Swamp Girl

I have nothing to add except for this: This has become a fascinating conversation.

They are environment changers, for sure. I've got some big trees on my shoreline that they've girdled. With their vascular systems cut, those trees will die.

I forgot Portland Head Lighthouse, just south of Portland. It's a stunning lighthouse with walking paths along cliffs and you can see three or four other lighthouses from it.

Good eye. I preferred the Creek Chub Plunker. It had a bigger pop and it didn't have that skirt that semi-melted in a hot tackle box. I love that river and have spent years fishing it too, from sloughs to its lakes to its dams. I also kayaked it twice, once from Cincinnati to New Orleans and once from northern Minnesota to Baton Rogue.

Thank you, @Motoboss. All my life, I've dreamed of waterfront, but I figured it would always be a dream, i.e. I couldn't afford it. Then this amazingly affordable property went on the market on a lake I love and know well and I made the leap. I talked to Geico yesterday about insuring it, but they said that as long as I build nothing on the property, my home owner's insurance policy covers it. "What about a small shed?" I asked. "That counts as a structure," was the answer. "What about a storage locker with handles that I chain to a tree?" "That's allowed." However, I think I'm just going to store a net, paddles, and PFDs under my canoe. I also called my driveway-building guy and he already walked the land and found an old road. He just needs to connect the dead end lane to the old road, which is only about 100'. He'll likely do that this spring, so I'll be able to drive down close to the water this summer. A couple guys who've trapped beavers there for years asked if they could continue to do so and I said, "Yes." I don't want to be one of those newly arrived waterfront owners who keep the locals from the lake they've long loved. Some more pics of the water!

DogBone is dog gone mensch.

Ah, you're welcome, Tim. @MickD: I always enjoyed the action of the Crazy Crawler. Some lures are just fun to fish and the CC was one.

We were both Ohio kids casting Jitterbugs to pond bass!

I closed on the waterfront lot this morning and immediately drove to the pond. No ice. Glittering blue. I'll be fishing soon.

But...but...but I truly never tire of looking at pics of bass.

Here's what I suggest, moving from south to north: Portsmouth, NH: Cobblestone streets and a thriving downtown. Right across the Maine border. Worth a visit big time. Ogunquit: Great food! Old Orchard Beach: very touristy in a 1950s way. A blast from the past. Old Town in Portland. Lively and great shops, but it is crowded. Camden: The Jewel of the Coast. Two waterfalls tumbling into a bay with tall ships from the 1800s. Rockport: Camden's little sister. Quiet and lovely. Belfast: Great downtown. Artsy. Castine: A quiet town with great architecture. Arching elm trees used to shade America's streets before Dutch Elm Disease killed them. Well, Castine still has more than 300 elms. Northeast Harbor and Southwest Harbor: Two smaller towns on the island that has Bar Harbor. Both charming. Schoodic: A gorgeous park with tidal pools and waves crashing into the rocky shores. Eastport: Way up the coast, but one of a kind. It's faded, but gorgeous. Note I didn't suggest Bar Harbor.

Closed on the property this morning. So happy. Drove down to see the glittering blue lake. You can't see it from any road, which I like.

Good luck, Al!

Am I the only one who can't see any of the photos?

Woody, Randy made a video acknowledging exactly ^this^ and it frustrates him, creating clickbait/controversial content instead of fun-with-fishing content.

I had to Google Fork Elite to know its rules. Catch, weigh, and immediate release would sure protect the big bass genes.

I'm talking about @Team9nine and others here: You guys sure can fish.

You are correct. I googled the above and found this:

@detroit1: I really don't lose many lures. I had one bass break my line last year. A few pickerel did cut my line.

Way. to. fish, GP!

The wind also tells me when I can and can't fish because my canoe is high and light and acts like a sail.

I had to Google the Z-Ray. Here's a pic of the one that's still being made today by a different company: The lure that makes me laugh is the Heddon Tiger Deep Diver. They also made a floating model that I tied on once at the mouth of the Whitefish River for giggles. I cast it in the middle of the day, saying, "Watch this," as if something were about to happen. And something did. The water erupted! A three-pound smallie. I used it the rest of the week, catching multiple four-and-five-pound smallies too, before losing it to a pike. So, when I look at my remaining Tiger, I remember, "Watch this," and laugh.

I believe you would welcome me, @Zcoker, and that makes me smile. And if were fishing alongside gators, I'd want you near! I saw my first housefly today outside. Does that count? And I've been hearing different bird song that I haven't heard all winter.

It's cool that you know all the names and how to use them, Tom. Of course, you know the reel too! #oldtimersknowoldschool @Scott F: I know what you're saying, but think of value of feeling like I'm 14 again. @jbmaine: You're welcome! @gimruis: Pickerel are my fear! Not many pike here, but pickerel are just as toothy and crazy. I've run out of reactions again, so I can't acknowledge your responses, but I've enjoyed reading them all.