The Pickwick Saga of an Old Geezer

[Fishing Rhino]

Started when I pulled out of my driveway at about 1:00 a.m. on Thursday. 

First stop for petrol was at the Lombardi Service Area just before getting on NJ Turnpike.

One taillight out and a loose license plate bracket were fixed.  Filled 'er up and on my way again.

At every stop, I felt the wheels and hubs, plus checked out all the lights and tie downs on the Nitro and the canoe which was on the roof of my truck.

No more problems with the license plate bracket getting loose, but it did break off, leaving the plate somewhere along I-78 in PA.

Stopped at the huge Cabela's  on 78 to get spare tail lights.  They did not carry the ones I needed, but I did pick up a large rubber net.

At the time I thought that might put a curse on catching some large bass, but it was needed on several occasions.

Never got stopped for having no plate on the trailer.  That was due in part to the fact that Tennessee does not issue trailer plates, but you must carry proof of insurance.

There are other southern states have the same policy, or so I was told.

Stopped in Bristol, TN for the evening.  Checked in to the motel, then went to a nearby WalMart to get my TN license.  My 'bama license didn't start until Sunday, sooooo, if I was going to fish or even have guys fish from my boat, I had to have a license.

Figured it would only be a four hour or so ride across TN to Pickwick.  I was wrong, by about five hours.

Hit the road at 1:00 a.m. on Friday and arrived in Pickwick about ten in the morning.

Checked into the motel and headed for the main ramp at Pickwick Landing.

Fooled around with the 898 a bit and saw an interesting lump within sight of the Inn.  Caught a dink from that.

Headed to the river to finish the breakin process.  Good to have a long stretch where I could let it run at various speeds for more than a couple of minutes.  Then saw a deep finger that reached into a shoal, and caught a decent fish there.  Back to the breakin.  Finished that process and saw what looked like an interesting ridge in the middle of deep water.  Went from 50 to 20 feet in a short distance.  Dragged a drop shot up the bank and when it got near the top I got a nice largemouth of about four pounds. 

Friday was the last any of us saw of the sun until Sunday evening.

Fished Saturday with the Bassin sergeant and soldier.  We caught a few and we all got wet.

More of the same on Sunday with Steezy.  But this time with lightning.  Just before Steezy arrived at the motel, I had pulled the plug and drained the water from the overnight rains.  Thunder in the area, so we sat down to the free breakfast at the Hampton Inn.  After the electrical stuff subsided we headed to the ramp.  Put in, and took off for Yellow Creek or River.  The boat would not get up on plane.  Turned on the bilge pump, and it ran, and ran, and ran.

Could I have left the plug out?  I was as certain as possible that I had replaced it when the boat finished draining.  Hoping not to have to haul out on the trailer to check it, when we got back to the ramp, Steezy held my legs while I bent over the stern, and submerged head and shoulders to grope for the drain plug.  I felt the transducer, and the drain for the cooler, but could not quite reach the plug.  Back the trailer down the ramp, get the boat on it, and haul it out just enough to see the drain plug, which was in place.  While it was on the ramp, I pulled the plug and it took a good ten minutes to empty the hull.

As a side note, Big O, who was fishing near the dam had two bilge pumps going and still had several inches of water in the cockpit.  It rained that hard.

Two passing thunderstorms later drove us to shore to find shelter.  After the second passed, we called it a day, both drenched to our bones.  Later that afternoon, Mike, who wanted to see the 898 in action, and I headed out for a couple of hours.  Found one productive area along the shore, and caught a few, losing two nice smallies in the process.

Monday, RoadWarrior and I went with a guide we had hired, searching for larger smallmouths.  It was not the most productive day of our fishing, but I'll leave the details to RW.  There was one highlight to the day, but discretion being the better part of valor, dictates I remain silent.  But it was funny, and I teased RW about it mercilessly for the remainder of the trip.

Tuesday, I fished alone.  Bad breath, or just obnoxious, you make the call. 

But, it was a nice day, and I was able to do everything my way, at my pace, without concern for others.  It's not that I did not enjoy the company of the prior days.  It was just being totally free of any social obligations.  I do enjoy that once in a while, though generally I prefer having a buddy along.  That day paid off.  In one short period of time, less than a half hour, I pulled a six pound smallmouth, a five pound largemouth, or maybe a spot, and a four pound smallmouth from the same ten foot circle.  Also caught several other nice fish on the small shelf at the foot of a tall bluff.

