rsimms
Well-known member
It was not a banner weekend for me ... one of the worst I've had in a long time, matter of fact.
Bron Lyles and daughter Savanna came up from Jacksonville, Fla. to fish with me. Saturday AM, before the deluge hit, was actually perfect conditions... except the crappie didn't think so. In a couple of hours we managed lots of short fish, but only three keepers.
Then right about the time we got on some fish (they're moving shallow), the skies opened wide and Savanna decided she had all the fun she wanted for one day. emoRain I didn't blame her.
In the afternoon CFF's reliable asked if I wanted to ride along for a few catfish drifts with he, son Addie and a friend. Of course I did... until the wind began driving three-foot rolling waves over the side of the boat. emoEek In spite of the wind, Clayton and the boys managed 7 or 8 good channel cats and one blue. I blanked. emoScratch But it didn't take long for the wind to have all of us crying "Uncle."
Sunday AM I hit the crappie water again with Bron and Savanna, putting four keepers in the boat in five minutes, in spite of the screaming wind. Then the bite slowed and the 34 degree wind chill began to take its toll. With eight good keepers in the boat Bron decided to say "Uncle," and asked if we might catch some catfish below the Dam -- to which I said, "Sure, I know we can catch a few channel cats at least." emoDoh
But something happened. I've seen some fish suffer from "post-frontal lockjaw" before, but never to this degree. Since 2006 I have had only two catfishing trips where my clients blanked. Sunday made the third. emoBawl It was incredible! I couldn't buy a catfish anywhere, anyway. We finally decided to let Savanna have fun with some bluegill, but the catfish were a "no-go." I remained on the water after the Lyles started their trek back to Florida, refusing to give up until I touched a catfish. It took me two more hours to catch two tiny channel cats.
It was a painful end to a long weekend. I still insist however, that life is good and gettin' better every day. emoBigsmile
Bron Lyles and daughter Savanna came up from Jacksonville, Fla. to fish with me. Saturday AM, before the deluge hit, was actually perfect conditions... except the crappie didn't think so. In a couple of hours we managed lots of short fish, but only three keepers.
Then right about the time we got on some fish (they're moving shallow), the skies opened wide and Savanna decided she had all the fun she wanted for one day. emoRain I didn't blame her.In the afternoon CFF's reliable asked if I wanted to ride along for a few catfish drifts with he, son Addie and a friend. Of course I did... until the wind began driving three-foot rolling waves over the side of the boat. emoEek In spite of the wind, Clayton and the boys managed 7 or 8 good channel cats and one blue. I blanked. emoScratch But it didn't take long for the wind to have all of us crying "Uncle."
Sunday AM I hit the crappie water again with Bron and Savanna, putting four keepers in the boat in five minutes, in spite of the screaming wind. Then the bite slowed and the 34 degree wind chill began to take its toll. With eight good keepers in the boat Bron decided to say "Uncle," and asked if we might catch some catfish below the Dam -- to which I said, "Sure, I know we can catch a few channel cats at least." emoDoh
But something happened. I've seen some fish suffer from "post-frontal lockjaw" before, but never to this degree. Since 2006 I have had only two catfishing trips where my clients blanked. Sunday made the third. emoBawl It was incredible! I couldn't buy a catfish anywhere, anyway. We finally decided to let Savanna have fun with some bluegill, but the catfish were a "no-go." I remained on the water after the Lyles started their trek back to Florida, refusing to give up until I touched a catfish. It took me two more hours to catch two tiny channel cats.
It was a painful end to a long weekend. I still insist however, that life is good and gettin' better every day. emoBigsmile
