NEW CO STATE RECORD SMALLMOUTH

DENVER, Colo. - Conner Peitsmeyer, 11, of Aurora probably won't remember the chill of the 35-degree air on the morning of Nov. 12. What he will remember for a long time is catching the new Colorado state record smallmouth bass.

Conner was fishing at Aurora Reservoir with his dad, Michael Peitsmeyer, in the family's fishing boat that Friday morning. A few days before, Conner had landed his first 'big fish' in the same area, a smallmouth that was more than five pounds. But nothing prepared Conner for the 20¾ inch, 6-pound, 8-ounce monster he would pull from the water that morning.

"We had caught quite a few big bass that week, so we knew they were in there," said Michael. "When he caught that first big one, Conner told me he was shaking, but he wasn't sure if it was from the cold or from the excitement."

Conner's catch eclipses the previous state record smallmouth, a 21-inch, 5-pound, 12-ounce bass caught by Carl Dewey at Navajo Reservoir in 1993.

Link to photos below.

http://dnr.state.co.us/ImageDBImages/26076.JPG

http://dnr.state.co.us/ImageDBImages/26075.JPG


Matt's Rant: Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!

Another brookie blast

Still tinkering with a few patterns for these brook trout and managing to get a few quality fish in the process. But I often wonder if I am on the right pattern or if another presentation wouldn’t work better. In fact, no matter how good the fishing is at any given location or day…I am always looking to improve.

Morning started off slow with a heavy chill. The late fall\early winter mornings are now met with frost, frozen puddles and temperatures below freezing. The recent snow had melted for the most part but a few shadowed areas were still frozen. A first few casts, a fish and then battle ice up on the rod tip. As time wore on and the sun rose, the temperature turned the corner on +40 degrees and fishing was more comfortable. The fish kept on coming, which made me worry about the cold less, and less. Funny how lots of fish can lull you into frostbite without a second thought where as no fish will magnify sour conditions to feel downright unbearable.

Halfway through the stretch and I am doing great on both numbers and size…for this water at least. Most of the fish are top of the class and about 12-ish in length. I am working a creature-spin presentation that I use for bass but downsized to 1/16oz. Not something completely off the wall but definitely not what folks or even the fish apparently are used to seeing. Nearly every cast got a bump, flash, follow and a number of go-getting’ bite hard brookies.

By midday the sun was shining through an almost cloudless sky. Wind was only my contention and even that wasn’t too formidable. I caught a few more brooks and tried to make the most out of the photo op. There are very few fish that I would consider ugly and many that are beheld to be very beautiful. Brook trout can be absolutely spectacular when it comes to color pattern and the fins are breathtaking to me at times.

Rounding out the trip I land another solid brute brook that I might have been able to squeeze a 14’er inch mark out of if needed. Not too shabby for this water and one of my better small water brooks. This fish was downright angry and difficult to photo-op. Seeing that it had woke up on the wrong side of the structure this morning I chose to give it a quick picture grab with the one hand hold and a quick release.

My name is Matt and I’m a fishaholic.

CDOW Fishing Reg. Update: Citizen Petition approved for section of Arkansas River

YUMA, Colo. - The Colorado Wildlife Commission gave final approval to new fishing regulations and approved license numbers and seasons for the 2011 spring and fall turkey seasons at the group's meeting in Yuma on Friday, Nov. 12.

In addressing the meeting's major agenda item, commissioners finalized the five-year update of DOW fishing regulations and approved two major changes to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species across the state. The regulations also make localized changes at more than 30 bodies of water around the state to adjust fishery management by setting new size limits or altering acceptable tackle.

Commissioners also responded to a citizen petition requesting new regulations for a popular two-mile tail water fishery on the Arkansas River below Pueblo Reservoir. The new regulation restricts tackle to artificial flies and lures from the reach beginning at the bridge near Valco Ponds downstream to Pueblo Boulevard. In addition, all trout 16 inches or larger caught in this section must be immediately returned to the water. The portion of the river near the Pueblo Nature Center is exempted from these new restrictions.

