FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

*******************

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

Check out their new CFG Madre Sling

*********************

With the forecast of up to 30 mph and gusty  (Just hit 31 mph on the radar as I write this.) decided to make a quick trip to the lake.  The Boss wanted some fresh fish so it was the easiest place to get them.  So at daylight I dropped it in the water.

Weather

80/93.  Breezy and humid with periods of clouds and sun.  24% chance of rain.   Wind  SSE 20 – 30 mph.

Lake Level

Today   94.47 msl.   10 days ago  94.60 msl.

Solunar Times

Major  8:33 am to 10:33 am.  Minor 2:57 pm to 3:57 pm.

*******************

The Knockin Tail, the best new bait on the market.  

*******************

You can see the water level is dropping, to bad.  The temp was 86 give or take over most of the lake, the color was good, and the wind was blowing 15 mph when I got there, 20+ and white capping when I quit.  It stayed partly cloudy all morning.  To make a long story short my left ear played a part this morning.  When running it sounds like a wind tunnel, very irritating.  Wish I had some ear plugs with me, it was so irritating that I quit at 11:00.  Good thing seeing the specialist tomorrow, this is a pain in the ass.  I can hear some out of it now, but not sure that is better than it was when I could not hear a thing.

First up was up lake, and as it has been they are eating plastics and buzzbait.  It was an easy 10 on each, but nothing to get excited about.  Most near deep brush and on the little deeper banks. They want the buzzbait medium speed and the plastic tossed tight to cover.  I have not really found any particular plastic that they like more than another, it seems to be simply location.  So once you catch one it usually means several more are coming. And speaking of catching them, just saw a Facebook video where they were catching the snot out of them on crankbait.  This is definitely one of those find them and catch them periods.

This one felt like a good fish.  Not sure what this one was eating but it was a fatso.  The lake is full of these.

I messed around up lake until my ear got to bothering me so I headed to the discharge to do nothing more than catch supper.  There are a ton of fish there and it is easy pickens.  Not sure how many there, but it was a lot.  Just casting to the concrete and hopping it back, with most coming very close to the discharge.  And slow rolling the Knockin Tail will get you bit by a white bass.  The fishing on the lake reminds me of trout fishing, there are literally tons of 13 – 15″ fish and they can be caught right now.  But it begs the question after a wad of them, what is the point?

The Knockin Tail catches supper.

I kept 3 for supper and called it a day.  The lake is truly a dink fest right now and for me the big fish are few and far between.  Fishing it weekly for the last 8 – 9 years I have seen it all.  From one of the best big bass lakes I have ever fished, to the loss of grass and tough fishing, till now, where catching small fish is no big deal.  Hopefully the current “dink fest” as my buddy calls it will be the precursor to some really good fishing down the road.  So I am not complaining, bites are bites, but losing out of our spawn and spring fishing was a tough pill to swallow.  But like all fishermen, there is always tomorrow.

******************

And this from SA Joe on my proposal to have a week or two every year where any trotline, limbline, or jug on the water can be taken in and disposed of.

I love those abandoned trot/jug lines, especially when my crankbait snags them.

I do the right thing. I check to see if there is any names or tags on them and if they are current.

IF NOT, I CUT THEM and Collect em !!!! Simple as that.

Sounds good to me.  There is just not enough time or personal for TPWD to really monitor the many lakes and rivers in the state.  So I will be sending my suggestion to them and see if I get a response.  Who knows, maybe I will be surprised.

*****************

The specialist tomorrow then not sure what.  Looks like the wind will be down near the end of the week, which is the weekend of the 4th.  It will be crazy, people will be dying to get out.  Hope that does not come to pass, but the virus is on the rise and it is a ton worse in the Victoria area now than in the original outbreak.  So stay safe, wear a mask for your loved ones and friends even if you do not care about yourself.  Keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

*******************

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

Check out their new CFG Madre Sling

*******************

Anticipation on the Southern Belle!

Having traveled to many places in this world to fish there is one lesson that is learned, no matter where you go, it is still fishing.  And if the fish do not cooperate, or the weather goes to crap, or both, it does not matter where you are it can be tough, and this trip was.  So why do I give this one an A+?  Because every time I set foot on the Southern Belle, my third with this bunch, it is a great trip.  Capt. Howie and the boys take good care of you and as usual they were fantastic.   This was one hell of a trip that had it all in a crazy sort of way.

*******************

The Knockin Tail got a real workout in the Chandeleurs.  

*******************

I know you have come to read about the trip but the following short story actually plays a role in my experience this trip.  When I left Saturday morning to drive to Lake Charles and spend the night I was having some trouble with my left ear.  When I got up Sunday to head to Gulfport and meet the boat I could hear absolutely nothing out of my ear, totally deaf.  Hoping it was nothing more than a plug, and not an infection that might be a problem when out on the sea for 4 nights, time to stop at a clinic on the way.  And guess what, ear clear, drum fine, no infection, looked great.  Good news, none of that, bad news, the appointment with the ENT guy is set for Tuesday.  Getting old just keeps on  coming, but off to the boat I went.

We all meet up and it is good to see the boys, most with a connection to Wade Right, along with the boat crew.  We loaded up and by 9:00 pm we were on anchor at the Chandeleur Islands.  So after trading plenty of stories, and a few adult beverages, it was off to bed with high hopes.

Understand that we are talking 12 fishermen, most highly experienced in any salt anywhere, and most having been here several times or more.  There were only 2 newbies, but both of them long time fishermen.  I had the good fortune to spend my time with Nathan.  A serious experienced fisherman, we have actually fished many of the same places here and abroad, so we hit it off immediately.  He now concentrates on fly fishing for big fish, and I was anxious to see him do his thing.

********************

The best I could muster, but it sure did pull.  Smacked a Controlled Descent White/Limetreuse Paddle Shad.  It has caught fish for me on all 3 trips.

(Keep in mind that I am older than dirt and my exact memories on the order of things might leave something to be desired,  but I hope to get it all in there.  It will also explain why there is a dearth of pictures.)  

