rsimms, All of Them (it felt like), Stripers and Cats, 4-18-2009, Brian, Jim, Cheryl, Betty & Jerry

[rsimms]

rsimms, All of Them (it felt like), Stripers and Cats, 4-18-2009, Brian, Jim, Cheryl, Betty & Jerry

A pair of trips today in two different tailwaters.

It started out as a beautiful morning for our annual "Aquarium Member's Trip." The Aquarium recruits several guides to offer a special outing for some of their members. The target is always stripers... Saturday AM was no different. LOTS of other folks had the same idea however. Besides the five boats there for the Aquarium, there were about 15 other boats (give or take a dozen). For the most part, everybody was extremely courteous, but while waiting in line for our turn at the boils, I did feel like I was on a "Bumber Car" ride at Lake Winnie. Whisler and company got there before the crack of dawn to claim the short win wall. I know the traffic was frustrating for them as well. emoSorry

Regardless, there were stripers caught, and plentiful numbers of drum and other miscellaneous species. Brian Jahay and Jim Dagley (in my boat) each managed to catch a striper, although not the numbers I would have hoped for. Considering the crowded conditions however, it was better than a skunk.

<img src=http://outdoors.chattanooga.net/forumpics/Brian_Jim1.jpg border=4>

<img src=http://outdoors.chattanooga.net/forumpics/Brian_Jim2.jpg border=4>

We finally got tired of the crowd and bailed downriver to catch some spots and white bass. Now I know Chickamauga Tailwaters pretty well. But based upon the number of bent rods I saw in his boat Saturday, Capt. Berry (CFF's BigFishGuide) is "Da Man" below Nickajack. emoWorthy

After the morning Aquarium Trip it was back to Chickamauga for an afternoon catfish trip with Cheryl Chand and her parents, Jerry & Betty. This was a "Birthday Trip" for Jerry.... and I'm pretty sure it was a happy one. emoParty All I know is we had to have someone sit on their cooler to keep big blue catfish from floppin' out... and much to Cheryl's dismay, we had to start releasing fish when the cooler got full. emoRolleyes

<img src=http://outdoors.chattanooga.net/forumpics/Cheryl_Betty_Jerry1.jpg border=4>

<img src=http://outdoors.chattanooga.net/forumpics/Cheryl_Betty_Jerry2.jpg border=4>

<img src=http://outdoors.chattanooga.net/forumpics/Cheryl_Betty_Jerry3.jpg border=4>

We crossed paths with Spurhunter & Company... as well as CFF's reliable, Tom Rowland and kids. We had the great pleasure of helping them weight a 37 lb. Blue BRUTE that reliable's son Marshall nailed. Sorry, I didn't take a picture myself... but FYI, Marshall is a little guy... obviously a tough little guy however to outlast and outmaneuver that beastly cat. I hope reliable shares a picture.

Thus ended a long day on a variety of water... which means life is good and gettin' better every day.

 

[polo-dog]

Re: rsimms, All of Them (it felt like), Stripers and Cats, 4-18-2009, Brian, Jim, Cheryl, Betty & Je

That's a lot of fishing for one day rsimms. It sounds like as usual everyone was kept happy. Congrats on your great trips.

 

[Guest]

RE: rsimms, All of Them (it felt like), Stripers and Cats, 4-18-2009, Brian, Jim, Cheryl, Betty & Je

Nice seeing you Richard. I launched at 4 am to claim the wingwall and there were already 5 trailers in the parking lot. Me and AlvinC only caught 2 stripers, a 13 and a 4-5 lber. We didn't even take pictures of them. The game wardens came out and checked everybody and said that we had been reported of stashing rockfish in our boat compartments. Well after exchanging info between us and several witnesses at the wall it was filed as a false report. Us and the wardens figured it was a certain persons payback for running right up next to us at the wall and then getting mad when their people got their lines tangled with ours. We were told by the authorities to take pictures or video of any more recklass confrontations when we are down there. Luckily unbeknown to us they had already checked several other boats with the same stories of being knocked around by careless running up to the wingwall.

 

[rsimms]

RE: rsimms, All of Them (it felt like), Stripers and Cats, 4-18-2009, Brian, Jim, Cheryl, Betty & Je

whisler11 - 4/19/2009 8:43 AM

Nice seeing you Richard. I launched at 4 am to claim the wingwall and there were already 5 trailers in the parking lot. Me and AlvinC only caught 2 stripers, a 13 and a 4-5 lber. We didn't even take pictures of them. The game wardens came out and checked everybody and said that we had been reported of stashing rockfish in our boat compartments. Well after exchanging info between us and several witnesses at the wall it was filed as a false report. Us and the wardens figured it was a certain persons payback for running right up next to us at the wall and then getting mad when their people got their lines tangled with ours. We were told by the authorities to take pictures or video of any more recklass confrontations when we are down there. Luckily unbeknown to us they had already checked several other boats with the same stories of being knocked around by careless running up to the wingwall.

