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Anticipation
I had the opportunity to attend Babbler"s seminar on spring bass fishing on Tale Rock. It was a great seminar and I managed to put a few faces to names. I was happy to discover I used many of the same techniques as Bill, but guess who taught me?
The water is warming up and I think the bass are about to turn on. I can't wait to spend two or three days a week on the lake learning more.
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Yet Another Work In Progress "bite Of The Day"
So last weekend my friend from junior high through college came up his with little girl and his parents for the weekend. His parents had a week at a timeshare near Branson. For the last year or so he has been living in Dallas, TX after living in Denver for several years. In Colorado he fell in love with fly-fishing, a love that his father had discovered years before. Living in Dallas he is several hours drive to the closest trout fishing and he knew how much I love fly-fishing so they all came well prepared. I only got to fish with him for a few hours, since my wife was baby-sitting my son with Jim's parents whom she never had met before. The next day though Jim brought his father where he and I fished the day before and Jim sent me a couple of pictures after he got back to Dallas. When I saw one of them I knew I had to paint it or at least the spirit of it. I will keep adding pics as I work on it. Shouldn't take more than a couple weeks, but then again I am terrible at guess-timating finishing times. It will be done when its done.
Day One.
Day Two.
Phillip Taylor
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Jerkbaits, Part 1: Reservior Bass
Modern minnow shaped lures are called stickbaits, slashbaits, jerkbaits, or often by the name of a popular brand or model such as Rapala or Rogue. I'll call them all jerkbaits whether they're floating, suspending, or sinking just to make it simple. The first popular lure of this kind was the original Rapala Minnow. It was such a success it made Rapala a world wide brand. Now available in many different sizes and colors and even jointed models, it remains a popular and effective lure. Success like that is bound to be copied, so today there are many different brands that make a similar lure, but it took the ingenuity of an Ozarks fisherman to take it to the next level. Somewhere in the late 60's or early 70's, someone doctored up a Rapala with added lead weight where it would suspend in the water, neutrally buoyant, where it wouldn't sink or float back up. Looking like a stunned, dying, or just not paying attention baitfish, these lures are dynamite on cold weather Bass in our clear Ozark reservoirs. There are now dozens of these suspending lures by different manufacturers, no tinkering required. Well, a tiny bit of tinkering, but we'll get to that in a minute, let's move on to some tips and tactics for using these lures for all three Bass species in our Ozark Reservoirs.
My favorite time to fish for Bass at Table Rock is from right after the Holidays (early January) through prespawn (mid April), and the main reason is the suspending jerkbait bite. I love the fishing style, and the solitude- the fact that you may catch the biggest bass of the year while everyone else hasn't even thought of getting their boat out of winter storage. One more thing, bass may or may not "school up" in winter, but groups of them are often attracted to the same type of structure or cover in winter, giving you the chance of scoring multiple fish when you locate them. There are experienced fishermen who don't believe how good it can be, or they're just put off by the cold. Either way, you often have the lake to yourself.
The very beginning of this period typically has the coldest water temperatures of the year. There may even be ice in some of the coves protected from the wind. Bass may only feed sporadically during this time, if at all. What you are waiting for is a warming trend. It doesn't have to be more than several days of warm and sunny weather to warm the water by a few degrees. It may not seem like much, but a rise in the water temperature of only a couple of degrees is enough to spur some feeding activity. It doesn't have to be sunny, I've had great success when a low pressure system has stalled out and made it cloudy for several days in a row, keeping the night time temperatures mild, rather than the crisp clear nights with temperatures below freezing. A warm rain can get the fish going if it doesn't muddy the water up too much, but that's usually more of a factor close to the spawn, any precipitation we receive in January or February tends to be the frozen kind! When the water is in the low 40's feeding activity can be hard to predict, but as it increases toward 50-degrees you can bet after 2 or 3 days of a warming trend fish will suspend near cover, and hit a properly presented jerkbait. By properly presented, I mean it has to suspend perfectly. It can't float up or sink even slightly, it has to suspend like it has it's own perfectly tuned swim bladder. Thankfully lure manufacturers have many different models that suspend pretty well right out of the box. Rapala XRaps tend to float up in the very coldest water, which is fine, because you can add weight to most lures to get them to work perfectly. The more "Boutique" lures like Lucky Craft Pointers suspend almost perfectly, but even older mainstays like the Rapala Husky Jerk and Smithwick Suspending Rogue can easily be "tuned" by adding weight.. The two easiest methods of adding weight are Storm stick-on Suspen-Dots and Suspen-Strips, and lead flytying wire or rolled 50/50 solder. Some fisherman swap hooks out with bigger, heavier sizes. Screwing around with split ring pliers and spare hooks in the cold isn't much fun, you can adjust weight with lead much easier and get it exactly right in far less time.
