FISH CATCHING TRAVEL
Knockin Tail Lures by My CoastOutdoors
************
Sometimes you get the bear sometimes the bear gets you.
The neighbor’s cam across the street the other night. This was a big boy.
************
I really do not know where to start. Exactly 15 years ago this month on a whim I decided to start a blog. When I say I was clueless that is an understatement, but like all things if you want something bad enough figure it out. Early on it was clearly a case of the blind leading the blind. But it led to making new friends, fishing some of the best places on the planet, and even catching a fish or two. In the heyday there was as many as 800 visitors a day and took a ton of time to keep it up but it was a labor of love and always a learning process.
So has something gone wrong? Nope, it is just a combination of things that time is up. First my hosting company, Host Gator has raised the cost of hosting to well over $700 for the 3-year period, which does not include the yearly fee for keeping the name/domain. That in and of itself was almost enough, then I got sick. Going from a couple 3 posts a week to that few a month means it is time to reconsider.
While I am doing ok, the day of hard-core fishing is over. As I learn to live with Myesthenia Gravis hooking up the boat and driving for 2 days is over. Plus the getting up a couple of hours before daylight is not on my list either. At times I am still immobile for a day or two, that is my new, and very permanent reality. When it comes down to it there is no cure, only some relief which has substantially decreased my posting so time to call it a day.
Who said anything about quitting fishing? Good brown on the 1/32 micro plastic with an ultralight this morning.
And it would be remiss to not thank my sponsors over the years. Strike King, Bagley’s, Cocoons, and a few others that I cannot remember right now. A real special thanks to Jason and Tim of Wade Right. Not only great stuff but those trips to the Chandeliers were always a good time. But most of all to Michael. From his Controlled Descent Lures to his Knockin Tail it has been a big time getting to tag along as his company grows and expands. It was so much fun working on the Knockin Tail and I cannot wait to get on the lake to give the new prototype a go. If I have learned one thing about lures the Knockin Tail will catch anything that swims.
And the places, so many memories. 3 PB in 24 hours on Falcon, 2 blue marlin on the Great Barrier Reef, permit and bones in Belize, and the trout and reds of Grand Isle and the Chandeliers in Louisianna. Who could forget the best all-around fishing hole on the planet; Lake of the Woods and my first big muskie. If you have not ever fished there put it on your bucket list. Big snook in the Glades, tarpon in several places from Belize to Key West to Australia. How about catching big stripers at night on Norfork on the Knockin Tail or years of big bass on Coleto. Plus whacking salmon in Alaska and adding a dolly to the list.. Then there is the Yellowstone, the Deschutes, the Snake. the Rio Grande, and the White River, and on and on. Hard to remember it all but I will never forget the journey.
The kind of fish memories are made of.
And not last but first on this journey, you the readers. So many of you stayed with me in spite of my occasional rants. You know who you are and it would take forever to list you all. Your readership kept me writing. Hearing from you on any subject let me know you were out there. Numbers meant little, interaction was always the goal. And I hope over the years you might have learned something, I tried to share the best I could.
This is not a sad day; it is just the record of part of a lifetime of catching fish. I will never stop fishing until they pry the rod out of my cold stiff hands. It may be different, but the point is the same, keep on fishing. Life is shorter than will all would like and from grandma’s pond to the Great Barrier Reef it has been my honor fish as many as I could. To get to tournament fish, guide some, and share the sport has been my good fortune.
Has it always been perfect? Of course not. Did I anger a few maga tards? Yep. But I never let my politics interfere with the fishing or who I fished with. Remember there are many things that seperate us but the fishing should always bring us together. So thanks to each and every one of you who stuck with me, I will never forget this time.
Good Luck and Tight Lines
(Note: I am going to call them and try to negotiate, so if this is still up next week I will let you know. Otherwise in the words of Johnny Ringo – Bye. Doug.)
