FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Hope everyone had a safe and happy Thanksgiving.  The Boss worked a little and I messed around the house to get a few things done that needed doing.  And finally have the Carolina Skiff ready to sell, as soon as we are done with a little travel will part with it after 20 years, which was one job that needed doing.

One thing I can say about the Carolina Skiff, if there was enough water to float it, or on the biggest lake or bay, it is a real workhorse.  The Everglades or Falcon, it does not matter.  Snook, tarpon, blue cat, bass, crappie, walleye, stiper, trout, reds, sharks, and who knows what else, have come over the side.  It has been through 3 engines and it keeps on floating.  It is literally unsinkable,  and no matter what I wanted to do it did without effort.  Other than getting a little wet no matter the conditions it always got back to the dock.  She may not be pretty but for 20 years it has done its job.  So it will be like parting with an old friend, but keeping up with it has become to much effort for how little I used it the last couple years.  Nothing is harder on a boat than letting it sit, as evidenced by how much work I put in to get it back to snuff.  Hope whoever buys it will appreciate it, it should be good for another 2o years.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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Our weather is finally coming around with a couple of inches of badly needed rain and cooler temps.  In fact, the lake is on the rise, which combined with the air temps which will be in the low 40’s tonight, should get our fish to thinking winter and then pre-spawn.  The question will be how much of the rain made the creek and river, and whether it is muddy and hurts the fishing, or if it drives more trout in from the bay.  That will be something that will not be clear for a few days, you never know.  Over the years I have seen a couple of rains that killed the river fishing, and a couple that just slowed it down some before it took off.

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I was thinking this Thanksgiving about my fishing, and I have so much to be thankful for.  The Everglades with its tarpon and snook, the Great Barrier Reef and a couple of marlin then visiting the hallowed ground of the Cairns Big Game Club.  (So many world records, so many great fishermen and women, made me realize how small many of our fishing worlds really are.)  Puerto Rico and my first marlin.  And how about Costa Rica with big mahi mahi and sailfish, 3 personal bests on Falcon Lake in 24 hours, the list goes on.  Bonefish and Permit in Belize, giant muskie and big smallmouth on Lake of the Woods, rainbow trout on some of the best rivers in America, it has been an adventure.   And just hitching up the boat and heading to Louisiana, Florida, and so many other places, without a clue but the hope in my heart and a boat full of stuff.  So here is just a taste.

What a great trip this has been!

So I just wanted to let you all know that we will be spending some time with the grandkids and parents, it has been a while.  And for me, a little break.  This is going on 10 years, and this is the 1,357th time I have written.  (Most of those a report on some fishing, that is a lot of fishing!)  Timing can be everything in fishing, and in life, and this next couple of weeks will be a welcome pause.  Because a pause is all that it is, and after that I will be itching to be back on the water so stick with me,  I will be back fishing and sharing it with you.  I appreciate all of you who read this drivel so keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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