FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

January

I did have several pretty good days on the bay.  Plenty of fish and a little size to them at that.

Nothing beats winter fishing when it is on.

Coleto Creek was slow but at least a few were biting.

About the best in the bass department, I could do.  And the tilapia on lures continues to this day.

We went to Big Bend Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park and had our usual good time in the park.

A great muley buck.  And one of the cooler places we have stayed in Terlingua.

February

The lake was really slow as far as the bass were concerned but the white bass bit most of the month.  Post fish kill on the bay it was tough, but I did have a day where I put the hurt on them.  The power loss over much of the state was a real mess.  Now Abbot says it will not happen again, though inspections of the facilities say only half of the facilities have done the winterization so good luck with that.  Not much to say about February other than good riddance.

Nothing else to say about the tilapia.  Me in the house with no power.  Remember that?

A reader sent me this picture of the fish on the warmest flat sandy place they could find after the freeze.   But I did have a good day so all was not lost this month.

March

My dad passed away this month after a full life.  A real gentleman he will be missed by all that he came in contact with.

Father of Many – Enemy of None

On March 15, 2021 my father, Dean L Coppernoll, died at the ripe old age of 92.

I fished Falcon, and it stunk.  After our big freeze out the lake was lined with rotting fish.  And it turned into a white bass beatdown, which is fine normally, but not what I go to Falcon for.  I spent all my time at the lake and as the month went on the fishing got better.  But the best day was fishing with my granddaughters, just don’t make me touch them!

Mia and Baby Wren.  The apples of my eye.

The Bagley Bang O Lure and the pearl Knockin Tail caught fish this month.

April

We headed to Teton National Park and had a great trip.

We love the grizzly bears.

And saw the rest of the gang.

And I smashed the Cutthroats on dry fly on the Snake River.  One of my top fishing memories.

And the lake had its moments!  There are still some big fish in the lake.

May

The lake fishing slowly declined after a huge raise.  The lake made it back to pool but it did not help matters for quite a while.  But for a week or so it was great before daylight.

Buzzbait Madness!  All I have to say is it sure was worth getting up for.  Right before daylight they were exploding in it!  The bottom left is a real big fish.

And we spent a couple of weeks in Colorado and we had our usual good time.

Our favorite place out West.

June

I did not fish all that much but still managed a few.

The kids were here.  And the sunrises on the lake were better than the fishing.

July

The lake was really frustrating, small bass but the white bass and catfish kept it interesting.

Coleto catfish love a crankbait.

But POC was really consistent as I fished it 4 or 5 times.

Really worked them over on the Knockin Tail!

August

Got on the spoon and Pearl Knockin Tail in the grass and caught them consistently.

September

Basically spent most of the month in Colorado fishing, taking photos, and hiking.  No time table or plan.  Great trip.  Already planning my first trip this year.

The Boss joined me for a week.  A bachelor group, the rut was not on yet

After seeing few moose in the years before we saw plenty this year.

The first bunch of sheep I found.

Love brown trout, very aggressive.  

Some sheep on Pool Table Road.  Where I saw the monster ram last year.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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October

The highlight of the month, the trip to the Chandeleur Islands with the Wade Right Boys.  We put 100’s in the box, it was as good a trip as I have had there yet.

My bite of the year on a topwater no less!

And back home both the lake and the bay produced.

Good month to have a rod and reel in my hands.

November

The big hit this month was when Michael and My Coast Outdoors came out with some new colors.  One was the Honeydew Knockin Tail.  It has become and immediate go-to for me both fresh and salt.

Plenty of numbers at the lake.

Good consistent saltwater fishing.

December

The lake was a real improvement and was good from the first until the last of the month.

And out of nowhere we now have Kentucky or Spotted Bass.  And as far as the fish in the lake feed them the bait of your choice.

I only fished one day on the bay and it was a beat down on numbers of trout.

They love the Knockin Tail!

And we made our first trip to Moab Utah.

Pictures just do not do it justice!

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I don’t really know how to describe last year.  The fishing was slow at times, but I did have my moments.  After My Coast Outdoors issued the Honeydew Knockin Tail it has stayed tied on both fresh and salt, and they sure like it.  It is always my pleasure and good fortune to provide input, keeps me interested.  And from looking at the pictures we really scored on the wildlife, which has become our passion.  With several trips in the planning stage, Alaska and Panama already booked, and of course we will visit a park or two again.

On the other hand, I have been a little burned out.  So the last month I have given Facebook a break and reduced the internet usage.  Not sure where the blog is headed, it seems a little stale, but it will continue for the time being.   I never forget how lucky I am to get to fish and travel.  So, while the blog has been a little tough at times it has no effect on my love of the outdoors.  We enjoy are travel and constantly spend the time searching out the critters, and when we get rewarded, it makes it all worth it.

This year I will be 69 and I appreciate each and every day.  We all only get one run at this life and I hope to not waste one day of it.  The great outdoors beckons, and we will be taking advantage of it when we can this year.

And a last word on you all.  Never in my wildest dreams did I envision something like this lasting like it has.  If not for your kind words I would have given it up a long time ago.  But there is fishing to be done, adventures to had, and sharing it is part of what makes it what it is.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.  Go Hogs!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Good Luck and Tight Lines