Link to full article below:

http://wildlife.state.co.us/NewsMedia/PressReleases/Press.asp?PressId=6741

Matt’s Rant: Hurray for the citizen petition! This is a huge victory for a lot of people that fish this area at various times of the year and frustrated with the constant bait\pillage that has occurred too often. The additional regulations may upset a few locals but the majority of sportsman in the state (and even beyond) have been requesting this stretch become AFLO for quite some time. As these new regulations take hold, the fishing quality will improve year after year.

See, folks? You can make a difference and things like an organized petition with thousands of valid signatures is tough to ignore. CDOW still believes that the majority of anglers\license holders in this state are primarily bait and take…it is up to the AFLO\C&R crowd to make our voice heard.

If you fish in Colorado and are a bit bored, feel free to send an e-mail to the CDOW expressing your thanks for their hard efforts as well as letting them know how they could improve things in your view. I truly believe that fishing is good in Colorado but could be so much better. If anglers and the Colorado Division of Wildlife worked together it would be quickly achieved.

http://wildlife.state.co.us/About/askdow/

Good luck and good fishing.

Kermitt’s Walkabout

Wandering along I-70 below Idaho Springs is a 1.5 mile somewhat fishable section of the creek. Action can vary by the day depending on water levels and angling pressure. This is a section of the creek I have dabbled a bit on but never have come up with anything big. “Big” for this stretch would be a solid +16’er brown or bow that would possibly weigh a pound or two at most. Two pounds may be an exaggeration or even a wild boast for most fish on the creek but larger brutes do exist. Hard work, timing and sometimes just plain luck will put that magical fish in your hands.

My plan is to simply get out there as much as possible and hope for at least one good fish and a mix of scenery. Finding water with solitude is also a bonus, which points me towards Kermitt’s Walkabout. Having to park and walk the stretch makes a bit of difference in regards to pressure. So much of the creek sees at least one or two casts on a daily basis. Being able to pick apart the areas that are less worked makes me feel a bit closer to the divide and helps me forget that I am only 20 minutes from Denver.

Right off the bat I expect to struggle. Water is low and from previous trips I know the fish are scared. The ant pattern has faded in success and only the minnow pattern is getting noticed on the spin side. This reduces me to a few small nymph patterns and only one or two spin presentations. Not the best conditions for me but better than say a blizzard or forest fire. (I’m fully prepared for both at this point) Walking, casting only to get a timid flash or a curious follow here and there. First the spin, then the fly…maybe a switch up or fresh tie on before moving up the stream. Sometimes you get the love and sometimes you don’t. When you do it is like magic.

Hopping over rocks and moving upstream the struggle continues. By now I have hooked only one or two small browns in the 10-inch class. I’m starting to think this trip might get tossed in the “not worth posting” pile. I had covered the entire stretch and was now headed back with my brain already scrambling to plan the next trip. Then I notice a small section of rocks that had been passed on the way up.

One fish can make all the difference. Even though this isn’t a two-pounder brown that I could shamelessly boast about but it is a quality fish for this stretch. It also helps me salvage this post with some respectability. Quick photo-op and release.

Kermitt’s Walkabout…name explained. So I may come up with a few names for stretches of the creek. My hope is to break the 50-mile mile long strip of water into sections and name those sections using landmarks of some sort. At the base of this run is a bar\restaurant called “Kermitt’s”. They serve hot coffee, cold beer and even do live music on the weekends. The fact you have to park and walk the 1.5 mile stretch makes it a “walkabout” as opposed to the drive, park and cast sections that dominate most of the creek. Mark my words…I shall pull a two-pounder out of Kermitt’s Walkabout and yes, the bragging will be shameless.

My name is Matt and I’m a fishaholic.

