tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11205036297815362992024-03-14T05:14:38.831-07:00Spare Time for FishAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09131406042962663283noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1120503629781536299.post-39003355145907357822014-08-25T18:51:00.004-07:002014-08-25T18:51:47.826-07:00ALS Bucket Challenge<div style="text-align: center;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09131406042962663283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1120503629781536299.post-23789732839785539902014-07-04T08:35:00.002-07:002014-07-04T08:44:56.874-07:00John Montana's HybridTied my first ones last night with my new Velvet Chenille from <a href="http://intheriffle.com/">intheriffle.com</a>.<br />
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Rock on!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09131406042962663283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1120503629781536299.post-87616290805605186732014-06-07T21:55:00.000-07:002014-06-08T21:29:55.191-07:00Something Different<div style="background-color: white;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09131406042962663283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1120503629781536299.post-257953106714837342014-05-31T14:59:00.000-07:002014-05-31T15:26:30.441-07:00A $1.70 fishing trip.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Behold the Beast.</div>
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<a href="http://www.edmunds.com/gmc/suburban/1993/features-specs.html?style=4839" target="_blank">1993 Chevy K1500 Suburban</a>. It's big. It's blue. It's loud. It brings back childhood memories of my father's old Blazer, and later Suburban models. He's had quite a few of these. He graciously answered my phone calls while I thought about what to buy, and helped me make the decision when we saw this opportunity cross our path.<br />
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It's marked in the picture at $1,500. She lowered the price to $900. The girls love it. Did I mention it's not very aerodynamic?<br />
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Haven't had to fill it up with gas. Yet. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Layton-Flower-Technologies-LLC/298299419820" target="_blank">Boss #2</a> asked me if I had. Really, the fuel costs with this have been quite the afterthought, but I did the math for both our Ford and the new 'Burban. All costs assume $3.70/gallon for fuel and uses the manual's numbers.<br />
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<u>'Burban</u></h3>
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City: $.34/mi<br />Highway: $.23/mi</h4>
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<b><u>Ford Taurus</u></b></h3>
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City: $.21/mi</h4>
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Highway: $.15/mi</h4>
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What does this mean? If I drive the Suburban to work and want to go fishing, just the drive to the fishing hole costs $1.70. </div>
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My wife and I are trying very hard to get out of debt. We're following <a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/new/baby-steps/" target="_blank">Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover baby steps</a> and money consciousness has begun to permeate my life with greater urgency. Have you ever calculated that? How much does it cost you to go fishing every time you go? This assigned a real-life dollar value (cost) to my excursions. I go on average 14 times a month, once for every day I work at ConAgra during a normal 4 week cycle. That's $23.80/month! That's more than twice <a href="https://republicwireless.com/plans" target="_blank">my wife's new smartphone plan</a> (which at $10/month with a Moto G is FABULOUS, by the way.) </div>
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Life got real when I did the math. </div>
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Speaking of today's fishing trip (the last one for a while, given the cost), it was amazing. I found carp mecca. I'm not telling where it is! It is my precious. I will only <b><i><u>show</u></i></b> people who promise not to take it to Mordor.</div>
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Speaking of driving to fishing trips, the Grunke/Gardners are headed to Minnesota Pikefest 2014 on July 19th!</div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="450" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m29!1m12!1m3!1d5794889.259819245!2d-95.66028562445547!3d44.83102128616305!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!4m14!1i0!3e0!4m5!1s0x87938dc8b50cfced%3A0x46424d4fae37b604!2sOmaha%2C+NE!3m2!1d41.2523634!2d-95.99798829999999!4m5!1s0x52b76ef428f367d9%3A0xeb937e38e9dadb9b!2sBrindleys+Harbor+Resort+Inc.%2C+9530+Pine+Point+Rd+NW%2C+Walker%2C+MN+56484!3m2!1d47.149041999999994!2d-94.529371!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1401572341245" style="border: 0;" width="600"></iframe><br />
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Brindley's resort, here we come. This trip is why we bought the Beast, really. Well, sort of. We chose to get a $900-$1,000 beater so we could sell both of our cars to make what we need to buy a van. But, we decided we'll just use the Beast (It can also go over 600 miles on a single 42 gallon tank. Still wish it was a <a href="http://www.teslamotors.com/models" target="_blank">Tesla</a>, but hey.) That way, the sale of one car can go to paying down debt!<br />
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And now fish pictures.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09131406042962663283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1120503629781536299.post-46640265907821913282014-03-08T08:15:00.001-08:002014-03-08T08:15:37.638-08:00In like a lion, out like a lamb.I'm going to take a stab and say it was 1990. Kindergarten at Millville Elementary was going well. Colors, sights, sounds, words, letters and new friends flooded my infantile neural pathways and exploded into a mash of incoherent repetition of blerbs as I reported on my class to my mother. One lesson was memorable. We were learning about March.<br />
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It comes in like a lion with angry gray paper rain clouds, and out like a lamb with Elmer's-glued-on cotton ball sheep and yellow sunshine.<br />
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<a href="http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/omaha-ne/68102/march-weather/349291" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TC21leDbwNk/Uxs3kLlkGtI/AAAAAAAAEsE/Ab6QYVi5Msw/s1600/Capture.PNG" height="281" width="640" /></a></div>
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March 2 saw record-breaking low temperatures in Omaha that had us all bundled up, wishing it all to be over. Temperatures have been in a steady climb, and Sunday March 9 is looking to be in the 60's.<br />
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Not THAT kind of 60's. Thank heavens. Scare the fish away.</div>
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The wife and I are working hard to get the money in order, as always. (I've been working two jobs since October 2012. She's now a crisis counselor for Boys Town.) Good thing is, we've budgeted slush money for both of us! My $10/month is piling up for a fishing license. April 1 is go-time, baby, as long as I can quit buying Swedish Fish for a nickle and betting people a dollar that I can lick my elbow.<br />
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Given the money tightness, other challenges presented themselves. Last year, Fishing my 6wt, I broke the line. That was easy to fix. I saved up some pennies and bought some carp line on sale at Bass Pro. After that, I broke my 6wt POLE. Then, my 5wt line broke. Game over 2013. That one never got fixed. I didn't know what I was going to do for fly line.<br />
