hoosierfisherman

Here's the situation: I live next to a pretty decent fishing pond. That pond is owned by my Home Owner's Association. I pay fees to the HOA that keep it maintainted. On every entrance to the pond, and around the pond there are clearly visible signs that plainly read "Private Property - for residents only". Several weeks ago I recognized an unknown truck there, who was obviously not a resident as I did not recognize the vehicle and it was obvious they had come from some distance and were very prepared. They parked in the most discreet area. I.E. Serious fisherman on a private lake. They parked right in front of the no trespassing sign No way they could have missed it. It bothered me, but I let it go. Fast forward two weeks. I saw the truck again, but now ANOTHER truck was there - same profile, and the two were there together. The guy had brought his non-resident friend. And they were definitely all geared up to fish - waaay overkill for what I even do on the pond. Obviously serious fisherman not from the neighborhood. Now, if the lake weren't marked and it was a one time deal I wouldn't care. But it is very clearly marked and these guys obviously are experienced and know the rules. No excuses. I'm inclined to call the police for trespassing or the DNR the next time I see them. I know most of you will think that I'm a little harsh, but I already gave them grace the first time and I probably shouldn't have then. The signs are very, very clear and they parked RIGHT in front of the sign, and by another down by the lake. If they were to get hurt or sue the HOA, I'd be paying for it. What would you do?

Be safe and God bless!

Excellent!

I sure am! Going backpacking in the smokies with a travel rod!

What those guys said! Hope you get your boat back and the perp gets his due!

Don't live there, but we have an annual family reunion there at Wolf Creek Dam. That place is one of the reasons I got hooked on fishing Went there just after I bought my dad and I poles to spend time together, and had the most exciting fishing of my life at that time! Have fun! Maybe I'll get a chance to hook up with you all next summer

Indy area here. Just started fishing, but I agree with the guy above from what I've heard.

Hi, jax! Welcome from a fellow hoosier and fishing newb! I, too, am learning this sport and loving it as I do! This board has been nothing but kind and gracious to me!

Yeah, I've got to get in the habit of taking a camera.

I finally made a decision. Thanks, guys for your advice. I think they were a little more than I wanted to spend initially. I found this: http://www.troutlet.com/Eagle-Claw-Trailmaster-Pack-Rods-P124.aspx The beauty of it is that it is a breakdown fly and spinner! Reviews looked decent and it was a good price. Now, I can do either in the future! They also had one that was a caster too, but I doubt I'll be doing any of that while backpacking or hiking.

Allrighty then - so my wife and I built our house about 7 years ago. We live on a nice little 1-2 acre lake that is full of bluegill and LMB in a nice subdivision in the suburbs. I can go out and catch 4-5 fish in an hour there and that's been great when you just get the hankering to throw that line out there. It doesn't get much pressure - maybe 1 or 2 fisherman a week, mostly kids anyways fishing bluegill in one spot. Our HOA also owns some of the woods that is directly adjacent to our house. Well, we've lived there for seven years, and my wife today said "Hey - did you know there is a nice little trail down the culdesac? You should go hiking!" We'd never been down them and were curious, so I strapped on the hiking gear, grabbed the boy and put him in the back carrier-thingy, and took the wife along. Mind you - she's 6 months pregnant and quite the trooper! Works out every day, etc. ANYWAYS - we get to this trail and start walking. And it keeps going. And going. And going. Next thing I know, I'm recognizing that we're actually now on the trails of the 100 acre park next to us!! What's more is there's a small fishing pond in this park! What's more is there's a nice fishing creek / stream that runs through it! What's more is there's another pond just off the subdivision I hadn't noticed before! I'm in fishing heaven! I've got 4 - count them 4 - fishing spots within hiking distance of my house, yet I live in the city! And, it's all woods the whole way! I think I'm in heaven! The value of my house just went up $50,000 in my mind! WHAT A SURPRISE!!!!

WARNING: This post contains fishing stories and as such is apt to contain hyperboles, myths, and exaggerations. So, I'm a new fisherman, right - the new guy nearly killed by a deer while fishing. I'm still learning the ropes of this stuff but having a blast in the process. I got off work a little early yesterday and had something to celebrate, so I called up my dad to go fishing. We decided to hit this lake we'd never been to before that is in an urban state park not far from where we live. We show up and it's about 4-5 acres, fairly shallow, rather muddy, a lot of vegetation under the surface, lots of shoreline to fish from, and there are 10 people around it fishing away. We carve out a spot just off the walking trail. Aside from it being loud, I do see a few bluegill swimming about just outside the vegetation 6-7 feet from the shore. I'm hoping to hook some medium-sized bass, but happy with anything really. I tie on my trust Rapala F-3 as I'm thinking surface fishing is the way to go given the shallow and vegetated water and everyone else was just catching bluegill. My game is to give them something they don't see every day - something that will catch the abnormal fish for this area. I hooked a good bluegill, but he weaseled off my slightly dulled hooks. My dad wasn't having luck - he was trying lure fishing for the first time. There's this kid with his loudmouthed mother down the shore 50 yards with this kiddie setup. He reels in two tiny bluegill while I'm flinging my lure. I'm starting to feel a little silly, but am slightly consoled when the kid starts crying because mommy wouldn't let him keep his small fish and run to get the cooler. Frankly had that been my son he would have been horsewhipped for whining and carrying on the way he did. Sadly, the mom and grandparents just laughed about it without correcting him - but I digress... Meanwhile, this other guy and his pal are setting up shop 30 feet away. They're obviously going for bluegill - got the long poles, lawn chairs, humongous bobber and live bait. I make some small talk, tell them I hooked one but he dropped off - that I'd seen a few decent bluegill close to the vegetation on the surface but not much action. He says "Don't worry, I'll catch 'em". Arrogance, eh? Hmmmmm..... Well, he hooked one not too long thereafter and says "I told you I'd get 'em for ya! Live bait!". Well, we moved down the shore. I decided to change up my setup. I tied on a bigger floater. A few casts later and I was reeling in a huge bluegill. Nice! Then, I hit a dry spell for a bit so I tied on one of the sinking lures in a silver grey as I'd found a pretty clean channel. I hit the jackpot! Bam! Nice perch! Bam! 10 inch Catfish! Bam!! The biggest LMB I've caught so far - probably 10-12 inches - a nice fish for that pond! He was big enough to snap my line while I was trying to take him off and stole my newest, favorite lure! Well, I was happy with my results, and content as I watched those other guys sit there with their bobbers sitting on the water, no more fish coming in. Two different styles, two different results. I can say I brought in the biggest fish, AND the most fish of the anglers I could see. The moral of the story? Revenge is best served with fish! AND Keep yer big yap shut unless you can back it up!

Nice!

This isn't finalized yet, but we were thinking of doing the Clingman's Dome to Fontana Dam route of the AT, or doing some trails within the Park just off the AT. There's one trail in particular I'm interested in that follows a pretty decent stream - you've gotta hike 10 or so miles to get there.

No. Does not compute.