You'll have to try the lure at boat side to see how it suspends. Cast it out 15 feet or so and reel it in just close enough where you can clearly see it, then watch as long as you can stand it. A lure that floats up very slightly isn't too hard to see, but ones that barely sink are subtle and hard to spot without staring at them for what seems like an eternity out there in the gray winter cold. Luckily, this time of year there aren't to many folks around to see you blankly casting a lure a few feet from the boat and peering at it for a long time. If a lure sinks pretty quickly in 40-degree water, I take it back. You can always add weight to lures that float up, but I haven't had much success with ones that sink quickly in cold water. In very warm water most suspenders sink slightly which is fine because you tend to work them faster in warm water, but that's a subject we'll get to later.
Now, how to add the right amount of weight? Using either stick on weights or lead wire winds up being a trail and error affair. Lead wire is the easiest, I usually try a piece about 2-inches long stuck through the front hook hanger and twisted once, cast it out, and remove lead as needed until it suspends perfectly. After you're satisfied it's right, wrap the lead around the hook shank. You can use a dap of superglue to help hold it in place. Stick on lead is a little more tricky, dry the part of the lure right behind the bill before you stick the weight on, and either stick more on, or use a knife to cut small pieces off as needed to get it right. Again, after you get it right, a dab of superglue will hold it in place a little better.
With all three Black Bass species in most of our lakes, there are many different places to try these lures in late Winter. Rockslides on bluffs, bluff ends, deeper rip-rap banks, floating docks over deep water, basically more vertical structure with some kind of cover. Deep banks that "stair step" with ledges in smaller creeks just off the main lake can be good, especially if they face South and are protected from North winds, have floating docks, or both. Large isolated cedar trees, especially on steeper banks are another good place. These lures don't run very deep, but properly presented have the ability to draw Bass up from the depths. One day last March three Spotted Bass came straight up from deeper water and attack my lure vertically, drawn out of their cedar tree in 40-foot of water. Just don't get locked into thinking all Bass are deep during Winter. I've caught fish in less than 15-feet of water in January and February on chunk rock and pea gravel flats near main lake points. To fish a specific piece of cover (tree, boat dock, large boulder) cast beyond it and work the lure with downward jerks of the rod tip until it gets close, then stop it. Let it sit. Keep your line almost tight, but try not to move it. Maybe add a small twitch after 30 seconds. Experiment with how long you wait between twitches, the rule of thumb being colder water equals longer time between twitches. Sometimes fish will move long distances to hit a lure, and others you have to almost snag in in a tree. I experiment with how far away from cover I let it sit, trying to get a pattern nailed down. After I've let it sit in a spot and twitched it a few times, I work it along for another 20- or 30- feet and before stopping it again. You'll read of people casting a lure out, then lighting up a cigarette and smoking it before moving the lure again. That's a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the idea. For covering water, experiment with how far between pauses you stop. You can cover an area faster than you'd think with a jerkbait, even with long pauses.