I spoke with GW Russell Vandergriff up in the parking lot as I was leaving. But I SWEAR it wasn't me who reported you. emoBigsmile I've run around down there for 33 years... it was absolutely the most crowded morning I've ever witnessed. "Combat fishing..." I wouldn't have been there if my presence hadn't been "required."

 

[kbsfisherman]

RE: rsimms, All of Them (it felt like), Stripers and Cats, 4-18-2009, Brian, Jim, Cheryl, Betty & Je

Great, photo & Good report. Sounds like fun was had by ALL! I need to book a trip with you.

 

[slo-ride]

RE: rsimms, All of Them (it felt like), Stripers and Cats, 4-18-2009, Brian, Jim, Cheryl, Betty & Je

rsimms - 4/19/2009 9:52 AM


I've run around down there for 33 years... it was absolutely the most crowded morning I've ever witnessed. "Combat fishing..." I wouldn't have been there if my presence hadn't been "required."

emoUpsmile "COMBAT FISHING"....that's too funny

great trip, rsimms...looks like some happy clients

emoThumbsup

 

[enmreal]

Re: rsimms, All of Them (it felt like), Stripers and Cats, 4-18-2009, Brian, Jim, Cheryl, Betty & Je

Way to go RSimms. Looks like fun was had by all parties involved. Have you been getting out early after them Stripers? This is your favorite time of the year to chase them.

 

[Kirk]

Re: rsimms, All of Them (it felt like), Stripers and Cats, 4-18-2009, Brian, Jim, Cheryl, Betty & Je

Way to go Richard.

 

[Kfish]

RE: rsimms, All of Them (it felt like), Stripers and Cats, 4-18-2009, Brian, Jim, Cheryl, Betty & Je

emoThumbsup

 

[JackG]

Re: rsimms, All of Them (it felt like), Stripers and Cats, 4-18-2009, Brian, Jim, Cheryl, Betty & Je

I like your turn of a phrase, combat fishing indeed. Been there, done that. No fun.

 

[8up]

Re: rsimms, All of Them (it felt like), Stripers and Cats, 4-18-2009, Brian, Jim, Cheryl, Betty & Je

WTG Richard looks like you had lots of fun.

 

[Biofisher I]

RE: rsimms, All of Them (it felt like), Stripers and Cats, 4-18-2009, Brian, Jim, Cheryl, Betty & Je

What a job under tough conditions. I remember fishing two bodies of water in one day at least I think I do. Great job. I wish I could fish that much.

 

[SpurHunter]

Re: rsimms, All of Them (it felt like), Stripers and Cats, 4-18-2009, Brian, Jim, Cheryl, Betty & Je

Looks like some happy folks in spite of the "combat fishing". Good to see ya on the water putting more happy folks on some kitty fish.

 

[MrWiskers]

RE: rsimms, All of Them (it felt like), Stripers and Cats, 4-18-2009, Brian, Jim, Cheryl, Betty & Je

rsimms - 4/19/2009 8:52 AM

whisler11 - 4/19/2009 8:43 AM Nice seeing you Richard. I launched at 4 am to claim the wingwall and there were already 5 trailers in the parking lot. Me and AlvinC only caught 2 stripers, a 13 and a 4-5 lber. We didn't even take pictures of them. The game wardens came out and checked everybody and said that we had been reported of stashing rockfish in our boat compartments. Well after exchanging info between us and several witnesses at the wall it was filed as a false report. Us and the wardens figured it was a certain persons payback for running right up next to us at the wall and then getting mad when their people got their lines tangled with ours. We were told by the authorities to take pictures or video of any more recklass confrontations when we are down there. Luckily unbeknown to us they had already checked several other boats with the same stories of being knocked around by careless running up to the wingwall.

I spoke with GW Russell Vandergriff up in the parking lot as I was leaving. But I SWEAR it wasn't me who reported you. emoBigsmile I've run around down there for 33 years... it was absolutely the most crowded morning I've ever witnessed. "Combat fishing..." I wouldn't have been there if my presence hadn't been "required."

</p>

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I would have paid good money to have been there. From what I heard it was one to remember.emoEvil </p>

 

[Gator]

RE: rsimms, All of Them (it felt like), Stripers and Cats, 4-18-2009, Brian, Jim, Cheryl, Betty & Je

Great Job Richard. emoToast