It's amazing how quickly busted gear can set you back in the season.
It was some time when it was still warm - September, maybe? - that I'd stopped off at a carp wallow while out on a service call. I had gotten out to check for wandering shadows in the water, had been successful then had hurried back to the trunk of my car only to hear a deadened ripping sound as I pulled my 6wt out of the trunk.
Tip had snapped off.
During the family's vacation time earlier, the 5wt line had snapped as well. I had a square knot in it, but I was worried it would wreak havoc on my pole, so I haven't been using it.
Now, it's frigid. Sub-zero is common-place. I'm thinking of modifying an old tent to serve as an ice fishing shelter and using my daughter's bright-pink barbie pole to try for sunfish and bass.
Winter represents a significant entertainment shift for me. My entertainment time shifts more towards computer games and hardware. This year's fun has been doled out by two big names:
and
Big thanks to my buddy Nate Romesser for introducing me to the first one. My brother-in-law Chris and Aleks my coworker are responsible for the second.
Eve Online is a spaceflight-based MMO (Massive-Multiplayer online) that can only be classified as a true sandbox. Choose your path carefully and fly with the best. Or the worst.
Skyrim is the fifth installment of the Elder Scrolls series from Bethesda, a personal favorite since Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall was released back in the late 90's. Bethesda has since released that game for free download and use from their company site. Find it here.
That being said, only about 4 more months until warm up. Water usually hits 50 degrees in early-to-mid April, and that's when the carp get exciting.
Friends: We purchased StraightTalk service online.
The phones were shipped to us with SIM cards installed. Our port request failed from US Cellular because US Cellular - our current provider - issued a separate ID number to our accounts with a billing upgrade. I updated the information after speaking to US Cellular and port request was successful. Was assured by StraightTalk that our phones would work.
Woke up, both phones didn't work (US Cellular and StraightTalk.) After 3.5 hours of phone time, find out that SIM cards we were issued were for a GSM network not covered in Omaha, that they need to ship new SIM cards, 3-5 days. I called and explained that this time without service represents a risk to our family and demanded overnight shipping or near to it. Escalated twice. Was informed process was automatic. Asked what they recommended we do about the risk this situation presented.
They could not give me any recommendations because it wasn't part of their procedure.
Explained my voice, although just one man, would be used to eplain - to all friends and family possible - this experience, and that if there was a manager available that could speak to me and try to work something out, it wouldn't have to be that way.
The manager I spoke with said, "There's nothing I can do. Have a nice day."
Obviously, this product is about price, not customer experience. Mine may have been a one-off. Make your own decision, but I do not recommend StraightTalk.
Slipped in a small bit about looking for big carp during evening prayers last night. Might have slipped it in this morning, too, but the mornings are a blur.
An old Big Lake walker and his wife recommended I try the larger body of Big Lake, that around this time of year the big carp are sucking air. Figured that was as good a place as any to pursue the hunt. "Seek and ye shall find," etc, etc.
As you can see here, I saw a sea of lily pads from the edge of the water.
My actual port-of-entry into this muck hole was straight ahead in the above picture and on the other side of the "jutty out thing."
The view was like the picture below, as far as the eye could see, with several large breaks and open spots, without flowers... and pretty, in a mucky way. With silt squishing underfoot - sometimes knee deep - I trudged on.
I was on that water for about an hour. Saw what looked like a crocodile. Maybe it was a gar? Maybe a long-necked turtle? Maybe a real friggin' crocodile? I approached.
Found it to be the part of the carp from about the shoulder to the snout as it gulped air.
I peppered tailers, gulpers and bubbles for the latter quarter-hour. Snags abounded with my double-fly rig, so I snipped off the back one and hooked FAR less pads. Had a couple investigators, but no baptisms.
Then, I blind cast to some bubbles. Stripping in slow, I hooked a lily pad. I kept tension, trying to remove the root hold. My heart started pounding as the familiar fluttering of a tail fin set action through the line and revealed the lily pad's true identity.
Oxygen starved. Well fed. This is what this fish had to deal with as it pulled. Runs were strong, but very brief. When I say it ripped line off, I mean it RIPPED line off, but for about 15 feet. After each, it would lumber around against the tension of my line.
I got it to hand and attempted to net, but it was too large in the shoulder. I got my hand around it and attempted a lift, but juggling the pole and watching for the hook caused just the right amount of shift in the fish, and it unbuttoned.
You skeptics may claim I didn't catch a carp this morning... but I had it in my hand. I was waist deep in nitrogen and phosphate rich, excrement smelling muck water and didn't want to chance more than the above on my cell phone. I promise I caught one, and I promise it was awesome.