After filling up on Capt. Howie’s fabulous breakfast it was off to the surf.  Suffice to say that we made 3 or 4 trips this time to the surf, and even though conditions were good at times it just did not produce.  Of course Billy, the new guy, catches his very first red that goes over 40″.  I on the other hand catch one keeper trout and lose a Whopper Plopper on a bull red.  Violated my always retie after a lady fish rule.  Tim had a few good ones on his stringer, until the tax man came to collect, but was kind enough to leave a head or two.  That was the best surf we had this trip.  Another trip I caught a spanish but could not get the trout going, a problem the whole trip for all of us beach or bay.

And finishing up the surf results, once it was to ugly and we  caught nothing.  Another the blue fish were biting us off as fast as we could tie on a new bait.  The most interesting that happened on the beach was when 6 of us were lined up and it happened.  Not sure how many cow nose rays swam by but all 6 off us were bowed up at once, all a foul hooked ray.  So off we went back to the bay.

Nathan with the fishing highlight of the trip.

And let me say this about the wading and drifting, the fish were just not there.  And those were places we have all caught them.  Drifting, wading, it was just tough.  Until the last morning it was never more than 4 keepers on a boat the first day and a half.  It seemed the trout just disappeared. On my first 2 trips they even told us to quit bringing redfish in, it is normally that good.  But it was slow, end of story.  Nathan and I spent a lot of our time chasing reds.  He wanted to boat a good one on a fly, and he got it done with a real stud.  And I wanted to see him do it as that is on my fishing agenda.

Michael at My Coast Outdoors was kind enough to send along some Knockin’ Tails for the boys and I can report they caught fish with the ice and the pearl being the best.  As tough as it was there was just nothing they wanted any more than any other.  Topwater accounted for a few, but even then they were not jumping all over it.  It really did turn in to a throw the box and hope.  There was no color, shape, size, top or bottom that made a real difference.  One thing that normally happens with that many of us working together we find the answer, this time it did not help.

It took us the second day to kind of get an idea on the reds when he caught the good one and I added one, then we caught 3 nice ones the last morning.  The highlight for me was Nathan catching that good one on a fly.  If  I learned one thing about fly fishing for reds from Nathan it was go shallow, then go shallower.  It is all about the tide. And watching him bowed up got my blood going, so time to get the fly rod out and get to practicing.  That morning I almost had a moment of greatness.  Time to give the bone One Knocker a go so on one of my first casts it was flat flushed.  Big trout?  That was dispelled as I watched my One Knocker go sailing by stuck in the face of a 3 1/2 foot black tip.

My first one on the Pumpkinseed Knockin’Tail.

On day 2 we learned a very important lesson, listen to your gut, it often is telling you the truth.  We struggled with the wind all 3 days and it was flat tough Tuesday. 4 boats of us were fishing the surf and the wind started to really  blow.  We talked about staying and waiting it out, but due to an outside factor, which we do not need to go into, we decided to have a go at making it back to the boat.  Bad choice.  It was ugly, and I only have 2 things to say about that.  Kill switch, life jackets.  We should not have gone, but ultimately no one got hurt but it could have been a completely different story.  The Southern Belle keeps our safety first and they were there when we needed them.  So in spite of a bad choice we fished on.

The last day the other 5 boats decided to drift a deep reef, some of it over 5 feet, we went for the redfish.  Like many trips it might take a while to figure it out when it is tough, and this was no different.  They all caught lots of trout, though most were on the small side they tasted the same to me.  Nathan and I headed to try a couple of places in our search for reds.  As the tide was up we went to secondary points in deeper coves and drifted over them close to shore looking for fish for later that day.  It really helps when you shut off  the boat and right off the bat see a huge tailer.

We ended up boating 3 nice reds and I added a keeper trout.  The wind seemed to lay down for a few hours every afternoon, and with low tide later, we were actually setting up for the last evening as we finally had a real clue.  But alas, all good things must come to an end, and though we found them it was not to be.

When we went in for lunch, a fish fry, the radar was ugly, and I mean scary ugly.  Capt. Howie said it was time to hit the road a half day early before it got really bad.  When the Captain says go your only response, how quick?  But the boats still had to be put on top and as the crew started to wrap it up the wind starter to literally howl.  It was so strong that Howie put the boat in gear just to hold the anchor.  If finally dropped a little, they got the skiffs loaded, and of we went in with seas a good 5′ and totally sloppy.  After a great supper and a nights sleep on the boat it was back to real life.

Sorry this report is so disjointed, and the pictures so sparse, but this trip was something different.  But we had some real adventure with the wind, including an experience none of us will ever forget.  (There is a story on that but unless you know someone who was there it will have to remain untold.)  The fishing was flat tough.  Normally between the 12 of us it does not take long to figure it out, this trip, not sure we ever really did.  And the wind did its best to mess us up.  We just needed one more day……..  What ever had them off their feed they finally bit the last morning. Since we really kind of got off the count it was probably around 50+ keepers, way down from the last trips.  But if you go on trips like this with the end result being the big reason you are missing the point.  Of course we all want to clobber them, but real fishermen know that shit happens, and this trip it bit us.

But for me there were the good sides, meeting back up with the boys along with making a few new friends.  Capt. Howie and the crew doing it up right like usual.  The steaks, banana pudding, fish fry, grits, and all the rest were up to restaurant standards.  My favorite – Seagull Surprise.  That stuff is crack casserole!  Being somewhere with no internet or cell phone.  Tossing back a few, and I use that term lightly, and then laughing until your gut hurts.  Being first up with the crew.  Getting motivated to catch redfish a new way.  Watching my bone spook in that clear water swim on by.  The picture below.  It all just makes me want to go back.  Nice to be with folks who take it in stride, a good time was had by all.  Next year we will kill them!

I never get tired of the sunrises from the boat.

So that is the size of it.  I am still recovering, nothing a little ibuprofen will not cure, but if you see me speak to my right ear.  Everything was wet so it all got cleaned and dried, and getting things back in order will be the last thing left to do.  Then the reels definitely need a little extra care and cleaning with new line before heading back to the bay.  Now it is back to real life. I will leave this weekend to folks and then it will be back on the water.  I will be closely watching future tides looking for that dead low day when I will make the first redfish on a fly attempt.  And last thanks to the Southern Belle for putting up with us. So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

Fishing on the MS Gulf Coast with Southern Belle

********************

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

*******************

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

Check out their new CFG Madre Sling

Right on time.  Great to be alive on a morning like this.