Sometimes strikes are the " rip the rod out your hand" types, and others are subtle. Sometimes a fish will mouth a bait and swim at you, your only clue the line going totally slack. If the wind is calm, the water is usually so clear that you can watch your bait as it get's closer to the boat. Polarized sunglasses are a must for fishing these lures. There's been days where I never feel them hit, but I do see the lure disappear, or a small flash of a fish turning as it takes a swipe at it. I've tried attractant sprays, thinking maybe the fish will hang on longer, but I'm not sure if it makes a difference. You do need sensitivity to feel what's going on down there when you can't see your lure, so you need low stretch line. I've used fluorocarbon, but nothing beats superlines like FireLine or PowerPro for sensitivity. For most of my jerkbaits I use a 7-foot medium power/fast action spinning rod paired with a spinning reel spooled with 4/10 FireLine. I use a 10-pound test fluorocarbon leader about 8- to 10 foot long tied to the superline with a blood knot. I remove the split rings on my lures and use a snap tied to the end of the fluorocarbon leader to attach the lures both for easy lure changes and better action. Some guys use shorter rods, or baitcasting gear. To be honest, whatever you are comfortable with will probably work. I like the ease of fishing spinning gear when I have gloves on, and a with my long arms a 7' rod works great for me from the deck of even a low profile boat. A spinning combo puts the weight of the reel under the rod, just hanging there, the tendonitis in my rod arm more manageable with that instead of palming a baitcaster all day. A longer rod also helps rocket casts far from the boat, which can help get more strikes in the crystal clear waters of the White River chain of lakes.
It's said the original suspending bait was either A Rebel Spoonbill, a Rapala, or a Smithwick Rogue, depending on who you talk to. I've tried to pin that down for a couple of years and got really nothing to show for it. Does it really matter? There are so many great suspending lures these days, it's almost hard to choose. Starting with the more expensive models, Lucky Craft Pointers are considered top of the heap by many, I just can't justify the price to buy very many of them.
There are other exotic lures that are available, but the only one I've used was the Diawa TD Minnow. It runs a little more shallow than most of the others listed here.
One I have used quite a bit the past couple of years is the XCaliber XS4. It looks kind of like a Smithwick Rogue, but has a weight transfer system that helps casting in the wind, fantastic hooks, and great colors. In fact, for the coldest water, I'd have to call it my number 1 choice.
Rapala has two great suspending lures. One of the first factory made suspenders, the Husky Jerk, is a classic. It comes in tiny Trout/Panfish sizes, and all the way up to models for Pike/Musky. The #10 size is still a favorite jerkbait for Smallmouths and Spotted Bass when they're little finicky. The other Rapala model, the XRap, has become a huge success for the company. Meant to compete against the higher dollar Japanese baits, it's really well made, but affordable. Last time I bought one it was less than 7.00$. Now available in 3 sizes, shallow and deep diving, and lots of good colors, you can't go wrong.
The Smithwick Rogue Suspending Rattlin' Rogue is one of my most used jerkbaits. It's inexpensive, it comes in some good colors, and it just works. Any time I want to stick a lure right in submerged tree, it gets the call. That might also be why I catch so many good fish on it, I'm not afraid to lose one. Maybe because of the price point these lures sometimes require more tinkering to get them right, but for less than 5 bucks a pop, who do you want?
For colors on these lures I've experimented with lot's of different things, but I like a general rule of bright day (sunny) I use bright lures. One pattern that works for me is blue back/silver sides/orange belly. The XS4, Rogue, and Husky Jerk are all available in this color. The XRap isn't, but you can color the belly of the blue pattern model with an orange Sharpie like I do. One color that Rapala should make the XRap in is "Purpledescent". They offer it in other lures, but not the XRap. I email them all the time about it. They probably have my email blocked by now.
One color that's popular is purple back/chartreuse sides/white belly. I've colored some Rogues like this, and some days they really worked, others not so much."Clown" is another bright pattern lot's of folks like, and I like it too. On cloudy days, I like a more natural, translucent color. Of course, this isn't written in stone. I know someone who uses bright chartreuse almost exclusively and really nails them, but I can't seem to get them to hit that color except when the water is cloudy, so go figure. Don't be afraid to use some Sharpies or highlighter pens, you never know if you'll find the right custom color that really works.