The gorgeous “skunk trip”

Scouted a “fork” section of water that has been on the scout list for some time. This is one of those not so talked about places with little or no info or to go on. Sure there were a few fly guide notes jotted down here and there on various internet venues. But these notes read so much like every other web update for anything other than sections of the South Platte or Taylor River for example. A few pictures on fishing forums and the unknown factor only made the mystery build in my mind. The suspense grew until it faded to the background completely when I stumbled on a few other spots with fish-fantastic possibilities. “Hit it when it’s good.” A phrase of wisdom from my past echoes in my ears. Eventually the clockworks of my fish planning fell into place and when no other fishing spot could be picked from the pile, this one made it to the hit list weekend time slot.

The real trick on scouting missions for me is thus: Find the spot, learn as much as you can and if all prevails catching some fish would be nice. Scouting missions come with a lot of unknown factors. Even the best planners can only do so much with nothing more than a few tidbit clues and breadcrumbs. Weighing weather and season I knew there could only be one downfall beyond the breakdowns or getting lost.

“I’m just hoping the water levels are good.” These words fell off my lips as the truck door closed and the trip began. This was my one fear…well that and maybe being attacked by a mountain lion from a rock ledge thirty feet above my head.

Found the tricky turn off with only having to make one missed road-U-turn maneuver. Rocky dirt road from there that leads to a cliff ledge and an open view of the fork stretch below. It was a gorgeous view but the water was low…very low. As beautiful as the scenery was it would net help the fact that fishing would be ever so difficult.

Open the door and the echo of coyotes wailed in the distance. Not a small pack of coyotes mind you but a full rout of these furry fanged beasts. This was the morning call home. The call of the uncles that watch the kits as the elders return home from the night’s hunt. From the endless choruses and banter, I assume it was a good hunt and a joyous reunion.

The cliff dive into this stretch was about 70 degrees and about a hundred feet. The actual trail down is much easier seen from the bottom as opposed to the top. Taking the deer trail down it seemed that foot traffic was nil. Had I found a secret location virtually un-fished? Was this even still possible in Colorado? Eventually I found the actual trail and the mosaic of human footprints along the trail.

There was also a casual passerby on the frosty morning trail. Not the typical wandering character I am used too.

What you had to work with is an inch of water here and an inch of water there. Pools of water with any depth were about the size of your bathroom sink. While still trying to put together a viable pattern and catch any type of fish whatsoever tragedy struck. Three guys pulled in and jumped the trail eating up the lower part of the section. The timing couldn’t have been worse as we had just finished a quick scout of the water upstream and just now were heading downstream. The trio would have first taste of the downstream section in conditions where shallow water, spooked fish and first casts were all I had to work with. With the rest of the stretch pilfered, the only thing to do was to hop off and look for more water. Rolling on to Plan B didn’t prove to be any more successful. Neither did Plan C. I could feel the frustration and disappointment the entire drive home. It weighed on my shoulders like a two-ton heavy thing even when I kept reminding myself…

“Ninety percent of the fish are in less than ten percent of the water. That ten percent requires effort to find and even then you have no guarantees. To find the very best fish and fishing experience…you have to put in your dues and can’t fear the skunk.”

So much to learn and so much more to accomplish before the big dirt nap that looms in all of our futures at some point. No matter how far I come it is still ever so clear to me that there is still so much further to go. In truth, I may actually learn more on the bad trips than on the “fish filled up the boat” runs. I’ll take the occasional skunk trip as long as there is another trip on the board after this one is done.

My name is Matt…must fish.

Late bassin’ on slow creature presentations and a warm trend

We had a spurt of warm weather that nearly reached the 80-degree mark the last weekend of October. So I stepped out of small water trout mode for a late bass run. Taking advantage of the infrequent warm trends keeps me in touch with a few of my warm water pals. Late bassin’ isn’t easy, in fact it can be some of the most difficult fishing that I undertake considering these fish are much less active in the colder temps.

