Dutch

Hartley branch is actually what it is. It is where state park marina was before the tornado. Some people call it old state park. It is close to the mile long bridge.

Orioles haven’t showed up yet either.

Similar places to last week? I didn’t find fish until 10.

Since the weather was so nice we decided to spend the day on the water. Since I am going with Magicwormman tomorrow I decided to go to Stockton. I figured that Rouark and Cedar Ridge would be busy so I opted for Hartley. I should have looked at the tournament schedule. I didn’t because I never figured there would be one today. I was wrong. I was # 16 with 3 more arriving while we unloaded. I don’t know where they went but they didn’t stay around mid lake. I wasted a couple of hours with cranks, Ned and some other stuff. I decided to dance with the girl who is almost always at the party (miss shaky).. I caught a keeper spot on about the third cast and had a couple of other bites. They were back about mid cove. From there I concentrated on coves. Wind didn’t matter. Chunk rock, rocks mixed with gravel, or ledges didn’t matter. I never got a bite more than 2/3 of the way back and never got a bite on a point. My boat was in 10-18 fow and the fish were not on the bank or close to the boat. Most were probably 4-8 feet deep. I caught 9 in three hours only 3 were keepers but several of the others were 14 1/2 inchers. I’m satisfied with the results.

I don’t know of any reason why a fiberglass patch wouldn’t work. I use it on lots of things. I get Bondo resin and fiberglass cloth at the local O’Reilly’s auto parts store.

That’s a beaut.

I’m sure everyone of you have hooked a muscle shell from time to time while fishing on the bottom. Yesterday while fishing with Jeff I caught a live one or maybe it caught me. I was letting my swim bait hit the bottom and felt some weight. I set the hook and pulled in the 5” long muscle. I didn’t snag it. It engulfed the bait. The entire jig was inside the shell. Only the tail of the bait was exposed. I couldn’t get it to open up and I didn’t want to do surgery and make a mess in the boat so I cut the line and let it have the bait.

It never did warm up today. I kept everything on until we finished, but what the heck I am a sissy. I wish that I knew the area where I fish as well as he knows this one.

Here are a couple more that Jeff caught today.

It is getting about that time. I noticed a dozen or so asparagus sticking up this morning.

I bet they were line stretchers. I’ve never caught one.

I’m sure it will fish just fine. All of the components are the same as my shaky rod (favorite rod of all time).

I love flying in small airplanes. If I had done that a long time ago I would own one instead of a glitter sled. Helicopters are amazing. I could ride in one every day.

It was one of a kind back when I went there. Bass pro was no where near what it is today.

That’s a good one for sure.

Only one way to find out

Before they began expanding, I would go out of my way to visit the Sydney, Nebraska store. It was a rare treat and worth the drive.

Okay I will keep going north for now.

Thanks for the info Straw Hat. I’m sure they will be everywhere. I’ve seen twice as many as normal on the north end this year.

It has been a tough bite for me all winter. I hope to get back Sunday. If I do I will definitely be headed up the Big Sac.

Good going Jeff. Nice looking fish. I figured the whites would have been spawned by now. Yesterday was a beautiful day here. I would have loved to have been able to get out but had previous commitments.

UConn is the only one that I have ever watched before. With the way they have MANNED UP in the last few games and so easily defeated the Zags, that’s who I am figuring for the winner.

That’s enough to keep me going to Stockton for a while.

Those are some fatties. Could that first one be a meanmouth or is it just the light?

If clear water intimidates you then don’t go to Bull Shoals.