First Memories of Fishing

I have a lot of memories of fishing with both my grandfathers and my father when I was a child. I was very lucky to grow up in one of the greatest extended families on the planet. Everyone loved to camp and fish and everyone loved to invest in their kids' futures. One of the trips that stick out in my mind the most was one I took with my grandfather, Pjoe. I even wrote a story about it when I was a kid, for the young author's conference.

Pjoe had this little Dodge Dakota truck that would eventually be my first car. This truck had the distinct smell of whatever cologne or deodorant Pjoe wore and coffee. Predominantly coffee. He had a little CB radio under the console and about a million oil change receipts in the glove compartment. Pjoe had a habit of saving every single receipt related to that truck. I could never resist opening the glove box of someones car when I was a kid. I was fascinated with secret compartments. I remember how excited I was to be riding in that truck with the boat behind it on our way to go fishing. I was also very nervous because I was worried I would mess up my reel or get hung on something and lose my lure.

The next thing I remember was the boat ramp. To this day I still enjoy the process of putting the boat in the water and the spike of excitement I get when I finally see the water. Even the smell of oil burning and the little slick spot on the water get my heart beating. Even as a kid I enjoyed these simple things almost as much or more than the fishing itself. To be honest I don't remember the fishing that day as much as I do the trip to the lake itself, I just remember that my Pjoe loved me and enjoyed having me go fishing with him. I can't wait to share and experience some of these same memories with my son.

Creek Rompin

I was at the In-laws lake house on Lake Martin this weekend enjoying some wonderful food that I slowly smoked all morning. I decided I would make a little wading trip since the lake itself had tons of traffic on it. Went over to a creek a few miles down the road and caught 6 little fish on my new 2wt Fly Rod. It was a lot of fun except for the drunk rednecks and their rude comments. I had one drunk lady yell, "That MFer ain't gonna catch nothing with that thing!" I was happy to toss a little bream about a foot or so away from her to prove her wrong. I did fall about 5 times though and my knees are all banged up. I really needa buy a boat.

The Gospel of Fly Fishing

Many of us have accepted a higher calling into the ministry of Fly Fishing. I would like to share with you the Gospel of Fly Fishing.

http://www.olivebranch.com/fish/john1.htm
http://www.olivebranch.com/fish/john2.htm
http://www.olivebranch.com/fish/john3.htm
http://www.olivebranch.com/fish/john4.htm
http://www.olivebranch.com/fish/john5.htm

Beach Trip

I went down with my family to the beach this past week and really enjoyed good food, good times, and good friends and family. But I also got some fishing in and had a wonderful time as well, regardless of the oppressive heat. I fished in the Little Lagoon in Gulf Shores, AL the majority of the trip in the kayak and did not have a whole lot of luck. I did have one really nice redfish on and lost him right at the boat as I went for my net. The best fishing for me was in the evenings at the West pass on the ocean side of the lagoon. I caught plenty of Lady Fish and Blues and a few Hard Tails on my Fly Rod. I was catching fish almost every cast and the guys with the dead bait and spinning rods were pretty jealous.

First Fly Swap

I got involved in a Fly Swap last month. This is where everyone makes 2 flies per person and then mail them to a guy who divides them up and sends them back. So you make 20 of the same fly and get 20 different ones back. It's really fun and a neat way to show off your fly tying skill and see some new patterns. I got some amazing bream flies back and can't wait to try them out this weekend!!

Cahaba 04252009

Met up with some guys I met on http://alabamariverfishing.net/ and did a 8 hour float out in the Wood Stock area. It was nice meeting some new guys who share the same passion for fishing that I do. I will say that it was a great trip except for one incident where I hit a rock and the water flipped me over it. I lost my Fly Rod and a Box with a lot of tackle in it. Here are the pics from the trip.














This was my biggest fish of the day. Fat spot that fought really hard and made a good run when I got him close to the boat. Caught him on a spinner bait. There were a ton of Gar lined up on this shallow shoal. They were racing upstream and would come out of the water and wriggle around. It was really amazing to watch. We also saw a Bald Eagle, the only one I have ever seen in central Alabama. All in all we had a wonderful day. Fishing slowed down when it got really hot but they were very active right behind the shoals. We caught close to 60-70 fish that day, I had 11 myself.

04-23-2009 Old Slab

I took off yesterday for numerous reasons. One was to wait for the Fedex guy to deliver a part for my truck, which I successfully fixed and now it no longer squeals when it cranks. Second was to make a quick run down to the Old Slab on the Cahaba to hopefully be able to fish it in relative peace. Well when I got there the same guys that are there on the weekends were there on a Thursday afternoon, but I will say they are nice and will talk to you. I just dissaprove of them trashing up the place... Anyways I did catch a really nice Red Eye bass that went about a pound and a half and decent sized bream as well.

It was nice to be outside and not mope around the house in my depression. I really do miss my Dad and wish he was here to go fishing with me and Thatcher, but there is nothing I can do to change it and to many good things have happened in the last two years that outweigh the bad. I have an awesome son who is my best buddy in the whole world, I have a wonderful wife who loves me, and I have the best extended family anyone could ever ask for. Oh and I am an Uncle now too! Going on a float trip down the Cahaba tomorrow in a section I've never been on with some guys I've never met, and I am super excited!! Hopefully I can find my little point and shoot camera to take with me and have some pictures.