are out there.

The best thing about this morning is the Boss will finally not have to drive me everywhere.  There is still some to go but as the medicine continues to work we are so hopeful.  Plus it is time to fish and by God I am going to fish until I drop which looks like may be later than sooner.  I can never tell you how appreciative I am for everything including you who follow the blog.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

It Is Never To Late  –  Do Not Let it Immobilize You.

After multiple Doctors, tests, it looks like I have skated by again.  We (The Boss) have worked our ass off to get to what we thought was the finish line.  Beautiful house in one of the great places on this earth, basically debt free, new boat, good health, it was all perfect for her to retire at the end of December.  It was all laid out clear as a bell, then potential disaster.  It is hard to tell you how awful not being able to open your eyes, much less drive and live your life is until it is taken away from you.  The timing could not have been worse with the move planned for the end of December.  A lifetime of work and planning seemed down the drain, plans in jeopardy, so unfair and so depressing.  But as we have always done, we put on our big boy pants and got to work.

Starting with Dr. Mccoullough of South Texas Eye Center in Victoria we began step one, figuring out what might be happening to me.  And let me say he is one of the most caring and wonderful men I have ever dealt with in the medical community.  He called it (More on that later) and boy was he right.  Next was finding a neurologist, which you would think was an easy task, not so.  90 days, 120 days, 6 months, they all said, though the ones in Victoria were not interested in helping me at all.  This is where the Boss took charge.  She worked the phones and found Dr. Rohit Kuruvilla in Houston who agreed to see me in a week.  (It is so depressing that if not for him and the Boss I would have been disabled for many months until someone would actually see me.  That is the best we can do in America?  Shame.)  Dr. Mccoullough actually took it upon himself to call Dr. Kuruvilla personally before my appointment and fill him in on his findings.  So with hope and fear we kept our appointment.

Basically the eye droop can be several things from ocular myasthenia gravis (Only affecting the muscles to the eye lid.) to MS and other places in between including a brain tumor.   The best and most treatable option was MG.  So the plan, first an MRI, and again the Boss stepped up.  She was able to get the MRI scheduled in Victoria so our friend could read it and save us a trip back to Houston.  While there we had fancy blood work that had to be sent off which would be telling.  So other than my head is empty, happens after quitting the practice of law, only old man changes we all experience so good results on the MRI.  Then today it happened, the lab work is back, and it is MG, which Dr.Mccoullough called early on.  There is medication for that I will start today and it will work quickly and we will get our life back.  I am so thankful to the physicians who helped me, and to the Boss who kept the process moving at a pace I could never have accomplished myself, much less has driven me for weeks now.  So in a matter of days I will be back to normal, at least as normal as I can be, and our life is back on overdrive.

Sorry for the long post but here is the reason for the title.  On many things it is never to late, back to law school for me in my late 30’s, the Boss to PA school in her 40’s there are so many things in our lives that we can change.  Start that business, make a move, go back to school it is all good, but I have learned another life lesson.  All the planning in the world does not mean there are no bumps in the road.  We were so looking forward to spending time exploring and traveling and enjoying our mountain home, but it could have all been gone in the blink of an eye.  You can work all you want, chase the almighty dollar, just one more day of this or that, but never forget the end game.  If this had gone another way I would be giving it all back for one more day with the Boss doing our thing.  In a couple of hours I start the medication and next week out comes the little Lund and I am going to beat some fish senseless.  I am one lucky guy.

************The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

*************

Not exactly sure when I will fish next week but the Doc said the medication would start working right away with results in days so I will try not to jump the gun.  This has been one of the longest periods in my life without a fishing rod in my hands and looks like I am back in business.  I won’t even bitch about the $17 ramp fee until we leave.  Never fail to appreciate what you have.  And to my lovely wife you are the bomb, and I am so thankful that you like me in spite of me being me.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

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Last Call

Last week there was enough snow that fell on the high mountains that Wolf Creek Pass right above the house got 28″ and is the first ski area in the state to open.  And with that first snow the migration from the high country will begin.