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Huge plug for LL Bean here. Their <a href="http://www.llbean.com/customerService/aboutLLBean/guarantee.html" target="_blank">Lifetime Satisfaction Guarantee</a> is off-the-charts awesome. My wading boots had popped an eyelet and a 4 year old sweater my mother-in-law had bought me had popped a seam. I sent both in. They let me know they didn't have either product in stock anymore, so they just sent us a check. With that money, I was able to buy an upgraded pair of boots (without eyelets that can break) and, queue the music: 5w fly line!<br />
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<a href="http://cdni.llbean.com/is/image/wim/276868_493_41?rgn=0,0,1950,2250&scl=4.55607476635514&id=RRYbm3" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cdni.llbean.com/is/image/wim/276868_493_41?rgn=0,0,1950,2250&scl=4.55607476635514&id=RRYbm3" height="320" width="277" /></a></div>
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6wt pole is still broken, but now I've got a viable option for both local fishing and Minnesota Pike in the 5w. You better believe I'm going to be taking it easy, though, fishing up there with a 5w for old Toothy McGovern Bazillion. Hinted to the wife I wouldn't mind a <a href="http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/68707?feat=506543-GN2&page=streamlight-ultra-two-piece-fly-rod-3-6-wt&attrValue_0=Green&productId=1119686" target="_blank">Streamlight II 6W</a> for the birfday, but we'll see what happens.</div>
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Tight lines everyone! Good to see pictures of people hitting the water!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09131406042962663283noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1120503629781536299.post-25771792227509813232013-12-25T12:19:00.002-08:002013-12-25T12:19:25.595-08:00A short season - damaged equipmentIt's amazing how quickly busted gear can set you back in the season.<br />
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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.<br />
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Tip had snapped off.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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:<br />
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<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CCsQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.eveonline.com%2F&ei=3Dy7UpH-KIHhygHG-YGoBQ&usg=AFQjCNGy9oJ7YWrce2jhcJtl-ONfO2pGBQ&sig2=l25i_qenmcEqmqp7ue0pZQ&bvm=bv.58187178,d.aWc" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://static2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110912172610/creepypasta/images/0/04/Eve_online11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CCwQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.elderscrolls.com%2Fskyrim&ei=sTy7UvXBHOHOyQH9j4DYBQ&usg=AFQjCNGEMBDi5pYQuNFMJVd1lzdIHacI5w&sig2=JW8Bjyz2O1M61igmgpRzGQ&bvm=bv.58187178,d.aWc" target="_blank"><img alt="Skyrim" border="0" height="200" src="http://storiesbywilliams.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/the_elder_scrolls_v_skyrim.jpg" title="Skyrim" width="320" /></a><span id="goog_391636593"></span><span id="goog_391636594"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a></div>
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Skyrim is the fifth installment of the Elder Scrolls series from Bethesda, a personal favorite since <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CCwQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.elderscrolls.com%2Fdaggerfall%2F&ei=Sz27Uve4C8m2yAGU-YBQ&usg=AFQjCNGonoC_7rvSFialCE9QraWW2Re7_Q&sig2=pFyw58bgznMuhISPLaXwgQ&bvm=bv.58187178,d.aWc" target="_blank">Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall</a> 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 <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CCwQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.elderscrolls.com%2Fdaggerfall%2F&ei=Sz27Uve4C8m2yAGU-YBQ&usg=AFQjCNGonoC_7rvSFialCE9QraWW2Re7_Q&sig2=pFyw58bgznMuhISPLaXwgQ&bvm=bv.58187178,d.aWc" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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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.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09131406042962663283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1120503629781536299.post-34425320822647029952013-09-24T13:18:00.001-07:002013-09-24T14:42:05.952-07:00My Experience with StraightTalk (Straight Talk, like, from WalMart)<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Friends: We purchased StraightTalk service online. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.straighttalk.com/wps/wcm/connect/d2f8af13-3cc4-42b5-b89f-ed6ee17d6ff9/ST_logo_En.png?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=d2f8af13-3cc4-42b5-b89f-ed6ee17d6ff9" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; "><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><img border="0" src="http://www.straighttalk.com/wps/wcm/connect/d2f8af13-3cc4-42b5-b89f-ed6ee17d6ff9/ST_logo_En.png?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=d2f8af13-3cc4-42b5-b89f-ed6ee17d6ff9" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">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 </span><span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">by StraightTalk that our </span><span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">phones would work.<br /><br />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. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">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.<br /><br />They could not give me any recommendations because it wasn't part of their procedure.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />The manager I spoke with said, "There's nothing I can do. Have a nice day."<br /><br />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.</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09131406042962663283noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1120503629781536299.post-25097138505133392102013-08-11T22:29:00.003-07:002013-08-11T22:33:58.674-07:00Headed out tomorrow.Or is it today?<br />
<br />
Headed out to the muck hole in the AM. Box includes some attempts at the <a href="http://www.flycarpin.com/2011/01/jamies-krazy-carper-carp-fly.html" target="_blank">Jamie's Krazy Carper.</a><br />
<br />
Here's hopin' for some action!<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X2XexNJM6t4/UghvJe_zE0I/AAAAAAAAEhg/b7LHeWrBo34/s1600/2013-08-12+00.13.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X2XexNJM6t4/UghvJe_zE0I/AAAAAAAAEhg/b7LHeWrBo34/s320/2013-08-12+00.13.47.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09131406042962663283noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1120503629781536299.post-18753510212375097742013-07-31T12:53:00.001-07:002013-07-31T12:53:52.136-07:00Prayers and Lily PadsSlipped 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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
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As you can see here, I saw a sea of lily pads from the edge of the water.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P9rHvMGArk4/Ueimfer2Y4I/AAAAAAAAEec/Kfeb0BCB9YE/w913-h685-no/%255BUNSET%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P9rHvMGArk4/Ueimfer2Y4I/AAAAAAAAEec/Kfeb0BCB9YE/w913-h685-no/%255BUNSET%255D" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
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."<br />
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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.<br />
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<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/80/Juanita_Bay_-_lily_pads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/80/Juanita_Bay_-_lily_pads.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
Found it to be the part of the carp from about the shoulder to the snout as it gulped air.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XOhx6yGOhYA/UfkQKxNEHRI/AAAAAAAAEgU/HhCOEl8J3pM/w514-h685-no/2013-07-31+07.49.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XOhx6yGOhYA/UfkQKxNEHRI/AAAAAAAAEgU/HhCOEl8J3pM/w514-h685-no/2013-07-31+07.49.50.jpg" /></a></div>