One more morning before I hit the road.  I did want to let you know that when I pulled out yesterday they already had the entrance blocked with the sign that the park was full for the day.  They are limiting access to 100 total, either pass or day use, which is not a lot of folks.  When I pulled out there was only 7 or 8 trucks at the ramp and some folks swimming.  So be advised get there early, especially on the weekend.

Weather

92/75.   Partly sunny with a 25% chance or rain.  Wind  SSE 12 – 18 mph.

Lake Level

Today 94.60 msl.    Yesterday  94.62 msl.

Solunar Times

Major  12:07 pm to  2:07 pm.  

*******************

The Knockin Tail will get a real workout in the Chandeleurs.  

*******************

A Different Day

Unlike the last couple of days the early morning bite was slow.  When I say early morning it was a minute after 6:00 am when I made the first cast.  I decided to start on the good buzzbait bank from yesterday, and that was a big fat 1 small.  Though I kept after the buzzbait they just were not having it this morning.   So after the sun got up I switched to the old standby, pitching to cover.

Nothing a big as yesterday but a few were respectable.

Since I had that Jelly Worm on from yesterday I used it all morning.  The fish were really tight to heavy cover and I got to enjoy several real tussles.  The first one above got all hung up and we played tug of war, I reeled down in the tree, let it go slack, and just kept working when he finally worked his way out.  A small one even ended up getting flipped over the boat when he ate 5 feet from the boat. They were definitely biting the plastic better but I wanted to make another pass on the good bank with the Spook.  A stretch of it was loaded with the size of the one below.  They were smoking it, and if they missed I would stop it and they would jump all over it.  5 came in one short stretch, but never did have a good one take a run at it today.  As it was getting late I decided to do something I rarely do, fish the discharge on the way in.

The better fish came pitching today, but still got bit on the Spook.

There was lots of water running  and the fish were there.  Not sure how many I caught but if you get to the lake stop and give it a quick go.  You can catch a bunch and post on Facebook what an awesome bass wrangler you are.  There are that many fish there. Fishing discharges has never been my thing, to much like fishing in an aquarium.  But they were eating the Jelly Worm so time to toss the Pumpkinseed Knockin Tail.  And it immediately worked.

The Pumpkinseed Knockin Tail caught its share this morning.

Though I have been power fishing, my favorite when they will eat on top, the Knockin Tail swim bait will catch fish right now.  There is something about the rattle in the tail that makes them eat.   And with their diet so varied right now, crawdads, shad, and bluegill, the Pumpkinseed is a great all around color.  In a couple of days it will be the Chandeleurs where the Knockin Tail is going to sack them up.  I can feel the thump just thinking about it.

Around 11:00 a big rain came in from the West, and I ended up getting soaked.  I thought I heard it coming over the hill and before I could get out the raincoat it flat poured, a theme the last couple of days.  So time to call it a day.  While the size was not up to yesterdays standard, it is nice when they are hitting multiple ways.  As long as there is something tugging on the line it is all good.

******************

If you like crappie folks are crappie fishing up a storm.  I have seen several boated just passing by them.  The deep outside trees seem to be popular but some of the guys up lake are fishing in stuff less than 10 feet.  They must be biting

There were quite a bit more folks fishing, so be aware if you are thinking of hitting the lake this weekend, go early.  If they stick with the plan it will be closed early and you just might waste a trip.

Last, as I was heading back down lake a bass boat doing a hundred went by shooting a giant rooster tail.  Always wondered why you would want to use horsepower just to do that, other than showing off.  And then here came another doing the same thing.  You can tell the weekend has started,

******************

One thing I would like to propose to TPWD is an annual trotline/jug clean up, just as we do with crab traps annually.  There are tons of jugs and lines left on most lakes and there needs to be a couple of weeks where they are not allowed so that we can pick up any that are left unattended.  After finding a Great Blue Heron caught on an a ghost limb line I am convinced we need it.  I don’t understand why people are to lazy to pick up their stuff, it just keeps killing wildlife and fish.  So if this is you – Stop It.

As a side note, and do not get your Texas panties in a wad, but after visiting states all over this country Texas is tops with litter.  Texans are proud of their state but when they mow roadsides the amount of trash in the ditches is amazing.  Littering should have gone by the  wayside years ago, and it puzzles me who and why folks keep trashing their state.

****************** 

After catching a good one on Jack’s Jelly Worms I got this note from Joy, my mother-in-law.

Thanks for fishing Jack’s little wormies. That will be his Fathers Day present. I got them for him as he wanted to tease one of the women in here with us. She always kept a pot of flowers outside her door so he put them on the flowers to scare her. It did the job.

My pleasure.  Now I need to find out where to buy some more, they catch fish.  And have a good time with the Boss and the rest of them up there this week.

***********************

Well I got the bass fishing out of my system for now.  It really has been a pretty good week, just a matter of figuring it out some, and just being on the water when it happens.  Add a big fish and it is all good.  After a long drought it is back to some serious fishing.   And just in time some serious salt in one of the cool fishing spots in this country.  I wait all year for this trip, it checks all the boxes.  So with no internet, I wouldn’t care if there was,   it will be Friday before I get up the report.  Suffice to say it will be awesome.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

*******************

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

Check out their new CFG Madre Sling

The plan was to be on the water just a little earlier, and I made it.  There was a light SSE breeze and the water temp is stable in the 85 degree range.  And the color is definitely clearing, especially up lake.  It turned out to be a great morning for lots of reasons.  But first there is a little story about today.

This One Is For Jack

When my father-in-law had a stroke we went and ended up moving them to a higher level of care.  While packing I found a package of Mann’s Jelly Worms in the perfect color, watermelon red.  From the mid 70’s and through the 80’s it was my worm of choice for night fishing and I did not know they even made them any more.  Not sure why he had them, but I told him at the time that I would catch a big one for him.  That was the last time I saw him.  I was reminded seeing a picture from the Boss, who is visiting her mom and sister.  So today I decided to get that done.

That will work!

I went to the perfect place and a couple of casts later it was done deal.  Here you go Jack, in case I see you again on the other side, just wanted to let you know I did not forget.  Now back to the rest of the day.

