Thread: "Appreciations"

While at times we seemed to be too busy with life, a surprise shows up knocking on your door. Don and I often touch base in texts and in one exchange he stated he had a donated guided fishing trip coming up. He asked if I wanted to go with him on the trip. The scheduled trip was during the week Patty and I were going to be at Enid for a fishing vacation trip so it wasn't a no brainer for me. I quickly said yes and started marking the days down to the trip.

Soon the trip date arrived and Don stated we needed to meet at the Shell Station at the Enid Lake exit off 55. As Patty and I pulled into the parking lot we saw Don's truck sitting beside a nice looking Skeeter boat hitched to a dodge truck. Soon Don and our guide, Tim Howell of Longbranch Guide Service, walked over from the store. Introductions were exchanged and with Don telling Patty how nice it was to see her and loving on Harlie, I was wondering just who was going to spend the day fishing and who was going to hang out in the cabin.

My concerns were soon calmed with my gear being loaded in Dons truck and we followed Tim to the selected boat ramp on Enid. It was far from being a perfect weather day. High winds, dark overcast skies, and wind blown drizzling rain was making me feel more like starting a waterfowl hunt instead of a crappie trip. Soon Tim had us loaded into the boat and had that Skeeter slicing into the wind and waves headed to the days Enid destination. It wasn't my first trip in a Skeeter and didn't have any concern and the extra layers of clothing had me warm and air tight against the chilly temps. I was eying Don with sideways glances and he seemed to be shrinking while burrowing into his clothes.

Upon arriving at the mornings first spot, Tim started putting out the green ACC 16 foot poles armed with hooks and selected minnows. After Don and I settled into each of our front seats, Tim asked Don if he wanted to put on his extra insulated rain suit. Don quickly accepted Tim's offer and soon he was ready for the days offerings. Don said he had a great set of jacket and bibs laid out to bring but left without them. I made some comment about forgetfulness and mental capabilities but he just ignored me. Remember how I previously mentioned he really enjoyed seeing Patty and Harlie. lol

This trip had several first's for me. I have never attempted to spider rig in such high winds and wave action and I have never actually been in boat with power poles equipped with paddles. Tim deployed both paddles and our boat speed dropped to a very acceptable rigging speed. The second first was rigging with 16 poles. While I have used 16 and 18 foot poles for trolling this was the first time using this length to spider rig with. With a total of 4 shoulder surgeries, plus multiple other surgeries, I was a little concerned about hook setting and handling weight of the 16 foot rods. It wasn't too long that we started having some strikes and I had my first hook set. I was very surprised with the lightness of the ACC rod. After setting the hook, Tim likes to be handed the pole so he can swing the fish around to unhook the fish and rebait thus allowing the clients to focus on the remaining rods for possible multiple bites. I assumed he would swing the rod around to the side but instead he swung the fish straight back and over our heads. I was prepared for a fish face slap but the backbone of those rods keep the fish, and all the days fish, up above our heads with ease. I was impressed and said so to Tim. Tim said that upon trying these rods, he knew that they were the ones for him and his clients. The days strikes ranged from bending the rods straight under the boat front to the light tap and I'm gone with your minnow bites. The rods tips were sensitive enough that the slight bites were easily noticed and I am not a skilled rigger.

The third first was actually sitting, and fishing, in a boat rigged with the Garmin Livescope. Now I enjoy sonar and the assets it brings to the table for the angler. I am not, nor will be a tournament angler. Nothing against those that do it but I just enjoy fishing in a non competitive style. However, I love anything that shows me what is going on below the surface and never get tired of watching my sonar screens whether the fish are biting or not. After 10-15 minutes of questions, that Tim patiently answered, I soon had the concept down and had a blast watching the screen. Don, surprise surprise, was giving me down the road about watching the scope and not my rod tips. However, as the day progressed and I kept advising him on which two poles fish were hovering under, he started to have a different view. lol. It was also enjoyable to watch a fish rise up on the screen after the minnow and seeing your pole go down. I understand now how it is a game changer for the tournament guys.

We had a great day on the water. Don and I traded barbs at each other constantly and Tim fell right in and the hours slipped by with the skies clearing and the wind dyeing down. While the morning starting out with me thinking that we would be lucky just boating a few fish, the cooler started filling with solid 13-14 plus inch fish. Some catfish showed up and a few shorts but the majority of the bites produced keepers. Don held the view of the clear sunny skies produced the most fish and Tim maintained that the overcast hours produced the most fish. I threw a flag and made the call that the most bites were from the clear skies but the heavier 14 plus inch fish came on the morning overcast skies. You can each ask Tim and Don when you see them if they compromised on my call.

I will like to end this post by expressing multiple appreciations. First, I want to thank Don for inviting me to fish with him on his guided trip. I appreciate his friendship, his fellowship, and the fishing trips we have had together. Second, I want to thank Tim for gifting this trip and his serious, all hands on deck, attitude on such a poor weather condition day which produced fish and fun at the same time. The guides on my Kentucky Lakes, and the guides I have meet on these wonderful Mississippi lakes are generous in supporting the sport of crappie fishing and promoting their home lakes by donating their time, knowledge, and fishing packages. Often we fail to acknowledge their efforts and are too quick to critique them. Third, I again appreciate Slab, this site, and all the moderators that support it. The friendships developed by becoming a member here are truly appreciated.

In closing, I wish to express appreciation for Patty for letting me spend a day with the boys fishing while she and Harlie terrorized the squirrels at the lakes park areas. She is a blessing that I never take for granted. Even if she feeds Harlie before me.

If you are looking for a fishing trip with a guide that gives his best regardless of the conditions, give Tim Howell of Longbranch Guide Service a holler.

Great report and pics. Nice looking catch as well. Thanks for taking us along and sharing the day.