We are leaving Saturday morning first thing so Friday will be all about getting ready to come back one last time before the big move. A morning drive was on the menu for one last time as when we return it will be a totally different place.  The weather is stunning, and this time of year is my favorite in the Rockies.

Cool animals are found in cool places.  This is over 10,000 feet with snow on the mountains.  This is where we see the most moose, just not today.

On our drives we have stuff we want to see or hope to see, but you never know.  They are wild animals.  Today we hoped for a moose but one thing about our favorite drive, sheep are always on the list along with all the deer you want with a coyote or two thrown in.  This morning it was sheep.

Talk about a big boy, what a body on him.

Love was in the air.

There were 3 rams, but the big boy was getting all the action.

The girls were running for their life.  We all know how those “boys” are.

This little guy was getting no love.

When I made the same drive last week nobody was out.  But there was a show high up meaning winter is coming and once it gets here it is on.  The snow is on the peaks and the temp is getting cooler every morning.  With that the elk and sheep become a little more accessible.  After leaving the highway and heading on gravel we hoped to see a moose.  Unfortunately, we did not see any, but spotting stuff is often a matter of luck, just a turn of the head.

Once we got high up we went past the elk guides preparing for camp.  There were 4 or 5 with their mules and horses getting ready to hit the real high country, which in that area is the Weminuche Wilderness area in the San Juan National Forest.  On the continental divide it is a no motor of any sort area.  It is vast and wild, with some of the biggest mule deer and elk in the state.  So I am sure there are some hunters headed this way as the season opens on the 26th.  Let the games begin.

As we continued up, we came around a corner near the lake and the sheep gods smiled on us again.

There was a good dozen, all ewes and yearlings.

The let us watch them for quite a while.  They were cautious but as long as we made no quick moves we were able to get really close.  This high up this time of year other than hunters there is little traffic.  And traffic today was below us as that is the access to the wilderness.  Hard to describe how high and wild that area is.

I never get tired of Bighorn Sheep.  They were the animal of my dreams when I was a kid now I am living that dream.

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Fall in the Rockies.  This is in the valley.

While the does and small bucks have been around the house the big boys have been scarce.  Not sure if it is the weather is the issue but the mule deer are not in full rut like they were last year at this time.  But with the weather change coming to the mountains next week that will increase.  It sure is fun to watch them spar.  On the way to the house we spotted these 2.

A respectable buck.

This was his buddy about 40 feet away.

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An act of skullduggery.

So I am working in the yard and minding my own business when I find that we had been trespassed.  There before my eyes was a blatant attempt to slowly infest my property with a Giggin’.  Luckily only steps away in the truck I had the antidote.

Respect my authority!

A word of warning for future trespassers, Tusker is alert and will protect the property from sliding into the abyss known as College Station.  And of course, I know who the culprit is and I must admit he knows his football along with his way around a boat.  Truthfully, I appreciate the gesture, and it has a place on the stone wall.  Thanks, it made my day.

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The Truck Just Went This Way

It all started when I went to the store to pick up a couple of leaders and a fly or two.  From that point I was headed to Beaver Lake to catch a few rainbows but the truck had other ideas.  The lake is on the road that is one of my favorite drives and instead of stopping I just kept going.

How could I not keep going?

The drive takes me way the freak up there to Summitville.  A gold mining area it is now a Super Fund debacle that has cost over $200 million to clean up and is still ongoing.  But that is a topic for another day.  Today it was all about the Aspens, it does not get any prettier in Colorado than right now.

Awesome everywhere you look.

My limited photography skills do not do it justice.

It was 62 at the house when I left.  Getting higher and higher that temp began to drop until it hit 37 degrees and my first taste of winter.

Winter is right around the corner in the Rockies.

With the winter coming it will not be long before some of the roads are closed or impassable.  And here is your clue what happens.

They are not kidding.

I did see a few mule deer, including one of the biggest bucks I have seen when he crossed in front of the truck.  Unfortunately, with my right eye patched I could not find him in the woods for a picture.  Plus not having my wing man with me it is a lot tougher to get the shot.  More on that when I head up searching for the sheep.