Weather

93/75.   Sunshine with patchy clouds with 25% chance or rain.  Wind  SSE 10 – 17 mph.

Lake Level

Yesterday 94.66 msl    Today  94.62 msl.

Solunar Times

Major  11:19 am to 1:19 pm.  

*******************

The new Knockin Tail is available at the Waterloo Pro Shop in Victoria and a tackle store near you.  

*******************

First up was a bank that has had them on it to toss the spook.  The only one in the boat, the rest are in the saltwater stuff, was a frog color but it had a white bottom, which would do.  And of course I caught a small one on my first cast.  And around that little point and down the bank a ways I put 5 in the boat, but they were all small.  I did miss one that was not to bad so time to point hop.

2 smalls jumped on fishing the next bank, then nothing for a while.  I finally figured out they were past the points, which is a little different from the last couple of days.  And with the little breeze there was not the visible shad activity there had been.

A nice fish but she sure needs to eat a little more!

They wanted it in a medium speed walk the dog pattern and until the sun really came out the ones that bite kept after it.  As long as you did not pull it away from them if they missed it they would come back.  And today if you got a bite you got several.  They were definitely schooled up.  So with the sun shining bright time to head up lake and toss the buzzbait.  Not sure why, but they way they were biting I figured it would be good.  Again it was a matter of fishing what and where in the order you should.

This was a real one!

I started on the last shady bank I could find up lake, and they were there.  The water has  cleared plenty for buzzbait or spook.  Before it was over there I caught 6 on buzzbait, and even re-fished it with the spook and caught a couple more.  You know I have had tarpon hit a spook at boatside, watched a blue marlin smack a top trolled bait, and caught plenty of saltwater fish on topwater, but there is something about a big bass hitting a buzzbait.  This fish absolutely smashed it in a huge boil.  One thing about a buzzbait if you can throw it in front of a good one they will smack it.  My favorite bite in fishing, which is why I throw it so much.

A couple more from the same bank.  The bite was on.

As the morning progressed he clouds moved in and rain was in the air.  So I took care of Jack’s fish and was headed back down lake to fish a little topwater with the new clouds and it started to pour.  So with a nice bunch of fish this morning I called it a day at 11:00.  They were biting on the front and it was a good morning.  And to make the day even sweeter I got to see another crazy fawn.  Momma was drinking and the fawn would get on the edge of the bank and when a wave from a passing boat would come ashore it would hop out and run around in a big circle.  It was so cool to see and definitely was the icing on the cake.  I give the day a big fat A.

*******************

Scam

One of the things you see on Facebook occasionally is a post that says they are looking for 100 anglers to rep their company.  I have seen it with rods, lures, and tackle.  This is nothing more than a scam to increase numbers and sell stuff.  As far as really representing them, bullshit.  Think about it, every wannabe with a fishing rod wants free stuff and any reputable company does not need, nor advertise for, reps.  Companies that do have reps have them for one reason, they can sell baits.  So next time you see it on Facebook mark it as spam or misleading.

******************

The Boss with her sister Barb and hubby Steve.

The Boss is visiting family in Iowa this week and they did a little kayaking on a local lake.  A Hobie in her future?  You never know.

******************

It sure was nice to catch a few solids today.  The old saying is so true:  “The more I fish the luckier I get.”  While it is a little more complicated than that, nothing beats time on the water.  And if you just pay attention you can build on each day.  Today the numbers were down, but the size a major improvement.  With one more day before Louisiana it will be back on the water really early to hopefully finish off the week with a bang.  I have kept the days short, there is some hard fishing to come and I don’t want to burn out.  But after our terrible spring it is good to be back at it.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

*******************

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

Check out their new CFG Madre Sling

A buzzbait kind of morning.

Weather

94/72.   Mostly sunny with 13% chance or rain.  Wind  SSEE 9 – 16 mph.

Lake Level

Today  94.66 msl    Monday  94.89 msl.  (You could see it was coming down today.)

Solunar Times

Major  10:34 am to 12:34 pm.  Minor  5:16 pm to 6:16 pm.

*******************

The new Knockin Tail is available at the Waterloo Pro Shop in Victoria and a tackle store near you.  

*******************

It was time to switch things up a little and it turned out to be a matter of fishing in the proper order.  It was dead slick and the sun was not quite up when I made my first cast.  Instead of going up lake I started off near the ramp on points with a buzzbait and they were biting some.

Points were best by far.

Sticking with the clear water it was not fast but 6 or 8 jumped on and I missed several.  A steady retrieve worked best and most of them hit off the bank.  With the massive amount of shad in the lake right now you could see them, and the occasional bust, almost anywhere on the main lake.  I just really like the buzzbait bite, wish I would have stuck a big one.

They were smoking it!

It was all about timing this morning.  As the shadows started getting off the water it was time for some plastics.  Whether it was a stick worm or a beaver style bait, they liked them both.  Location. location, location.  Just as it has been they are tight to cover.  I even saw one dart out of a bush and grab a shad and dart right back in the cover.  As the buzzbait bite slowed I headed up lake to pitch and even throw the buzzbait some.

The average was a little better than Monday.

The bank with lots of fish on it still has them, and they are all 13″.  But I did catch several on the buzzbait and a good dozen on plastics.  They are not around all wood but it seems if you get a bite it is on, or near, wood and there is usually more than one bite close.  The water temp is still in the 86 range and the farther up lake you go the murkier it gets.

The punch line, get up early and be on the water before official sunrise.  Fish the buzzbait in the clear water near points and cover down lake.  Later as  the sun comes up they move tight to cover and pitching becomes the ticket.  I do have another theory which will get a go in the morning.  If they are chasing shad time to try a topwater.  Maybe a spook to see if it will provoke a better one.  Or maybe a pop R style bait, like a Chug Bug.  Will rig up several and be on the water even earlier tomorrow.

************************

And I got this comment from SA Joe.

Doug,
Spent a week in Brownsville with limited success in saltwater. A lot of cats, croakers and very small reds on shrimp. Tried throwing artificial paddle tails, shrimp, everything I had. With nothing biting them. Fished the Ship channel, got very windy, water murky. Fished Lake Martin with the same luck.

When your fishing for trout and red around POC, is the water clear, medium? Murky?