As the water gets into the 50-degree range and rising, fish start responding to a little more "jerk" in the jerkbait. I like to start out working the lure just a little faster than I think will work, just to see if the fish are "turned on". You can always slow it down of deadstick it beside cover if you aren't getting any reaction from a faster retrieve. A lure that sinks slightly here is not a bad thing if you are working the lure faster, it can even help you get a little deeper retrieve, sinking on the pause between jerks. All through the pre-spawn different retrieves and pauses should be experimented with, you just never know how the fish will react on any given day, and don't think that the fish will always hit a jerkbait during early prespawn, I've had several slow days that I turned around by using a shaky head or grub near or on the bottom. If you're fishing with a buddy, I can't think of a better way to locate active fish early in the year than have one person throw a jerkbait and the other follow up with a grub swam near bottom, covering most of the water column.
As it gets closer to the spawn, just because the water is above a certain temperature or it's after a certain date, don't think it about putting the jerkbait down until you try it. I fished a tournament on April 1st a couple of years ago, and I got a funny look from my partner when I started throwing a Rogue. After I started catching fish on it, he commented that "I didn't think those worked unless it was winter." It was the only thing I could get them to hit in practice, and it was the only thing that worked that day. Even though the water temp was near 60-degrees, the fish wanted that bait to sit there motionless for 30-seconds or more, move it faster and they wouldn't touch it.
I don't pester spawning fish, so I can't tell you if jerkbaits will catch bedding fish, but I do know that when they are done and move out from their spawning areas and scatter, one of the best lures to fish is still a jerkbait. Through summer and into fall anytime you can't get a topwater bit going try the jerkbait. There are good floating models that have a little more action, but suspenders work great for our deeper lakes. I have several spots on Beaver Lake I hit early in the morning for a topwater bite, and some days that bite can be stretched out a little further into the morning by trying a jerkbait in the same places. Some days the fish just won't come up to hit topwaters, and the jerkbait is the answer there, too. Just experiment with the cadence of the jerk-jerk-pause. I find myself turning to a suspending bait in the middle of summer to fish a key spot I just know has a fish on it. I use the same method as the one for cold water fishing, deadsticking it beside the cover for as long as I can stand it. There are prominent spots that get hit hard that I still manage to pluck a fish from doing this. (think Kimberling City Bridge) Sometimes wave action from all the summer boat traffic makes keeping contact with your lure impossible, and a slip-float rig with a realistic PowerBait or Gulp lure is the answer for suspended fish, but that's different topic.
You can see jerkbaits don't get left at home, they're always on my boat. Maybe during Summer and Fall I use them less at Table Rock or Beaver, but that will bring us to part 2 of this series: Jerkbaits for river Bass. My favorite time for river Smallmouth is Summer/Fall, and the fish like an aggressive, power fishing technique like ripping a jerkbait.
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09/19/08 Taney Night Fishing
Brady Jones with a Rainbow caught on a PMS jig at outlet 1 on 09/19/2008.
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Will It Ever Stop Raining?
When will the rain let up and give the lakes and streams a chance to heal? I spent most of the month of Feb. in the hospital and re-cooperating from some major illnesses so my fishing times were NILL after New Years Day. I took advantage of the nice weather and fished Upper Taney. Since I've been home from the hospital, I think that Taney has decided it would come to me! I'm about 3 blocks up the hill from the normal lake but if it gets any higher, I think I can cast crankbaits off my deck. I'm looking forward to getting back on Taneycomo and would like to get on upper Bull Shoals while the whites and walleys are still active. I was down to Beaver Creek Marina 2 wks. ago and if I had had my binoculars, could have seen the docks from water's edge. Bad thing is.....They were expecting another 11' rise during the next few days. Like I originally said, I'm somewhat of a fair-weather fisherman but it looks like the weather is going to turn fair real soon! HAVE A GOOD DAY & GOD BLESS!