This is one of the reasons we love the high mountains.

Winter is coming!

The point of this is when we get back it will be winter.  Many of the roads we love will be closed until at least May 1 or even later. But with winter comes herds of elk, sheep, and moose.  On our drive today we had a herd of mule deer led by a big buck cross the highway which had plenty of traffic.  That was followed by another herd of mule deer.  Man are there lost of deer here.

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Now the Bad News

I had been having some serious trouble with my eyes and saw the eye guy a couple of times for double vision and a dropping eye lid before I came out here.  I was able to patch one eye and drive without any issues.  Unfortunately, since I got out here it has gone downhill drastically.  Thank goodness the Boss is out here to drive me back because when it comes down to it driving is now impossible.  I cannot tolerate light, fishing is impossible much less reading and writing as one eye has now completely closed, the other is headed that way.  How quickly it happened is worrisome.  Of course we have done our research and combined with what the eye guy says it is not good.  As you have seen me write in the past:  Just put on your big boy pants and deal and deal we will.

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News Flash

The neighbor lady across the street who has lived here for years dropped by with a pie as I write this.  When she was talking to the Boss apparently we have a great big bear roaming the neighborhood the last couple of nights.  She said she went to Denver and forgot to put away her bird feeder and he came and trashed it.  The last 2 nights he has been on the camera coming back and making sure there is no more bird feed.  She also said the lion sightings in the area were up.  I wondered what triggered the bears to hit the den but with this amazing weather they are still out and about.  Never a dull moment in South Fork.

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Thanks to those of you who noticed I was absent.  That is why it has been while since I wrote but it is a real effort.  Sorry for the errors but it is what it is.  Who knows what is to come next, but we should have some answers by the end of next week.  We are lucky to have been able to see the eye doc on Monday then off to Houston on Wednesday to see the neurologist. No guess what kinds of diabolical tests are coming but if it is an MRI of my head it will bring to mind the great quote from NY Yankee Dizzy Dean; “The doctors x-rayed my head and found nothing.”  It may be a while before you here from me but I will get back with you.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

It is so good to be back in the mountains.  The weather is beautiful, the aspens are in full color, and all is right with the world.  Yesterday after doing a few things around the house it was time to make a quick trip right down the road to check my brown trout honey hole.  Suffice to say it was all good.

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Brown Trout Beat Down

This was a stud.

Since I have not gotten the fly rods out yet, that is going to happen as soon as I share this.  Though the river is down some it is not terribly low and it should be good with the buggy whip later today.

You can’t beat this guy for color!

Since I was at the “honey hole” it was the old standbys – small floating Rapala in the brown trout color and the hand tied olive jig.  Both produced in the usual order, catch a few on the Rapala until they get tired of it then back up with the jig.  It works like a charm.

They come in all sizes and colors.

It was 6 or 7 and as an average they were nice and the 3 above were solid.  It is so fun on 4lb line and a UL rod, they put up a great fight.  Today a couple exploded out of the water and put on a show.  It was everything that drew us here and when it is just right down the road from the house who could ask for more.

What in the Sam hell is this?  Turns out it is a white sucker.  Hate to say it but it fought like a bulldog, and I was disappointed it was not a brown.

I felt one on, never felt the hit, and the fight was on.  It stayed deep and bulldogged and I had visions of a really big brown.  As it headed into the net it was like what the heck is that?  So after a little reading it was a white sucker.  The mouth was obviously a sucker fish and apparently they are fairly common in the rivers.  On that note I called it a real success and headed back to the ranch.  Time to get the long rod out and have a go at it tomorrow.

************The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

*************

Can I please finish my breakfast for God’s sake?  I guess not.

Every morning it is the parade of wildlife as the turkeys come down the mountain off the roost, and the deer just come from everywhere.  You can tell which turkeys roost together as they come in bunches headed to the feeding hot spot close to the backyard.  Every morning it is 20 – 50 as they pour out of the mountain.  But today it was nothing short of a mule deer extravaganza.

