Thread: Once again

Tried to get an artist friend in the boat with me for this morning but after an unsuccessful game of telephone tag I went solo. Same place as last week, and launched at the same time. Much less traffic at the ramp this morning which built by the time I returned. Made the mistake of checking the fuel gauge after launching instead of before so today was cut short. Kinda hard to push a boat upcurrent back to the ramp. And insult to injury, I flipped the switch that powers the TM into the charge position instead of run so it acted as if the batts were uncharged. Didn't figure this out til I was in the front yard post trip. After cleaning all the batt connections. A less than stellar performance on my part. But I did get to where I wanted to begin the day and off I went, with a prayer that I would have enough fuel to make the ramp.

I always pay more attention when I fish alone, and can be more patient, This translates into noticing the subtle things that can turn a day around. I hadn't been fishing long til I came to a downed tree, full of weeds, poked out into the river with a good flow around the tip. Now if I was a hungry fish, I would set up beyond the tip in the eddy where I didn't have to fight the current. Or if I was aggressive, I would be on the face of said obstruction getting first shot at whatever would be coming this way. I picked up the 10' BnM Sam Heaton Dippin Rod that I won at Crescent last year with a 1/8 head and #4 hook and a Bobby Garland twin tail body that the name escapes me for the moment. The boat came to rest against the blowdown and I began to dip the jig in the leading edge of the tree. The strength of the current when I was here last week had me go to a heavier head this week. Started about 3 feet deep and nothing, pulled a little extra line and when I started the second dip, I was rewarded with a real heavy thump of a 1 1/4lb crappie. I haven't had a thump like that in a long time. It was like someone had hit the rod with a stick. Set the hook and the fish doesn't move for a few seconds but finally comes to the boat, and after a short scramble for the net that wasn't ready yet, a lift into the boat. I was hoping that was an indicator of what was to come. After a visit to the live well it was back to business, and I didn't have long to wait. A dip or two later there was another thump and though not as strong as the first it was respectable all the same. Another just about a pound got to join the first in the box. Trying to be as quiet as possible, being as I was sitting on top of the fish, I took my time before dropping back in. I think they got the memo though and finally pulled forward and let the current push me around the tip, and got the faintest of taps as the boat gathered speed. This one was just a visitor and went back for another day. All the casts and dips behind the stuff had no yield so on downriver I went. Only one other crappie was to come to me today, and he was a keeper also. I went back to the jig and cork that worked so well last week and it did it's job once again keeping me busy.

While the catch today was down from last week, I did bring home 3 good crappie and two fillet size copperhead bluegill that will be dinner for the wife and I. Several smaller gills made the day interesting but were too small for consideration. Also once again, the early boat traffic was light and gave me that part of the river to myself. I needed a day to decompress and think some things over, and as always, I was given what I needed. At one point I was serenaded by 3 owls who were doing their best to keep my interest, and the sun hadn't yet risen to the sky. A little while later I was soundly scolded by a squirrel on the tip of a branch that had no fear, til the boat got too close. All in all it was a very relaxing morning, in a t-shirt by 8:30, and back at the ramp by Eleven. Just in time to watch all the bigger boats launching for the second shift to pick up where I left off. We all have our place. Checking the fuel as I pulled into the ramp area I found I was running on the smell, the needle didn't even twitch when I put the power to it. Once again, I was given what I needed. Did I mention how fortunate I am? Thanks for taking the time to read this and for visiting with me today.......Skeet.

Great story of a great day.