Oregon Native

Beautiful country...glad water is on the rise. Nice....I got some that size yesterday. Was crazy...haven't had that many dinks in awhile.

My grandma...bless her heart would tell me stories of how I would fish in the water bucket while grandpa would wash his car. She also told me a story on how I would take one of his rods and when he would bring home salmon I would put a hook back into their mouth and pull them all over the basement floor. She said it was quite a mess! Would have loved to have gotten to fish with him.

Oh...what a feeling. Arrived at ramp yesterday to one trailer and believe it was a hunter. Of coarse this changed after a couple hours when it warmed up. The ol girl is purring.....feels so good. Boat hasn't hit the mid 60's in a long time. Of coarse I didn't really hit it too hard as I wasn't really dressed for the occasion. Don't usually go all out in winter. Water was a bit dirty down below and running around 46 degrees or so. Was trying different baits (why I don't know) trying to see if something else would work when the back of my head said keep it simple!! Ended up with some dinks and one nice little keep. Was good to feel the ol wind in the face. Seems like to me that deeper fish are more stable on the Hill this time of year but not always. So as I have my coffee this morning I'm thinking....hmmmm…..what's the game plan today. Supposed to be a nice nice day. Next two days not so much.....but today warm...up to 50 they say. Well...fingers are crossed....last but not least a HUGE thankyou Lord for giving me another day on the water.

I surely wish that the kayaker's around here were as safe minded as you all. Gosh...they like to blend in for the most part … even around dark they don't even use lights!!!

Hold the rod with my dominant "right hand" and reel with the left for both spinning and casting. Had heard many years ago when worked shows that the ol leftys got big first on the west coast and then moved east....even heard it was due to the slime rocket fishermen....(used to be one). Anyway...not sure if true....but had heard this.

Would of have been cool....maybe at the Classic....there will only be thousands more people though!!! There was a ton of cranks at the show!!!

East Tennessee is sooo soo awesome.

That's very kind....very. Friend said it can be hard on a boat in cold....never thought of that. But...got a bunch more stuff done and was rewarding day....first time I've washed my truck in 38 degree temps......but.....the sun was on it. I have been helping a lady too who lost her husband as was at ends with what to do with all his fishing stuff including boat...this has taken a bunch of time too but it's a good thing. On the downside with help from friends really making a difference. Today is grandsons championship basket ball game and then on to a big game dinner in Lenoir City. Fingers are crossed for Sunday and Monday....oh so crossed. I actually enjoy it if it's not to bad. Actually walked the golf coarse yesterday for exercise and kept thinking ….when I get home I'll go....it was soo soooo nice out. But..kept my promise. But..next time she leaves I'm going to run silent!!!

I went too….was a great show...it's getting bigger and it's still all fishing. Really wanted some of those Honey Pecan's but it's a no..no for me. Some great looking cranks there....

Before the Ned on the west coast used to fish just a small lead head with a three inch Dinger/Zinger/or Senko with amazing results....fast forward...still works well in Tennessee.

Agree with the screw drivers.....can't have just one and don't want just one. Lures are like tools...…...

I'm a duo loc fan and have been for years and years. It's a rare day they open and I only use them so that I can change lures easier and get freedom of movement from my hardbaits.

Oh …. my. Mama's working on the West Coast and found out would be going by myself and asked me nicely to not go by myself…...pooop. Went to the show yesterday and it was great...bigger and better for sure. So here I am on pins and needles trying to decide what to do. There are a few things I could do.....do I want to.....not really...but then if I did them on a day like this it would free up (maybe) another day or two. My honey do list is really short due to the boat being in the shop for the Holidays.....oh …. mannnnnn. Well...I vented.....thanks for listening. Sunday is now my next chance.

Interesting...have always used the Shimano oil too and also use it to thin there grease a bit. Hmmmmm

Love the rabbit too....

Every day seems to be different. Remember being told many years ago when I was fishing catwalks across canals back home to wiggle your rod in the water and make it splash....worked well for crappie and some bass. I've also been snagged vertical fishing in twenty feet of water and sent a sinker down to get bait back to turn around and drop bait back down again and catch em. Sometimes it works … sometimes not so much. BUT...I personally like the quiet approach best.

Did buy a lottery ticket.....and thank you....gave me a morning smile. Shouldn't be....temps will be down....I do believe I may wait for sun before I launch though!!

WOW

Thanks for the BIG GRIN

Well….I just got my boat back again and my fingers are crossed. The place has been awesome but my boat has been like an ol girl friend.....oh sooooooooo moody. They think they have her fixed....my fingers are crossed....I am soooo soooo can't think of a word. Going out Friday after the Sportsman show on Thursday.....OMG...I so hope the ol girl gives me some a lovin. After all these years she owes me nothing....but again....fingers crossed. Gunna be cold...boat ramp should be empty....plus...plus....report to follow.

On a side note I LOVE LOVE LOVE the preparation and the getting ready for battle. Oh....and Humble Pie is NOT a food source!!

Nice....should we get to fish together sometime I'll tell ya a story why I don't really watch or listen to sports anymore....or it was the nail in the coffin type of thing. Anyway....enjoy....hope they due awesome. P.S. My son loves em

Good luck to your team....still rather be fishing!!

Gosh Tom…..sadness. Since leaving everything and moving to Tennessee I've enjoyed leaving the me...me...me...attitude of the slime rocket fishermen out west. We moved to be with our grandkids and although it's been quite the adventure it has been amazing. Attitudes of the fishermen out here are night and day different than back in Oregon. Making smallmouth on the Columbia basically a trash fish was the nail in the coffin. Best of luck and much future happiness to you

Like above I use anything to catch em. In the land of bait casters here down south I employ the ol spinning rod a lot and it has served me well.