I haven't been back over here to TFTN in a few months...man I missed alot...there is tons of fishing info here of all sorts...the pictures here are award winning...I have decided that I can never take pictures like you guys...my old fishing pictures all look the exact same and have for some 20 years...my pics look like "Neanderthals" who comsumed too many Bud Lights with no shirts holding average Stripers like they were Levitithon himself!! Great memories.....just not great pics.
Anyway... been playing at Priest 2-3 days a week since Thanksgiving and I have never seen so many 2-5 lb hybrids, with my boat moored at Four Corners I haven't had the motivation or time to put it on the trailer....I guess it is great for the future of the fishery but the numbers and schools of these is scary,almost annoying....I also noticed the fish residing at deeper depths than normal 20-35 ft on most days since Christmas...the unusual/late draw down and higher than normal water levels may be the culprit... several reports from the Upper section of the lake have been better as far as size but I haven't had the ambition to check them out......caught them pretty good around Thanksgiving around Fate to Fall Creek but haven't been past Hong Kong in weeks.
Another interesting observation is the numbers of Loons and terns aka DUMB BIRDS...I have chased (more than I want to admit) some awesome looking funnels of white birds only to find that the Loons had pushed a ball of bait up and there wasn't any fish involved in the ambush...it is hard to go anywhere at JPP and not see loons..I wonder if any studies have been done on thier migration or lack off....seems like every year we have more than the last ?
With my new career endeavor which began last July (manufacturer's REP) I am once again fishing with whom I choose, when I want and when I feel like going home I DO !!! The fact that my daughtner enters private school for her freashman year was a big deciding factor. The occational guide trip on the weekends with some long time clients at the right time of year has me back to fishing for enjoyment not for a LIVING...big difference. My fishing friends/contacts brought me to my new job and I wouldn't have done it any other way......my 40th b-day is next month and I decided to concentrate on the money making part of my life for a change...it isn't as fun but the new gig is a challenge much like figuring out how to catch catch Stripers 24/7 was in my 20's. I am IN-TO IT!! Twelve years of 200-250 days/yr chasing water zebras is enough to burn most any sane person out much less one whos sanity is questionable as mine is at times.
I hope now I can get MikeA to teach me how to fly fish(I've never done it), maybe go catch a Muskee on purpose(never did that), I am going to Dale Hollow this weekend to catch a small mouth from a remote control boat(never done that either, you?)maybe I can meet RonS sometime(his sentiments on tournament fishing was a true classic). I would like to fish with DB, he makes some very informed posts........the fishing learning curve never straightens...I think that is why I still love it...... I have weekends once again that mean something. Hope everyone here has a great 2008.
