Fished a lake in Texas called Stillhouse Hollow with brians_screename and one of his friends the other night and had a blast. We mainly threw Lobsters, Jig and Lobster and Anacondas and we caught alot of fish but no giants.  It was only my second time on that lake and it looks it has real potential. We were fishing main lake humps and points near the river channel most of the time and WOW, fishing 10 to 15 ft water with 90 ft water within throwin distance is exciting to say the least.

Brian Reeves and his friend Clay Carver are two of Americas Bravest. Both of them are battle tested many times over, wounded, scarred and still Rockin'. They served a couple of tours in Iraq together while in the Army. Heck, Clay was hit square in the back with an RPG (rocket propelled grenade) round and lived to tell about it. Said it took him for a ride but it wasn't a joy ride. Brian said that when the enemy saw that Clay could get up and continue the fight even after the rocket hit him, they took off like a bunch of roaches.....Brian was the driver and operator of the Bradley Armored vehicles and took responsibility for getting his guys in and out of the battles as safely as possible while having to lay down cover for them in the heat of things. They were in battles on the streets of Falujah, Sadr City and Ramadi just to name a few.  But the important thing is that they are safely back home.

I don't say it enough and I'm not sure that words alone can express the gratitude that I have for such brave and wonderful young people. Both of them had young  families at home and they still fought and laid it on the line for us. Brian, Clay and others like them are the real reasons that we have our freedoms, and our history as well as our future has been paved on their shoulders. I am deeply honored, just to call them my Friends.

Big O

Amen.

Pass onto them our thanks if you would. We can't tell these guys enough how important they are and despite differences of opinions on the validity of the mission, these guys are the ones in harm's way.

As a vet of the first gulf war (no combat time seen though) I appreciate it when people recognize my service to this country.

These guys are some of the very few that are still worth a rip in America today.  Amazing bravery they show every day for a nation that has so many that care so little about what they are doing.

I agree 32251.  As we thank and acknowledge every true patriot for their value and service to our way of life, these simple gestures mean so much and provide them with the hope that we too understand the value of our freedoms.

If you noticed I said our way of life instead of Country. I believe that many in our society have lost the meaning to the word "Country" if used in this context and see it more as an ambiguous term. Our way of life is more personal and might help to put the emphasis squarely back on those who live here and enjoy their way of life but are less considerate of this wonderful "Country", America....

BTW, neither of those boys forgot how to fish... they were slinging one in the boat every time I looked back.. from gun slingers to Bass Slingers, now that's a nice transition,  Huh    

Big O

Salute!

8-)

That's great! I haven't fished with Brian yet, but it's on my list of things to do! (especially since I'm only 15 minutes from Stillhouse) I have a deep respect for all of the service men and women....

I didn't know you were in the area... Stillhouse is a cool place. Our bite has been deeper than you fished, even at night. Most of our fish have been in 25' or deeper.

We were fishing main lake humps and points near the river channel most of the time and WOW, fishing 10 to 15 ft water with 90 ft water within throwin distance is exciting to say the least.

You don't get used to it. ...lol my 5th year down here and I still shake my head each time I see it.  

Big-o Stillhouse is an awesome lake. I evacuated there when Katrina hit my home. I lived there for about three months and fished alot. That lake has very good potential for big fish. The bigest I caught was 6 1/2 lbs but there was 2 double digit fish caught during october.

Yea when I evacuated I made sure to bring my boat and equipment with me. I couldn't take a chance on loosing any of those.

I had some realy good days there fishing the grass further up the lake. I had numbers in the 30's but no giants. The only giants I saw was all the deer on the shore. Man they where every were im talking some big bucks. It was different than the swampland I'm use to looking at.

I plan on going back to do some more fishing with my partner later this year. It is a beautiful place and I plan on making trips back there for years to come.

Is clay OK after the RPG, or is there any lasting injury? Thank you guys for what you have done for this country.

What an honor

Now that's a post!

Bravo!!

That was great Big O, thanks for sharing. I as well have great respect for these guys. If it were not for them where would we be today?

LET ME NEVER FORGET THE ONES THAT LAYED DOWN THEIR LIFE FOR ME.

Is clay OK after the RPG, or is there any lasting injury? Thank you guys for what you have done for this country.

Clay has scars from one end to the other and still has shrapnel thru out but you wouldn't know it by his demeanor. Still full of energy, ready to go and see's "his commitment to our way of life", as an honor. Patriotic.... I guess.  A real American.... for sure.

Big O

I got a little chill reading that. Outstanding post!!

That is awesome! Congrats to all of you.  ;D

As you all can well understand, I was in awe just to hear these two young fellas describe what to them was their Duty. Things they were directed to do, things they wanted to do, things they were hesitant to do, and of course things that their heart told them they had to do. There were upsides and downsides thru it all but to them the risk was worth the effort and they would do it all over again.

Do they care if we appreciate them...Yes, but they don't have to have praise to do their job. Do they care if we don't appreciate them...Yes, but they are still willing to fight for and lay down their lives just so that we have a choice.   "Now that's Freedom"

Big O

And from what I can see, all they want to do now is earn a good livin', take care of their families and fish as often as possible. Nothin like having good priorities... ...I can help them out with that last part  every now and then.