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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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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. (<a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/21.6?lang=eng#5" target="_blank">John 21:6</a>)<br />
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Tight lines. I know I had some!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09131406042962663283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1120503629781536299.post-78909787124037059222013-07-23T14:44:00.002-07:002013-07-23T14:44:49.221-07:00A Site for Grandpappy GlassesI'm starting to understand the need for good optics. This is crazy!<br />
<br />
It was about 6:30 when I made it out to Big Lake a couple weeks ago to look for carp. I headed for <a href="http://sparetimefish.blogspot.com/2013/04/fishing-report-am-429.html" target="_blank">the spot by the railroad tracks pictured here</a>. There was something wrong. The distance between the weeds and the water had gotten wide.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eTJAKPDPwTQ/UeimiLMx6hI/AAAAAAAAEek/qx2UuSyyEUU/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eTJAKPDPwTQ/UeimiLMx6hI/AAAAAAAAEek/qx2UuSyyEUU/s320/%255BUNSET%255D" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was a view from about 100 yards from the road looking north on that first picture linked in the article.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P9rHvMGArk4/Ueimfer2Y4I/AAAAAAAAEec/Kfeb0BCB9YE/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P9rHvMGArk4/Ueimfer2Y4I/AAAAAAAAEec/Kfeb0BCB9YE/s320/%255BUNSET%255D" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is a picture of a small area where water was seeping in from the main body of Big Lake. I'm facing East.<br />
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The level of the water was way low. This made me excited, because it bode well for visibility. (I don't have my <a href="http://goodsproduct4u.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Wear-Over-Sunglasses-by-LensCovers-Covers-Prescription-Glasses-for-Men-and-Women-Size-Medium-Polarized6.jpg" target="_blank">grandpappy glasses</a> yet.) If I can see a tail fin, I can guess on where the head is.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
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Alas, the carp didn't want to play that day, but the gar sure did!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OWP9EHTUO1w/UeimbOdK_vI/AAAAAAAAEeM/e8xiRvn4T54/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OWP9EHTUO1w/UeimbOdK_vI/AAAAAAAAEeM/e8xiRvn4T54/s320/%255BUNSET%255D" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foul-hooked in the back. Woops!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xpum4kptUnM/UeimYHpHiII/AAAAAAAAEeE/3TfeD3NG2YE/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xpum4kptUnM/UeimYHpHiII/AAAAAAAAEeE/3TfeD3NG2YE/s320/%255BUNSET%255D" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">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.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wjofNo6dYpc/UeimdZsoq8I/AAAAAAAAEeU/bwCsoBikzI0/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wjofNo6dYpc/UeimdZsoq8I/AAAAAAAAEeU/bwCsoBikzI0/s320/%255BUNSET%255D" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last and largest of the day. Also not foul-hooked.</td></tr>
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<div>
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. </div>
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<div>
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:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B_3tqttFytU/Ue7zKrbOeTI/AAAAAAAAEe0/mJ9eucTlqRU/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B_3tqttFytU/Ue7zKrbOeTI/AAAAAAAAEe0/mJ9eucTlqRU/s320/%255BUNSET%255D" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Self-casted, self-reeled and self-held. Not self-removed yet, though.</td></tr>
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<div>
The cool thing about yesterday's trip was that Ruth, unprovoked and with confidence, said, "I want to try and hold a fish today."</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Not too many days hence, and this girl will be unhooking her own fish.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
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.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
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.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
It was a huge fin. What a site for grandpappy sunglasses. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09131406042962663283noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1120503629781536299.post-58768899721845519192013-07-04T15:17:00.001-07:002013-07-04T15:17:55.683-07:00Vacation/Birthday with friends, family, and fish.Received news from my best friend that his wife had a mole turn up as malignant <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CE4QFjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FMelanoma&ei=6ufVUeTwDajzygHJiYCABQ&usg=AFQjCNGpdUrwXXFkG7rc7TolhuqrsE_3hg&sig2=obdXMmh_LmwulFn2VBEIiA&bvm=bv.48705608,d.aWc" target="_blank">melanoma</a>. This is the deadliest form of skin cancer you can contract. The door can swing one of two ways for her.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/p480x480/484668_10201675765482366_942776789_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/p480x480/484668_10201675765482366_942776789_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 1: deeper tissue extraction to determine likeliness of spread.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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.<br />
<br />
Ruth, my eldest, has been praying for Aunt Jenny to feel better. We all are.<br />
<br />
Josh and Jenny and their kids are our best friends. We enjoyed two nights with them at <a href="http://nebraskastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/Branched_Oak_Sra/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NE&parkId=230034" target="_blank">Branched Oak SRA</a> 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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6J84QP-2mTQ/UdXbIJ4X1HI/AAAAAAAAEdA/qDH8Abp3e0I/s1600/2013-06-30+21.27.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6J84QP-2mTQ/UdXbIJ4X1HI/AAAAAAAAEdA/qDH8Abp3e0I/s320/2013-06-30+21.27.12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
These, my friends, are a pair of <a href="http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/48790?feat=3936-GN3&page=men-s-flyweight-ii-stocking-foot-waders&attrValue_0=Olive&productId=848493" target="_blank">Men's <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">F</span></span>lyweight II stocking-foot waders</a> and a pair of <a href="http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/59413?feat=3937-GN3&page=men-s-west-branch-wading-boots-wide-aqua-stealth" target="_blank">West Branch Aqua Stealth wading boots</a>. My beautiful, wonderful wife - coordinating with wonderful family - added to my fly-fishing repertoire. I was thrilled.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--P7rSflhf8I/UdXbUlj6TyI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/5Ef0s4GSup4/s640/0630131420" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--P7rSflhf8I/UdXbUlj6TyI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/5Ef0s4GSup4/s320/0630131420" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, nothing died near my left foot. Well, I guess the dog killed a marker.</td></tr>
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Thus began the preparations for a wonderful few days at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platte_River_State_Park" target="_blank">Platte River State Park</a> 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.<br />
<br />
