OK Folks, sit back, relax and listen to how it went.........
Like most of the pilgims headed to Lake Fork, half the fun was getting ready. I spent the weeks leading up to the trip packing the tacklebox, carefully sorting plastics, hooks, jigs, etc., looking at maps, dreaming of the bass of a lifetime and meeting friends without a face. The 'Bass Bus' was prepped and loaded. Craigaria's awesome Bass Resource stickers adourned the windows. Hard to believe it's time to go.
40 degrees on the East Coast with a steady rain when I fired up the 'Bass Bus' at 5:00 am on Friday. Drove 150 miles in rain & snow to the Bass Pro Shop in Harrisburg, PA to Pick up Muddy Man & Brutus for the trip to FORK! YEA!! We sneaked out from under a big Noreaster that dumped 14" of snow on Muddy & Ron's home town. We did about 600 miles to Bristol VA and camped for the night.
Saturday we headed out early to make it to 'Riskkid's' in Nashville to have lunch. Carl (Riskkid) grilled us a steak that was so tender you could suck it through a straw. Carl is a man among men. His hospitality and generosity sets him apart. Thank you Carl!
We left Carl's place in the afternoon en route to the abode of our very own 'Road Warrior' in Memphis. I'm not sure if I have ever laughed so hard as I did listening to the MOOK stories on the road to Kent's. We arrived at 'Road Warrior's' house in the early evening and dined on the best BBQ ribs I have ever had! Road Warrior and his lovely wife are the consumate hosts and treated us like family (maybe better LOL).
In our excitement, we woke up very early and headed to FORK. We are now a convoy, the 'Bass Bus' and Road Warrior's' SUV. The Mooks switched places at each stop so they could take turns visiting with Kent (RW).
On Sunday afternoon, we arrived at "Fisherman's Cove" and plugged in the 'Bass Bus'. We learned quickly that LBH, Cigar Lover and NBoucher were having travel trouble (airline schedule) because of the storm that we had narrowly escaped. Although we were bummed about the plight of LBH & crew we were gratefull to meet many of the Bass Resource Crew.
Monday, Ron & I (we are both named Ron) met with our guide at the 'Lake Fork Marina' and ordered breakfast while we waited. I asked for a sausage & egg sandwich on white toast, Ron (what a mook) asked for a "pork roll & egg on a hard roll" the Texas waitress asked " you want a what? on a what?". A lesson learned about cultural cuisine. LOL
We fished untill about noon without catching anything (our guide caught 1 dink) I won't mention his name because he seemed to try hard to put us on some fish. He brought us back in at noon and confessed we would not likely catch any fish. Ron & I had a good time fishing anyway. In the evening I made Gumbo & rice and Carl (Riskkid) imported some 'Boudin' and it was cajun niight at FORK. Like 'Crocodile Dundee' said, it tastes like #@%$, but it will keep you alive. LOL
Tuesday! Muddy man and Ron (Brutus) have been friends for many years and we had planned to share a boat together ( all three of us). Ron is moving to Florida soon and this was one of the last times they (the mooks) would fish together, so I took advantage of Bert's (Bighead) generous offer to fish with him on his awesome Triton boat on Tuesday so Muddy and Ron could fish together on Fork. The mooks had quite a day (see the Lake Fork Video) thread. Bert & I fished hard all day. He caught a few small fish & I remained skunked. Bert (Big Head) is an over the top fisherman with an awesome attitude and a great pleasure to fish with. Thanks Bert, for your generosity. I hope to fish with you again someday.
Muddy_Man & Ron (Brutus) sevred up some Italian meatballs & pasta for dinner that would make you slap your mama.
WEDNESDAY! We could make a sitcom out of this day. LOL. The mooks (Muddy & Ron) are fishing with other members of the group. Craig (Cigarlover) & I are going out to fish in the rental boat provided by "Ricky's Boat Rental". We motor out to a little island to fish for our new PB and somehow the trolling motor doesn't seem to want to work, not a little bit, not at all! We push ourselves (with a paddle) out into enough water to get the out board to get us back to the dock. I call Ricky and he comes out to get the boat. He has the audacity to proclaim "pilot error" " "it's set on 5, you are burning up my motor". This is funny to me because this is the EXACT SAME TROLLING MOTOR that is mounted on my boat at home. I am figuring out now, that doing battle with ' Ricky the Boat' will only cause me to wind up in a Texas jail, so I give him back his boat and accept a refund for only the last day the rental. He beat us out of Tuesday's rental. Nobody fished from his boat on Tuesday, except Craig & I for about 1/2 hour & neither of us ever casted a lure. At the end of the day, Keith (Flechero) took me out on his boat and we got to spend a couple of hours fishing together before dinner. Hours I will treasure for a long time. Thanks Keith!
Wednesday night, Kent (Road Warrior) constructed some (Hoagie) sandwiches and homemade chille that had to be eaten to be believed. A contented, full stomach was had by all! Thanks Kent!
THURSDAY! Anyway, God bless LBH and Art Pasley for feeling sorry for Alpster. They set me up for one of the highlights of my trip. Art took Craig (Cigarlover) and myself in his rock & roll Ranger to some of the fishiest spots on Lake Fork. Craig caught a couple of fish and Art did too, but I had to change my avatar on the last day of fishing.
I have to tell you, I have caught 1000s of fish in my life and I have met a lot of people, but few as amazing as the BassResource.com friends I will remember on this trip.
RW and Riskkid extended the same hospitality and kindness on the return trip.
Lastly, everyone laughs and enjoys Muddy_man and Ron (Brutus) doesn't post a lot, but I have to tell you, these two mooks are genuine, caring, awesome, self sacrificing gentlemen who are the REAL DEAL! I am proud to call them friends!
That's my story and I'm stickin to it!
God Bless!
Ronnie - NO EXCUSES 08.
