July 23rd, 2010
Sometimes the fishin’ buddies seem to pick the most out of the way spots. But you know, there’s a reason they do choose the places they do.
Maybe they’ve been there before. Maybe as a kid, maybe last month, but they ‘know’ that there’ll be good fishin’ there as well as no crowds. Maybe the fishing hole was featured on one of the tv fishing shows, or showcased in a magazine, but most of the time, it’s just word of mouth. Someone’s uncle fished here once and caught ‘the’ big one.
There is nothing worse than Oklahoma red dirt and muddy bottom clay sticking to a new pair of white tennis shoes! The ‘person that does the laundry’ would have a stinkin’ fit! So instead of my ‘usual’ white tennis style shoes, this time I chose a new pair of Walking shoes, brown ones. Shoot, with a brown pair, you can just tap off most of the dirt and no one will ever know where you’ve been…
I broke these new walking shoes in walking around at Sams and the electronic store last week, as well as mowing the lawn. The reason being that you should always break in a new pair of shoes before you do any extended walking or hiking in them. You sure don’t want to get blisters when you’re out at the fishin’ hole - the guys would tease ya half to death!
What kind of shoes are they? Hawkshead. Nice manly name and they’re lightweight WITH waterproof construction. The outer parts are breathable suede and mesh upper made for keeping these feet dry and comfortable. Inside there’s a trail sole and absorba-sole insoles for durability & comfort.
As it was, the guys didn’t even notice my new walking (fishing) shoes, but my feet sure appreciated them!
Now, if the guys could just pick a fishing hole that’s NOT two miles off the road!
Tags: walking shoes
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July 16th, 2010
It seems that lots of everyday folk are planning on taking a staycation this year. Everyone’s view of a staycation is a little bit different. Their views could be as different as a blow-up pool in the backyard to a cottage holiday.
Seriously. Some folks buy a kiddie pool and sit around outside, drinking kool-aid, lemonade and sweet tea. That’s their idea of a staycation. To others, it’s just a chance to catch up on things around the house.
Some folks even do a marathon of old tv shows.
To other people, staycation means vactioning ‘near’ your home. This could mean renting a houseboat on a lake (not cheap) or renting a cabin in the woods, or at the lake. It might even mean camping in a tent at the local lake, or just visiting the local lake on a daily basis.
The ultimate though would be renting a little cottage or cabin somewhere in your own state that’s a little bit off the beaten path. Somewhere where there are things you enjoy, whether that’s fishing, tubing, snorkeling, or near Shakespeare in the park. There’s a place for everyone, on every kind of budget.
You don’t have to venture far and wide to get away from it all. You can do it near your own home.
Tags: staycation
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July 15th, 2010
If you can get past the roller bladers, and the runners, you’ll find some good crappie fishing at Lake Hefner. True, the place is packed with young healthy people, running, jogging and skating, not to mention the place is full of sailboats and restaurants dot the shores, you can still find yourself a spot to fish.
Crappie are good there year round and newcomers to this lake should try the rocky area near the dam as well as around the lighthouse area.
Hefner DOES have a daily permit… ($3)
Tags: crappie, lake hefner
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July 14th, 2010
I live a stone’s throw from Lake Thunderbird - it’s a handy fishing spot.
You have your purists who call Thunderbird, Dirty-bird, but that’s Norman’s water supply. It’s really only dirty when the water level is low - most of the time the lake is as blue as any other.
Of course, the blue is from a distance, up close you can see that the water IS murky and dirty. But that just makes it a great lake for crappie!
People are pulling foot long crappie out of T’bird these days.
The docks were a favorite spot for many fisherman but sadly we lost the northern dock area to a tornado earlier in the year. I haven’t been back to that side of the lake yet, but I bet as they rebuild that it’ll return to being a great spot to fish.
Tags: Lake Thunderbird
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July 13th, 2010
The eastern half of Oklahoma has streams and creeks all over the place. The best thing about these ‘criks’ is the fact that they’re often filled with native fish, particularly the smallmouth bass.
There’s the Illinois of course, but in that same region of the state you might try Flint Creek, Spring Creek, Lee or Little Lee, Sallisaw or Barron Fork (and others).