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:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2akYm5Ll76A/UdXthgwWpWI/AAAAAAAAEdg/SG84jGfjTZo/s1600/2013-07-01+12.08.57" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2akYm5Ll76A/UdXthgwWpWI/AAAAAAAAEdg/SG84jGfjTZo/s320/2013-07-01+12.08.57" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A warm day in elk.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j38DnZ8jYJQ/UdXtpg9yVXI/AAAAAAAAEdo/oxEfITWxuj8/s1600/2013-07-01+13.16.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j38DnZ8jYJQ/UdXtpg9yVXI/AAAAAAAAEdo/oxEfITWxuj8/s320/2013-07-01+13.16.21.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bison!</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TqWAEnXRFFs/UdXa04rF8PI/AAAAAAAAEc4/7hR-s4dog58/s1600/2013-07-01+12.45.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TqWAEnXRFFs/UdXa04rF8PI/AAAAAAAAEc4/7hR-s4dog58/s320/2013-07-01+12.45.42.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruthie and her antlers.</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7x3BWfqC0UM/UdXamzOO_sI/AAAAAAAAEco/e4ttWu24nS0/s1600/2013-07-01+12.51.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7x3BWfqC0UM/UdXamzOO_sI/AAAAAAAAEco/e4ttWu24nS0/s320/2013-07-01+12.51.18.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sporting some whitetail.</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GTPvNuves1E/UdXatCn50TI/AAAAAAAAEcw/5EhvJaW1G5A/s1600/2013-07-01+12.51.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GTPvNuves1E/UdXatCn50TI/AAAAAAAAEcw/5EhvJaW1G5A/s320/2013-07-01+12.51.00.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva Diva, as we like to call her.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Eventually, though, I took the dog all the way up.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Got up early and headed over to <a href="http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/Louisville_Sra/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NE&parkId=230111" target="_blank">Louisville SRA</a> to try out the waders. Beautiful, mossy but clear two ponds with great weather. Saw and caught several fish.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biggest bluegill caught.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I love the waders, but a review will be separate.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Went back to the creek when they laid down.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D_Mvb48xTxI/UdXZ6ZnCebI/AAAAAAAAEb4/Ba3bM9h0lic/s1600/2013-07-02+12.20.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D_Mvb48xTxI/UdXZ6ZnCebI/AAAAAAAAEb4/Ba3bM9h0lic/s320/2013-07-02+12.20.48.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Make a left.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z9IP7XBH35g/UdXZmr1ZJNI/AAAAAAAAEbw/OwjENVI8Kyc/s1600/2013-07-02+12.21.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z9IP7XBH35g/UdXZmr1ZJNI/AAAAAAAAEbw/OwjENVI8Kyc/s320/2013-07-02+12.21.37.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then a right.<br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pkMWB8oSUCc/UdXZSkksP6I/AAAAAAAAEbo/dD7kyw-f91g/s1600/2013-07-02+12.22.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pkMWB8oSUCc/UdXZSkksP6I/AAAAAAAAEbo/dD7kyw-f91g/s320/2013-07-02+12.22.02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ominous below-the-tracks entrance to creek access.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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.<br />
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Came back to sleeping children. Chatted with wife, then she decided to take dog for a walk. I napped.<br />
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We went to dinner then, sampling Breaddeaux, a pizza place in Ashland. It was yummy!<br />
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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.<br />
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Sadly, a storm rolled in so we decided to go see Despicable Me 2. Loved it!<br />
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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.<br />
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Fishing with daughter at the family lake at Platte River SP was next. That little girl is growing up.<br />
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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.<br />
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She loved it. I was very impressed.<br />
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We played and played for a while longer, then headed home.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Now, be amused.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09131406042962663283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1120503629781536299.post-52423598318989820252013-06-22T10:56:00.002-07:002013-06-22T10:56:49.795-07:00Review: AMC 14 Westroads (formerly Rave) and World War ZWhen 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.<br />
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Nestled on the North side of Westroads mall is a 14 theatre... theatre... previously owned by Rave.<br />
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<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cf/Huntsville_Rave.jpg/240px-Huntsville_Rave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cf/Huntsville_Rave.jpg/240px-Huntsville_Rave.jpg" border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cf/Huntsville_Rave.jpg/240px-Huntsville_Rave.jpg" title="Wikipedia Picture" /></a></div>
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Since there are obviously no AMC pictures up yet, just replace that big sign with the AMC logo and yer good.</div>
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It was here I went with fellow moviegoers Dan N., Adam D. and Jon S. for World War Z.</div>
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<a href="http://www.98fm.com/wp-content/files/2013/06/world-war-z11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://www.98fm.com/wp-content/files/2013/06/world-war-z11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Produced by and starring Brad Pitt, World War Z is a movie about survival and sacrifice against incredible zombie-rific odds. </div>
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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. </div>
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And, of course, I can't review a movie without the flagrant spoiler alert.</div>
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First, the theater. </div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Pros: </h4>
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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.</div>
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Cons:</h4>
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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.</div>
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Now, the movie.</div>
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Pros:</h4>
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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. </div>
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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.</div>
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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.</div>
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All of this tied together with the suspense of avoiding a terrible demise at the mouth of zombies made the movie entertaining.</div>
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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.</div>
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Cons:</h4>
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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.</div>
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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.</div>
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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!</div>
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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.</div>
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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." </div>
