The skunk has finally died!

[ET Fish]

It has been hanging in my boat with me for most of 2018. After fishing the main channel Friday, and only catching some dinks, I was sure the skunk had moved permanently to my boat. The main channel and creek that we fished Friday was 49-50. Instead of hoping for warmer water, especially since it’s turning cold again mid week, I had an epiphany today. Why not try a river that is a main tributary? From a fly fishing forum that I frequent, I learned that this river was around 50 degrees where it exits the Smoky Mountains. With several miles to the lake, it had to warm even more, right? Happily, we found 60 degree water at the launch!
The first spot, that ol’ skunk was firmly planted at my feet! We then navigated, very carefully, through some very shallow water. Spot #2, I saw nothing of interest on the ol’ Lowrance, and the skunk puffed up a bit more. Hit some brush, bridge piling, and a couple of docks. Nothing, so the skunk stretched out for a nap on the front deck. About that time, my wife saw a lone log, tree, not sure which, but it was alone, about a foot above the water, in the middle of the channel. It looked interesting enough, to check out. After a couple of dinks, I’m thinking just more of the same. That’s when I saw it! The skunk was swimming away! That lil ol’ tree was holding some good fish! The water was 14 feet deep, and there was mud on their bellies. The current was moving, and a jig thrown above this little stickup would wash right to it. A little twitch, and game on! We didn’t load the boat, but we found some quality fish...and that skunk got hit by a semi! Squashed him good! I hooked a great fish, that really put up a fight in that current! As it came beside the boat, I knew it had a chance at my PB! Here’s the thing. I keep this nice, large net behind the seat. Why? Obviously, just to drive it around! Since it had been so long for me to even see a decent crappie, in my great wisdom I figured I would just grab the line and lift it in. By now, you probably know how this ended. There is a big crappie, with a 1/16 oz pink jighead, dressed with a purple/chartreuse baby shad in the roof of its mouth, still swimming! At least the skunk is dead, and we invited five good crappie to supper! Several others were released, some even on purpose! Maybe it’s getting better!


Sent from my iPad using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

[SeaRay]

A very entertaining and humerous accounting of this sport we love. Hope I have similar luck.

[Slabprowler]

Glad the skunk is gone! It’s a good chance you will get revenge on that fish or one just like it on your next visit to that new spot just be sure to pull out da net next time ! never know you might catch maybe it’s moomma!

[Lonnie84]

Thanks for the story, it made me smile thinking there may still be a chance of getting those critters packing out of my boat also.

[Mr. S]

Me and the skunk are like I can't seem to shake him...

[ad1974]

Way to stay at it,nice catch.

[Ketchn]

one of the best stories of the year my friend ......nice read and congrats ...made me smile

[Crestliner08]

Very entertaining post! Great job out there.

[PawPaw Gene]

So the wife showed you where. I've been humbled by my wife's intuition quite a few times because i though I knew better. One time we were heading in after a not to productive morning when we passed up a group of pilings left over from an old oil well and she asked why don't we try there. So to humor her I pull up and we started fishing around them. BAM fish on, big fish. Then BAM again, another big fish. We went on to catch 35 almost identical fish all weight about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds. Another time we were skunked and heading in when Linda said let's try at the dam. In many years of fishing I've never caught but a few bluegills there. Well while I fished the eddies inside and outside as the water rushed out, she walked out on a 4 foot wide walkway and fished both sides of it. She caught nothing. Then she saw a spot where there was a
1 1/2" space between the boards and dropped her jig in. Now I'm thinking, if she catches one how will she get it up. She jigged her pole a couple of times and BAM she had a nice one on. She pulled it up to the opening where it barely fit through the space. She had to lip it to pull it through. My thought was "lucky catch". She proceeded to pull 5 more out before I told her to "move over". I walked over and tried fishing from each side of the walkway but they wouldn't bite. I dropped my jig through the space between the boards and helped her pull 34 beautiful slabs from there. Another time I caught my personal best bass because I saw her stare at a well head on the way past it. I turned the boat around saying I know better to pass up a spot where you want to fish. First flip of my jig on my 10' pole with 4 pound line and fish on. I ended up landing a 7 pound bass. So friends beware if you fish with you wife as they might just have a better system for finding fish than you might think. Good luck.
"gene"

[ET Fish]

So the wife showed you where. I've been humbled by my wife's intuition quite a few times because i though I knew better. One time we were heading in after a not to productive morning when we passed up a group of pilings left over from an old oil well and she asked why don't we try there. So to humor her I pull up and we started fishing around them. BAM fish on, big fish. Then BAM again, another big fish. We went on to catch 35 almost identical fish all weight about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds. Another time we were skunked and heading in when Linda said let's try at the dam. In many years of fishing I've never caught but a few bluegills there. Well while I fished the eddies inside and outside as the water rushed out, she walked out on a 4 foot wide walkway and fished both sides of it. She caught nothing. Then she saw a spot where there was a
1 1/2" space between the boards and dropped her jig in. Now I'm thinking, if she catches one how will she get it up. She jigged her pole a couple of times and BAM she had a nice one on. She pulled it up to the opening where it barely fit through the space. She had to lip it to pull it through. My thought was "lucky catch". She proceeded to pull 5 more out before I told her to "move over". I walked over and tried fishing from each side of the walkway but they wouldn't bite. I dropped my jig through the space between the boards and helped her pull 34 beautiful slabs from there. Another time I caught my personal best bass because I saw her stare at a well head on the way past it. I turned the boat around saying I know better to pass up a spot where you want to fish. First flip of my jig on my 10' pole with 4 pound line and fish on. I ended up landing a 7 pound bass. So friends beware if you fish with you wife as they might just have a better system for finding fish than you might think. Good luck.
"gene"

Oh yeah! I always listen to my wife.....eventually! She is my #1 fishing partner as well as life partner! June will mark 37 years of marriage! And get this, she wants us to upgrade our boat! Now that right there is a keeper!