Also, a word to the wise... fighting a carp around lily pads is tough. Make sure you angle well around those babies. Might as well wrap around a tree trunk on those larger ones.
Again, those little things we're blessed with in answer to our prayers seem so insignificant. I do believe we have a Father that cares. Heck, if my daughter says she wants to catch a fish, you better believe I'm doing everything I can to help them. (John 21:6)
I'm starting to understand the need for good optics. This is crazy!
It was about 6:30 when I made it out to Big Lake a couple weeks ago to look for carp. I headed for the spot by the railroad tracks pictured here. There was something wrong. The distance between the weeds and the water had gotten wide.
This was a view from about 100 yards from the road looking north on that first picture linked in the article.
This is a picture of a small area where water was seeping in from the main body of Big Lake. I'm facing East.
The level of the water was way low. This made me excited, because it bode well for visibility. (I don't have my grandpappy glasses yet.) If I can see a tail fin, I can guess on where the head is.
Saw a lot of fins, but I was mistaken on what they were, for the most part. A couple were golden beauties, but with globs of catfish fry near shore, other fins were other fish.
Alas, the carp didn't want to play that day, but the gar sure did!
Foul-hooked in the back. Woops!
Legitimately pursued and ate the fly. Because of the construction of its jaw, they are nearly impossible to hook. It came in because it didn't want to let go.
Last and largest of the day. Also not foul-hooked.
Not much to a gar as far as fight. Big and floppy like a pike, but not near as energetic. Hooked into a monster at one point, but they just feel like wavy logs moving through the water. The smaller ones like to run for a little bit.
I took the girls to the companion pond there in Big Lake yesterday and they both caught fish! Eva's was about 3 inches long. It got off before I could snap a picture. Here's Ruth's:
Self-casted, self-reeled and self-held. Not self-removed yet, though.
The cool thing about yesterday's trip was that Ruth, unprovoked and with confidence, said, "I want to try and hold a fish today."
Not too many days hence, and this girl will be unhooking her own fish.
This morning I went out to the really low area and looked for more carp. Water was even lower. Didn't get to cast to carp fins until it was about time to leave. Had a large gar try to grab on to a bunny leach I had as a dropper. That was kind of scary, actually. They are very shark-like and it was near my legs.
I have some gear reviews to do still, but man I wish I could do a review on those grandpappy sunglasses. I am dying to be able to see what I'm casting to! The fins I cast to at the last were in such a position that, had I been able to see below the surface, maybe I could have gauged the length of the fish better. If I build it, they will come.
It was a huge fin. What a site for grandpappy sunglasses.
Received news from my best friend that his wife had a mole turn up as malignant melanoma. This is the deadliest form of skin cancer you can contract. The door can swing one of two ways for her.
Step 1: deeper tissue extraction to determine likeliness of spread.
The results of what they did under this nasty incision will determine those two ways: either the mole removal will be enough and she's good, or not.
Ruth, my eldest, has been praying for Aunt Jenny to feel better. We all are.
Josh and Jenny and their kids are our best friends. We enjoyed two nights with them at Branched Oak SRA over the weekend. It was a good time, with plenty of bug bites and funny conversation, jokes, fishing (including a massive catfish on a tiny fly), and swimming. I definitely consider this time as a cherished part of a wonderful birthday celebration.
We returned home PM Sunday. Found a box from LL Bean on the porch. I asked Meredith what it was since she had her name on it. She told me to open it. I may or may not have squealed like I was wearing pig tails.
No, nothing died near my left foot. Well, I guess the dog killed a marker.
Thus began the preparations for a wonderful few days at Platte River State Park for my birthday. We packed up the car with more camping supplies - sans tents, etc., since we rented a cabin - and I put the wading gear in a bag in the trunk.
The cabin wasn't available until four, so we had a few hours to spare on Monday. We went to the Henry Doorly Zoo Wildlife Safari just up the road. Here are a few pics:
A warm day in elk.
Bison!
Ruthie and her antlers.
Sporting some whitetail.
Eva Diva, as we like to call her.
I HIGHLY recommend the Safari. For the money we spent, we took two hours to get through it, got plenty of foot time and ended at a playground. Great fit for our family. That and we got to watch the penned bobcat hunt our dog. Gave me goosebumps. Not going to lie.
We still had time to burn, so we went over to the Mahoney observation tower. Meredith took the girls up to the top while I stayed down with the dog and ran barefoot through the trails. Wonderfully cool and packed earth felt good.