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On a scale of 1-10, 10 being "good flick" and 1 being "I'd rather be fishing", I give this movie a 6. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09131406042962663283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1120503629781536299.post-51386275137724643922013-06-18T10:29:00.003-07:002013-06-18T10:34:04.502-07:00Father's Day, "Born to Run", and Baby GirlI had honestly forgotten Father's Day usually brought gifts until my wife handed me beautiful cards from my daughters and an opened FedEx envelope.<br />
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Inside? <a href="http://xeroshoes.com/" target="_blank">XeroShoes</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://cdn.xeroshoes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/All-Soles-Blue-Laces-Instructions-300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn.xeroshoes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/All-Soles-Blue-Laces-Instructions-300x300.jpg" /></a></div>
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My beautiful wife ordered me the 6mm black Contact featured here.<br />
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"I tried looking for minimalist shoes, but you've got such big hobbit feet... I just got you some of these," she remarked.<br />
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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.<br />
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Later on that day, they were done.<br />
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/941134_10152924704565243_1151428922_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/941134_10152924704565243_1151428922_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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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".</div>
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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.</div>
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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.</div>
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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. </div>
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<a href="http://www.newtonrunning.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/17f82f742ffe127f42dca9de82fb58b1/b/o/book_born_to_run.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.newtonrunning.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/17f82f742ffe127f42dca9de82fb58b1/b/o/book_born_to_run.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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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:<br />
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<ul>
<li>The correlation between commercialized footwear and injury</li>
<li>The way the human body is formulated for endurance and long-distance running at speed</li>
<li>The freedom that comes from one of humanity's hard-wired proficiencies</li>
<li>One of my favorites, "Persistence Hunting"</li>
</ul>
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This book is <i>moving.</i> 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. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Don't read it if you are sensitive to language, though. He doesn't pull any punches on quoting his acquaintances verbatim.<br />
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Even more moving was the ultrasound yesterday wherein we found out we're having another girl!<br />
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<br />
She is due the first week of November. It will be lots of drama and creativity, attitude and sensitivity. It will be epic. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09131406042962663283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1120503629781536299.post-54864687101170529602013-06-15T11:30:00.002-07:002013-06-15T11:45:14.899-07:006/15 report, and week anecdotesTook off about 10 to a carp flat looking for active fish.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
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Found the darnedest thing, though. A beaver lodge.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1KuPd2Nhw7I/UbymMNGVGuI/AAAAAAAAEZg/-pjj_N0Ma44/s1600/2013-06-15+10.50.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1KuPd2Nhw7I/UbymMNGVGuI/AAAAAAAAEZg/-pjj_N0Ma44/s320/2013-06-15+10.50.06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unbeknownst to me, beavers are<a href="http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/wildlife/wildlife_species_guide/beaver.asp" target="_blank"> friggin' EVERYWHERE in Nebraska</a>. You've got to be kidding me. This amazing engineer, and the largest rodent in North America, doesn't just live in the Rockies?<br />
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Wait, it's not carnivorous and eats primarily tree bark?! Seriously?! Mind = blown.<br />
<br />
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 <a href="http://sparetimefish.blogspot.com/2012/06/hey-guys-look-what-i-tied.html" target="_blank">some more of these</a>.<br />
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I felt the tug almost immediately. I was SHOCKED. I pulled up sharply, and set the hook with everything I could muster.<br />
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Shot that thing right out of the water, you wouldn't believe it.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jLsj-bmVUa0/UbymzXwgRDI/AAAAAAAAEZo/QI1uo2p-N0I/s1600/2013-06-15+10.45.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jLsj-bmVUa0/UbymzXwgRDI/AAAAAAAAEZo/QI1uo2p-N0I/s320/2013-06-15+10.45.26.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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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.<br />
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Just saw this on Facebook and had to add it. Love it!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://howtoflyfish.orvis.com/video-lessons/14-fishing-close-to-home/459-carp-on-the-fly" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://static.mijnwebwinkel.nl/winkel/smart-indicators/article27702096.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://howtoflyfish.orvis.com/video-lessons/14-fishing-close-to-home/459-carp-on-the-fly" target="_blank">Orvis Instruction on how to catch carp.</a></td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09131406042962663283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1120503629781536299.post-85160484147446112202013-06-08T11:03:00.001-07:002013-06-08T11:03:58.759-07:00Success is spelled C-A-R-PNPR 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.<br />
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Planned early with the team, volunteering to go to lunch break at 10 AM.<br />
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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.<br />
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Work was hectic for a while. Didn't make it out until about 10:15. It was raining lightly.<br />
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"No sweat! I've got a rain coat in the trunk!"<br />
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I drove off. Got to the lake, parked in the indicated area and got out to check my trunk.<br />
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No rain coat.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Dual fly rig on, line wet, first fish was a green sunfish. Unhooked.<br />
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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.<br />
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Tails.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
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ZOOOOOOM!<br />
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The drag sounded and I looked at the sky and whooped like a madman!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vH5QgUNtebA/UbNddqktcFI/AAAAAAAAEYg/UBAi7dIgt00/s1600/2013-06-08+10.43.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vH5QgUNtebA/UbNddqktcFI/AAAAAAAAEYg/UBAi7dIgt00/s400/2013-06-08+10.43.08.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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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. </div>