Somewhere, at the end of the day, the prop for the trolling motor went to Davey Jones' locker.  Got another, plus a spare the next morning from a nearby boat dealer.

Wednesday, I fished with the Bassin Army guys.  We did quite well, though not as good as they did with Big O.  Still a great day of fishing.  The batteries for my trolling motor went flat just before noon.  Fortunately we were near the ramp, and I had brought my canoe with two fully charged deep cycle batteries.  After a half hour or so, we were back in business.

On Thursday, the Bassin Sergeant fished with me.  We found a few productive places, but the lowlight of the trip also took place that day.

We were moving between spots, doing 40 - 45, when the cover of the cooler in front of the console broke its moorings.  It hit me smack on the tip of the nose, producing a prodigious nosebleed.  A towel dunked into the icy water of the cooler staunched the bleeding in about five minutes.  It didn't bother me for the rest of the day, was a little sore on the ride home, and on Saturday it started to swell, continuing on Sunday.  Went to the ER to get it checked.  Not broken, but there was a cellulitis, a skin infection.  So, I'm on two anti-biotics for the next ten days.

All in all, it was a great time.

I'm ready to head back.  Anyone want to come along and share expenses?

[Long Mike]

Great post Tom!  I promise that I will never breathe a word about the little problem with putting your boat on the trailer. 

[roadwarrior]

Nice post, but you forgot out initial meeting:

"Geez, I didn't know you were so little"

;D ;D ;D

[K_Mac]

That was a fine vacation story; lots of action, mystery, danger, pratfalls, comedy, a little blood, and a trip to the hospital. ;D Add a bunch of good fishing, good company, and I'm very jealous.

Sounds like you guys had a great time. I glad your equipment issues were not too costly and you weren't hurt seriously.

[Fishing Rhino]

Nice post, but you forgot out initial meeting:

"Geez, I didn't know you were so little"

;D ;D ;D

OK, an explanation is in order.  In RW's avatar, he looks like a linebacker.  In real life not so much.  I also told him this story.

As I was packing, my wife commented that I must have been packing my slobbiest clothes. 

I wasn't, but they sure weren't my golf type attire.

I showed her some photos from other road trips.  She agreed I was packing appropriately. 

I walked out of the motel Saturday morning, and there was RW, looking like something out of GQ, and not at all the size of a linebacker.

Only RW and Big O vied for the sartorial splendor award.  The rest of us looked like we'd been foraging in the Planet Aid bins along the side of the road.

[Big-O]

I'll say one thing Tom, although you had a pile of challenges during the Roadtrip....you worked thru'em like a hot knife goin' thru butter 

An Adventure from the Get Go and you gave those fish a whoopin' for sure

Really enjoyed meeting you and thanks for keeping those boys on their toes  ;D

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[Dwight Hottle]

Great post, Tom. Congrats on that big smallie.

[Mrs. Matstone]

Great post. I love hearing all about the adventures you guys have on these trips. What a blast. Congrats on the fish and thanks for sharing. Hope your boo boo is feelin better soon.  ;D

[Paul Roberts]

Now...pics??

[Fishing Rhino]

Now...pics??

As soon as I get them, I'll post them.  Bassin Sergeant took the photos and will email them to me.  I'm being patient, but am anxious to see the pic of the big smallie.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Nice post, but you forgot out initial meeting:

"Geez, I didn't know you were so little"

;D ;D ;D

Tom, you ought to see Russ (LBH).  He is in trouble during a stiff breeze.

Can't wait to see pics of the three big fish.

[burleytog]

You have more mechanical problems than anyone else on this planet.  Past, present or future.

[Fishing Rhino]

You have more mechanical problems than anyone else on this planet. Past, present or future.

In spite of them, I still get 'er done.

[firefightn15]

Thanks for the write up Tom, obviously you had an eventful trip. ;D  Definitely one to remember. 8-)

[CWB]

Great read! Sounds like it was a non-stop rollercoaster ride. Can't wait to see pix.

[bassinsergeant]

I can say that Tom did have an adventure down there but It was great meeting him and fishing with him. I had a blast. I know everyone is asking for his pic's and I will have them to him tonight. I may be in the Army but that does not mean I know how to upload pic's from my camera to the computer. I'm waiting on my wife to do that but I can tell you one thing.. They are some beautiful fish!!!!

[lazeebum]

I wish I had met you fellows while I was up there. I made it down Thursday night, fished awhile and then fished until the wind got unbearable Friday morning.