PIKE FOR LUNCH

The snow and ice have melted, and I've awoken from a bit of blogging hibernation.  There is so much to catch up on around here, and especially out there with all of my fellow bloggers.  Yesterday (May 15th) during lunch I opted to not eat - what a lie! I never eat during my lunch time.  There's more important things to do with my time like fish, edit photos/video, or nap.  (I just eat while I'm working.  I mean who doesn't!?!)

So, during lunch yesterday, I stopped by a spot really close to work.  I didn't have any fly rods set up and I wanted to maximize my time fishing, so, I grabbed my casting rod and tossed a swim jig with a paddle tail trailer.  I was sure to have a steel leader on, because, I know there are gators present.

Stirred up quite a few of these during lunch, it must have been the new gator hat from 720 Fly.  I even managed to cast my rod and reel into the water!  Hilarious!  It wasn't hard to retrieve out of the water, so, that's a plus.  It is full of dirt and sand, so, I'll definitely have to clean it up.  I have it on video, so, be on the look out for that sometime in the very near future.

After work, I decided to head over to the same spot with my fly rod.  I hooked several trees and thought I was going to break my fly line each time I was trying to rip my fly line out of them.  I managed to hook up with one gator, and I'm pretty sure it was one I had hooked earlier with the swim jig.  It's great to be fishing in short sleeve again.  Shorts were needed.  It was too damn hot out for my jeans.

Hat - 720 Fly

Net - Rising Fish

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Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

I hope all of you had a very Merry Christmas, and have a fun and safe New Years!!  

Things have been slow around these parts.  I've decided to take a page out of +Howard Levett's  (Windknots and Tangled Lines) book and run a contest to basically say thanks, and to generate some entertainment to offset the cabin fever that is surly building up for everyone.  Be on the look out next month for that!

Until then, please enjoy my cover of Better Man by James Morrison.

I hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving.

 

Eat lots of good food!

 

Don't go waiting in lines after dinner or the day after.  Get out and enjoy what's out there!  There's so many other things that you can do with your time that would be much more enjoyable than waiting in some department store line to save a few bucks.

 

I know I plan on getting out and going for a hike or possibly a quick wade on some small waters that I know won't produce any fish, because, it's that time of the year...but who cares!  It'll just be nice to get out and enjoy nature.

 

 

I have many doppelgangers, and my friends love to find them.

 

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and your families.

It's Gotta Be The Glasses

Over the weekend, I was just hanging out at the house doing what I always do, plotting to take over the world.

Then my sister called me, and said that she was in the neighborhood with her boyfriend.  They came by and we hung out, had a few beers, and I tossed some pork chops on the grill.

Beer and Barbecue.

This was my first time meeting her boyfriend, and we got on the subject of fishing.  I saw that the fish were getting active in the shallows of my backyard lake, so, I suggested that we go down there and fish.  They were both game, so, I grabbed the only 2 rods I had set up.  My 5 wt and an ultra light spinning rod.

Bluegill I caught.

After some difficulty with some tangled line on my ultra light rod, I decided, to let my sister and her boyfriend have a go at my fly rod.  I gave them a fixed amount of line, and it was GAME ON!  They both had the short cast down, and were catching fish!

My sister.  I made her fish.  She had a great time!

Her boyfriend is an Oakley fanatic, and he dug my white sunglasses.  We deemed them my signature trademark when I go fishing, so, he suggested it was only right that they took pictures with fish while wearing them, because, I was teaching them.  Ha!

It's gotta be the glasses.

Told her this was the most cliche' pose that she could make.

My sister and her boyfriend Javier and a bluegill.

While my sister was using the 5 wt, I had fixed the line on the ultra light, and tied on a small jig and bobber.  My sisters boyfriend started using that, and he hooked up with a really nice bass!  He was stoked, and so was I!

Taught him how to long arm.

Fish Kisser.

Say Hello to my little friend.

Oh, and I overcooked the pork chops, because, we were busy catching fish.  I didn't overcook them that bad...nothing that some Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce couldn't fix.  It was well worth it.  We all had so much fun!  I think my sister and her boyfriend want to do this more.  Awesome!

Merry Christmas!

I would just like to say, Merry Christmas, to all of you and your families!  I hope you all have some extra days off from work, and are able to enjoy that time with your loved ones!

Winged Reel and Pig Farm Ink have partnered up to host a gear drive benefiting Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing.  So, if you have any gently used gear that you would like to donate to a great cause please visit the website.  

For more information click below.

PHWFF GEAR DRIVE

Camper with the Family

Family time is the best time.  My GF and I, headed up to my Grandparents camper at Fish Lake Beach in Volo, Illinois, to hang out with some of my family. 

We arrived just in time to join in on a hay ride around the campgrounds.  Not everyone joined us.  My Grandma stayed behind to wave at us when we rode by.  Everyone but 3 people on the hay trailer were a part of my family.  We were the best group that the residence of Fish Lake Beach ever experienced, hands down.

