Meeting My Quota For Charity

 

I think I'm going to change the name on my fishing shirt to "One" as that is my daily output these days and today's no-mo tournament at Proud Lake Recreation Area was no exception. I was close to breaking through for that elusive second fish but the whopper that was on early in the session fled for safety before I could bring him in.

Needless to say, I didn't win the tournament but a charity gets some cash and I had a soul cleansing day on the the lake so all was not lost.

Trail Head

chilly start

Saturday registration

rule discussion

meeting the quota

results (yeah, my 15" total was just a bit short...)



Chickamauga Lake - Week Wrap

The boats are coming in for the last time this afternoon as the search for the 10 pound bass will have to wait for another day. Missing the whopper isn't the end of the world, however, as views like below were the norm. A beautiful body of water.

Trail Head

some beautiful docks (nice creativity on this one)

chair lift up to the house

dream house

 

who needs a "no trespassing" sign?

cool tiki bar

Chickamauga Lake - Our Crib

Fishing woes aside, we can't complain about the lodging and the meals (thanks for supplying the lasagna Linda O. - good stuff). Seven dudes have managed to not stink up this sweet place too bad.

Trail Head 

front lawn



screened in porch looking out the front

every kitchen needs some Jim Beam

Chickamauga Lake - Letter To The Agency

Dear Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency:

Thank you for allowing a group of Michiganders to utilize your lakes; however, it appears that I was issued a faulty license (attached) that is defective in that I didn't catch anything legal. My address is with this correspondence. I'll kindly wait for your reply and my refund.                            

Regards,

The World We Live In Today

No, I would never write a letter like that but unfortunately that is the society we live in today. A beautiful day on the water it was though as we all put in about 8-9 hours casting our asses off with little production to show for it.  John O. padded his retirement account with a back-to-back winner on a three-plus pounder today. Roger pulled in what he claims is a hybrid carp/smallmouth but unfortunately he had some form of sheepshead. I tied a large heron for production today and looking back, I think the fish he pulled out of the water was bigger than the one I caught.

The week of fishing is winding down. Good people, good scene, good food; if only we could have sprinkled in a few more fish.

Trail Head 

the crew

hybrid carp/smallmouth according to Raj

Chickamauga Lake - John O. On The Board

And then there were two as John O. pulled in this nice three-plus pound smallmouth today, leaving Jerry and I as the final anglers looking for that elusive keeper. Jerry and Al are out there fishing as I type this so it might be down to one very soon. The fishing reports have been the same as the other days; great conditions but limited production. These aren't rookie fishermen I'm with so there is some serious head scratching going on. Thursday is going to be the day!

It was also field trip day today as Raj and I took a break from our professional angler careers and hit the Chickamauga National Military Park about 30 minutes up the road. A nice dose of culture on a damp day.

Trail Head 

Chickamauga Lake - Raj Joins The Keeper Club

The Keeper Club is quite a prestigious one this week as three of the seven of us are still looking for entry; yours truly included. I am working the vitamin theory to fishing; one a day and each one hasn't met the elusive 15 inches for induction into the club. Roger was rewarded for his efforts today with a green fish on his 997th cast on the trip.

After having the big fish kitty pulled out from under him on Sunday, Slick took the money today with a two-plus pounder.

Al and Greg went for the feline category as each pulled in catfish; Al's probably four-plus pounds.

Fishing challenges aside, a beautiful lake this is.
Trail Head

aggressive casting has a price

optimal conditions but...

Chickamauga Lake - Baby Steps

Day three has the bar set a bit higher as Doke pulled in a four-plus pounder to claim "biggest" so far. He got it on a green wacky worm; surprise. Mother Nature threatened today but everything headed north so that was a bonus. The fish, however, are not cooperating in the "jump in the boat" process. We are hitting the areas but the bites have been slim. As the saying goes though,"The worst day of fishing is better than the best day at work."

Tuesday is Tim's Day!

Trail Head