10 feet from the kitchen window.

Feeding under our windmill.

These were all taken while my breakfast got cold.  They just kept coming.  There were plenty of does and the bucks followed.  While they interact some the rut is not in full spring, but man were the bucks in the backyard.

Hey!  Did you hear that?

Looking for the girls.

These were all taken out the kitchen window.  I forgot the spare battery and charger for the good camera, so these were taken with a 200mm on the Canon, which is no downstream camera.  When all the action takes place feet from the house it will do.  Why having two is important, you never know what might happen, so it pays to be prepared.

Marking my territory.

Breakfast.

Observing so many mule deer give me a chance to start recognizing individuals.  The does still have their young of the year with them and seems like most have 2 and unless one has adapted a spare there is one doe with 3.  And during all this one fawn had a serious case of the zoomies.  At first I wondered if it was being chased but after 3 back and forth trips it was just having a big time.

The boy showed up in force this morning.

A stud!  There were plenty of does this morning but I am horn obsessed.  

The last couple of mornings a buck who has been by himself as he walked up the hill.  He has an obvious limp on a front leg.  While not really bad it is nowhere as bad as the doe that was in the yard yesterday.  As she headed up the mountain she could barely put down a front leg.  It is a tough world out there and there is no way she make the winter.  In fact, as there were a couple of lion kills above the house last year she may not make the week.  But the circle of life continues, and it is my absolute pleasure to see it unfold right in front of my eyes.

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Lions

Those of you who read this know that I am a big public lands guy.  I love the wide-open spaces for all to use, and if it is legal have at it.  So I am watching the Colorado ballot initiative where the state will vote to outlaw the taking of lions and bobcats.  In Colorado lions are game animals that have a season and require a tag.  The vote, and it only takes a majority to pass will outlaw any method. There is no debate that there are thousands of lions in the state.  The game and fish have not taken a stand, at least not publicly.  It seems to be based on nothing more than they do not want them hunted, no real scientific justification.  But that is what makes Colorado what it is, the vote for the wolves is a perfect example.  I would vote against it, but I have always believed that all the stake holders should have a say, so just have to see how it comes out.

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I did not plan on posting today but decided to get these up before heading out.  First stop is the store to pick up some leaders for the fly rod, then maybe head to the lake and catch some supper.  We are so lucky to have scored this house.  The Boss kept an eye on our options for years and we could not have gotten any luckier if we tried.  So until she gets here next week I will run wild, I am one lucky guy.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

After a long haul with the trailer, the only time that will happen with our move, I am back in the Rockies.  My buddy Mike came over and helped me unload then finish the last few feet of gutter.  I spent the weekend getting things in shape, glad that there were no issues with the house.  While I expected none it was nice the heat worked the water was on and the only issue was the yard needed a little cleaning up.  But winter is on the way so that is done until next spring.

The Best Yard in the World.

Plenty of bucks around and now that I am done with the work time to chase the big ones.

The first morning here the Boss called on her way to work and as I was looking out the back windows like I do here comes a really big silver coyote.  He stopped and looked back down the mountain but before I could get the camera he was gone.  Living here is hard, every time you get up it pays to look out both front and back, you never know what you will see.

Necks are starting to swell but at least the last 2 days have not seen them rutting yet, but the weather sure is nice.

Lots of these medium sized guys around.

The bucks are still hanging together, at least they seem to be well behaved.  Just this morning on the way to turn in the trailer there was a bunch of deer, including does and bucks all together.  It looks like a big winter front is coming next week some time and I expect the action to pick up.

************The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

*************

Our yard in a turkey factory.  30 feet out the back door.

They come through every day, literally dozens of them.  Unfortunately, in the morning they are backlit, but no complaints just love watching and listening to them.  

Right after talking to the Boss that morning here they came.  It was at least 50 plus coming down off the mountain headed to the neighborhood.  While it is illegal to feed them in Colorado tell that to the old folks here.  It sure makes the viewing awesome and it is animal heaven all winter.

Not too bad, nice and high.