1. Rockaway Beach dock & ramp,
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Furled Leaders
I made some furled leaders the other day. I bought a DVD that gave step by step instructions on how to make the furling board and then how to make the furlrd leader. I furled up two leaders using 6/0 tying thread and two with 2 lb maxima ultragreen mono. They turned out really good. The DVD also demonstrated how to make the end loops in the leader, that was the toughest part of the construction in my opinion. I can't wait to get out and try these at Montauk later this month. The furled leader setup produced a fishable leader about 5 foot long. The thread leaders seem to turn over the fly well and land very softly, looking forward to casting some dry flies with them. I have been finding different board setups on the web to make different length leaders and different tapers. Just what I need, another addiction.
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Taneycomo Mon Jan 8, 2008
Well our trip to Mountain Home to the White river didn't materialize. We had something come up on Sunday and so we decided not to go. Maybe in the next few weeks.
We did make it to Taney on Monday. I fished my wife shopped in Branson. Pretty decent day. It rained a few times but not for long. I started up by the dam just below outlet #2 - I was surprised at the # of fisherman there on a weekday. Caught a few fish and then walked quite a ways down river. Caught maybe 20 or 25 trout in the 5 hours I fished. A few small browns and the rest rainbows. Several decent rainbows in the 15 to 17" range.
Greg
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This Is A Test Of The Emergency Blog System....
I've noticed that there's a bunch of people who have created a blog but have not posted any entries... when I first set this up there was a couple of extra confusing steps to post entries and I'm hopefully eliminated them... but may be not. So we'll see if I can make this one work...
I have noticed that there's an error page after hitting the post button. But if you go ahead and hit the refresh option, it'll go ahead and post the entry. I'll have to see about the error page.
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Fishing On The Elk
fishing on the elk river
outstanding on the wacky worm
also top water baits in the evening and at night
here are a few good ones
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Just do it for everyone's sake
Hello friends,
I feel people ruin it by being greedy and not caring. If more people would think before they throw a beer bottle out and bust it so other people can get cus as well as wild life. Just think if it was yours would you want the trash, ruts, fences tore down, gates open, cattle ran off, and the list go's on. One time I was on the barn roof repairing it when I was sprinkled with buck shot from tresspassers my hay field. Who needs that... So it ruins it for them, their kids and grandkids and ever one else that wanted to hunt. I have had to clean up around my pond so many times I just stoped people from using it. It is a shame but people need to think about it before they do it. Plus if they dont think about it untill afterwards just go fix it. Trust me land owners wouldnt mind. And if you see something wrong and you didnt do it please feel free to fix it. But thats just my my thoughts. However caring is not a bad thing!
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SSDD
Well the new week is finally here. I think I would be insane right now if not for the distractions that I have gotten on the forum.
Sunday's sales were off the charts. Up 20%. Still not enough to make up for the losses on Thursday and Friday, but they were a great start.
Brought Jemme home from the hospital this morning. He is on antibiotics for the next 10 days, but that beats the hospital anytime.
I am heading out this week. Nothing like driving to Louisville for 3 days of meetings to start the month off right. But that's what pays for the trips to Taney, so I guess it's a wash.
Looking forward to the end of the month. Christmas will be behind me, the New Year in front and ice cold water all around.