Down in the Quachita area - try Black Fork, Glover, Eagle Fork, Mountain Fork and the Kiamichi. And don’t forget Pennington that flows into Texoma, there’s a hatchery there and it seems that some fish like to stay close to home.
Make sure you don’t intrude on the landowners, use bridges as your access points.
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July 12th, 2010
The kids want to try fishing. But gosh, what will it cost you just to ’see’ if the kids would like it or not?
Folks in Pennsylvania now have an answer to that problem! The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission loans out fishing rods, reels and tackle boxes filled with equipment to anyone who asks.
The 5-year-old Borrow a Rod and Reel Fishing Tackle Loaner Program works like a library. At dozens of loaner sites, anyone — from beginners to those returning to the sport — can simply show ID, fill out a card, borrow the gear and bring it back when they’re finished. Fishing license regulations, seasons and creel limits apply. Equipment can not be reserved.
The loaner program is a partnership of the Fish and Boat Commission, the American Sportfishing Association, and local sponsors of individual loaner sites. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources helps by providing loaner tackle at many state parks.
As well as loans made to individuals, the equipment can also be borrowed by groups conducting angler education programs. The equipment is purchased by Fish and Boat through its education wing.
In southwest Pennsylvania, loaner sites are located at Keystone State Park in Westmoreland County, Raccoon Creek State Park in Beaver County, Yellow Creek State Park in Indiana County and Mahoning Creek Lake Park, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project in Armstrong County.
Encouraging new anglers to take that next step to investment in fishing licenses and equipment is an important part of the program.
Tags: loaner program, pennsylvania fish and boat commission
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July 6th, 2010
This past week was the 62nd annual Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, but there were a few noticeable differences from years past. There were no sharks, Spanish mackerel, bluefish or bonita.
Even though the Mississippi Sound and a majority of the federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico were closed by NOAA because of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil disaster,the rodeo was still a success.
The number of anglers were down from a typical rodeo of 500 to slightly more than 200 and next years event is expected to move back to the Gulfport Small Craft Harbor.
Tags: 62nd Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo
Posted in Ramblings | 9 Comments »
July 5th, 2010
I may be sheltered, but I’ve never been around anyone that actually cooked on a boat. But maybe, it’s because I’ve not been on a ‘big’ boat… ….
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Three people were taken to hospital in Cornwall after a fire spread along 150 crab pots igniting a boat and shed.
The fire spread along the pots, setting alight the shed, which contained a vehicle, gas cylinders and asbestos. A fishing boat was also set on fire.
The incident happened at Restronguet Beach on Sunday at about 1450 BST.
The fire service said two casualties suffered from shock, and a third from smoke inhalation. All three were taken to hospital.
Tags: cooking on a boat
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July 2nd, 2010
I certainly hope that your Fourth of July is filled with fishing at your local fishin’ hole, or at the very least relaxing in your backyard.
Many a time though, whenever a three day weekend comes around, it seems that there’s a honey-do list with some BIG things on it - just waiting for those three free days.
So whatta ya do? You pull on your grungy old Wolverine Work Boots, put on your work around the house jeans and an old tee-shirt and get to gathering the supplies you need to ‘fix’ whatever’s broken ‘this’ time.
Invariably, you’ll need a part that you don’t have at home. It’s a law, I think, you will need something you don’t have at home, something you can’t Macguyver, which will entail a trip down to the Ace Hardware Superstore.
Thank goodness they have great hours. Last time we installed a seemingly simple hot water heater, it became quickly apparent that we need just one little piece of pvc. Something not in any of our spare parts buckets which caused us to make a last minute run down to the store for some of their Discount Plumbing Supplies.
Having a hardware store nearby is a lifesaver! And a gas saver, and a time saver. Hopefully you’ll knock that honey-do list down some and still have enough time to head to the lake for just a little fishin’ on your 4th.
You deserve it!
Tags: fishing on the 4th, honey do list
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July 2nd, 2010
Good, good, good, good vibrations.. ….
Bowjax has come out with a trolling motor vibration dampener that helps stop the vibration from your submersible electric motor, lowering it’s noise. It’s MVD (Motor vibration dampener) goes ‘over’ the trolling motor. It’s appendages counteract the frequency range of vibration produced by a running trolling motor. It reduces vibration by over 20%. Cost? Less than $20.
Can’t beat that…
Tags: good vibrations, trolling motor
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