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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.</div>
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Ladies and gentlemen, success is spelled C-A-R-P.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dt8ManwmeLA/UbNecUI2m4I/AAAAAAAAEYs/BVmw8VRe8LU/s1600/2013-06-08+11.11.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dt8ManwmeLA/UbNecUI2m4I/AAAAAAAAEYs/BVmw8VRe8LU/s400/2013-06-08+11.11.59.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I felt really good on a lot of levels after this, but the biggest thing that stuck out was something I will privately cherish. </div>
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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. </div>
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Tight lines.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09131406042962663283noreply@blogger.com7Glenn Cunningham Reservoir, Omaha, NE 68122, USA41.3509464 -96.05600670000001241.3032689 -96.13668770000001 41.3986239 -95.975325700000013tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1120503629781536299.post-63877620779091007232013-06-07T16:20:00.001-07:002013-06-07T16:36:46.211-07:00Lunchtime Report for... yesterday.Ok, a day late. Sorry!<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Tied on a bead-head soft-hackle and BAM.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-50tdWjaidq4/UbJmGoL8JOI/AAAAAAAAEYQ/Mh851VePLxQ/s1600/2013-06-06+11.24.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-50tdWjaidq4/UbJmGoL8JOI/AAAAAAAAEYQ/Mh851VePLxQ/s320/2013-06-06+11.24.39.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Little green sunfish. Bad picture. 5 inches long, maybe.<br />
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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.<br />
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I knew there was action to be had right by the outflow of the drain station, so I dropped it right in front.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NXBa1nNPcdk/UbJmF5emqUI/AAAAAAAAEYI/CHwRcQJZAJ0/s1600/2013-06-06+11.32.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NXBa1nNPcdk/UbJmF5emqUI/AAAAAAAAEYI/CHwRcQJZAJ0/s320/2013-06-06+11.32.35.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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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. </div>
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I cast around for a while more. Didn't want to try to cove because I was working and afraid of ticks. No luck. </div>
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Put the fly right by the front of the drain again.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-naSM97gDvXw/UbJmFSzMoYI/AAAAAAAAEYA/6LICFlDQ1pA/s1600/2013-06-06+11.42.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-naSM97gDvXw/UbJmFSzMoYI/AAAAAAAAEYA/6LICFlDQ1pA/s320/2013-06-06+11.42.44.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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All in all, a great lunch break... now WHERE are those<a href="http://sparetimefish.blogspot.com/2011/09/reminiscent-wind-down-to-season.html" target="_blank"> hungry carp</a>?!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09131406042962663283noreply@blogger.com0Glenn Cunningham Reservoir, Omaha, NE 68122, USA41.3509464 -96.05600670000001241.3032689 -96.13668770000001 41.3986239 -95.975325700000013tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1120503629781536299.post-43592247028441701492013-06-01T13:23:00.001-07:002013-06-01T13:28:24.095-07:00Memorial Day Week<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r2YhDiHLQ7I/Uan414lckbI/AAAAAAAAEXI/2zxxqT2DSt4/s1600/2013-05-27+11.30.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="122" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r2YhDiHLQ7I/Uan414lckbI/AAAAAAAAEXI/2zxxqT2DSt4/s640/2013-05-27+11.30.26.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Memorial Park, Omaha. A big thank-you to servicemen and women everywhere.</td></tr>
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Memorial day is an emotional soft spot for me. So many men and women in uniform have died fighting in the armed services. I am overwhelmed when I attend services like the one pictured above. I feel grateful beyond expression for their sacrifice.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KcvN-Nfoo68/Uan4u9TlvCI/AAAAAAAAEXA/DONmx2dqet8/s1600/2013-05-27+10.52.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KcvN-Nfoo68/Uan4u9TlvCI/AAAAAAAAEXA/DONmx2dqet8/s320/2013-05-27+10.52.47.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It was a great week on many levels.<br />
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One of the other highlights was a highly successful morning of fishing in the rain. After doing some research on the internet about <a href="http://groundtoground.org/2011/09/09/fertilizing-your-garden-with-fish/" target="_blank">burying fish guts for fertilizer</a>, my friend and I hit an <a href="http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/fishing/fish-conservation/fish-populations/fish-stunting1.htm" target="_blank">over-stocked/full-of-stunted-sunfish</a> pond in CB and harvested a bunch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZY-mDAAxNlY/Uan55k_xokI/AAAAAAAAEXc/wXHf8hN_64M/s1600/2013-05-27+08.44.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZY-mDAAxNlY/Uan55k_xokI/AAAAAAAAEXc/wXHf8hN_64M/s320/2013-05-27+08.44.28.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some white crappie and a bluegill</td></tr>
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In my <a href="http://sparetimefish.blogspot.com/2013/05/i-planted-fish.html" target="_blank">post about planting a fish</a>, I miscounted. There were more white crappie in that bucket. These are just the too-small-to-filet ones. Nevertheless, there was a yummy catfish, a larger crappie and a green sunfish that yielded tasty goodness.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F_MhXlig-t4/Uan5kB5-LlI/AAAAAAAAEXQ/zl0829IAo30/s1600/2013-05-27+09.44.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F_MhXlig-t4/Uan5kB5-LlI/AAAAAAAAEXQ/zl0829IAo30/s320/2013-05-27+09.44.09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I planted the too-small-to-eat fish and the remains of the others near my broccoli, cucumbers, roses and other flowers. <br />
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When I was done, there was some fishy-smelling residue in my bucket, so I made a slurry and dumped it around my potted tomatoes. They turned a deeper green color and started sprouting "sappers" like crazy afterward. They loved it!<br />
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Tight lines, everyone.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09131406042962663283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1120503629781536299.post-36790716209497536872013-05-27T18:17:00.001-07:002013-05-27T18:17:53.641-07:00I planted fish!No really, I planted some fish.<br />
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/484707_10152862347325243_1800129869_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/484707_10152862347325243_1800129869_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I planted about 7 white crappie carcasses, 1 green sunfish carcass and the leftovers of a catfish around my broccoli, roses, cucumbers and a few perennials. Anybody had any experience with this? Can't wait to see what happens!</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09131406042962663283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1120503629781536299.post-8494510334700609272013-05-26T20:24:00.002-07:002013-05-26T20:24:34.157-07:00Week of 5/20 - A Good Week of First and ForemostsThe week of 5/20 was a good week of firsts and foremosts.<br />
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My favorite 'first' was taking care of getting my good friend, Josh Kennedy, rigged up with his new rod and reel set. He had mentioned several times that fly-fishing was interesting, but he actually took good steps to making it happen.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hanXmDLAoDM/T3UJBNzhb4I/AAAAAAAAB-Y/vs73OtAAtEg/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hanXmDLAoDM/T3UJBNzhb4I/AAAAAAAAB-Y/vs73OtAAtEg/s320/%255BUNSET%255D" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh and his boy Samuel last year at Big Lake</td></tr>
