Oregon Native

Remember living in Oregon and driving through the snow to fish for steelhead....was awesome. So peaceful and quiet. Had to be careful but was oh so wonderful with good friends. Now...Tennessee...not to often does it snow...does get cold and sometimes ice....upside....these bass out here chomp in the cold weather. Yesterday had the son and grandson out...temps were in 30's and low 40's most of day. Fishing in morning was amazing so called them to come out if not doing anything. Sheeesh....as soon as they got there the fish just about stopped biting and jumping. But then the ol cold sun was showing on bluebird sky's. But did manage a dozen or so whites and a couple largemouth when they arrived. Grandson was curled on floor playing most of day and eating boat snacks. Nice day. Lots of cloths.

I knowwwwwwwwwww. This is so funny and I love it. I don't know how many I've taken out and by 11:00 or so they're going...."What time ya heading in?!" I say....hmmmm...sun hasn't set yet. They say....well my wife wanted me to.........so .....we go in.....never to return. Now it's I'll meet you at the ramp when I'm in the mood to take someone of questionable .........ummmmmm....intentions. Mama worries when I'm by myself but if our good Lord should take me while I'm on the water....well...not a bad place to go. Better than looking out a window. At 68 I still try and fish a ten to twelve hour day. Can do this for several days then it's read a book day as the wife gives me a nice lil lecture about "relaxing". I don't push it as much but do love it.

Lifting....hope all goes well...hopefully there's some good stories on here to help you stay entertained.

Arthritis is a "pain" to be sure and in the hands it's not fun...well anywhere it's not fun. I've been using some "DMSO" for a couple years now and it has helped...a cure....no...not for me but it keeps me golfing and fishing. Older we get it seems like you have to put up with some pain. After my pancreatitis I now keep a p-seat in the front of boat for some reason. During that time I fished and was very unsteady....now....just not taking any chances...it's there if I need it.

My hands are usually the problem with my fishing so I like something well balanced but light both in spinning and casting. Recently put a KastKing Assassin on a Dixie Custom Jerkbait Special....it's amazingly light and for a decent cost. Love it...we're gunna be friends I believe.

Ouch..... Now a couple or so years ago there was a lot of ice on the Hill in the back coves....and I remember pulling A-rigs off the ice and getting slammed by the bass....was crazy. Also remember that year getting stuck in the snow pulling my boat down to Point 19 in the morning...driving out was ok.

Gosh...for the most part the west was pretty dry this year

As I've mentioned before...love the winter. It's getting tougher with the hands protesting but the Nitrite gloves are helping along with large handwarmers. Even back warmers come into play sometimes and they are also amazing. Something about the empty boat ramps...quiet waters...eagles flying over....deer sneaking through the woods and fields....squirrels chewing you out for disturbing there peace and the list goes on. Ahhhhhhhh.....it's amazing...truly a gift from above. Now if I had to hear ice cracking just to walk out on a lake I would be terrified....I'll give you all a moment of silence in respect of what you have to endure. Tight lines all....

Not sure how this lake lays up but when I used to fish the Columbia back home I would throw a crankbait off the back and just troll and watch my fish finder for depth changes. Covered a lot of water and learned a lot of the lay of the lake/river. Picked a depth range and tried to follow it. Pick a diver that works that range....try a couple colors and see what happens. I definitely learned area's that have more fish. Good luck

Good stories....been retired for about four years now (am 68) due to pancreatitis doing it's job. Could and should have been fertilizer but dodged a bullet. Life style and values changed too...especially when we lost daughter to cancer during this time too. Won't go into the money thing....the above made a big dent. But life is good...today is good. Will see what the good Lord brings us tomorrow. Fingers are crossed we can handle it.

Will do once I figure the posting pics again....had it down pretty good but something changed on computer

In the high 30's this morning.....hope the fish are biting for us.....

Well.......:).......boat runs well. When my son shows me again I will post a pic of the sunrise...truly a beauty. There was an icon (or something) at top of computer page that's now gone and can't figure out how to post pic. Anyway....hit the bank with a spinnerbait and a jerk and could tell with this front coming in that things were going to be tough. I could feel fish bumping but no taking. Could even see them hit....but only a perch sacrificed himself so down lake I went. Then the wind and rain really hit....but not real bad. I was trying to catch fish on a new bait and was getting them to bite .... just not commit. (homemade whirlyB) Did get a nice crappie, channel, small bass....but nothing great. From talking to another boat I was slaying them!!!!! Oh...well....was awesome to get out. Oh....58 degree water and watched a big snake swim in front of the boat....thought this was surprising in cooler water and also saw a bobcat walking down an ol road....was cool. Lots of animal movement....no fishy movement though!!!

You'll be fishing some big water and conditions change quick. Would not go with a flat bottom and I'm sure you will get some "great" input from those up in that area. Congrats on your new purchase and adventure. Always fun to get a new floating tackle box.

Depending on the body of water of coarse but a jerk is my favorite. Followed by a little three inch senko,dinger or a TRD on a light head or drop shotted. When I moved here it was awesome....and it still is. Depending on lake....3 ft to 40 ft.

Just got the call last night so am picking up the ol girl (TR20...2002) (700 plus hours I'm told on engine) this morning. It's been almost two weeks so am anxious to say the least. Had a major oil leak and the starter went out and a couple other little things. Now....I'm going to reorganize a bit for fall/winter so that it's quicker to clean out after fishing in heavy rain and such. Soooooo excited to get back on the water.....look out Hill.

Very nice....NOW....welcome back to reality

I tried those too but found that they were a bit stiff for these old hands....but did like the length and the durability. I've gone to the thinner ones and sometimes go though a couple pair a day. Tight Lines

Could we get an address......(or maybe didn't see...sorry)

Have used the Nitrile gloves now for going on three years and they are awesome. They tear a bit at times especially if doing a lot of catching but they keep your hands dry and to me pretty warm. I keep hand warmers in each front pocket of jacket and before putting hands in pocket I dry a bit on towel and life is good. Arthritis in hands is horrible so was desperate to find something .... this works for me. Are they perfect....no....but very very good.

Interesting.....sounds good

Honey crisp here too....about one a day. Interesting on how they change flavor at times during the year or the batches they get in different stores. Sometimes they are almost like drinking a glass of juice.

Check with Todd Hannah on the Umpqua river. He quides there and could lead you in the right direction.

Have used both and done well on both. For the most part in my opinion its a color thing. Tail on the Dream is a bit smaller so a bit more action but both are good baits.

Gosh boat is still in the shop....I think I know now what the boys/girls up north go through when they can't go fishing!!!!! Went golf ball hunting three times this week....organizing tackle....watching grandkids....(this was a plus though) oh....and overthinking stuff about "just fishing". Hope and pray boat is back soon and fixed.