Rob is looking forward to seeing a few of the guys from the website on New Years day. She says she wants to air her side of the story. I keep telling her she has no side. She doesn't listen
GNFN
LMW
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NIGHT FISHING ON TABLE ROCK APRIL 8/14
THIS WILL BE MY 6TH YEAR FOR THIS TYPE FISHING. WE FISH DURING THE DAY FOR CRAPPIE AND AT NIGHT FOR BASS. WILL BE STAYING IN KIMBERLING CITY. A TOTAL OF 8 OF US 2 IN A BOAT WILL BE FISHING THIS YEAR. MOST OF THE FELLOWS ARE PEOPLE THAT I USE TO WORK WITH IN KC. WE ARE ALL AIRLINE WORKERS BUT I AM THE ONLY ONE THAT IS RETIRED AND HAVE BEEN FOR 10 YEARS. LAST YEAR 2 OF OUR GROUP CAUGHT A BASS OVER 8LBS. I WAS NOT ONE OF THEM BUT I SURE TRIED. I REALLY DON'T CONSIDER MY SELF A GOOD BASS FISHERMAN BUT I CAN CERTAINLY CATCH CRAPPIE. MY SON WILL BE MY PARDNER AGAIN THIS YEAR AND HE IS A PRETTY GOOD BASS FISHERMAN. WILL SEND SOME PICTURES OF ANYTHING IMPORTANT LIKE A BIG BASS IF I CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO SEND THEM TO YOU. MAYBE JUST DRAG AND DROP. HOPE I HAVE SOME TO SEND AND ALSO I HOPE THE WEATHER DOESN'T MESS US UP TO MUCH. HAVE TO EXPECT SOME BAD WEATHER THIS TIME OF THE YEAR.
POSSUM
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Fishing Report, Sunday 12/11
My wife dropped me off at #2 outlet around 2:00 pm, only 6-8 cars on the lot, I was very surprised. The temperature was mid 50's and very windy, no water running. I tied on a #16 light gray bead headed scud under an indicator with 6x tippett and headed to the top of the rebar hole. Caught a 13" rainbow on the 3rd cast and then nothing after that. The wind picked up even more so I decided to walk down to big hole and try stripping wollie buggers and get the wind more to my back.
When I got to big hole I realized I had left my fly box on top of the split rail fence by outlet #2. Walked all the way back to the parking lot and was pleased to see my fly box just where I left it. I am sure several people could have walked off with it, thanks to all those who didn't.
I went back to big hole and stripped a #10 brown wollie bugger and caught one small rainbow and missed a couple of hits. The wind began to die down so I went back to the top of the rebar hole and used the scud I had on earlier. I caught 3 small ranibows and missed a couple of other strikes.
My wife was going to pick me up at 5:00 so I headed toward the lot to see if fish were midging near the bank below outlet #2, no midging fish when I arrived and my wife was waiting so it was off to dinner.
I don't know how others fared because there were so few anglers that we were spread out all along the water, it was very nice. I noticed one of the ponds at the hatchery had been drained and there was some equipment nearby, what are they doing?
It was a short trip but a great time as always on Taneycomo and staying at Lilley's.
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June Update
Wow, I can't believe it's been five months since I last posted. Time really does fly. I've had to revamp my thinking regarding the posting. Due to some confidentiality issues I will no longer post a synopsis of our runs. I would still like to post about our runs, I'm just not sure how. Any ideas would be welcome. Let me know if you would like me to continue.
My family is growing. John and Stephanie are expecting another child. A girl! My daughter, Jacqui, and her husband, Lee, are expecting their first. I can't wait. That will make four grandchildren and a ton of fun to come!
John has got orders to Japan for three years so that's a bummer. But, It's great that he gets to see the world and his family will be able to go along. Sue, my wife, isn't near as happy about it as I am. That's the mom and grandma in her.
As for work, I've been moved up to shift supervisor. I'm into my second month of it and it's going real well. One nice benefit is that I no longer move from station to station each month. I get to stay at the HQ station. Not having to pack up and move each month is nice!
Well that's about it for now. I'll try to post a little faster next time. Take care and be safe.
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January Update
I have been busy this week and didn't get to go fishing Sunday. I may go today since they are calling for sixty degree weather. Winter fishing for Blues is one of the most exciting times of the year for a catfisherman. You have the lake to yourself and if you get into fish its not unusual to catch several hundred pounds of fish in a short time. I hope to catch one of the white bass runs this year so if anyone can help in that regard please PM me.
Now a word about myself. I am a lifelong fisherman who converted to a die hard catfisherman in the last five years. I have caught a large number of fish over 40lbs on rod and reel since I began doing it seriously. Its fantastic fun. I was diagnosed with Atriel Fibrilation last spring and have been unable to work since. This illness has greatly curtailed the number of times I get to fish since my wife will no longer allow me to go by myself. I am working on a Catfishing for Blues DVD to help get people catching this great sportfish. I release all fish over twenty pounds without exception but I like a good fish fry as much as the next guy. I just want my grandkids to have a chance at some large ones too. If you have any questions about fishing for Blues I'll be happy to help you out just shoot me a PM. Thanks for your time.