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He bought a Redington 5W something-or-other (retail $180, $50 steal on Craigslist) that casts great, plus an old Marlboro Pflueger rewards reel his father had won. Just found the reel, backing and line kicking around his basement.<br />
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We hit Pony Creek down by Pacific Junction to try for some catfish on hotdogs Wednesday, and we got him on the water in the dark. Made me nervous. No fish on his line quite yet.<br />
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I was really happy for his messages the next day, however. He caught two teeny-tiny bluegill on the fly the next evening. As far as I'm concerned, they might as well have been 1 lb. blues. I was so excited for him! (He subsequently went out and bought a vest and a couple a pack of new flies.)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UL-fPkfIpUE/UaLPfyCepCI/AAAAAAAAEVg/DiYwtoDhzbc/s1600/IMG_4242" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UL-fPkfIpUE/UaLPfyCepCI/AAAAAAAAEVg/DiYwtoDhzbc/s320/IMG_4242" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h3ElmQ7PZCk/UaLPgL4GGAI/AAAAAAAAEVo/P4h7WnI8Fz0/s1600/IMG_0657" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h3ElmQ7PZCk/UaLPgL4GGAI/AAAAAAAAEVo/P4h7WnI8Fz0/s320/IMG_0657" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another first that I enjoyed was my first lunch-break Largemouth Bass.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ersEnbyhy7Q/UaLPmtDT21I/AAAAAAAAEV4/EnXH8f25yt0/s1600/2013-05-23+11.12.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ersEnbyhy7Q/UaLPmtDT21I/AAAAAAAAEV4/EnXH8f25yt0/s320/2013-05-23+11.12.54.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">13 inches, nice solid fight.</td></tr>
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I'll also call it a first on good work-break fishing. Nice chunky blues that run like the dickens! Check it out, <a href="http://fishndave.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">FishNDave</a>!<br />
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All-in-all, this was a good week, full of activity. Josh keeps fishing his head off, improving and practicing his cast. Recently caught about 6 tiny crappies. Kept them and buried them in his garden for fertilizer. The little blighters are helping his tomatoes out, plus it helps thin the population in the stunted pond he's fishing.<br />
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The foremost event of the week, though? My bro-in-law Zach asked me to be a groomsman. Of course I said yes! Happy to do so, bro. Congratulations.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09131406042962663283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1120503629781536299.post-6703943134200280852013-05-21T07:42:00.000-07:002013-05-21T07:42:03.041-07:00Oklahoma CityI understand that all of our lives have to end.<div>
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51 people - including 20 children - have been confirmed to have met that end in the path of Monday's F4 tornado that ripped through a suburb of Oklahoma City. With 200+ mph windspeeds and a girth of a mile, it destroyed everything it came in contact with. I'm reminded of Scott Thomson's character 'Preacher' Rowe (Twister) describing a massive tornado, calling it: "The Finger of God."</div>
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As our lives continue, let us take a moment of silence to remember those that did not, and those that will never be the same.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/298526/slide_298526_2477634_free.jpg?1369093030192" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/298526/slide_298526_2477634_free.jpg?1369093030192" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A child is carried from the rubble of the Plaza Towers Elementary School following a tornado in Moore, Okla., Monday, May 20, 2013. A tornado as much as a mile (1.6 kilometers) wide with winds up to 200 mph (320 kph) roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods, setting buildings on fire and landing a direct blow on an elementary school. (Sue Ogrocki / AP)</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">This aerial photo shows damage to the Plaza Towers Elementary School after massive tornado hit Moore, Okla., Monday May 20, 2013. (Steve Gooch / AP)</span></span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09131406042962663283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1120503629781536299.post-89860496395701427922013-05-18T12:13:00.000-07:002013-12-13T19:58:34.298-08:00Captain's Log - Lunch ReportSorry to talk about logs and lunch, but today was a good day!<br />
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I hit up a spot to find the blues plenty active. Water clarity at about 3 feet, I caught sight of a 8 inch. LMB cruising the shallows along a weed pocket. The foliage is getting thick underwater, so spawning and LMB ambush is at a high.<br />
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Gear was in the other car, so I only had two flies, a bunny-hair leech and a stealth bomber. No action on the bomber as it was HUGE, but the bunny-hair leech was productive. Got a green sunfish and watch several strikes on bass. Lost all the bass. Learned two things:<br />
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1. Always use a sharp hook. Before trying to hook the wet bunny leech to my boot, I noticed I could actually see the tip bent, and it didn't even scratch my thumbnail. No wonder I was missing them!<br />
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2. Don't hook wet, dull, barbless flies to your boot. You will lose them.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09131406042962663283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1120503629781536299.post-32294280428804463982013-05-16T21:48:00.001-07:002013-12-13T19:58:50.725-08:00The Fulfilling MomentsSix months ago, I started praying, hoping and searching hard for a job that truly fit who I was. I was praying hard to find out who I was, talent-wise. With an inspired wife and some great friends, the opportunity with ConAgra rolled up. That was a fulfilling moment, to sit in an interview and honestly express excitement about what one can do at a Unix console, then get to do it every day.<br />
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Turned out even better than I expected. My new job was five - count 'em - five minutes away from my favorite fishing hole.<br />
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They have free popcorn. I get along great with my coworkers. (That last one has never lacked, but it's a nice trend to continue.)<br />
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Every time I reflect on how those prayers have been answered, and are answered every day, it's a fulfilling moment.<br />
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I hit the water today during lunch. 78 degrees and sunny, slight breeze. Water semi-clear, not much turbidity.<br />
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Not a single bite.<br />
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I commented on this with a co-worker who enjoys the sport. I lamented my attempts with my wife via chat. She felt sorry for me. Our chat turned to our budget. We discussed cost-savings. I decided I just needed to take a good evening up at a nice spot, catch a bunch of green sunfish, and we'd have some grocery supplement.<br />
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Wife brought the girls up to work so I could take them tonight. That was a fulfilling moment.<br />
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First fish was Eva's, and a nice one at that. As you can see, she's two years old. And distressed. This fish went in the bucket. She caught another soon after, similar size. Dropped her pole. I picked it up. Fish went in the bucket.</div>
