Donna G

What's the name of the FB page?

Fortunately the itty bitty 20lb kitty doesn't bother with me. He knows I can sleep through an air raid siren. However, after waking Champ up, he came back to bed with me. We're suckers for wild and stray cats needing a home. This one was about three-months-old when softy Champ captured him. They're pretty inseparable. He's tried to figure out a way to take him fishing.

My, my. Such big talk. Yes, I was spoiled and, yes, I like catching better than fishing. Could be my guide? Oh, and BTW, if they are on a jig bite I will kick your butt. No mulligans and playing it up in the boat, deer. He wishes his former guide clients were as special as me. He might not have given it up. haha Seriously, I hate summer fishing. Fish are flaky and there is way more recreational boat traffic than suits me. Plus, I'm getting too long-of-tooth and too blind-of-eye to enjoy night fishing. I'd rather concentrate on my golf game until fall. Love you, old man. Glad you had a special birthday. www.takemefishing....later.com Hey guys, why don't we have a friendly OA Rock derby this fall? Forum members and family members only. I think that would be fun. Have a reasonable entry fee and a cook-out after weigh-in.

Joining the ranks of grumpy old men? What makes you think he wasn't there already? The grumpy part, not the old part.

Awwww. Thanks, deer. Guys, see why I keep him? He comes with that snazzy rig! Oh, yeah, and he's a sweet-talker. Footnote: Will NEVER drive a mini-van.

One of my favorite things about Bulls Shoals, plus the good fishing. It's not as handy for us as TR is, though.

Tried fishing it some Sunday rigged with a lizard. Didn't throw it long because Champ188 was kicking my butt on the shakey head. However, the one bite I got was violent. Just a keeper but he was was really mad at that lizard.

In watching the video I noticed Mark would vary the speed of his retrieve. It was never really fast, but he would slow down to a crawl and then pick up the pace a bit. Champ188 picked up some air craws for me recently. Wanted to try them as a jig trailer. Wonder how they would work with this presentation? I like the suggestion of the Paca craw. Those things have some wicked action.

Awww. Doesn't Champ say the sweetest things? Truth is, I'd rather fish with him than anyone else. I enjoyed the experience of fishing no-boater in Central Pro-Am and BFL. I even fished the FLW at Beaver one year. A real blast, but rather be fishing with my man. Most of my draws were good guys, but not always on the fish. That makes for a long day. I've had one or two that I wouldn't care to get in a boat with again, but that was rare. I'm looking forward to May on Beaver in the Everett series. Who's taking bets on 25 years without whacking him? lol Couldn't do without him, so there's no money to be made on that bet. Love you, darling.

You're not helping my case QB.

Biteth me. Defective reel. In case anyone cares, I was NOT making a cast. Hung up and was popping the line. The first time my thumb slipped and let 'er rip. The next time Champ was a witness to the fact that none of my digits were anywhere near the thumb bar. Popped the line and she opened up and made a big ol' nest.

Thanks, darling. No place I'd rather be than fishing or golfing with you.

Yep. And he's still waiting on the colors that he did order. I'm ready to check out the hype, but still looking for them from TW. Maybe tomorrow.

I'm with you. I like to eat them and don't mind keep a few smaller ones to fry up. However, I LOVE fish of all kinds, especially bass. They are wily and fun to catch, not to mention beautiful. Icing them down may not be more humane, but it makes me feel better. Can't stand to watch one flopping getting filleted that hours before gave me such a thrill when it slammed my jig. Like Champ said, it's easier, too.

Thank you for taking time to shoot and post so many pictures and include all the great detail, as well. You could have been fishing instead of building a report for your faithful following. You're a peach, Mr. Bill.

Awww. Thanks.

I look like Mrs. Claus driving the "Ranger" sleigh. lol I 'drove" it off the trailer. And when we were ready to go I walked up the hill for the trailer. Not sure how we got into that habit. Oh, wait. I think it's because Champ188 was dodging the walk up the hill to the truck. I was not uncomfortable at all. My new UA Cold Gear head sock and I have a love affair going. Wish I had bought one years ago. Next purchase will be a set of the Cold Gear base layer. The Polartec fleece thermals I had on Sunday did the trick for our short outing, along with a couple of layers, a hoodie and my Guidewear bibs and jacket. Do I sound like one of those TV pros working in my sponsors every 60 seconds? It would be pretty boring if I did that since my only true sponsor is Champ188. Forgot to mention my Ozark Trails Thinsulate boots. ha ha

It is if the jig fish are biting.

Thanks, Mr. Bill. Me and Champ are headed to the Rock Wednesday, unless he's posted a new itinerary. I get the bandage off and stitches out tomorrow from my carpal tunnel surgery. Looking forward to catching some.

WhipPoorWill Resort http://www.okresort.com/ . Seventeen cabins in 15 acres of woods. Good boat parking and hook-ups, fish cleaning station and a couple of ponds. Run by a husband-and-wife team. They also own and operate The Fudge Factory and Sweet Shoppe at the entrance to the cabins. For a couple, #7 is great. King-size bed, wood-burning fireplace, outdoor pit, full kitchen. I liked it because it was set away from the other cabins and probably had the best boat parking. #8 is about the same, but it has two queen-size beds. They have cabins of various sizes, including one that sleeps 10. The cabins are very convenient to the lake.

Yep. I always have to try a jig. The Ranger hasn't been skunked since we bought it last December. Knock on wood.

Don't believe it. Champ forgot I did catch one keeper spot on a jig. Otherwise I couldn't make 'em eat it. Champ caught the nice brownie I'm holding. The final count was one on a jig, one on a blade, two on Warts and the rest on the jerk bait.

It was pretty dang funny at the time - until he ripped his thumbprint off. Champ was repairing the thermos cup. He forgot to mention a little dab ended up on the Ranger.

I've tried just the Neosporin, too, and many multitudes of creams, ointments and lotions. Something about the combination in this homemade lotion has worked the best for us. You have the antibiotic cream, plus petroleum jelly which forms a protective barrier. It's why moms use it on baby butts. The baby lotion is emollient and the vitamin E cream is healing. A couple of tips I've learned from trial and error - store brand on all the ingredients works just fine. I prefer Equate baby lotion rather than Baby Magic. I don't like the smell of Baby Magic, plus it's white. We can't call it "Pink Stuff" if it's not pink. lol This recipe is also good for cracked feet, rough elbows, friction rash and dry and / or cracked lips. Obviously not something you put on and go fishing or golfing. We slather it on heavy before we go to bed. Gonna need it tonight after nearly nine hours on the rock. Cold and windy. Hands look like mincemeat. Caught them pretty good for post cold front, though.

Thanks. I'd say 20" is about right. He wasn't poor, but not very plump. Caught this one on a 1/2 oz finesse jig with a green pumpkin Critter Craw. I think I would have noticed if this fish was blind - I don't think he was, but I swear he looks blind in the right eye in the photo.