Roadtrip 2011

[.ghoti.]

First off, for Mary and me, the fishing was not so good. But the trip was a blast.

We had 20+ people for the Saturday Night Wine & Cheese Soiree. I won't list all the names because I'll no doubt forget somebody, and don't wish to offend.In any event we made some new friends again this year.

Most of the food we brought got consumed. Most of the beer and wine we brought got consumed. Didn't have to take much home, thankfully.

Uncle Leo brought several bottles of his home brew; very tasty. We saved one out to take home with us.

WMD brought a very nice Malbec which did not get opened for some reason. Mary and I had with dinner last night after we got home. Thanks Mike; you should buy a bottle or two for yourself. Great with a nice, big ribeye.

Scrutch brought some Indiana wine to add to the mix. I'm not a big fan of fruit wines, but that blackberry wine was delicious. I only got one small sample, then it disappeared. Thanks Rich.

Honorable mention to senile1. He went out of his way to drop by just for the evening; bringing along about six six-packs of Boulevard beers. Some of that got consumed Saturday night, and more disappeared Monday night. I took home a mixed six, left a six in Kent's frig, and another in Leo's cooler. Thank you, Ed. Wish you could have been there for couple more days.

Sunday evening was truly dead. Most of us stayed up pretty late Saturday, and fished all day Sunday. When Sunday evening rolled around, I think most folks ate and retired early.

Monday night was RW and Long Mike's burger cookout at the lodge. Uncle Leo manned the grill, serving burgers and beans. Well done Leo. John Parks, the new owner of Fisherman's headquarters, gave a very informative talk on side scan technology, and gave all in attendance a nice bag of tackle. Thank you, John. We of course had stop in on the way home and buy some stuff we really needed.

Big-O was again in attendance, and gave us several informal seminars on the fine art of fishing. You can't be around this guy and not learn something. He is always "on". He again gave away a bunch of Rage Tail baits. Thanks again, Steve.

I heard several reports of good fish being caught. I'll let those who did the catching do the telling. I have no big fish to report. We fished Sunday with CJ. He worked his butt off trying to put together a pattern, but it was a tough day. The wind kept us off of a lot of spots we wanted to hit. Thanks again Chris, for a fine day on the water. We fished part of Monday with Long Mike. Not much in the way of fish, but a good time none the less. Thanks to you again, Mike.

I'm probably forgetting something, but I'll add it later as it occurs to me.

OH YEAH, here's a teaser. RW has a new name, and it's a good one. I'll let Big-O tell you about this, since he's the one who bestowed the new name on our old friend.

Finally, when we got home Tuesday night, some serious bad weather hit, and it was headed for Kentucky. All bloddy heck broke out here. Tornadoes, hail, 65+ MPH winds, torrential rain; the whole nine yards. I hope none of our friends got caught out on the water when it hit.

[Siebert Outdoors]

It was great meeting you and Mary. We sure did have a great time. I am planning on making it next year also. Yeah I wont mention RW's new name I'll leave that to Big O. LOL

I hit that weather too and it was not good.

What a great trip with a bunch of my new friends. Good times. You are correct. Senile went way out of his way to stop by. I'm glad he did he is a great guy and friend.

Next time though Long Mike needs to not kick us out at 12:30 to go to bed. LOL

[senile1]

I enjoyed meeting all of you and I wish I could have stayed longer. My Dad and I returned from Trophy Country Tuesday evening and traveled south on I-55 as the storms were coming through. We hit a 40 mile stretch from Perryville to Benton, MO where the winds were so high the rain was blowing horizontally. My pickup was rocking like it was ready to turn over. I don't think I've ever gripped a steering wheel so tightly, but we made it safely so all is well. We caught plenty of fish at Trophy Country though nothing was bigger than 4 lbs.

[scrutch]

Gary & Mary,

It was a pleasure getting to talk to you. I only wish we had more time to get acquainted. Send me your address and I'll send you another bottle of the Oliver Blackberry.