The water temperatures are dropping quickly. This not only slows down bucketmouth bass in Colorado but also inflicts some havoc on the forage base. Shad are prone to die off when water reaches below 45 degrees and only a slight percentage of sunfish spawn make it this far. Towards November I will often start with baitfish patterns but rely more and more on slow moving creature baits such as jigs, tubes, and maybe a fluke rigged weightless. Anything I can run slow slow slow is going to get the tie on.

Other lures that are typically considered fast moving like spinnerbaits and even some shallow running crankbaits can be tossed out with a slow crawl presentation. These will work too if you get them close to strike zone. And this strike zone gets very small as we reach winter.

Late spring and summer the warm water fish are at the peak of their activity. Metabolic rates are optimum and the fish feed as often as they can. The fishing action generally speaking is the best at this time for largemouth bass and other warm water fish. The largest fish may still cling to that heavy cover they call home but likely to move around quite a bit in search of food. This is what you had in July…not the case now.

As temps move out of the 60-degree range and down towards 50-degrees or lower, you see bass activity slow to a crawl. This is due to the biological fact that fish are cold blooded. Their metabolism and circulatory system slows down emulating an almost hibernation type behavior. They still feed but it is infrequent and based more on opportunity or chance.

Slowing the lure speed down to match the energy allowance in winter is another huge factor. The fish will not be able to swim long distances or attack forage as aggressively as they do in summer. Instead of a lunging strike the fish will lurch slowly forward, open their mouth and hopefully close it on a tasty morsel or your lure. Anglers can still get the occasional reactionary strike with the “cast-n-rip back” method but a slow slow slow presentation increases the chances greatly of getting a bite as opposed to the lure passing by.

Cold water bass note: Play them short and get them back quickly. Similar to bears and other wintering creatures in Colorado, fish do their best to store up fat reserves for the long winter. Overplaying the fish depletes these reserves and could weaken the fish severely. This isn’t just for bass but a primary concern for warm water fish that don’t actively feed in winter. Over handling can also hurt the fish more in the cold weather months due to their slowed circulatory and immune systems. It takes them longer to recuperate so in turn it is healthier for the fish to be handled as minimal as possible.

My name is Matt and I’m a fishaholic.



Match the Crawl?

I promised someone that the ant picture would be posted with a little “Match the crawl” reference. It is rare that my fishing offers even a sliver of insight or brilliance into the fly-fishing circles that I travel. These are exceptionally acclaimed anglers with countless trout and endless miles of premier trout waters under their belt. It has been a struggle at best to convince a few…well most…ok pretty much all of them that I had stumbled across this ant pattern and actually caught fish with it.

(Above: The actual picture I was talking about in one of those water cooler situations where a more experienced fly angler is listening to my fishing tales in sheer disbelief. “…and you were fly fishing you say? )

They look quite similar when you match them up and one of the key elements to tying on a fly that represents that “special of the day” item on the trout’s menu. The window of selection in regards to what a fish will hit and what it will not may be very small so you want to be as close as possible to size, shape and colors. I have seen fly anglers stop casting to tie up a brand new fly to match the exact presentation they want. I marvel at this ability and wish that I had the patience and skill to stop casting and whittle me a wood-minnow presentation with full paint and epoxy treatment that would slap the fish silly.

What made the ant pattern so amazing on this day is that it was the one fly pattern that hadn’t been hammered on these fish time and time again. For me the trick is throwing something on the menu that the other fly anglers are not throwing. In many cases it is my only chance when the water gets crowded with experienced fly pressure.

And it is not only experienced fly anglers that I have to contend with out there. Sometimes even the fish will point out the errors in my fly game and it’s embarrassing quite frankly.

“You’re not getting low enough in the fast current.”

“Are you sure you have a low enough weight tippet?”

“Everyone else is using nymph patterns in #20 or lower. #12 wooly bugger is just obnoxious on this stretch.”