A halfhearted rubbing.

Today I am going to get the fishing stuff organized then finish up a couple of things in the house before heading off to the river to check it out.  The Rio fishing is just for catch and release of the brown trout as far as I am concerned, so later I might head to one of the lakes to catch a little supper.  Then it is time to head north and see if the sheep are down.  It is good to be back, we are counting the days until the move is permanent.  Now that I am settled in it will be back to posting and can’t wait until next week when the Boss arrives.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

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The last few weeks has been a real pain in my rear end.  The double vision thing was awful, and it seemed we had it fixed but things started going haywire again.  It has gotten to the point I can only drive with one eye open with the new glasses.  The Boss read that that the condition can right itself and maybe it has happened.  I am now wearing the old glasses and don’t feel like throwing up.  And of course, during that mess I got a real butt kicking flu.  Name an unpleasant symptom and I had it.  This getting old thing is the pits and definitely not for the weak.  The only option is to soldier on, so I decided to make a quick run to the lake this morning, it was tough, both the fishing and the eyeball thing.  At least back to the doctor next week to see what has changed and get ready to hit Colorado next week.  But for the next few days should be home bound unless something changes.  (Don’t mean to whine but it has sucked.)

Weather

68/94.  A mix of clouds and sun. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph.

Lake Level

9 days ago.  96.51 msl.     Today 96.23 msl.  (The slow steady decline continues.  It is about to drop past the end of the piers.  It could get ugly soon if we do not get some water.)

Bite Times

Major 7:34 am to 8:34 am.  (Right on, too bad it did not last.)

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There was a light breeze as predicted when dropping the boat in at daylight.  The water color is clear as a bell down lake and has some real color up lake.  The temp ranged from 89 at the ramp to 82 way up lake so it has dropped just a hair.  But the real issue, the lake level is dropping fast, and at this particular water level some areas are super shallow.  Time to use your head while running, a few stick ups are coming out and some of the points are really getting shallow.

So just be a little careful as it continues down.  It is not looking good and could get interesting launching and running so just keep your eyes open.  And remember if launching a big trailer, the ramps do actually end with a drop off from the concrete.  If you drop off things break, and it is tough to get it back up the edge.  There were quite a few incidents with trailer damage our last low water year.  Hopefully GBRA will put the stakes at the drop but with them you never know.

Tired of this stuck at a couple of good ones phase.  This one was seriously lacking in the grocery department.

That all being said first up was a brush pile, which was in 15′ a couple of weeks ago and is now about 13′ deep.  There were fish on it but there was something going on, either they were not that interested or the trick worm was not on their menu.  Out of 4 bites not a one stayed buttoned.  In fact the only one that I got a good hookset and felt like it was coming was in the wood and just pulled off against something.  So at that point after messing the whole thing up time to make a move.

On the other hand this one was a solid.  Both smacked the spinnerbait.

Before we go on it is time to talk about wind.  The last month wind has been the ticket in most places.  The problem has been when it does not blow things gets real tough with the falling water.  There is plenty to know and learn about wind, but you don’t have to get all KVD about it.  Folks say this and that about it, but that is for the magazine writers and pros trying to sell you something so they can keep fishing while you work.  How about this rule, more often than not fish where there is some wind.  It is not rocket science and you don’t need $10k in electronics to get the job done.  Which leads me to this morning.

With it coming out of the NE there were only a couple of banks that had the good wind so that was where to start.  It took all of 5 minutes on the first place to put 5 in the boat, including the 2 above, on spinnerbait.  They were right, and I mean right on the bank, which had just a little scattered grass left with some stumps and good deep water nearby.  They were super aggressive and smoked it as soon as it righted itself off the bank.  That was the good news.

But as usual get them early.  From that point on I ran from the dam area to way up lake searching but there were very few places like that.  Unfortunately, the few places with good wind were way to shallow as some of the banks are really flattening out.  The fish now are deeper, and it takes the breeze and close proximity to deep water to get them up and biting.  And a few shad does not hurt anything so keep your eyes out for them flipping, it is always a good thing.  Of course I fished some deeper places with wood, but no luck as they had no wind.  One small did jump on the plastic at my magic tree but other than that it was hard to even buy a bite.

