Donna G

Didn't leave Bella Vista until 8. Fished until 4:30. Slow start, but Champ188 found us some on bluff transitions. Most came on the Ned. Nine total. Eight LM, one spot. Two keeps one each on jerkbait and grub. 41.2 WT at launch and fished down to 39.5, which is actually where we caught the most fish. Front blew in this afternoon and they totally shut down. Showing the inner sanctum aka rod box so you can see the tackle malfunction. Love the rod sleeves, but sometimes those trebles bite. ?

And more room for logos.

And I'll be driving my own truck that day.

Happy New Year from me and Champ188. We started 2017 with a trip out of SK. WT 48-49. Tough day for us. Ended up with around 15. Only one keeper. Left the house at 6:30 this morning and fished until dark. Threw the tackle box at them on some good water without a lot of love. First fish of the year for both of us came on a Ned. Pretty much everything came on a JB or Ned.

Shoot. Knew it was starting and we didn't have our DVR set up. Getting it down now.

I'm glad Champ188 knows what I need and does a fine job outfitting me. I love the finesse jig rig he set me up with. I'm a typical guide client, though...just put it in my hand. I don't know what it is. However, I must say that I can definitely tell the difference in the right rod / reel combination over the wrong one these days. I fished every bait and presentation on the broomstick rod way back when, along with the big Ambassador 5000 reels. We've come a long way, baby.

True, but I like to get the cold run over with quickly so I have more time to swish my rods in the water for de-icing.

When I was a kid playing in the snow I wasn't running 60-70 mph across the water. ?

Can you fish in them?

Don't take this the wrong way, but are you kin to Hannibal Lecter? LOL Looks warm.

Champ188 knows this, but I will never, ever, ever be without the UA ColdGear Infrared base layer again. I have the tops and bottoms and the matching balaclava, which is a prized possession. In the market for some quality fleece / flannel lined jeans and a fleece lined flannel shirt. Until I find the ones I want and that fit (and while it's this cold) I put a pair of Cabela's 100% polyester MTP Polar Weight thermals on over the UA base layer. It's fleeced on both sides. Finish off with regular jeans and a UA Borderland 1/4 zip long sleeve hunting shirt. Good pullover hooded sweatshirt. Of course you can't leave off the GoreTex. I currently have Cabela's Guidewear jacket and bibs. We got them half-priced a few years ago. I drool every time I see the TV pros wearing Simms, though. Wool socks and Thinsulate boots. Sounds like a lot, but each layer is thin which really helps with the layering. In the market for gloves. Been wearing some fingerless gloves from Cabela's. Pretty good most of the time, but I lost the feeling in my first two fingers Saturday. Took awhile to get the circulation back. Looking at reviews on the UA NoBreaks ColdGear Infrared Liners. I'd love to hear some recommendations on waterproof / water resistant form fitting gloves you can fish in.

I think we already know Zona is nuts. Mostly entertaining until he starts playing "Air Bass" and I'm yelling at the TV "PUT THE FISH BACK IN THE WATER!!!"

I saw that one. Nuts.

If I lived in Mountain Home, I'd be on Bull Shoals every chance I got. I love that lake. We've thought of retiring there, but since we are perennially poor folk and will likely have to work until we die, I don't know that will happen.

I can be pretty demotivated, too, when the weather's foul, but the last couple of trips haven't been very productive and I honestly thought we'd tear 'em up with the cold front moving in and I wanted some of that. We did end up with 14 and a high percentage of keepers, but it still wasn't the trip we were hoping for. I caught the first fish, a keeper LM, in sight of the ramp on our first stop. I really thought it was a sign. lol As Jeff Foxworthy would say, "I are old." 62 in May. Kinda enjoying "laptop" fishing today looking at the snow on the ground.

Thanks, Jeff. It was pretty intense, particularly pulling the boat. James is a very skilled and careful driver, though. I feel safe with him at the wheel. It'd have to be some yahoo getting stupid and running in to us to cause a mishap, which I remind him of frequently when he tries to reassure me. It's the other guy / gal that scares me. We have to travel through some narrow, winding, hilly areas between the lake and home.

Yep, it was so much fun driving home from Baxter with the Ranger in tow tonight.

I second that.

Finally made it. Ranger's in the garage. ?

Thanks. We're still working on it. Already saw one in the ditch. Snowing now.

Wrong about the roads. We're still trying to get home. Traffic's moving slow and we're in 4WD.

LOL

Launched at 8 this morning from Baxter and put it on the trailer 20 minutes ago. Boat is covered in a sheet of ice. Roads are fine, but bridges icy. We ended up with 14. Champ188 had a nice LM he'll post a pic of later and a more detailed report. JB did most of the damage with an assist from a blade. One jig fish.

Understood, but we may have a problem. I'm pretty sure I can't pronounce sackizationally challenged.

It definitely was, Chris. It was a pleasure to meet you and Michelle. Felt like we were reuniting with old friends. Let's do it again. Michelle said she wanted to fish a husband/wife tournament. We'll have our own little derby when you get back in warmer weather.