Macsimus

Cha Ching!!

Old Hwy 86 isn't going to work too well but Cow Creek will. And Donna, the long walk up the hill at Cow Creek has been shortened.

Thanks fellas.

Too bad. I originally thought your trip timing was perfect. But, that was 5' of lake ago.

Thanks. How much longer are you here?

Thanks. Grandson has his first TBF/FLW high school tournament next weekend.

Fished from 11:00 - 5:00 yesterday. A perfect day to be on the lake with heavy overcast and little to no wind (to make me wish I had an Ultrex ). WT 63. Fish depth 6-22'. Caught 23 from 12" - 17 1/2". All smallies and all on the varmint. Had 5 keepers. I am continually amazed at just how hard a 13-14" smallie will pull on a spinning rod let alone a 17 1/2". The head shake of the latter at hookset is worth the price of admission by itself. Heading north Tuesday (dodging snowfalls in the northland) and it will be with a tear in my eye. The fishing has been just phenomenal the last 2 weeks but I'm also going to miss the beauty of this lake. I just can't get enough of fighting a smallmouth up through 15' of incredible aquamarine water. I hope y'all stay dry and have a great rest of the year!

Vernon, you're killin' me.

You make a strong case Vernon and i appreciate your response. I fish alone quite a bit and the ability to spot lock while re-tying or tending to a fish is very appealing. I suspect my grandson would appreciate it too as he's about to start with his high school fishing team and grandpa will be his boater. Maybe when the Tour 109 dies...except that it's been trouble-free for 3 years and it's predecessor, a Tour 82 ran for 12 years with no problems other than a bent shaft and I have no idea how that happened (whistling to myself). Lol.

The Ultrex sounds really good and I'd like to have one but the cost has stopped me cold. I seem to have reached a point in my fishing where I am simply tired of dumping wads of cash into the hobby. Between trolling motors, graphs, and shallow water anchors, not to mention the cost of keeping the boat, motor, batteries, and trailer going, it has gotten to the point where I just don't want to spend it any more. It's probably my age and where I'm at in my fishing. I fish a lot, 90-100 days a year. But more and more, I find myself yearning for a way to simplify, not complicate my fishing. Part of it is my belief in the lack of quality goods these days but also feeling like a tool for spending what they're asking. Plus, buying brand new is certainly no guarantee of a period without problems. And the companies that produce the stuff don't back them up without a fight. And no, I'm not ready for a kayak. Anyone else or is it just me transitioning to the grumpy old man stage? Sorry, rant over.

Every year when I'm down here, I go there for the 100 hour service interval on my Merc. They are excellent. Sure wish we had a dealer like them up in MN.

Seen several of those creepy crawlies too. Bout time for this norfer to head north.

Saw this posted on the BBC. Thought some might enjoy it. Brian Regan is one of my favorites and proof you don't have to be vulgar to be funny. https://youtu.be/e-s9dkPUWN0

Currently watching a bassboat with two fishermen fishing across from Cow Creek with pouring down rain and lightning all around. Insane.

Power Finesse Shroomz might be an option?

Amazed at how hard some of those 13-14" smallies are pulling. It's like they're on PEDs. Glad you had a good day. I trust the shoulder is recovered and cooperating?

Yes, had to wear the tourist hat for awhile. Glad to have the fishing cap back on. I sure hope you catch em!

Thanks. They were hot yesterday. Even a caveman could've caught 'em. I had numerous bites where the little one never even hit the bottom and the line just took off. I do love it when they compete for my bait.

And here I thought I was well out of your range. Been having some non-fishing type guests down lately. It's been stressful. Good therapy session yesterday.

Had a wonderful afternoon on the water yesterday with my youngest son. We fished from 12:00 - 6:00. Caught 52 from 12"-18". 13 keepers. 45 were smallies. Water temps 62-65. Vast majority came on the Ned. A few came on a tx-rigged baby brush hog and a few on a swimbait late in the day swimming it past submerged cedars. All came from 16' or less and procreation is in full swing. Didn't have any wind to fight and I didn't break anything on the boat. Every once in awhile, it all comes together.

I'll take the blame for the wind. Had some friends down from the far North and they wanted to try the show on the Branson Belle. We never left the dock. I would've loved to watch the captain try to dock in that hellacious wind.

Last launched there 3/2/17. Didn't have any trouble with the end of the ramp but it was very steep and loading was a bit challenging. Water level was 906.8 that day.

Having a dickens of a time keeping them pinned this week. Aging shoulders and elbows prevent hookset heroics. Gonna try bending a little off-center angle into the hook.

I got this one two years ago and it's still holding up. I had to have something I could breathe easily with as I can't stand trying to breathe through fabric. I will say they are proud of them. I think I paid around $22 for mine. https://www.simmsfishing.com/shop/hats-sunhoods/bugstopper-sungaiter.html

How long before we see the Hebrew National wrap on your rig? I think that would be awesome. Show those Oscar Mayer folks what's up.