I cancelled my plans once again. Life happens.

 

Why would I do that again?

I had an uneasy restless feeling that told me too. Several factors played key roles leading up to this.

 

I will admit I am disappointed, but also relieved. The weather was a factor driving this decision. Back in the day I would never let the weather influence a decision like this. Maybe I am getting soft? Yes, I am softening up, or some might say smartening up.

 

Regardless, the decision has created a window to be home and spend time with Mia and the whole pack. Time with Mia is so very precious. Time as a whole for me has become my most valuable commodity. I listen over and over and am I admit so fucking sick of hearing about inflation and some dumb ass who dislikes Disney.

 

Enough of that!

 

Part of the plan for the next few days was some testing. Testing myself and some projects I have in the works. The designer in me never stops creating, so much so it often causes anxiety. A curse? Sometimes it is.

 

At any one time I have no less than 139 projects in the works, many that go down in an actual ball of flames! That has actually happened!

 

I have taken notice of my creative times. The periods where I am most creative. Mornings are my nummer Uno time. Second is during the night! Yes, I quite often wake during the night with a crazy Idea! Sadly, if I do not write or somehow record this Idea it will be gone by the morning. Other notable time are while showering or driving. I have many times jumped out of a shower to make notes! Yes, naked and dripping wet!

 

Sorry for the visual (not really sorry). But it is a fact.

 

The last month I have written quite a lot, but shared little. The desire to share comes and goes. I am always open for discussion, but not always open for sharing.

 

I have had some great days out this spring, shooting wild life, fresh air, and adventure. Fishing has not been too exciting, I really dislike spring fishing, I find some unpredictable situations and I have opinions about bed fishing that I will not get into here.

 

Summer fish are my favorite, I find my lack of skills better suited to summer fish. Last weekend I tried something new! Yes, new to me!

 

I enjoy river fishing and as I do I noticed a pattern. Just like when I bass fish, I will pattern people. The very first and most obvious is the trash in OUR waters. I always carry some repurposed bags with me to pick up a few bags of trash. As a side note, two weeks ago I was at a nearby reservoir and observed two women in Kayaks picking up a little trash. That was awesome! To see someone helping out. But as I know sound carries very well over water. The whole time one of them did nothing but bitch. Do not get me wrong, trash sucks. Many do intentionally dump trash. But a big amount of trash in our waters is there inadvertently.

 

Bitching about it really helps clean up our waters. Bitching has become a feel good sport!

 

I did laugh to myself over this performance, but was glad to see someone helping.

 

This is really weird, but I also see trends in trash! Yes, trash. Spray paint can from graffiti on bridges. The small airline liquor bottles, most likely from illegal underage drinking (I never did such a thing!), But recently an increase in prescription pill bottles in the water. Very sad, but is just another sign of social breakdown. But hey, NOBODY cares, we only care about who to blame! Do not fix it, someone is making money! The cool kids!

 

The second pattern I noticed was how few I see fishing! Certain waters this is even more apparent. Which is great for me, I hate crowds!

 

Yes, I said HATE!

 

We all have some great opportunities nearby to get out, observe nature, do some fishing, pick up trash.

 

The third pattern I noticed is the people that I do see fishing. Those fishing that I see and often speak with are fishing for Catfish or anything that they can catch. I catch many catfish while I am out by chance, as they are not my targeted species. Fun to catch, I am not disappointed when I catch a catfish.

 

I noticed no one every fishes the cover. Predators will use cover for security and ambush points. In waters with current, cover also provides current breaks.

 

The most abundant cover I encounter is wood, fallen trees and log jams. Also unfortunately are trash mats, floating trash that has accumulated against the banks or log jams.

 

Although heartbreaking and sad, these trash mats create cover for critters. This past week, many 10-15 pound carp were spawning in these areas.

 

Once I realized that no one capitalizes on this cover to catch fish, I made the decision that instead of flipping this cover for bass (it is also great bass cover) I will bring some catfish bait!

 

I spoke with someone I know who enjoys cat fishing about bait. Taking his advice I made some bait up, but I also purchased some over the counter bait (no free advertising here!).

 

WOW! It was fun! Cats in log jams with bass tackle! Both baits caught fish, un pressured fish. I had a difficult time sitting still, I move around so soaking bait for cats was difficult for me. I received some advice from an angler on fishing these log jams “after 5-8 minutes move!” This angler will often set a timer!

 

For me 5-8 minutes is an eternity! But it works.

 

Will I do it again? Certainly! But bass are still my favorite species.

 

This spring has also been great for photographs. Many reptiles and some cool deer pictures. I did shoot one of my favorite critters ever! An Eastern King Snake. A beautiful specimen! There is a story with that one! (Story available upon request) You can check out some of my pics on social (sound cool!) Smash the like button while you are rotting your brain away on dumb shit!  I began a piece over a year ago compiling my photographs into a book form with some information about the pictures. I also wrote some words about my history of photographs and opinions on photography. It is a cool piece, I need to return to it.

 

The lab has been active. Some new experiments, have been taking place. Not much that I can talk publicly about at this time!

Stay tuned, and go wild!

 

 

"If you are going to be a bear, be a grizzly"

 

 ADOPT, DON’T SHOP!