I might be able to make it to Pickwick if that's where the Roadtrip goes next year. I hope to see you there if it works out.

GMAN, I enjoyed meeting you. I didn't get the jigs I wanted so I'll have to get some from you soon. I wanted to go fishing with you on Kentucky Lake but I needed to keep David with me. Maybe at Pickwick you can show me a few things about jigs. I'm already looking forward to it.

Keep in touch!

Scrutch

[oteymc]

Trophy country? Did someone say Trophy Country?

[.ghoti.]

Trophy country? Did someone say Trophy Country?

Absolutely. Steve has already called, and we're trying to get a couple of trips blocked out. Otey, I'll be sending you Steve's cell # as soon as we get a date or two set. I thought I had your number; I do not. Sned it to me and I'll get it to Steve.

GMAN, it was great to meet you finally. And thanks again for the jigs. I'll try to not lose them all in the same place. Ditto on the trophy Country trips. Make sure you let me know when your new stock of jigheads arrives. I'll get some. You can never have too many jigheads.

Ed, glad to hear you and Dad got into a bunch of fish at TC. Too bad you didn't get a big "un, but they are there. Ditto to you too, on the TC trips.

Rich, I've already called my favorite local wine shop, and they have a few bottles of Oliver Blackberry in stock. Thanks for the gracious offer. Hope to see you again.

[Siebert Outdoors]

scrutch, I'll take ya on the next one if I can make it. I dont see why I couldnt.

Anytime Ghoti let me know when you go and if I can make it I will.

[MNGeorge]

Back in Minnesota, safe and sound. Great trip, despite some wild weather, and especially great to finally meet some folks in person. I'm already looking forward to Roadtrip VII, where ever it is.

[Big-O]

"FLUFFY" (alias RW) can make what seems to be a bad situation turn into a FUN and life long memory

RW was testing new line and during a long and informative discussion of his new and expensive Tatsu Fluoro (that was performing flawlessly) our other fishing partner Steezy snagged a rock unexpectedly! As I eased the boat back toward the rocks, RW noticed the perfect spot to cast his jig into and made the attempt with a fast and aggressive whip!!! Just as he did, Steezy raised his rod tip to free the rock snag and FffffTttttt.... As he peered downward toward his trusty reel, all he could see was a white FLUFFY cloud of EXPENSIVE Tatsu Fluoro billowing out in all directions and pulsing in the wind I couldn't help but ask if there was anything I could do to help like offer another rod set up so that he could continue to fish but he confidently looked up and said "It's OK Big O, I'll be alright... I'll just get my trusty pocket knife out and do a little surgery back here and be back with you guys in a little while" In no time at all, he removed the Cotton Candy looking tangle and retied his bait. Then with a smile on his face he said "This aint my first Rodeo and I'm back in the saddle again" And FLUFFY was Born!

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[roadwarrior]

Well...

I fished with several guys and we all had

a blast! Mix and match, we will all have

a story to tell. My only regret is not being

able to fish with everytone for a day!

Thank you all.

-Kent

a.k.a. roadwarrior

[Big-O]

Hey Kent, I heard y'all got into'em real good the day I headed South, WTG. Although the weather made it a challenge on most days... everybody seemed to answer the bell and managed to catch plenty of fish! I really enjoyed our time on the water and hope to do it again soon Maybe we can go below the dam for some of those HAWG Brownies, still can't get'em out of my brain

GMan makes a mean jig too... used his new Falcon color on Pickwick to rip some lips and it was RIGHT!!

A big Thanks to Mary and Ghoti for another fine evening of wine, Food and Friendship. Great Folks in every way!

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[Glenn]

Keri and I JUST made it home! What a great week! Words cannot even begin to describe it.

Everyone who went - PLEASE send me your pictures and videos. PM me if you need to know where to send it to.

Thanks!