Retiredguns

My Wife said, "Are you going to fish all day again?" I had to explain..

A little rough but probably true for some.

Almost comical but true.

So so many. One of note, 3 casts into a tournament I got my Devil's Horse stuck in a low hanging tree. It was in a spot that almost always gives up a nice Bass on top water. I whipped my pole 10-15 times when it finally came loose and back at me 100mph. I ended up with 2 sets of trebles in the side of my neck. Was able to get one out, but had my partner just use side cutters to snip the lure free leaving the other set in my neck for 8 hours until I got home. My Wife then had the pleasure of berating me while she performed surgery lol. Me and my partner won 2nd place and big bass that day so well worth it.

This is how I feel about our local lake lately..

An acquaintance at work turned me on to a real honey of a hole in front of a Walmart. Right off the road, nothing to look at, but it is always good for 6-7 Bass. Just feels weird fishing a retention pond at Walmart with cars and noise everywhere. I did fish a few golf course ponds as a kid, but attitudes were different back then. Not everyone was worried about liabilities. Caught a lot of monster Gills and plenty of nice Bass.

I always try and respect no wake zones, but recently did a dumb thing. My Bro-in-law and I fished on a lake in another state they we have never been to. Pulled up to the ramp and there was a tournament going on and a couple dozen boats launching. First, we needed to pay a launch fee (Wisconsin) so we had to borrow a pen from the tourney folks. Then we had to ask them for some singles as all we had was a 20. At this point, the guys says, "I don't know about you guys from Illinois." It was said in fun I think. Then it was our turn to launch so we putted out on the lake and watched all the tourney guys just stroll off trolling. Thought the fishing must be good right around the launch. I hit the throttle and was up on plane for about 5 minutes until we were across the lake. Noticed none of those guys went anywhere. Come to find out there is absolutely no wake before 0900. Here I am making enough noise to wake up the entire community. I am sure those tourney guys were just shaking their heads.

Went out yesterday with Bro-in-Law for about 5 1/2 hours. I did great and we caught some nice Bass. Winds were no more than 2-4mph. I started this thread after a pretty bad outing where I cramped up and was just miserable. This time I hydrated the night before and drank a lot of water while fishing. Today the Wife and I did an 8 mile river float in the tandem and aside from butt palsy, we did great!

Went out for a casual paddle with the Wife and it wasn't bad. Mild wind and no fishing. I think if I did have a higher sitting position, it would help some. My knees after 20 years running in the Corps are shot. Gives me enough disability to forgo a fishing license in Illinois though. There is definitely truth in being able to move around a bit as I can also sit in a canoe or boat for 12+ hours with no issues except maybe a little back soreness in the canoe. Sitting flat with legs straight out is what does most of the damage. I do dangle them once in a while and it helps. I am 60, 5'7" and 160lbs. Doc says I am in good shape and I feel that way most days. I installed a recessed trolling motor foot pedal tray on my boat and that has been a terrific upgrade as now I do not have to basically balance on one foot all day. Need to make things as comfy as I can. No shame in that.

That chair in the bonefide looks awesome! Almost full height.