A-Jay

The KVD 300DD is a solid producer for me However . . . . . .This bait has been ridiculous ! Please see Exhibit's A & B featured below . . A-Jay

It is for me Michael ~ A-Jay

Nice rig ~ what made you go to the 4 bladed screw ? A-Jay

Perhaps you could invest in a pair of chest waders and a wading belt. If the water at the bank isn't too deep, that would get you off the bank and around shoreline obstructions. Casting might be easier. A-Jay

Works during the day too ~ A-Jay

A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

I hike back into the backwoods & I take my canoe ~ Usually have these places to myself and I'll fish many different presentations. A-Jay

What time's High Tide ? A-Jay

Yup ~ That's the one. Small world - but I wouldn't want to paint it . . . A-Jay Sweet Stick ~ That one's on my 'list'. A-Jay

That's really funny - I have the same reel as well ! - I think I got it as a combo special that Cabelas was running a few years back. I don't remember what line I have on it - but it needs to be replaced . . . A-Jay

Agreed a 5wt is a little light - but that's all I had when I started out - it worked but so did I. Since added a 7wt St Croix ( Bank Robber) it's really sweet. A-Jay

Shimano Calcutta 200D ~ however it's 5.7: 1 Works for me. A-Jay

Fly fishing for bass is fun & challenging. Although admittedly not an expert by any means I do it a few times each season, just to stay in shape & with some success. During the annual big mayfly hatch here, sometimes it's about the only way even interest the smallmouth. Couple of factors do limit it's effectiveness. By & large the bass need to be fairly shallow, or seriously interested in an on or near the surface presentation. Heavy cover is mostly a no go. However, when the conditions are right - it can be about as good as it gets. A big smallie on a 5 wt can be enough to turn any gear angler into an addicted fly fishing fool in short order. A-Jay

Besides probably not being released back then, I can't imaging hauling a 15 bass sack of 5 lb slobs up on stage these days. It'd be pushing 75lbs. A-Jay

Learning from the past may be helpful. Comparing the past & the present has never caught me any more fish. There may be some better and some perhaps worse. But I’d say there are enough better to offset the worse and sort of even it all out. BTW - the BASS Elite series is on Lake St Clair this week. On the first day the pros weighed in 15 five fish limits over 20 lbs. The second day there were 30 bags OVER 20 lbs ~ ! And we are taking about Smallmouth people – Smallmouth. That’s some big weight. And for a lake that’s so close to metro Detroit, MI – that’s just plain outrageous. That said, this month has been pretty tough sledding for bass fishing in my world – has nothing to do with the past. I’m just a hack. A-Jay

I gave it my best effort a while back but was never able to put it all together. A-Jay

Admittedly it's a bit nippy - but it's nothing like what's going on in Texas with Hurricane Harvey & all that mess - so we're good and I hope they are too. A-Jay

37 degrees at the ramp this morning at take off ~ Very refreshing. Unfortunately the smallies pulled a disappearing act and were no where to be found . . . . Maybe next time. A-Jay

Ain't that the truth ~ After over 3 decades of routine running, and before I had worn something out, while the lower body was still OK, a couple of years ago I quit running. Didn't want to push it. And then this happened which made me shake my head. I miss running some but still do bike a bit with & without the dogs. The canine's like it because they can actually run farther & longer, and I appreciate the no impact - even though most of it is on trails / dirt. A-Jay

Oh Man ~ Sorry A-Jay

Wow ~ Sounds like no one got hurt. But I bet that truck driver was pretty upset. Are you covered for whatever damage there was to the truck ? A-Jay

Shoulder injuries are no joke ~ Glad to hear you were able to recover. A-Jay

Last summer (2016) while mowing the grass (of all things), I stepped in a mole hole (didn’t see it) that my dogs had dug out in the back forty. It was on a decent incline. I ended up taking a bit of a tumble and really torqued my left knee pretty good. Never ended up totally out of commission (meaning I could still fish thankfully) but I was otherwise most definitely on the DL and unable to exercise at all. Like many, I’ve had my share of ‘Rehabs’ – never enjoyed any of them. And this particular evolution included a ‘healing’ process that was not progressing like I had hoped; it was considerably slower. Not exactly a spring chicken, I was hopeful it would heal without surgical intervention, but the snail’s pace healing was causing some real concern. Besides seriously hating limping everywhere I went, not being able to really play & bound around with my dogs, having to guard & baby it for so long, I really missed being able to workout ! I eased back into exercising & took it super slow. And little by little, month after month, I began getting more & more range of motion and less & less pain. I’ll admit that it was difficult to remain patient & positive. Well, it’s taken what amounts to just about 15 months – but I’m back ! And it feels pretty darn good. Everyone who has endured a rehab and overcomes the adversity that always accompanies it, knows what it’s like to regain most if not all of one’s abilities to a level previously enjoyed. It’s one of life’s memorable moments. As a final note, during all current & future yard maintenance & landscaping evolutions, I am super focused & maintain a very high level of situational awareness; especially when in the vicinity of mole high traffic areas. Really looking forward to, as well as appreciate the ability to do, each & every workout. That’s my story & I’m sticking to it. A-Jay

Leaves are changing not yet but the ferns are thinking about it - which means I need to be fishing. A-Jay