FISH CATCHING TRAVEL
I have been in Illinois the last few days putting dad to rest at his old stomping grounds. He was laid to rest at the old church where he spent his youth until he went off to college. That small farming community was where we ran the hills and farm fields with my cousins, many who were there. I had not seen my cousin Brad, who is the winningest coach in the history of Illinois high school basketball, or Jimmy, for decades. It was one of those places you either knew everyone, or were related.
As dad was a Korean War vet, the honor guard was there and it was moving when my cousin’s son, who is still active military, requested to present mom with the flag. (Thanks, it meant a lot.) Then the 21 gun salute followed. When we got to the cemetery we were surprised how many folks were there. It was so good to see so many family and his friends from the small farming community where he grew up, all who came to pay their respects to one great man. Friend of many, enemy of none, he was a gentleman.
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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.
For all your wading needs.
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Happy Birthday Joy
I want to wish my great mother-in-law Joy a Happy Birthday. Hope you have a great day!
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I thought I might fish a minute or two before leaving Sunday but after being gone a month, then a few days, think I will rest up before the trip. And since a week or two later the Austin Boys will be here and I will be gone for a few more days after I get back, then MOAB all in the next month. Time to stay home and keep the Boss happy. (Though I suspect she is happy to see me return, then happy to see me off!) I am so fortunate to be able to fish and travel like a maniac, and I thank her every day for that. But time to sit on my ass in my living room a day or two, and then start all over again. Plus time to start thinking about packing and I am sure there must be something else I need to buy before we leave. Tough life.
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Ahhh, TSA, keeping us safe. So here is the deal, after the 21 gun salute we were handed the fired shell casings. I kept 2 for my grand kids for their treasure chest I have been building over the years. (Hey who would not like to score a treasure chest when Granpa kicks the bucket.) After thinking it over I was unsure what TSA might do about them, so I had the motel where I stayed mail them to me in case they would be confiscated. When I was headed in to the O’Hare airport there was a woman in the uniform outside so I thought I would ask her about it. And as I have found on occasion, they can be rear ends but she took the cake. The explanation was nonresponsive, bordering on stupid, and she acted like it was an imposition to even speak to me. Not sure who peed in her Wheaties that morning, or if she is always a b*%@h, I just said thanks and went inside. But either way I object to paying her salary.
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Our group will be meeting the DMJ Charter’s boat at Pass Christian Mississippi on Sunday afternoon to start our 3 1/2 days of fishing in the Chandeleur Islands. The boat heads out at 1:00 am while we are sleeping and we will be fishing at daylight Monday. As usual the BS is flying back and forth, the $1,000 pot has folks worked up. (I told them to save the effort and just give me the bucks but for some reason that was voted down!) With the good company, good food, and hopefully stellar fishing, a good time will be had by all no matter what.
In my case it is a little bittersweet that we will not be on board with Capt. Howie. He is now doing 2 day 6 pack charters only, but I will always be thankful for the fishing trips on the Southern Belle. Howie was one of the original OG’s taking folks fishing to the Chandeleurs and I could see retirement around the corner for him. Plus his offshore boat is awesome and I know he wants to spend more time doing that. So check out the new boat, it is sweet.
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It looked like Louisiana and Texas have reciprocity for all waters for old farts like me. So should be simple enough, call Louisiana and confirm. Suffice to say it took 4 hours and I still could not get through to the site. They had a feature just hang up and we will return your call, which they did, 17 hours later after I resolved the question. So I called a local office and they confirmed, which was great as I was going to buy an annual for $90. And now I can run wild in La all I want for zip. As soon as Buggy gets Bridgeside Marina back in shape it will be off to Grand Isle. And I want to try a couple of other places before summer comes.
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Joe Rogan the comedian, fight commentator, and pod cast dude is a total antivaxxer. Here is my only comment: If you are taking medical advice from Joe you might deserve whatever happens to you. Think about it, his old show they ate sheep “rear ends” (For lack of a “better” word.) and stuck ugly stuff up their noses. How have we gotten to the place that the advice of a tatted up, dope smoking comedian beats your doctor? He might be fun to go to dinner with but I will stick with my doctor for my medical advice.
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The packing is done. Tackle and equipment gone through, wading stuff too. Actually trips do accomplish a couple of things, preparing stuff gives you a chance to look things over and find out what you have, or don’t have. Plus on a trip like this if you do not have it you will be SOL. And since I have a jig head obsession there is no such thing as to many. So let the Knockin Tail killin’ begin!
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This is the last from me until I return at the end of the week. It seems weird to not have fished for over a week, but that is about to change. Off to Louisiana first thing in the morning, then Monday the games begin. The boys are wound up, as evidenced by my phone blowing up with assorted questionable texts, it is a tough crowd. (How tough? The Iowa Boys just sent a text asking if they were to bring the goat?) So a little Arkansas football to pass the time, like usual I am all kinds of ready to go. So keep stopping in there will be a story of some sort to follow, and thanks for reading my stuff.
Good Luck and Tight Lines
