Oregon Native

Have to agree...an ol black worm is one of my favorite's too....BUT...I also have a tube rigged also just in case

I used to fish the BASS Invitationals out west and enjoyed them. Coming from the Oregon area where bass are trash due to the fact it's a major trout, salmon, steelhead state. From what I heard back then Portland didn't even care about bringing in tourneys...they did not care about the money...they had enough from other areas! I personally don't seeing it getting any better out there...while I do love living out east where there seems to be a more "get along" with everyone when it comes to fishing.

Go on enough trips and stuff (%$!@) is going to happen. Remember a steelhead trip once out in Oregon where I met a friend at the river. Had the waders, vest, rain jacket...oh....but no fishing rod.....$#@!

I now use all braid with fluro leaders and carry two jigheads with the barbs flattened down for those types of things. Am lucky to not have to deal with those woes to much. But I do remember going through and cleaning my reels a few years back and respooling with fluro...."three explosions"...sheeesh I was a dummy there. IN ONE DAY

Well...fingers crossing did not work. We had two largemouth for a little over four pounds. Took less than ten to win. Had several "just short" fish. But then everyone goes through this who tourney fishes. Was a beautiful beautiful day. Should have spent more time deep but with temps pushing 60 I thought more would be up....NOT. Tight Lines

All the best

First one is over....weatherman was a bit off but non the less it wasn't a bad day. I went in with zero expectations. In the first hour I had two in the boat for six pounds...one was almost four. Rest of the day...two dinks. Boater had three for eight pounds. Bite shut down for us when the cold front hit in middle of day. Had big fish for the clubber and came in fifth so wasn't bad. Today we will see...it's a team tourney so fingers are crossed. Tight Lines

Very nice

OH ... MY... very organized.

Thanks for the smiles...have been there...done that with the exception of an ER visit....been lucky. Last year in a Tuesday nighter I gave everyone week knees when I asked to borrow some heavy braid and pull one out of my own hand. Rough night. Good luck with the wife by the way.

Thank you

At least now we don't have to worry about you poking yourself with a knife!!!....Tight Lines

Wow...used to somewhat feel your pain when I used to live in Oregon. But there we were limited due to rainfall and sometimes snow. I did though catch some smallies in the Willamette river every month of the year one year....got lucky...but was brutal. Now it's living large in east Tennessee...hope I never ever have to go back. Good luck

Went to Melton Hill yesterday and found a large Drum with an arrow near the tail section...tried to get the fish and get the arrow out...after about five minutes of try to play catch he just went down.... Oh....fishing was not bad...just no biggies

I have two back to back tourneys this weekend on Norris so decided to go up and check out the lake as it has handed it to me many times in the past...especially in warmer months. Well it handed it to me again!!! Started the day with a drop shot smallie and a jerkbait largemouth and thought whoohooo maybe...just maybe....NOT. Fished for another hour and found a floating fish basket with a large bluegill in it very much alive...set him free and thought ok...karma will start the bite....NOT. Fished all day and ended up with one more...bout a 20# drum. Still a very beautiful day....just not a catching day. Tight Lines

I would try Fern Ridge on the west side. Maybe even by the dam. Again...it's been a long time

Used to be a creek that dumped into the Willy at Albany by the bridge on the south end across from the ramp. Cannot remember the name...but at times was good for smallies. You may have to get a map and figure out some access points it's been a long time for me. Thomas Creek was also good but again...access can be tough. Good luck

Thanks Glenn..... You bring on good people....

I did a pork tenderloin in enchilada sauces with onions, garlic and chachi's in a crockpot. When done added a pack of mexican cheese to thicken. Wife loves it.

Hmmmmmm.......sounds like no pain....no gain from the group above. Best of luck

I remember many many years ago when I was fishing almost everyday and carried an ol eagle claw four piece and a mitchell 300. This outfit saw lots of action and even when I went into the Navy it still served me well even though it took most of my line just to get over the side of the "DE". Hair jigs were my favorite then for all species. Don't remember parking in shade or sun but my guess I parked mostly in shaded areas...I do know I sure fished a lot!!

Tried the "Ned" in a tourney yesterday and was interesting day. Lost a couple decent fish on the Ned. So tried one of my bigger hooks and thought it was the deal...no missed fish. And then........@!#$. Had about a 20 plus inch smallie to the boat a couple times and sadness followed. Came off.....so the bigger hook wasn't really the answer I guess. Will have to be a little more patient and softer I guess on the hookset. Will have to do some more research and development..(slowing down on my part) I enjoy research and development!!!

Welcome

I'm going to look at it as another tool but in the back of my head I'm thinking gosh....wish the hook was a little bigger... May do some research and see what others think. Tight Lines

I'm a Dry Creek Tube's fan.... Candy is dandy