We always know how to have a blast.

When we were nearing the campers behind my Grandparents.  My Grandma was standing outside with a sign that read "Homeless - Need Family"....Hilarious!! We all got a great big laugh out of that.  Ain't she a riot!!

She cracks us up!

After the hay ride, a few of my cousins and I headed down to the lake with our fishing gear.  My cousins have all fished before, so, they all sort of know what they're doing.  My cousin Giacomo (Red Shirt), and Jeff (Not pictured) have more experience than Michael aka Big Red and Sam.  This lake had a terrible fish kill when we had our polar vortex winter, and some have told me it has bounced back through stocking, but I am not too positive about it.

The fishing was tough, as expected.  I was the only one to hook up with a fish, and boy, oh boy, was it a whopper.  After trying several streamers, I switched flies to a small san juan worm, and I cracked the code to Fish Lake Beach.  

Trophy catch.

After fishing, my cousin Jeff and I headed to the store to restock the firewood back at the camper.  Once we returned there was a fire already started, and we all started to make use of it for a snack.

Hot diggity dog.

Awww...here's me pictured with the person that hates all of my jokes, my lovely GF. :)

My Love.

Here we have pictured myself with a few of my many cousins.

We're a pretty awesome group.

As the evening turned into night.  The campground was having a Ho Down type dance at their pavilion a stones throw away from the camper.  Before we all headed over there, we made some pot pies.  Butter, bread, pizza sauce, and some cheese.  Close the pot pie, and stick it in the fire, and viola, a great meal. 

I've always enjoyed a good campfire.

I apologize, but there were no photos taken of my dancing.  I know you're all disappointed, but what I do have, is photo with my very awesome, special, and beautiful Grandmother. 

My Grandparents are part of the reason I love the outdoors as much as I do.  As a kid they used to take me, my sister, and my cousin Sharese camping with them all of the time.  They used to have a pop up camper, and belonged to a group who would travel together to different campgrounds. 

She doesn't read my blog, but in the event that she does - I LOVE YOU!!!

Love this woman!

Happy Mothers Day

I just want to wish my mom, a Happy Mothers Day. I'm cooking today, so, I hope that everything turns out just as good as all of the amazing food that she makes.

Me, my Mom, and my Sister.

And a Happy Mothers Day to all of the Mothers out there!

One Last Time...

Took a ride with my Uncle and Cousin to help with the grunt work of setting up my grandparents camper.

Things on the usual agenda.

1. Get the roof/tarp over the screened in deck.

• Not a problem for my Cousin Donny and I. The key to getting the roof/tarp over is a trick our Grandfather taught us of rolling it up, and once it's through the tracks, we can then roll it down over the rest of the roof, but the thing that made this go so quickly was my Uncle Mike utilizing the broom stick. =)

• This was the hardest part of the day, and to think, our Grandfather used to do this by himself with the help of our Grandmother using the broomstick. Unbelievable.

Clean up all of the leaves that accumulated on the deck and stayed all Winter.

• There was an incredible amount of leaves on the deck. We grabbed 3 brooms, and started sweeping. It was not until we were pretty much finished that we had the thought of a leaf blower. My Uncle went to check the shed, and sure enough, there was a leaf blower. There's no doubt that Papa Carf was definitely shaking his head and laughing at us.

Roll out the carpet.

• Check.

Set up the tables, chairs, and cabinets.

• Check.

Make sure there were not mice.

• No rodents. The moth balls win, again!

Run the water and make sure the electric works.

• Check.

My Grandma is going to be selling it this summer. A lot of good times and great memories were had here. It's going to be a sad day once it's sold. Until then let we're going to enjoy it with our Grandma and the rest of the family a few more times.

For those of you that do not know. My Grandfather passed away July 2014. I've had a draft post about it pended for quite some time. One of these days I'll muster up enough to finish it.

Sun drunk and stick boats

The 3rd installment of - Bored and going through old photos.

I cannot count how many times Bobba-Dood overstayed our welcome in the sun, and became silly sun drunk fools. We've all been there...am I right?..please tell me I'm not alone. Haha

Our fishing outings use to last all day. 6+ hours of baking in the sun fishing multiple times a week. There were multiple outings where we would reach a that point where we became silly, stupid, and laughed at everything. 1 part sun, 2 parts exhaustion. During those times, the creative side of my mind would get going. I distinctly remember 2 occasions where I just randomly started to make something that resembled a watercraft of sorts, not human size, but something you could put a lego person on. 

On the first occasion we were fishing at Mallard Lake. I made a small watercraft the size of a post card out of sticks, grass, leaves, and vine. Whatever was around. I set it out to sea. It floated. I was proud. I then had the grand idea of trying to sink it with small rocks, pebbles if you will. I didn't want to cheat and use a big ole rock, where would the fun be in that. My accuracy was terrible and eventually just tossed a big ole rock, and defeated my very own Eco friendly battleship.