Eventually, though, I took the dog all the way up.
Lo and behold, we STILL had some time to burn, so we went to the amazing Mahoney playground. We broke out Ruth's new bomb-bird kite. My wife and I played with it after Ruth became bored and returned to her kingdom of sand and woodchips.
The cabin was great. I found bedbug sign on the full-size box spring, but it was inactive. Probable old infestation from a previous state park from whence they had rotated. Monday night we had hot dogs, watermelon and dutch-oven peach cobbler. Then it was bedtime. Meredith and I played Pictureka until the girls were asleep and chatted. I love that woman.
Got up early and headed over to Louisville SRA to try out the waders. Beautiful, mossy but clear two ponds with great weather. Saw and caught several fish.
Biggest bluegill caught.
I love the waders, but a review will be separate.
The rest of the day continued. We got a lot of activities in. After a morning activity in, we decided to take a trip to Ashland to explore. Saw Salt Creek on the way in. Looked for fish. Found lots of them. Local pointed me toward access to the creek at water level. Marked it for a later visit. Explored Ashland, then made it home for nap. Wife encouraged me to go back to creek after lunch.
Before lunch was over, my beatiful Ruth melted my heart and said, "I love doing things with just me and you! Maybe you and I can go to the lake? Just me an you this evening? For a date?" She would have asked me to dance ballet and I would have fashioned a tutu from the brown cabin-curtains from the 60's and done plies right there.
Went back to the creek when they laid down.
Make a left.
Then a right.
Ominous below-the-tracks entrance to creek access.
Waded. Sank in silt. Spooked like 30 carp all at once (what a sight). Hooked into one only to lose it as it started running. It was glorious.
Came back to sleeping children. Chatted with wife, then she decided to take dog for a walk. I napped.
We went to dinner then, sampling Breaddeaux, a pizza place in Ashland. It was yummy!
We decided to go to the Mahoney water park after we all got done, but we were early for the 6 PM opening, so we went to the park.
Sadly, a storm rolled in so we decided to go see Despicable Me 2. Loved it!
Finished up, went home, went to bed. Got up early and hit Centurylink Lake at Mahoney. It was wonderful. Fished soft-hackles for bluegill, then upped the size to Chugger with a Bugger dropper for wipers. Caught some LMB. Then waded in to unsnag someone. It was a good Wednesday.
Fishing with daughter at the family lake at Platte River SP was next. That little girl is growing up.
She opened the bail, held the line, cast the bobber/soft-hackle combo, hooked the fish and reeled it in, then held it for a picture by herself. Only thing she didn't do was unhook it.
She loved it. I was very impressed.
We played and played for a while longer, then headed home.
It was a great trip, and a welcome respite from routine. I love my wife dearly for making it all possible. I love my friends and my baby girls. I also love the land we live in and what we can experience.
Too bad I'm going to be deported. I failed the citizenship test. I'll have to get the link from my wife, but I guess Thomas Jefferson wrote the Constitution, and there are 456 voting members in the House of Representatives. 60% is a fail, people.
When I'm not out fishing, working or being with family, I enjoy watching movies, playing tabletop RPGs and other games and spending time with friends.
Nestled on the North side of Westroads mall is a 14 theatre... theatre... previously owned by Rave.
Since there are obviously no AMC pictures up yet, just replace that big sign with the AMC logo and yer good.
It was here I went with fellow moviegoers Dan N., Adam D. and Jon S. for World War Z.
Produced by and starring Brad Pitt, World War Z is a movie about survival and sacrifice against incredible zombie-rific odds.
Before going further on my review of the theater and the movie, I want you to know that I'm a terrible critic. Go see it for yourself and make your own decisions.
And, of course, I can't review a movie without the flagrant spoiler alert.
First, the theater.
Pros:
Old building, new feeling. People were friendly and helpful. Even the gal who came in to clean up after the show was bubbly and helpful, offering her near-overflowing trash can to anyone walking by that needed to throw something away. The floor wasn't sticky like I expected, which was cool.
Cons:
The chairs squeaked and rocked. DBOX seating was only available in one theater. Sour Patch Kids - bag, not box - cost $4.25. That's about it.
Now, the movie.
Pros:
The special effects on this movie excited me. I built up a lot of anticipation for this, wanting to see Brad's take on worldwide takeover of zombie hoards. Many people asked if I had read the book first, and frankly, I'm glad I didn't. I wanted to see the movie for what they could make of it.