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Brrrrr...Thin California Blood
Brrrrr…Well, we woke up to 28 degrees this morning and the high is suppose to top out at 44! I got to finally wear my new winter coat!...and scarf and gloves and sweater and long johns and wool socks and…just kidding. But it is very “brisk”, was the word my son used this morning. Tonight’s low will be 20 with 20 mile an hour winds and a wind chill of 10. Okay fall is here.
We have seen something wild the last few days. A flock of starlings (got to be 100,000+ birds) that fly over the office every evening right before we leave. It goes on for an hour or more for as far as you can see. There is a grove of trees that they land in behind the office. They vie for space on the branches until the tree can’t hold anymore, then they explode in a black cloud and start the process all over again. I tried to take pictures of this river of birds flying over but they did not come out very good. We drove back to where they were roosting and the noise is unreal. Right out of an Alfred Hitchcock! The trees are black with birds not leafs. Crazy.
My bird bath was frozen this morning. Need to figure out how to make them a little Jacuzzi. The cardinals are out in force and enjoying the treats I provide. They are very timid and peek from under the leafs before flying down to the feeder. This morning after sitting very still for a few moments the yard was full of about 15 pairs. The ladies are very demure in there tan coats, one warning from one of the scarlet gentlemen and they bolt to the trees. The woodpeckers and blue jays love the suet baskets. The jays protest loudly when someone new shows up for a taste. If it wasn’t so cold I would sit there for hours and watch them play and listen to there songs.
I miss the hummingbirds, they left in September. Their size is so contrary to their personalities. Bold and feisty they are. I had four or five feeders up before they all left only because they would get so territorial. I began moving the feeders around so that others could come to drink, as one little guy would guard his feeder with a vengeance. He would even swoop me when I would take it down to refill it! I look forward to their return in the spring and have added to my feeder collection.
Bill has built me a fly tying table. We are enjoying fly fishing so much, but the cost of the flies are expensive and we thought tying our own would be cheaper. The table is very pretty and I think we are in to $200 so far. Think of all the flies we could have purchased with that!!. Fly fishing is wonderful, there is nothing like standing in the river early in the morning as the mist is rising! You get into a zone and before you know it hours have past. We have spent a couple of weekends camping down at the river, it’s so beautiful I can’t begin to tell you. We are spoiled now not having to drive 6 hours to the Eastern Sierras. Some weekends we get up early drive the half hour to the river, fish for hours and head home for lunch. I think we will end up retiring as fly fishing bums.
The fall colors were fabulous and we took a drive before this last storm hit so we would be sure to see the trees before all the color was blown away. There is a forest service tower a 120 feet in the air in Eureka Springs and we climbed up it to take it all in. By the next weekend most of the leafs were gone. You can now see lime stone formations on the hill sides that we never knew were there. Arkansas is changing her clothing again and is still just as beautiful.
We are looking forward to Christmas. Erik and Megan are coming and it will be so good to see them. We are hoping for snow and our first white Christmas. Shannon and Nick will be sorely missed! She has started a new job and can’t get the time off. After taking the summer off to go to Europe, they are both working hard to make up for their play time. After seeing Austria, Italy, France, Switzerland, and many other places we hope they can both come to lowly Arkansas at spring break. Everything will be green again and Shan will love that!
Ryan is almost through his first semester of college. He has done very well and we are so proud of him. He has really relaxed into the lifestyle here and the transition was much easier for him than I ever dreamed. Everyday he surprises me and the older he gets the less the autism seems to be a hindrance. He is talking about looking for a part time job which is a big step, but I am positive it will be good for him.
I miss our folks and our older kids, but I really feel at home here. We made the right decision no doubt about it!
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