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Next two were Ruth's. She fought them hard and strong. Held it up for a picture. Those two fish went in the bucket. Is that a tick on the grass behind her?<br />
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Skipping down the bank to the next spot, Ruth cries, "This is great daddy-daughter time!!"<br />
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That was a fulfilling moment.<br />
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All told, 3 on the fly rod, 4 by the babies. Met some polite young men out having fun. They wished us a good evening, called me a good fisherman - I denied it; they haven't read my blog.<br />
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Car doors slam shut. Girls are buckled, bucket is in the back, and we're rolling.<br />
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"We're going to go home," starts Ruth, "and we're going to kill the fish, then we're going to cut them up, and freeze them to eat later."<br />
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"That's right!"<br />
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Kind of a weird moment, that, but fulfilling in a way.<br />
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Girls are in the kitchen awaiting the spectacle. </div>
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Apron is on, dog is out, cat is not interested (strange), and the first fish gets it. </div>
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"Ewwww! There's blood! Yuck."<br />
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Another fish flops in the sink.<br />
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"Don't worry fish, you'll be okay!" Ruth says.<br />
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"Ho ho, no they won't," I remind her.<br />
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"Why?" she asks.<br />
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"Because we're going to cut them!"<br />
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"Oh, right. We're going to cut them up! They will NOT Be okay! Haha!"<br />
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Sinister.<br />
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More ooooo's and ahhh's, and the first fish is butchered. Time for bath.<br />
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Eva only had one tick on her hide. Pulled 9 off of Ruth. 8 from her scalp, one from behind her ear. Babies were scrubbed and sleeping soon after.<br />
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Butchered the rest of the fish, with the help of this awesome video. Behold:<br />
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/m5r_sSqTc84/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/m5r_sSqTc84&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/m5r_sSqTc84&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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And here we are. Only cut up one of the 14 fillets beyond recognition. They are now chilling, per my daughters earlier statement.<br />
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My wife wonders via text where I am. I send her the bag-of-fish picture. She says, "Yay! Enough for fish tacos?"<br />
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"Heck yes," I say, and it still feels as fulfilling now as it did in that moment.<br />
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Oh crap, though. I just realized I wrapped the fillets in parchment paper instead of wax paper. I hope they're okay! Oh well... lesson learned if not. It's still all about the fulfilling moments.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09131406042962663283noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1120503629781536299.post-83093630643210538612013-04-30T10:14:00.003-07:002013-04-30T10:14:53.145-07:00Injuring a Largemouth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GJiQ4B3Yahk/UX_7y25Z3JI/AAAAAAAAD70/SqeWP7iMPrc/s1600/603781_517414841629172_2033080767_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GJiQ4B3Yahk/UX_7y25Z3JI/AAAAAAAAD70/SqeWP7iMPrc/s640/603781_517414841629172_2033080767_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Important information to remember! Not sure how accurate, but I'm all for being safe rather than sorry.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09131406042962663283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1120503629781536299.post-38555076142703059012013-04-29T21:07:00.004-07:002013-04-30T10:08:31.861-07:00Fishing Report: AM 4/29At 60 degrees and 1-5 mph winds, I couldn't have asked for a better morning to hit the water.<br />
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I've been anxiously planning on a trip out to Big Lake with my friend Josh Kennedy to try to catch some fin. A planned outing last week fell through, so I decided to scout it out. Here's the breakdown:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3euT8V7MdkM/UX9A24Z748I/AAAAAAAAD7Y/dGuLDSJTqwI/s1600/BigLake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="560" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3euT8V7MdkM/UX9A24Z748I/AAAAAAAAD7Y/dGuLDSJTqwI/s640/BigLake.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As you can see above, I made three main stops. The whole time I was watching for carp activity. I'm still on a mission to grab a carp, and I have seen them by the dozens wallowing in that northern lake this time of year.</div>
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The first little bit was exciting, with bluegill and what I think was a trout hitting my weighted soft-hackles. I kept switching it up, so didn't get many to the shore. Kept walking and casting as I went, eventually moving over to the eastern pond. </div>
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That one is full of trash. Not going to lie. But visibility was great, and I hooked into a yearling bass. Saw surface activity and plenty of ducks. Ducks = duck forage is available. Duck forage = subsurface worms, etc. Subsurface worms = carp/cat/bluegill forage, THEREFORE... ducks = fish (in most cases.)</div>
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My heart didn't REALLY start beating until stop #3. The shore was some thirty feet from a path, then it was shallow reeds and weeds for another 20 feet, then the water. I watched the shallows longingly, wondering where the carp are, and if I would ever see any when all of a sudden SPLASH, GURGLE GURGLE, SPLASH, and there were fins everywhere.</div>
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Did I try to cast over those 20 feet of reeds and weeds? You bet your backside's barnacles I did. I got tangled up worse than a stutter, but I TRIED. </div>
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Later I told my wife of my futile casts saying, "They were spawning, so they were kind of busy."</div>
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She said, "Would YOU want to eat if you were spawning?"</div>
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I had to admit, I understood their disinterest in forage. I vowed to catch them pre- or post-baby carp-making in the future. </div>
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And I need to go out when I can wear something I can get wet in. My quest continues!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09131406042962663283noreply@blogger.com0Big Lake Park, Crescent, IA 51526, USA41.2909526 -95.86308250000001941.267091099999995 -95.903423000000018 41.3148141 -95.822742000000019tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1120503629781536299.post-78637315203376088592013-04-27T11:30:00.001-07:002013-04-27T11:30:00.846-07:00Beautiful day for the park!<p>My baby girl is the one on the right on the seesaw. Beautiful day for the park!</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1VyZ13Gb6YU/UXwZIR2E3MI/AAAAAAAAD5I/_hKT0xncp-8/s1600/2013-04-27%25252013.27.22.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1VyZ13Gb6YU/UXwZIR2E3MI/AAAAAAAAD5I/_hKT0xncp-8/s640/2013-04-27%25252013.27.22.jpg' /> </a> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09131406042962663283noreply@blogger.com0