I even shot at rock lines with nothing. Not a salt man. Fresh water for bass and cats..
Joe

Sounds like it was a tough week, it happens.  And your experience with shrimp has been mine, to many hard heads and other assprted fish I did not want to catch.  And though some things cross over, like topwater and spinnerbait for reds, it is different than fresh water fishing, and trout are definitely not bass as far as where they hang out and who they hang out with.  The more I fished the salt the last 10 years the more I did not know.  It is a whole other ball game.  As far as water color near POC it is often dirty/off color near the ramp at Froggie’s and clears the farther out you go.  Once to the island it is usually clear, in fact almost always unless the wind has pounded on it for a good while.  Good to hear from you.

******************   

Today was much better both numbers and size.  They bit from first thing until I quit at 12:00.  Not sure if I can catch a big one shallow, but will be back at it tomorrow.   Making better decisions led to a better day.   I will keep it up 2 more days this week before heading to Louisiana.  Hard to get to excited about fishing when it is right around the corner.  Even when it is slow it is good, when it is good it is insane.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

*******************

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

Check out their new CFG Madre Sling

As I  prepare this I am really looking forward to giving the bass a go tomorrow.

This will be one long week until Saturday when I take off for the Chandeleur Island trip.  It has become my favorite trip for several reasons.  The location, the fishing, the food, and the folks I get the pleasure to fish with.  Of course I am almost ready to go and looking forward to doing some serious fish sacking.  It is one of the few times during the year when I participate in a down right meat haul and seeing that giant onboard cooler with a couple of hundred trout is an awesome sight.  And it usually only takes a morning or the first day before they tell you to quit keeping reds.  The fishing is that good. Hope the weather is calm so we can fish the surf, it is full of big fish.  And the encounters with the man in the grey suit a couple of years ago were entertaining to say the least.  Especially when one decided that Jason’s manhood looked like a place to hit with his nose.

And speaking of Louisiana just got this from Aaron.  Those of you who read this know he is one great all around fisherman, and he is up to his usual tricks.

Aaron with a big flattie from Lake Calcasuieu.

Weather

93/70.   Mostly sunny with 0% chance or rain.  Wind  E 9 – 15 mph.

Lake Level

Today  94.89 msl.   17 days ago  95.05 msl.

Solunar Times

Major  9:10 am to 11:10 am.  Minor  3:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

*******************

The new Knockin Tail is available at the Waterloo Pro Shop in Victoria and a tackle store near you.  

*******************

If it wasn’t for the show that Mother Nature put on a couple of times this morning the day would not have been the best on the water I have had in a while.  At daylight the water temp was 85 and the lake had a little color to it, more the farther up the river you go.  The wind was basically calm and it drizzled a time or two, going from cloudy to clear and back to cloudy several times.  It kept that up until heading back to the ramp at 1:30 when it poured and blew and I got soaked.  Left 5 minutes to late.  Which stills puzzles me when looking at the forecast.  (Of course when I got back from Colorado I cleaned the truck and put the rain suit in the Louisiana pile.  Normally it spends most of its life in the truck for days like this.)

A bunch like this, and not an inch bigger.

Funny how catching 20 plus is a bad thing, it wasn’t really a bad thing, but it sure did leave something to be desired.  As a perfect example, on one bank with either a beaver style bait or a stick worm, I  caught 9 and missed several.  Every single one looked exactly like the one above.  Before the morning was over 3 or 4 really small came on a buzzbait, the rest on the plastics.  I did throw a small square bill some and the swim jig with only one halfhearted bite on the swim jig.  Nothing over a couple of feet deep.

Almost all of them came on or near wood of some sort.  Deeper banks with wood were best, but even with the consistent bites I am not sure if I even missed or lost a good fish.  I fished up lake and down, and even hit a couple of really deep points with wood and could not get a bite on those type places.  It really was hard to figure out why there was not a bigger fish or two this morning, but it is what it is.  Most probably has more to do with me not fishing much the last 3 months on the lake.  As the old saying goes:  “The more I fish the luckier I get.”  And I probably am going to have to change my ways some if I want to get on the better fish.  So will just have to fish more.  And now to the highlights of the morning.

There is a place with a big bush/tree out over the water and as I fished by it a big bull gator roared.  It was freakin’ awesome.  He would get loud, then just kind of growl, and then roar.  Having only heard that once before it was one of those cool things that come with being on the water.  Rounding the tree there was about a 6 footer, who knows, maybe the girlfriend.  As that was the best catching area I re-fished it a couple of hours later and as I went by the tree he literally exploded in a huge boil.  It was just plain something.  And then it got better.

Going down the bank I could see a doe and a really small fawn.  They came to the water to drink and then momma went up in the brush.  The fawn on the other hand went nuts playing in the water.  Jumping in and splashing, then out on the bank and jumping back in.  Tossing water with his nose.  Laying down and then jumping, just like a puppy might do.  It was having the best time and since I was coming with the trolling motor I got real close before momma spied me, and off they went.  So the day was a success, there is always plenty of fish to be caught but seeing those 2 things back to back made the day.

*******************

Bagley Baits has been sold to a large corporation.  It was so nice when the brought back the Bang O Lure and I appreciated the help they gave me.  Only time will tell how that works out, but often does not turn out to be a good thing.  No matter what the Bang O Lure is still the best minnow bait ever made.

*******************

I was happy when we got back and the boat was finished at the shop, and it was all good when I picked it up Tuesday.  The next morning there was a little rewire job in the bilge, and it went downhill from there.  I was splitting a wire with a filet knife (Proper tool for the proper job?) when the end of the wire popped off and like a rocket hit me right in the eye.  That freakin’ hurt.  And to make matters worse it was covered in everything a dirty bilge has to offer, gas/oil/fish guts/bleach/beer, and God knows what else.  The good thing – no pucture.  The bad thing, a bruise and a chemical burn.  So the next 3 days were miserable and my fishing plans for the week were cancelled.  Nothing like feeling like something is in your eye for 3 days.