The 2nd time we were fishing the Des Plains River, and catching a skunk. I decided that we both create stick boats, race them, and see which one will survive falling over the low head dam.

Bobba Dood started making a Mark Twain'esk type stick raft. As you can see in the picture below, it shows he has just started the frame. Unfortunately, I was unable to locate pictures of the final product. I do remember it was no match for my ingenuity.

Here is what my mind is capable of when I'm exhausted, and had too much sun. Pure genius! How can you not say to yourself, "Wow, that's impressive! Is it for sale?!?!"

I was extremely pleased with the outcome of this vessel, that I contemplated changing careers, and devoting all of my time building stick boats, and starting a stick boat river racing league, but I didn't want the fame and fortune that came with that territory. I'm a humble guy. Plus the world wasn't ready for that kind of excitement at the time.

...and there she goes on her maiden voyage. What a beauty. The only fixture that did not survive the fall over the dam, was the sail. She kept on going down river, and didn't miss a beat. She's probably made her way around the world a few times by now. 

I know everyone has a few stories similar to this one. I'd love to hear them, so, please, do tell!!!!

Found some models

I still have my friends camera, and I thought I would continue to utilize it while I can. So, I found myself some models.

I WISH.

These are my and my girlfriends dogs. Daisy (pitbull), and Bo (shit-poo). I hired them for cheap. A few pieces of chicken was all that was needed, and pretty much all I had to offer. I don't believe the above models would have accepted chicken as payment, but I'll never know, because, I never asked.

Frick and Frack

Bo knows serious.

Bo knows clowning for chicken.

Daisy looking like a lioness waiting for chicken.

Daisy showcasing her talents...for chicken.

Possible hat for next years Kentucky Derby.

I am going to try to get Daisy use to water, so, maybe someday she can accompany me on an outing. She goes fishing with me now, and I just tie her leash to my pants/belt, but it would be cool if she could just follow me around, but I know that takes a lot of training.

Grandparents Camper

Helped open up my grandparents camper at Fish Lake. Did some cleaning and helped with all of the heavy lifting to get it all ready for Memorial day weekend when the whole family usually goes up to get together.

Lot's of memories at this camper, and it's very hard to believe they've owned it for 14 years now.

Before this permanent camper/trailer, they had an old pop up camper. They belonged to a camping group that went to different campgrounds every year around the states of Illinois and Wisconsin. They're one of the reasons I learned to love and appreciate the outdoors.

Looking forward to making more memories with the family sharing laughs and stories around the campfire, taking my cousins fishing at the lake, and just having a good old time with the family.

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day

I've been keeping myself very busy this winter.

The weather is on the up, and I cannot wait until I see some open water.

Hope everyone enjoys their Valentines day, and hope you all remembered to get your significant other a gift. (That is, if you do Valentines Day.) ...myself...always forget, but don't really recognize it. (Fake day). Do yourself a favor, and watch this video. Hilarious! Valentines Day with CVS

I will be paying a visit to CVS when I leave the office today. Ha!

Indoor Water Park and Devils Lake

Used two vacation days this past Thursday and Friday to have myself a much needed 4 day weekend. The GF and I went up to Wisconsin to relax and unwind. We stayed at the Kalahari and did the whole indoor water and theme park stuff...who doesn't like water slides or a hot tub in their hotel room.

I was able to renew my Wisconsin fishing license for the year. I was also able to wet a line in the Wisconsin River for an hour....with no luck. I seen 2 guys use nightcrawlers hook up with some very nice smallies, though. (I was very jealous.)

The end of the trip was spent at the beautiful Devils Lake State Park. The fishing here for me is a love/hate sort of deal. I absolutely love fishing here, because, it's so scenic and beautiful. The water is crystal clear, and I have seen some monster bass and pike swimming around. I also, hate fishing here, because, I have the worst luck, and usually leave with a skunk. The only time I've had a success here was when I was a live bait fisherman. I have only caught 4 bass, and missed one pike here using artificial lures. Oh, well....better luck next time right?

AM and PM fishing

(This was from last week)

 

Started leaving the house 30 minutes early, so, I can fish the lake at work for 30 minutes before the gym opens up at 5 AM. It was dark, so, I decided to toss a spinner bait with my baitcaster. I was extremely happy when I found some breakfast bass :)

 

After work I met up with a friend at another lake. I tossed some flies while he friend chucked huge musky lures with no luck. I on the other hand was only able to catch a handful of bluegill. Fun and beautiful day, none the less.

 

Played around with my GoPro camera, and iPad, again. Check it out.

 

 

Don't mind some of the sound effects. I was just playing with some things in the editing program. Need to get my hands a better program. For now my iPad will have to suffice.