Dialogue was clear and to the point. They didn't overload it. The movie clipped along at a pace that wasn't hard to follow.
Another zombie pro: they ran like the dickens. I thought that was a clever twist, as I, in my sheltered existence, have not seen that variation before. Made the "swarm" that much more terrible to imagine as they cut down thousands of people.
All of this tied together with the suspense of avoiding a terrible demise at the mouth of zombies made the movie entertaining.
His amputating the hand of the Israeli commando was a great part of the movie. He doesn't think, he just acts, then he counts to check if she changes. Very intense.
Cons:
Within the first 5 minutes, there was a noticeable mistake. Laying in bed, the two daughter characters jump on them and Brad covers his head with his hands playfully. Cut to another angle, no hands on head. Cut back to previous, hands on head. Woops. Sounds small, but I noticed it. Womp womp.
Thank heavens the daughter found a hunting rifle in a closet of the RV. Too bad she was supposed to be getting her sister a drink. Kind of a strange scene insertion.
Several of the troops on the aircraft carrier during helicopter landing sequences were obviously CGI. I found myself thinking, "Well, I guess it is a lot cheaper to animate. That's cool." But it's not. I don't want to be thinking that during a movie!
Overall, the movie was far too cramped and rushed. I mentioned above that it is not hard to follow, and it isn't. What is Lane's UN training, and how does it apply? Who is this Terri and how did they meet? Wait, the president is dead? Jet fuel in the water? His family is ordered off the ship via phone call? SLOW DOWN AND MAKE THAT CRAP HAPPEN.
I expected this to be a trilogy. At this point, it looks like they bagged the trilogy idea and decided to end the movie with the montage of "we're still fighting, but now we've got deadly/non-deadly pathogen camouflage" that insinuates "it all works out in the end."
On a scale of 1-10, 10 being "good flick" and 1 being "I'd rather be fishing", I give this movie a 6.
My beautiful wife ordered me the 6mm black Contact featured here.
"I tried looking for minimalist shoes, but you've got such big hobbit feet... I just got you some of these," she remarked.
I was so thrilled. I had wanted to try Merrel brand shoes, but they were above $100 and nowhere near my width of foot. This was better. I felt a thrill as I took them out and got ready on the instructions.
Later on that day, they were done.
I took them for a test jaunt yesterday for a few blocks - since it is crucial to go suuuuuper easy at first after years of foot binding to avoid stress fractures, etc - and loved them. In fact, it was like being a kid again. I love that thrill of "feeling the world".
They are super light-weight being nothing more than a 6mm pad of textured rubber. All they are for is making sure you don't tear your foot up on glass, rocks and other debris while out and about.
Yesterday, I couldn't help myself. I had to run. I started jogging behind the lawn mower. After a bit, I put on the side-eject attachment - allowing for faster travel with same cut - and took off my grubby tennis shoes to put these bad boys on. Beat my 1 1/3 hour mowing time for my and my neighbors lawn by completing in 35 minutes, and I was looking around at other possible lawns.
The fact is, I've been astounded by the facts presented in a book recommended - and gifted to me - by a fellow runner at work.
I've been more than astounded. I feel inspired. It makes sense! Among many other interesting points, and a wonderfully gripping storyline, McDougall extrapolates on:
The correlation between commercialized footwear and injury
The way the human body is formulated for endurance and long-distance running at speed
The freedom that comes from one of humanity's hard-wired proficiencies
One of my favorites, "Persistence Hunting"
This book is moving. I have no other way of explaining it. I highly recommend it to anyone who runs or wants to run. It will help open your eyes to the truth of our bodies and what we can do and entertain you all at the same time.
Don't read it if you are sensitive to language, though. He doesn't pull any punches on quoting his acquaintances verbatim.
Even more moving was the ultrasound yesterday wherein we found out we're having another girl!
She is due the first week of November. It will be lots of drama and creativity, attitude and sensitivity. It will be epic.
Took off about 10 to a carp flat looking for active fish.
Heavy storms and high winds have dropped activity levels. Carp a a little deeper, with the little guys feeding more sporadically close to shore. No opportunities to sight cast, really. Tried to put the fly near some breakers with the intent of trying to catch some in feeding patterns. No luck.
Found the darnedest thing, though. A beaver lodge.
Unbeknownst to me, beavers are friggin' EVERYWHERE in Nebraska. You've got to be kidding me. This amazing engineer, and the largest rodent in North America, doesn't just live in the Rockies?
Wait, it's not carnivorous and eats primarily tree bark?! Seriously?! Mind = blown.