*******************

With the boat hitched up I decided to gas it and truck in anticipation of a good week of fishing.  (The Boss will be gone most of it.)  And since I was out thought I would stop by and renew my Coleto annual pass.  Since the lake was closed for 3 months I had a delusional hope that they would credit us with some of that time considering it was 1/4 of the annual use.  No credit, to bad so sad.  I did not take it out on the nice lady, she has heard plenty since they went to $17 a day and now this.  But I did email most of the Board of Directors expressing my displeasure, one has responded.  After the canned and ridiculous response to my complaint about the daily raise for folks who might have a tough time paying that much I skipped sending this directly to GBRA.  My real complaint with the raise, and now this, is some folks can barely afford it, especially the retirees and retired military, the folks I see out there during the week.

One person commented that since they were ordered to close I should not expect a refund of any of it because their costs continued during the shutdown.  I look at it this way –  If I eat at my favorite place every Friday and they close down for 3 months under that theory I should continue to pay so they can keep operating.  My real problem with that opinion – We have been told for years to have 6 months of expenses in reserve to protect against things like this.  So why are corporations not held to the same standard?  No matter what they took my money and did not provide the service.

There was a couple of comments on the internet this weekend when folks loaded up and headed to the lake Saturday.  They have set some limits on the number of folks allowed in, and apparently a couple of boats loaded up and went to the lake, only to find it closed to more visitors.  Folks are definitely fishing.

******************

And here is quick report from our Fayette guru.

Glad your back but I know how hard it must have been to leave! Been fishing Fayette a lot and things have changed in the last couple weeks. Day break you can catch some nice fish on swim jigs for about an hour then it’s over. Move out to 18-25’ by the dam with Carolina rigs using Senkos in watermelon/ red glitter and you can catch some more until the sun cooks you to medium rare. Deep water is holding lots of fish if you can stand the heat.
Tight lines
Rusty

Thanks for the report, it mirrors what Joey, one of the Austin Boys, found fishing there last week.  Deep near the dam seems to be the ticket as the day heats up.  At least you are putting some good ones in the boat.  Welcome to Texas summer, out early to beat the heat.  Thanks for the report.

*******************

Saturday morning the Boss and I went for a drive to POC to put some promotional Knockin Tail Lures out, love the doing that.  It turned out to be just as I told her about POC this time of year, only it was more spectacular than that.

The whole town was in a fishing frenzy, the Speedy Stop pumps were packed with tons of boats and the parking at Froggie’s was something.  Trucks and trailers went around the lot and all the way out to Main Street.  They had even started parking in the new steak house parking lot.  And with the tournament season coming to POC it will only get worse on the weekends.  Folks are just dying (Pun intended.) to get out.  So as far as the weekends down there, my plan, wait for hunting season.

*******************

I needed a new stringer for the Louisiana trip, it is a meat haul, and I thought about a new net as my handle is held together with black tape, so we stopped at Academy by the house.  It was crazy busy and I have never seen one more depleted.  Much of the fishing stuff was gone, rods and reels way down, and the place was in total dissaray.  I did pick up a $2 stringer which I will be happy to donate to any shark that wants it when we fish the surf on the islands.  There was not a net to be had but my old one will work.  Last trip I lost a couple of big trout trying to use the Boga, and since we have a little pool going time to put them in the net.  Not sure what is going on with all that at Academy.

*******************

Have now done over 1300 posts.  That is crazy.

*******************

The Boss is leaving town so it will be back on the water Wednesday and hopefully 2 more days before heading to Louisiana.  The next few days will be long waiting to hit the road.  In my mind I can see a big red smoking a topwater, feeling the thump of a big trout on plastic, catching big trout after big trout in the surf, it really is a great trip.  So there is lots of fishing to come so keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

*******************

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

Check out their new CFG Madre Sling

*******************

It is always good to be home.  We really do take full advantage of the Colorado wilderness and burn the candle at both ends.  It really is a magical place.  While my fly fishing skills are still in the beginners phase, I am learning.  One thing that tickles me is how fly fishermen use a “strike indicator”.   Not growing up all fancy we called them bobbers.  But for me I like those little foam pinch on indicators, less resistance to the fish on the bite.  Other than that I have tons to learn and will keep it up.

*****************

You have seen Tommy in the past who is a real multi-species fisherman.  No one trick pony here.

That is a string!

*******************

The new Knockin Tail is available at the Waterloo Pro Shop in Victoria and a tackle store near you.  

********************

And this from Fishing Florida Radio.

The Knockin Tail Lure is spreading across the US for one reason – It is a BETTER plastic that catches fish.  Enough said!

*******************

And from a Coastal Angler Magazine Editor to Michael at My Coast Outdoors,  home of the Knockin Tail Lure.

I didn’t get a measurement on her, but it’s the biggest trout I’ve ever caught.

Every few years we take a weeklong family vacation to St. George Island. My two brothers and I always fish the bay pretty hard from kayaks. Although we occasionally hit those magic moments, it’s usually a numbers game. Make a thousand casts a day to cover a ton of water and catch 5 or 6 reds and maybe a trout or two. Over two decades, we’ve landed on a gold spoon as our confidence bait. It comes through the weeds, casts a long way and catches reds. This year, everyone was chunking Knockin Tails by the third day. They flat-out work, and they catch trout as well as reds, unlike the spoon.

I will be ordering more in Chicken on a Chain.

Glad sales are going well. – Nick

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

*******************

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

Check out their new CFG Madre Sling

********************

One of 45  lakes we hit today.

*******************

The new Knockin Tail is available in Victoria and a tackle store near you.  

********************

We have really been lucky on our morning drives.  As an example Wednesday we saw tons of mule deer, some elk, turkeys, and one of the coolest coyotes I have ever seen.  It was almost black and really big, at first we thought it might be a wolf.  But he stopped long enough to let us get a good look, and it was clearly a coyote.  I know I keep saying it, but to really “hunt’ the wildlife good optics are a must.

Thursday we decided to hit a couple of roads we have wanted to see, which included somewhere around 6 lakes.  One thing I have been surprised about is the number of lakes, there are lots and all have trout.  The first couple not a bite on spinning gear which surprised me, though it was just a few casts and then on we went.  Before the day was over we visited a couple of lakes and saw tons of stuff.

I did meet Jake who was at the first one with his family.  He is a hard core fly fisherman and we had a good chat.  He fished the Peidra the day before and caught a really good rainbow but not big on the numbers, so my results the last 2 days ended up being just fine.