Since it was slower than dirt and my vision was acting up, I called it a day at 11:00.  A good indication of the quality of Coleto fishing is the complete lack of traffic.  There were maybe 5 boats or so out today and several were taking out when I did.  While the humidity is way down, which is a blessing, the truck said 88 degrees at 11:00.  I am going to whine, please cool off and rain some.  Our good winter fishing is right around the corner if the weather will cooperate.  Until we get out of this pattern I don’t expect any major changes in the fishing in the near future.  And if you do fish hope you do better than I have been doing.

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More Sheep Fun

The world is full of coincidence, serendipity, and just plain whacky happenings and here is a perfect example.  Just one day after I gave TPWD the business on the blog over the “Super Sheep” my phone pings with a text from TPWD.  Trust me TPWD could give a rat’s ass about what I think so I knew it was not personal.  But once I read the text it made me laugh out loud.  Basically, it said take a chance on the drawing they do every year for a sheep hunt.  While I am not going to enter, I probably should.  Would it get any weirder than that?

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Yummmmm!

The Boss and I can eat some oysters, and I love my shrimp.  So yesterday we scratched a little of that itch.

So freakin’ good!

Whether it is Big Bend, Corpus, or Padre we are on the do it one last time in Texas tour.  And obviously fresh sea food is one of those guilty pleasures we will miss.  Dockside in Greece, overlooking the ocean in Italy, mahi from rod to plate in Costa Rica, or fresh off the bottom offshore in Peru we have been lucky enough to sample some of the best.  But one thing is clear, nowhere does it get any better than Texas fresh off the boat seafood.  The oysters are whoopers, the shrimp big and firm, and the visual delight of the platters are up there with the best in the world.

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Got the truck serviced and tomorrow it is wax day.  It will be a fairly quick trip to Colorado next week and will be back before the end of the month.  And if life works out it will be lots of winter fishing before we head out.  Next week it is back to the eye guy to try to get this nonsense straightened out.  Not sure when I will be back on the water but there is some animals and mountains in full fall and the pictures will be coming.  Plus a little fly fishing now that the pressure is done.  Fishing as many places as I have there is one constant, catch the fish there, when they want to be caught, make use of those perfect times, and never give up.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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Off Topic

Why I love Being a Retired Attorney – You are an Idiot!

Trust me after doing hundreds of felony sentencings I have heard it all.  Some folks just cannot resist opening their mouth and inserting both feet, particularly the incredibly stupid.  Tina Peters the Colorado dimwit who was convicted of election tampering with county voting equipment and election records in the pursuit of the great election fraud lie is the poster child for clueless.  Just try acting contrite, it works.  And before you get your panties in a wad this is not about her politics but about her choices.

After the jury convicted her, she proceeded to do the following at sentencing: “In 40 minutes of remarks to the judge, Peters defended her actions, maintained her innocence, disputed the conduct of the trial.”.  First, do not defend your actions at sentencing, too late, that is what the trial was for and the jury found your actions to be felonies.  Second, once a jury finds you guilty you are then not innocent unless it is overturned on appeal.  Last, never dispute how the trial was conducted, which means you are basically telling the judge he is a shithead, which never has a great outcome.  Then she administered the coup de grace of stupidity – she had the gall to ask for leniency with no jail time on her conviction for 4 felonies and 3 lessors after trashing the whole process.  Of course, then she started crying.  So now she is doing 9 years as the judge did not even give her a turn in date as she was immediately taken into custody.  Hope she likes the penitentiary.  There is no fixing stupid and, in her case, she will have plenty of time to think about it.

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

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It Is Getting Real

You have not heard much out of me for a while, we have been working and the sign is the result.  We have spent our time getting the house in better shape.  With the Colorado construction and the fixing here my construction days are coming to an end.  I have had enough of projects and am “projected” out.  Funny how many little things we all let go, until we don’t and selling the house is one of those times.

We had to vacate this morning for the first lookers.  It will remain to be seen when we finally get an offer, you never know.  When we bought this place it had been on the market for 5 or 6 months.  But when we bought the house in Colorado our agent did not even know it had just gone back on the market the day before.  After buying and selling a few in our life it happens when it does and there is no way to even make an educated guess.  But there is one thing carved in stone, we are out of here at the end of December.

************The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

*************

This Is What Is at Stake!

The guy in Montana who imported Marco Polo sheep DNA to clone super sheep has been sentenced to 6 months in federal prison for 2 felonies.  He will pay $24,ooo in fines and restitution and spend 3 years on probation.

The Lacey Act is a law that bans the trafficking of illegally taken wildlife, fish, or plants.

Ok TPWD the ball is in your court.  Not sure exactly what but some of the sheep/DNA/parts (Who knows.) were allegedly transferred to Texas buyers.  So read the statute above, seems in my limited knowledge it just might apply to buyers anywhere in the US.  They obviously knew what they were buying.  But whether or not, I have no delusion that TPWD will actually take any action.  They are apparently willing to endanger the native whitetail herd by letting commercial deer breeders continue to operate in spite of the ongoing spread of CWD.  Who knows, with the incubation period of CWD it may already be too late.  The thought of inaction leading to the input of a foreign gene into the native Bighorn population is unthinkable.  Many of you know how I feel about the Bighorn, just so majestic.’

My favorite animal to chase and photograph.  One of the great game animals in America.

The state has been shooting Aoudads in state and national parks for several years now. (Out of the mouths of 2 different TPWD employees to my ear.) They are threatening the native Bighorn over habitat, now just what we need is hybrid genes infecting the population which would be irreversible.  The state and private interests have invested millions in bringing back the Texas Bighorn and it would be incompetent and sad to endanger that investment.  And do not tell me we are not fore warned by the Aoudad.

Many states are tackling assorted invasive species and have come to the realization that importing exotics has just has not worked.  Much of the importation has stopped and many are being eradicated, unfortunately some not all that successfully.  Often the initial motives were pure or based on little science, but we are beyond that at this point in time.  The answer is simple, quit allowing the importation of any exotics.  Hunt down any of those “super sheep” brought to Texas and destroy them.  Nobody has to go to jail just get them out of here before it is too late.  When it is all said and done the money interests run the show so I have little faith this will have a good outcome.  Man, I hope I am wrong.  I would love to take everything above back and admit I was wrong.

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I only have one comment after the hurricane which was a monster.  In one area alone 5 people died after not heeding the mandatory evacuation order.  The sheriff said they called but they could not get to them, and they died.  I know at times things get over estimated and consequently folks don’t leave next time, but that is no excuse. First if you are unable to leave, and I mean physically, we should do everything to help them.  But many are the folks who know better than the experts, (Kind of like how during the pandemic everyone became a doctor/scientist who knew better.) and consequently they end up dead.  Well to bad so sad, if you are one of those that didn’t leave and could have then call for rescue you should pay every dollar it costs if they come.  No sympathy on my part.  When they use words like epic and monster take them at their word or drown like a rat.  The guy in the kayak in his living room who said we did not think it was going to be that bad is a perfect example.  All you had to do was watch and listen and know this was going to be ugly, but since you did not heed the warning, tough luck.  I just feel bad for those you leave behind.

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Hate to see things coming unglued in the middle east.  Iran is asking for it and just might get their wish.  After decades the time has come to stop the missiles being sent into Israel from all sides.  Things just may be coming to a head, which while not a good thing has been coming for a while.  Not sure what the answer is but the radicals cannot be allowed to continue to bomb Israel.  What makes it truly ironic, there is not a Muslim country in the world that wants any part of the Palestinians yet they use them as justification.  Crazy.

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Going to take a little break now.  One thing about getting older it is hard to keep up the pace, plus not wanting too anyway.  Not sure when I will get back on the water but it looks like in the week to come the weather is going to begin to ease some.  Since Colorado is calling later next week I will be fishing a day or two before heading out.

This is what I am headed back for, our happy place.  Fall in full swing and the rut will be on.  A hike we will make again next year.

So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

*************

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

This house prep thing is getting to be a real pain in the ass.  We have done all we can do to get it ready for the sale, and it has been work.  Past of the problem is there was plenty to do outside and by noon it has been flat hot.  But the time has come to call it a day, it is what it is.  Wednesday they are coming to take pictures and it will be on the net with a sign in the yard.  Trying to guess when it might sell in relation to when we plan on leaving is pure voodoo.

One benefit is cleaning out stuff and going through 40 years of life, and we have way too much stuff.  I always like to leave stuff at the curb for free when I can.  We had a couple of plastic chairs and 4 from the old patio set that needed to go so I set them on the curb.  Sprayed off the deck and by time I walked back in the house they were being loaded up and gone.  Same with the beach chair we put out later in the day.  And it will be one interesting garage sale.  The real benefit of all this is when it is move time we will be so prepared.  So, with the week spent being totally responsible time for some fishing.

Weather

73/93.  Partly cloudy in the morning. Increasing clouds with periods of showers later in the day. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.

Lake Level

Today 96.51 msl.     Last Monday 96.68 msl.  (The slow steady decline continues.)

Bite Times

Major 5:07 am to 7:07 pm.

************The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

*************

The best of times – The worst of times.

I hate to bitch about the weather, but I am going to.  As you can see it was flat calm at daylight, unfortunately it stayed that way all morning until I finally called no mas.  It was just plain to hot and sticky and without a bit of wind or cloud cover it was tough.  How tough was it?  When I got back to the ramp at noon there was only one other truck left.  There are crappie fishermen every morning, but they are all long gone with this heat.  But they are a bunch of old guys like me.

The best of 7 on the watermelon trick worm.

The conditions at the lake have not really changed much but the slow drop in water level is really starting to show, and I think having a profound effect on the bite.  The water is clear down lake with a little color up, and the temp still hovers around 90 degrees.   When you add the dropping water level the shallow bite is almost nonexistent.  And the few that are shallow are tight to wood cover.  How tight?  Pitch your plastic right in it and hang on, which is fun.

The only swim jig fish.  The lake is full of this size, but when it is this tough you better be happy with these.

I wish I had some great words of insight for you, but deep fishing is not really my thing.  But on Coleto right now and until the weather begins to really change that is where you need to be.  What little I have fished deeper has produced but it seems I just cannot catch the bigger ones no matter what I do.  But one thing about getting old and having been there and done that, I do what I like.  It is back to the Dahlberg quote:  “First I just wanted to catch a fish, then I wanted to catch a bunch of fish, then I wanted to catch a big fish, (Now in the twilight of my own career.) I just want to catch them the way I like to.”  

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I really have been disappointed with the weather.  I had hoped to have some better fishing the last couple of months before my trip back to Colorado.  With no real weather change on the horizon things are not really looking up for the next couple of weeks until I head back.  So my hopes rest on November and December when I will be making the Coleto last stand.  And if I am lucky maybe someone will take me saltwater fishing a time or two before I hit the road.  But of course, that will not stop me and I will be out there fishing until the bitter end.  Coleto has been good to me and I have so lost count of the number of big fish that the lake has produced but it has been in the hundreds.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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Is Someone Trying to Contact Me?

You have to give the Israel’s credit for the pager thing.  Hezbollah has been sending thousands of rockets in Israel for decades and they got a little dose of their own medicine.  What next here at home?  Demonstrations in favor of Hezbollah?  They are terrorist scum, end of story and they deserve no quarter.  Funny how the ambassador of Iran was also carrying one of the pagers.  Keep up the good work Israel, you have a right to defend yourself.  Then today they set off the walkie talkies.  Anyone who had them or the pagers was a terrorist, and I am sure the ones carried in their pockets left a mark.  One thing about the Israelis, when they decide to kill you, get your affairs in order because you are toast.  Good work.

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