Donna G

Poor Champ. We were on TR when he got the news. Champ had just said he was going to text Keith and see if he could get some small split rings for a bait modification when someone texted him with the news. It wasn't pretty. Keith is a great guy. Hoping this was a planned retirement and that he's happy.

Thanks. Yes, the first few are fun. After that, they are a pain. Don't want them sliming the boat and they have some seriously tough, small mouths. Hard to get a treble hook out. Strangely enough, we never saw a white. I was surprised. Lots of shad and fish trying to school. Just not quite there.

We actually went to Grand today. Plenty of wind, but sun came out. They were looking down and it was challenging in the wind. Ended up with about 20, only one keeper, though. Well, some keeper Big Purples (Drum) showed up. Lol. Had to be on relatively flat banks. Get too steep and couldn't get bit.

Yeah, I let him practice on me so when he has a guide trip he can get the customer back to fishing ASAP. I'm helpful like that.

We would love to meet you and your lovely wife for another picnic on the water. It has been too long. Thanks for the Aunt's Creek pass.

Hey, Techo. Good to "see" you. Since Champ188 and I know you own Aunt's Creek, we would never, no never (fingers crossed behind my back), EVER fish Aunt's Creek. Honestly, haven't been much. Working fulltime puts a damper on too much fishing or golf. Waiting for the good bite to start before putting up the golf clubs for awhile. Champ went Friday with Ranger185 and had some decent numbers, but nothing to write home about, he said.

It's the same reason Champ188 and I dust off the golf clubs from the time the wakers overrun the lake until good ol' fall. I'm on vacation, so we did take a weekday trip that was pretty peaceful and met some forum friends for late lunch / early dinner at Danna's on Monday. Fishing wasn't that great, but Champ figured out a pattern similar to what Babler posted from yesterday. Easier with one person in the boat and we had to get off the water early to go drop the Ranger at Ulrich for some warranty work. See you on the water.

Very well said, Bill. James and I are thinking of you this morning and praying for you and Bill's family.

I turned 62 in May and went to our local COE office in Rogers, AR. Gave 'em $10 and I'm supposedly set for life. Champ188 was liking that he married an older woman. Guess that makes me a cougar. lol

Hey, Tim. Good to "see" you. I'm definitely ready for some fall fishing and for all the rec watercraft to get winterized. I might get Champ to take me to Aunt's Creek.

You're right about those rod straps. Don't use them anymore, but when I fished as a co-angler in the old CPAA, BFLs and the defunct ESPN's Women's Bassmaster Tour, those straps were lifesavers.

I'm too night blind to "go Bo" anymore and don't enjoy the night fishing like I used to, so summer means more golf for me. One of my favorite things about fishing is the relative quiet and tranquility. Not much of that this time of year.

Is there a disturbance in the force? The wife is wearing a Razorback t-shirt, but you live in Missouri.

We saw it, too. Looking forward to checking it out , although we've scored some good finds in Jug n Plug.

Good explanation. Thanks. The overall action in the Fat is why I prefer it. It even shimmies when falling.

A couple of our cats are guarding us from INSIDE the couch. lol Have one that's very stormphobic.

No, that’s a BEAVER thing. Why do you thing we drive from Northwest Arkansas to Table Rock to fish? Well, besides you guys. Nothing wrong with the Central Arkansas lakes. Mark Davis started guiding on Hamilton when he was 14 and later had a thriving guide business on Ouachita. Ron Shuffield was a DeGray rat. Cochran and Rob Kilby still live at Hamilton. Suggs at Ouachita. Anyone remember David Ashcraft, or Smash as we called him from Arkadelphia (DeGray)? There’s Mike Wurm. Stephen Browning, who still fishes the Elite Series. The late Ricky Green. All learned and honed skills on this trio of very different and fertile lakes in their own backyards. Plenty of pro anglers have come out of this part of Arkansas. Oh, and then there’s Champ188. lol BTW, we were married outside on the point at Hamilton’s Hill Wheatley Park 23-years-ago. Good times.

We haven't been since last Saturday, but every fish we caught then was aggressive once hooked. Spots, LM, brownies and meanmouth. Fun times. I think I only had one distinctive bite. Most just started leaving with it, but once I set the hook, oh mommy, hold on.

I do better on land. Lol. Champ has gotten used to me asking "where are we" when he drops the trolling motor.

I just realized fishing the pro side may present a problem, since i never know where I'm at on the water and probably couldn't find the weigh-in if I had any to bring to the scales. So sad.

Whoops. I already run the trolling motor when Champ is working on tackle and he's taught me how to drive the boat. ? I fished ESPN's Women's Bass Tour as a co-angler in the the inaugural year. Champ said if a women's event ever comes to Beaver he wants me to fish the pro side.

Fished with a crank more than half the day. No problems.

BTW, they are sun gloves 50 SPF. Not intended to be warm or waterproof. Fit snugly, but stretchy. I can't tell I have them on when casting.

Glacier Glove Abaco Bay. Amazon for $15.99, I think. I really like them. Cool and quick drying, if you get them wet landing a big ol" spot. ?

Yes. Easy breezy.