Seeing plenty of mule deer and the occasional elk.

There is no shortage of lakes in the Pagosa Springs area, and they all have trout.

We stopped at a lake called New Meadows and I stuck supper on a Rooster Tail.  They were willing and it did not take me long.  What we did not know was going a few more miles up that same road would have been worth it.  At happy hour at our favorite motel that night we met Deano.  He works with the government on water projects and spends tons of time high up in the mountains.  We found out if we had gone farther up the road to another lake we had a good chance to see a moose, which would be cool.

The Boss.

On our drive  we hit the fly shop in South Fork and I replaced the ones I lost the day before.  I lost them on fish, bushes, rocks, you name it I hooked it.  But it comes with the territory and is all part of the learning process.  Funny how with fishing, whether it is a $20 lure, or 10 $2 lures it still seems to come out the same when it is all said and done.  And some powerful readers is in my future next trip.  All this fly fishing stuff is small, really small.

It just never gets old at the top of the country.

It is so nice to hit a lake and sack up supper.  All the rest of fish caught in streams and rivers I release, whether it is a catch and release area or not.  So here is a picture of the trout out of the lake.  Looks pretty good huh?

From the lake to our table.

It took me a day and a half of hard work at it to finally get a clue.  The water has been dropping and the primary creek we fished was the Peidra River coming out of Williams Lake.  Wednesday we worked hard wading where we could and only managed 1 small one apiece.  The Boss had 4 or 5 bites on a dry fly, I stayed with the midge.  But day 1 was a wash.  But I was starting to have a clue what not to do.

Brown trout are just plain beautiful.

Friday we headed down below the lake which is quite a hike down to the river.  I lost one and missed one, the Boss did not have a bite.  I really have a lot to learn on fast water.  So we hiked back out and headed down river to a good area to wade.

A rainbow.

Once we started again after lunch Nancy had a little twinge in her back so she read a book and I kept after it.  Finally it started to happen.  I think it was 4 or 5, all browns, all related to runs with big rocks, as long as it was not to fast.  Another part of the learning curve, the strike zone is small, real small, and precision casting is important.  And I would like to thank a nice brown for tipping me off to the area that had the fish.  As the dry fly drifted past a rock he rolled on it, not an attempt to eat, just enough flash to clue me in they were there.

Fly fishing really is an interesting sport.  There is lots to learn, and I actually learned some.  One thing is NOT setting the hook, but just lifting the rod.  I actually tossed one over my head!  A fish, not the rod.  But we never did solve the top bite. It was 0 for around a dozen rises.  After finally taking a picture of a small brown Friday evening I forgot the camera on the river bank.  But as it was Friday, and Saturday would be our last day, my plan was to go and get it in the morning, and hopefully fish some depending on the weather.  Turned out it is a good thing the camera is water proof.

The best rainbow I  could manage on the fly rod.

It was pouring when I got up at 6:00 and headed to the river.  On the way the roads were cat shit slick.  They had been rock hard as they have had little rain, so once it got wet the top turned to a slick muddy mess, which made going down some of the big hills interesting.  But 4 wheel and taking it slow I made it without piling up.

The first Brown trout that I landed.

When I got to the river it was pouring so I walked back to the camera and there it was.  It was real apparent that the water was on the rise, sound alone told me that.  I did not even put on the waders, it was thundering and lightning all around and it was clearly not going to be long.  So back to the truck to get both rods, a #16 midge on one and a floating bug of some sort on the other.

First cast with the midge a brown jumped on so I tossed the dry over them and missed another.  I only fished a couple of hours but ended up with 6 bites on top and not a take.  Not sure about all that, but it was interesting to see them come for it.  Maybe the general small size had something to do with it.  So I stuck with the midge and caught another 3 or 4.  Slowly but surely the river was coming up, and then here came the debris and the color.  Really glad I got an early start because once it started it was over.

It is Saturday afternoon and we might make one more wildlife drive, and scope out some property that looks interesting.  The more we come here the more we like it.  Folks are nice, the weather is great, and there is all the fishing you could want.  Heck, there is even a large lake only 3/4 of an hour from here with lots of bass and some really big pike.  And as we have learned on our drives there are other areas with roadside access to assorted small streams.

The water is about to get right, but it really is so dependent on snow melt and rain.  And there is still now on the divide.  So we got lucky this week as the levels got better every day, but the rain today had them coming back up rapidly.  We never did fish the San Juan, it was getting close, and the guy at the fly shop said the drift boat fishing was getting good.  And over on the Rio Grand it was still high, and where I caught lots of browns in October was still to high and running hard.  But the drift fishing was getting good and the fish were eating drys.  So if we make it back out here in July like we had planned it should be just right.

Our guide near Estes always told us when you catch a fish stop and look where you are.  This week we have really lived that, thus only 2 reports.  Instead of being tied to the computer and camera we have just been enjoying the beauty.  Everywhere we looked it was something and we appreciate just being out here and spending all day outdoors.  Access is what makes Pagosa Springs the place it is.  The more time we spend outdoors the more we know we have lots to learn.  This has been another great week, but like all trips it comes to an end.  We will be home in a couple of days and it is back to “real” life.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

*******************

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

Check out their new CFG Madre Sling

**********************

Our Happy Place

We have driven hundreds of miles over the years on mountain roads looking for wildlife.  We have been so lucky to see the things we have, and everyday is an adventure.  We have worked at being in the right place a the right time and finally all that effort paid off,  it happened.  There are no pictures, only the one permanently burned in my brain.

*******************

The new Knockin Tail is available in Victoria and a tackle store near you.  

********************

A Bucket List Trip Day 1 – How will I ever top this?

We were headed to the Salida area to check it out by going the back way through the mountains before going to Pagosa to check in.  Much of the trip was through a really long valley surrounded by mountain ridges.  First up we saw 3 elk with a really small calf in a field, then just a minute later the Boss says there goes something “loping” along.  Before I even looked I just knew, it was a lion.  And I mean a big lion, and what looked like a yearling with it, running across an open field to the tree line along the ridge.