Dropped a HORRIBLE chenille San Juan Worm - horrible because it's the cheap chenille that just falls apart; turned into a black string with a bead on it. I need to tie some more of these.
I felt the tug almost immediately. I was SHOCKED. I pulled up sharply, and set the hook with everything I could muster.
Shot that thing right out of the water, you wouldn't believe it.
Beautiful weather. Wonderful clouds... a little heavy on the wind, but all-in-all, the best way to spend a lunch hour in my opinion.
Just saw this on Facebook and had to add it. Love it!
NPR let me know at 6:30 AM that chances of rain today in the area were at 70% after 1 PM. It was fishing day for lunch. I made a mental note that I would need to go early.
Planned early with the team, volunteering to go to lunch break at 10 AM.
The conversation continued after that with my co-worker Tim when he asked if I was going fishing. Turns out he used to do laps around Cunningham - all the way around - and he pointed out a spot on the West side that "nobody ever goes to." He showed me where. I got directions, and decided to check it out.
Work was hectic for a while. Didn't make it out until about 10:15. It was raining lightly.
"No sweat! I've got a rain coat in the trunk!"
I drove off. Got to the lake, parked in the indicated area and got out to check my trunk.
No rain coat.
I had a nagging feeling this was going to be epic, so I did what all crazy sport-fishermen tend to do... I found a plastic baggy for my phone and my keys, then saddled up.
Two hundred yards of waist-high, wet grasses were ahead of me. It ran along the side of old tire-tracks. Birds were singing and the rain came straight down. It was emerald and quiet. I smiled to myself as I felt a bump on the pole as I walked. A robin had popped it while flying off. I apologized to it and continued on.
I hesitated on the edge of the grass with the water in sight. Paranoid of ticks, I tentatively walked sideways, pressing the grass down. It was a short trip to the water.
Dual fly rig on, line wet, first fish was a green sunfish. Unhooked.
Heard a sucking sound, and almost a groaning about 8 feet down the shore. Shore was tall grass, mud overhangs and root-shelves over about 6 inches of water. I thought, "Well, that's a strange sounding duck." Splashes and churning accompanied the noises. Dolphins rose and fell out in the pond. I looked 50 yards down the shore near an inlet and BINGO.
Tails.
I immediately started dropping along the shore near the splashing. It was obviously single fish feeding. Nothing at first. Roll-casted back to and area I had been before. Felt two very light bumps and lifted.
ZOOOOOOM!
The drag sounded and I looked at the sky and whooped like a madman!
Tried to snap a picture of my bent pole, but the bag made it blurry. It wasn't a MONSTER, but it took off like one! Sadly, ended up running under debris. Had to break off the leader completely.
Hands shaking, excitement up, I re-rigged and set off east along the shore. I cast to activity, nothing. Alarm started going off on the phone. Waited till the last minute. I picked up my rod and let a length of line drag along the water near the shore while I moved to better casting position. Went to lift the rod to backcast, and had a fight on my hands.
Ladies and gentlemen, success is spelled C-A-R-P.
I felt really good on a lot of levels after this, but the biggest thing that stuck out was something I will privately cherish.
Others may laugh. Finding carp flats is something I've dedicated to those side-"you might think it's silly" prayers. It has been a personal quest and desire of mine for nearly two years. Today just happened to be the day that my co-worker tells me about "this one place", and that it just feels right to visit. To me, it was more than a simple rainy fishing trip. This was God saying something to me as a child.
Went to the SW corner of Cunningham by the dam. There is a drain station there loaded with flotsam. It is a DREAMY carp flat with dolphins flopping everywhere 30-40 ft away from shore. West side of drain station is a cove, max depth of about 18-24". Perfect for bluegill, and they are big this year. I think I'm actually pretty grateful for bucket brigades on this water.
Started throwing a white Walmart popper by itself. It was about 15 mph headwind, so I would imagine the fish weren't paying attention to the surface.
Tied on a bead-head soft-hackle and BAM.
Little green sunfish. Bad picture. 5 inches long, maybe.
I kept getting strikes. The bead would pull the walmart popper down, so it was a slow steady descent. I put it in deeper water and would let it sink before "popping" it under water.
I knew there was action to be had right by the outflow of the drain station, so I dropped it right in front.
These were little flies, people! This was the first bass to hit. It was a thrill to see it fight on such a small fly.
I cast around for a while more. Didn't want to try to cove because I was working and afraid of ticks. No luck.
Put the fly right by the front of the drain again.
All in all, a great lunch break... now WHERE are those hungry carp?!