Other fish are far more courteous and say nothing. Perhaps they even tease me from time to time by rising to the presentation and then slowly sinking back to the bottom with that familiar disgusted look on their face. Sometime after, another angler approaches the small stretch of water I am fishing. Some poor dumb fish takes pity on me and hits the ant pattern impaling itself on the hook so all I have to do is lift the rod and put the small trout in my hand. Quick release of the fish and some light conversation ensues.

“…ant pattern you say?” Mr. Orvis Reddenbrocker says with a nod and then moving upstream.

The angler passes as I pull some debris from the fly and readjust my setup. Then I turn to the water and say.

“Thanks for making me look good there guys.”

“Shucks, it wasn’t nothing.” One of the trout says popping its head up out of the stream. “Hopefully he switches to that @#$% wooly bugger.”

“It’s not a wooly bugger!” I scream in defense. “It’s an ant!…smart@## fish.”

My name is Matt and I’m a fishaholic.

Pontooner Update: The annual scrub down and rod holder complete

The Annual Scrubdown

The pontooner has a few years under its belt and showing some signs of wear. Late in the season I always try to put together an annual “spruce up” for the tooner before I put it back into storage for the season. Moisture, mold and other ailments may actually fester over the winter so that one last check is always good before stowing something away for long periods of time.

(Above: This is a shot of the tooner all barnacled up. Not the worst this thing has ever looked but could use a spruce up.)

This year I ran the boat through some heavy moss that ended up getting baked in the sun on the drive home. A trip through the car wash and a pocketful of quarters couldn’t get the stuff off. It limited me from rolling through the mudsnail inspection checkpoints and locked on a handful of smaller waters for the last part of the season. Before I could put things away for the winter, a good scrub was in order.

(Above: One side scrubbed down with the Magic Eraser by Mr. Clean. After using green scrubbers, sponges and possibly even a Shampow product. Other side scrub…looks brand new.)

Balancing out my fishing gear abuse with routine maintenance is the only chance I have at keeping things ready for the next trip.  Even if I take it out late in the season…what have I got to lose?

Rod holder worked out

So I finally ordered the rod holder and as Josh from Bigerrfish and others pointed out, the straps are the ultimate downfall to this design. It is difficult to get these straps to stay perfectly adjusted with inflatable craft and falls into that “more trouble than good” category.

(Above: This is the original model with the straps. It took extra time to setup and something you had to watch as temperature fluctuated. After a few trips it was quickly abandoned. )

After some pondering and prototype work, I eventually came up with the answer. It was the same answer\problem with so many boat accessories that don’t have the 1.25” diameter pipe in mind. Modification brought it back around. All I needed was some U-bolts hardware and a little elbow grease.

Once I got the hardware fitted, the plastic area around where the screws are placed needed to be removed in order to cinch everything down. Then a soft adapter plate was put together with some Styrofoam and electrical tape. The adapter plate keeps everything snug without beating up the powder coated paint job.

(Above: Prototype installed needing only a few slight cosmetic touch ups like cutting down the threaded portion of the bolts and filing them smooth.)

When it comes to adding a lot of marine accessories to the pontooner scene, the biggest gap to bridge is often merely finding the right adaptation. Sometimes it requires a little fabrication, or maybe just some U-bolts. In some cases it may require a little of both worlds but can make the pontooner experience all that much better. Maybe this winter I can dust off a few ideas, designs and even prototypes that would make Kevin Kostner and the crew from Waterworld a bit jealous. Hey, a Mattsabasser can dream right?

Good luck and good fishing.

Rockinz’ De Splake!

So things turned out all right for the first run on the Hot Tip. A few pieces of the puzzle were gathered and a couple of fish helped me develop one or two patterns on that day. But there were still more questions than answers in regards to the splake and I was itching for another run. Work and other pre-planned destinations pushed the second attack further and further down the schedule. Eventually the clouds parted and the Hot Tip was on deck.

Running late, I reach the trailhead at about 8AM under overcast skies. Grabbed the gear and started making my way up the trail heading straight for the sweet section. Now I had a visual layout of the area with casting experience for most of the stretch. An adequate game plan was formed to maximize the quality sections first and then work my way back down.