That lion must have known how much I have wanted to see one in the wild that it stopped and looked at me while I looked at it with the binoculars for almost a minute.  (Good optics pay off.)  She never moved except for her twitching tail.   I guess she finally decided we were not a threat.  So she just slowly walked along the tree line and we got to watch her, even moving the car twice, for almost 5 minutes.  We never saw the other one again, but words can not adequately describe just how freakin’ cool it was.  We have seen lions and cheetahs in Africa but this was a once in a lifetime moment and I want to thank the lion.  Words can not adequately convey how awesome that moment in time was.

And here is a few pictures from the first full day here in Pagosa.

Amazing how many mule deer there are here.

We were up and gone early, the key to seeing stuff.  And as usual they cooperated.

Early morning elk.

The same elk with the 600mm zoomed all the way out.

And what would the Wild West be without a herd of buffalo.  

Still some snow on the high Rockies.  This lake is on Wednesday’s schedule.

And speaking of water, this on our hike today.  

First up was our usual drive just checking things out.  After a long drive where we saw tons of deer and elk we stopped at Williams Lake for our lunch and a hike.  The water in the San Juan is still high, as was the Rio Grande,  but the Piedra River below Williams looks much more fishable.  We stopped at the fly shop and got some good advice.  I asked what to buy, buy more flies, and was surprised when he had a box on the counter and it had lots of sow bugs.  He said if you are fishing there it is dry fly time.  That has never happened at other times since we started fly fishing, but I am sure excited to see one take it off the top.  We are real beginners but we sure are willing.

The roads going on forever – and this one is headed to the Divide.

The Boss has a Zoom meeting this morning, then we are off to test our meager fly fishing abilities against the wily trout.  I will be sure to take a picture of the Boss later, she looks like a walking ad for Simms.  She loves the good stuff.  How I met that bar still is still a mystery. This will be the only morning we are at the house, otherwise we are gone at daylight.

As a side note it was elk burgers on the grill, then tonight venison steaks, always part of our trips out here.  And we stopped by SoCol, our favorite little motel and watering hole for happy hour and it was covered up with Austin folks.  The owners are from Austin, the food truck dude is from Austin, a lady we met is from Austin, and the house we are renting is owned by a lady who also has rentals in New Braunfels.  Small world.

The more we come to the mountains the more it calls to us.  We are not ready to make the move but as we watch the sun come up over the mountains it is apparent that this just might be the place.  We love wildlife, the solitude of the high mountains, and the folks here who inhabit this small slice of heaven.  There is more to come so keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

*******************

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

Check out their new CFG Madre Sling

**********************

Go Fishing – Even better take a kid!

Free Fishing Day in Texas is just around the corner! On June 6th you can fish in any public waterbody inside the state without a fishing license, all size and bag limits still apply.   TPWD.

********************

Friday morning started off great.  Getting stuff done, more packing, and was just headed to the tackle room to finish the fishing stuff when we got an email from the house we had rented and paid for in Salida CO.  To bad, so sad, was the best they could do.  Apparently they were told that short term rentals had been approved starting June 1, then the county changed its mind.  And to top it off they just informed the landlord of that fact 1 hour ago.  So the punch line, we have no house in the area we were really looking forward to visiting.  Looks like it will be back to Pagosa, (We hope at this point we can find a place on short notice.) which is not a bad thing, and Salida just lost us as potential visitors in the future.  Glad we did all the river recon last trip to Pagosa, should be able to find fishable water somewhere.  And a quick stop at the lake anytime and supper is taken care of.

(Fortunately we found a house in a great location and a couple of days from now I will be slinging a fly rod around like a maniac.  I may not be good at it but I am willing.)

As we were working through that the Boss decided to mow the lawn, and here it comes.  The gas tank started leaking and gas was all over the rider.  So dealt with that.  At this point in the day I may start drinking!  But we are going somewhere Sunday, end of story.

*******************

The new Knockin Tail is now available in Victoria and all along the Texas coast.  

********************

Here is the reason I stay home on the holidays!  Thanks TPWD for keeping us safe.

In addition to issuing 1,196 citations and 1,212 warnings for various boating safety law violations, wardens arrested 38 individuals for Boating While Intoxicated and filed another five charges for Driving While Intoxicated. Additionally, another 31 people were arrested for various other crimes.

Additionally, game wardens investigated 16 boating accidents across the state, one boating related fatality that occurred on Stillhouse Hollow Lake and 10 open water drownings.

People will never learn.  And the 43 folks arrested for BWI/DWI could care less about you and your family.  Might as well drive drunk on New Years Eve, the same kind of stupid.  As usual the numbers are amazing.

******************

Chago reports the efforts by family and friends to start a high school bass fishing club are moving right along.  He dropped me a note and said my last few reports had his 3 boys in a fishing frenzy and they were headed to the lake today.  I remember that feeling.  Wanting to fish, to know why and how, all the great new baits, rods and reels, as many of us know it is a disease.  It may not be fatal, but once you are infected it last forever.  (Wonder if it produces antibodies?)  So good luck boys, can’t wait to see your development.

Julian with a good one.  But as with all brothers there is a “dispute” as to who may have caught the most.  

Looks like this morning went just fine for the boys.  They caught some fish, using senko style baits wacky style.  Their primary color was a variation of watermelon/red and they tossed it right into the stuff.  (Remember fish see 2 colors – red and green.) One thing about the senko style baits, they catch fish anywhere on the planet.  So congrats on a successful morning and will be looking forward to the reports to come.

*******************

For Entertainment Purposes Only Officer!

A Game of Skill – Blind Luck Will Count!

*******************

Evinrude Obituary 

BRP, a Canadian company, announced that it would no longer manufacture Evinrude boat engines.  (In the spirit of openness let me say the only one I ever owned, besides the other which was a Evinrude 70hp which came apart, was the biggest piece of 4 stroke junk in over 45 years of boat ownership.  It caught on fire and let me down repeatedly.)  They say they will honor warranties and keep up on parts and repair networks, but we will see how that all works out as time goes on.  But like all things, once that starts you can kiss your long term value good bye.  I am a Mercury man and always will be, but I hate it for all the employees who have lost their jobs.

*******************

All is right with the world and it will be high mountains and beautiful trout streams.  The Boss has her new waders and is rearing to go.  So time to knock out the long drive and then the fun begins.  Hope you all have a good week and catch a few fish.  Keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines