For a long time I have tried to get the opportunity to get Slab in the boat with me. Between his schedule and mine it was just tough, but patience does pay off. Today it was to come together and as promised I took him on a 3 hour tour and had him feet dry by 10 o'clock. You all know I'm prone to ramble, and I have a lot running through my head right now, but I'll keep this story of our trip together today from being too awful long.
We met at 6:30 and motored out under the bridge and into Monroe with some cloud cover to the east and not a breath of wind anywhere in sight. 58* on the way to the ramp made for a comfortable start to the day and a bit of a chill as the other woman showed her stuff and we got to the fish zone to begin. Rod holders in place, TM down and working, we started putting rods out. That takes a minute with 12 rods and it goes quicker with an experienced guest, he does know his stuff.
They weren't all out and the first rod went down, one of the ones Slab had nearby, so he started the day with a good fish that would have gone in the box had we been keeping fish. We discussed rigs and friends and settled back in to see what the lake would give today. The sun showing in the distance, the water so smooth, the fish keeping us busy and the words that kept running through my head was part of a scripture; "What a beautiful day the Lord has made". Friends, it was truly that. It wasn't 9:00 and we were coming out of our jackets.
I was tending 8 rods in the front of the boat and Ed had 4 that ran a bit deeper with 1/8 heads on. You would think that I would have been giving lessons and boating fish left and right. Quite the opposite. One after the other those 4 rods would go down and a quality fish came to the boat. Now and then one a little better than the others would come to the boat and we had to measure and weigh. Several just under 14" were checked and the ones we weighed said 1.8lbs. That's a pound, thirteen ounces best I can figure. And these fish were thick. I had a few on a long rod that when they hit, all I could do was lift the rod and wait for them to start coming my way.
Ed kept saying how good a resource this was, and how pretty and dark these fish were. I guess the Lake Harris fish don't get dressed for the party like these do. There were some dinks that got skiing lessons too. Ed got the toads, and I got the dinks. The way it goes sometimes.
The further north we went the more floating weeds we came upon and we spun and headed back south and back into the fish. I remembered the boys fishing Harney earlier in the week saying the bite was slow til 8 or so, but we were busy right along. Long about 9:00 we noticed things had slowed and when we checked the lines, found them carrying weeds. By that time we were enjoying the conversation and weather and really didn't mind. We agreed to pass a given landmark and call it a day.
The counter said that we had 26 visitors come to see us today and the other preparations for the day still needed to be done. Winding the rods and taking a few final pics of a few of those caught today we headed for the ramp. The fish posing in the 4 fish hold were good examples of today's catch, and Slab decided to keep three for the frozer, releasing the larger of the bunch. So back at the ramp he's holding the boat while I go get the truck. By the time I get back, he's showing off how multi-talented he is by holding the boat, opening the livewell and scooping one of the fish he was taking home to give to a woman fishing at the dock with her cart and bucket. Keeps three and gives one of those away, You're a good man Ed Moes.
As I said at the beginning, this trip has been a long time coming. No one could have assembled a better day than we were given today. The time seemingly flew by and before I realized it was time to go our separate ways. A very easy person to spend time with, I left feeling as if we have known each other much longer than we have. There is always a place for you in my boat Boss, I truly enjoyed the day. I promise next time I won't make you hold your hat every time we move and we'll slow down and enjoy the ride a little more. Guess the kid in me still shows up sometimes.
Below are some of the pics from today and I believe Slab has some that he took to be seen along the way. I hope that this has given you a smile reading, because I had a smile during the whole trip. Good friend, good fish, and with any luck, not the last time. Thanks for going with me today Ed, and thank you all for visiting with me today and reading this......Skeet
Slabs pics:
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