(Above: Gratuitous river\creek shot. Overcast skies do little for my creek shots. )

Early into the trek I run into a couple and two pack goats. More on these ornery pack goats hopefully in a subsequent post. For now suffice to say these critters made me abandon my game plan for a minute and look for a spot to cast. Reaching the cliff edge I look down at the water and see an angler already working things. The grizzled beard and round specs looked very familiar. A few shouts confirmed it was indeed the legend…Mountain Goat Keith. Somehow by pure luck I managed to trade two ornery pack goats for the one and only MKG (I know the initials don’t exactly match…kind of a long story). But make no mistake that this guy eats 14’er mountain hikes for breakfast in search of high mountain cutts that he handles gently and releases for another day. Darn near killed Don and me on one run a few years back…yet another story. Salutations were exchanged and we decided to work the water in tandem.

(Above: Not too shabby shot of the slinger in action. The guy could land a fly on a dime if it was still in your pocket. I am deeply honored that he even tolerates my presence.)

Step into the first spot and MKG is hooked up with a small brown. A few steps more and he hooks up with another. Then a decent bow around the next bend. Me? I’m getting a few flashes, bumps and mostly the no-go. The minnow pattern was getting bumped, almost cradled by fish but nothing would commit. The ant got even less. Flip, flip, roll cast, roll cast, cast…nothing.

“This was money just a few weeks ago…I swear.” My case was pleaded to the water and more importantly to Mountain Goat Keith. His looks of skepticism suggested that he was not all that convinced.

“…Dropper setup.” He suggested after a few more riffles and bends in the stream. “I’ve got extra if you need anything.” Then moves across the rocks over to the next small pool and goes to work once again. By now he was way up in the fish count and I hadn’t even gotten my hands wet.

Luckily we reach a sweet spot midway up the stretch and a small rainbow takes pity on the minnow setup. Funny how one fish can build confidence and remove a lot of pressure. For me this fish was like breaking through a barrier of confusion and reaching clarity on the other side.

My eyes instantly refocused and I could see the fish in the water dancing around my lure. It was clear my minnow presentation’s cover was blown. They were merely toying with it for fun and no intention of striking. Something else was needed. Through the clarity it came to me like a vision out of nowhere. The answer to all of my hopes and dreams…or at least a possible tactic which if it worked would be nearly as good. Reaching into the bag and tying on the item of vision I give a faithful cast into the riffle headwater.

A good healthy cast follows landing the lure on top of the riffle and flutters effortlessly to the bottom. A lift, a bump and a miss. Another lift, a bump and a miss. Suddenly, just as before an idea pops into my brain scattering the two tiny marbles inside in all directions. It gives me the second part to the equation. Found the trick and wham! Splake on!

Once again I have to battle these extremely antisocial fish in an attempt to photograph them. The first one was extremely difficult and seemed to have a shortened outer gill plates for some reason. A quick photo and release. Re-set and then cast for more.

(Above: Splake is part brookie part mackinaw and all spastic. Not my best shots by any means but I am $%%^ happy to get these.)

At the end of the stretch MKG owns the fish count with a mix of bows and browns, a few of which are very respectable. The only thing saving my pride and shameless bragging at this point are the splake. I’m more than happy with that and even Keith gave a resounding “Hmmm” when I showed him the fourth and largest specimen. He may have lifted half an eyebrow slightly as well but his sturdy grimace remained cold like steel.

On the way back we hit this and that pool along with many more bends in the stream. I started falling into a groove and managed to pick up a small but beauty brown along with a few others to close out a hat trick of sorts.

Climbing out of the last long cliff section I leave MKG at the water still slinging. A crowd of passersby halt their passing and ask me how the water fairs for the day. I mumble a few odd tidbits of gray warbles and the really large pinecone that got away. They seemed greatly confused not so much by my riddling but more so at the fact I would be carrying a spin rod along with the fly setup in such a small slip of water.

