FISH CATCHING TRAVEL
The Wade Right Fishing Belt
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Got these from my buddy Clyde. I may be taking a small break this summer but Clyde is getting it done in Iowa. Talk about yummy!
A couple of good ones for an old perch jerker!
He was kayaking on a small river in Iowa using crankbaits. Not sure which river but looks like a pretty good walleye fishing hole. Nice job. Didn’t know he was a yak guy.
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The Knockin Tail Lure with a built in tail rattle! Look for it this winter.
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The first thing I did after buying my fishing license was to look in the new book for the specific rule on the kill switch. And from page 29 word for word:
“The engine cut off switch must be worn by the operator on any vessel under 26′ in length that is equipped with the ECOS, and the vessel is being operated at greater than head way speed.”
So there you have it. Looks like not when loading the boat or at idle, etc. But better get in the routine. Start the motor, put the kill switch on. Trust me if you do not get in the routine of attaching it ever time you start the motor you will forget. Nothing could be simpler.
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I have been watching fishing shows since I was a kid. Virgil Ward, Jerry McKinnis, and anything else that was on. In those days most of them fished public waters, today not as much.
Today so many of the shows are done on private waters, waters you and I have no access to. And of course they catch the snot out of them. Clearly they are trying to sell baits, no problem with that, it is their goal. I have noticed over the years that many of these shows take place on these super waters are dedicated to showing how well this or that bait works. After seeing the same places in different shows it all boils down to one thing, anyone could catch them there, on anything, no problem. What they do is one show with this bait, then one with that, when in reality you could throw a buzzbait made out of a hot dog and catch them. So take them for what they are worth, but realize they are not real and just because this do-dad works there is not real life.
The other thing is how often these bass fishing shows are smallmouth shows. In many of the places they fish it is not a indicator of their succes with a particular bait, it is just an indication of how good it is there. When I see the ones out of Canada and the Great Lakes it is fun to watch, but for most of us they are not real life. So take them for what they are, entertainment. But catching fish in a barrel is not real.
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I saw a great Facebook post today. A guy was at Walmart when he encountered a young man looking at fishing rods. It turned out he did not have enough money for that Ugly Stik and so he bought it for him. As you know if you read this stuff I have repeatedly complained about where fishing has gone. $100,000 bay boats, $500 reels, $300 rods, crankbaits that push $30, all crazy. I spend more on oil for the motor than it would cost to make one kid happy. So what it boils down to in many cases is who your family is. I see it every day, spoiled kids (parents) who can afford this stuff bragging on Facebook. So sad, I never set foot in a boat until I was 20 years old. My reels, $2.99 Zebco 202, cheap rods, and maybe a Mepps spinner or Hula Popper if I was lucky. Then we were able to ride our bikes and fish local ponds thanks to the landowners. Unfortunately those days are gone and I feel bad for those kids. So if you get a chance to do something, do it. You never know what one small act of kindness for a kid who was not born in the “right” circumstances will mean. Makes me happy to see the post, but sad to realize that kid was me.
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To highlight the point above, 2 times this week something has come up that illustrates my point. Both involve tackle reps who get free stuff. They are both selling their “used” stuff that they were given to make way for the new free stuff. Now I realize that is a side benefit in the industry. But how about taking a small portion of that and gifting it to some deserving kids. You will get way more than money out of the deal.
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And one last sad point. NASA is monitoring the retreating ice in Greenland. It is melting at an alarming rate. I am not here to argue climate change, it does not matter which side of the argument you are on, but something is happening. According to NASA there is enough ice in Greenland that if it continues to melt at the current rate it will cause the oceans to rise over 7 meters, which is 29 feet. If it continues at that rate Bloomington will be ocean front property. Something to think about.
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Ahh Mako Boats. My LTs has a tunnel like area with a plate in the middle of it to help plane, and it works. It forces water over the top and keeps bow rise down. The only problem, the plate fell off last week and now water comes over the transom and actually on to the deck. A small problem! I contacted the corporate office and they said I have to talk to a local dealer. So I call them – that serial number does not exist. Bullshit. So I actually go out to the boat and read it off the hull, nope. So I check original paperwork, title, etc – Yes it is. The dealer said he would call me back Friday, nope. So I call him back this morning and he says sorry, will get right on it. Calls me back a minute later and he talked to the parts department at Mako, they don’t know what that part is. HUH? For the love of God. So outside I go and take a couple of pictures so they can see “their part on their boat they manufactured”. Stay tuned – apparently my boat does not exist and no one there ever looked at the ass end of the boat they sell. Stay tuned.
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That is it for today. I am still in the taking it easy mode, but fall is coming and with it no “heat index”, which is 107 degrees for Victoria today. The good news – Oregon is a little over a week away. And I am really excited that the Boss is going to take the fly fishing class with me then fish the Deschutes River. Glad she is doing that so when we make the bucket list trip to Alaska she will be armed and dangerous. (Plus she will need new high dollar Sims waders with the zipper. The fact that we wear the same size has nothing to do with it. Wink.) And the boat is leaving the garage this week, I can only take so much of this “taking it easy” thing. So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.
Good Luck and Tight Lines