“Oh this? I use it to battle off ornery goats. Did you see the two big ones on the trail earlier today? ”

Special thanks to Keith for putting up with me for a few hours on the stretch.

My name is Matt and I’m a fishaholic.

Photos from the field

May the Forest be with you.

(Above: This is a T-shirt for display and sale. This angle was the only one that didn’t reflect the light right back into the camera. My shots are rarely perfect.)

Estes Park is a crazy cool town with a lot of that quaint mountain town flavor. This is but one of their brilliant outdoor phrases and philosophies. As most outdoorsfolks can attest; at times the forest can be with you or against you. To all of my followers, viewers and the one guy that didn’t try to cut me off in traffic today…”May the forest be with you”.

This picture is worth: Two Bucks

(Above: These may be the most glorious mule deer that I have ever seen. I took this photo from the roadside on my way home from work-no zoom.)

There are times when I kick myself for not purchasing high-end photography equipment or at least something that I could use for those truly amazing photographs that pop up when you least expect them. For this reason I carry my POS digital just about everywhere.

How about Four Ducks?

This is not my best duck shot by any means but seemed to go with the mule deer above. Two bucks, four ducks and I wish that I had a platypus in a pear tree or something really clever to finish the thought.

Even though I no longer hunt in Colorado due to intense crowds and a number of really close calls, hunting is still deeply respected in my heart. Hunters and hunting management pays for so much of the wildlife habitat in this state and across the nation. If not for the protecting, managing and funding of wildlife spaces by sports-folks and true wildlife agencies like Ducks Unlimited and so many more…this state would have been devoured by real estate developers long ago. Even though I no longer hunt in Colorado, I support and thank you all for your support in regards to wildlife management.

Feral apples

The term “feral” generally means having escaped from domestication and becoming wild. For some silly reason I enjoy feral apples above the granny smith or even Fuji style apples bartered at my local grocer. Sometimes the bite is extra tart or I may have to inspect a few before finding one void of bugs. Nonetheless, I relish the art of locating, capturing and yes…even devouring said wild fruits. See? It is indeed true. I don’t catch and release all of the time.

One shard at a time…

So there is a lake that I fish with a long sandy shoreline that can form a large or small beach depending on where the water level decides to be on that given day. Every year some kid gashes his\her foot on shards of glass. Luckily the worst outcome thus far has been a few stitches. But every year the parents curse, swear and cringe at the fact the damage could have been a lot worse.

I hear a lot of swearing these days. But rather than join in the tirade I have decided to pick up these shards in sandy areas where humans may want to kick off their shoes or that good place to throw a stick for the dog (insert crazy no-leash dog\oblivious or absent owner rant here). In little over an hour I had cleared a gorgeous section of sandy lakeside paradise of every shard to be seen. Some of these have rounded edges showing signs of wear over time. The water was fairly low and a perfect time to do this. Hopefully this effort will eliminate a great many gashed feet and cursing parents. Maybe then I can fish the edge of these beaches (the transition from rock to sand) in peace.

(Above: All pieces combined in one plastic bag it shows the potential for injury. (Sigh) And we spend all this money chasing mud snails and exotic crayfish.)

Some areas may already be beyond hope and the broken glass on the shoreline may look like the aftermath of a hundred fish bowls colliding in a strung out mess. Well maybe except the fish bowls are made mostly of brown glass for some reason. But so many other places are worth the effort even if it is only one beach section at a time. Then all we would need is to keep people from tossing out any more glass bottles. That would be sweet. Those little toes and paws are worth the extra thought.

Once again a huge thank you to the followers, comment posters and viewers of my fishing blogilicious. I can’t say enough about how humbled I am that you folks even put up with me. Even though I am busy finishing off a few projects at work while gearing up for some new ones, I will still do my best to keep things rolling with fantastic Mattsabasser fishing blog updates through the upcoming winter season.

Good luck and good fishing.