Author: Troy Jackson

Fishing Funk Report – 6/4

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Remnants from the previous day where wind and a bad batch of line made for a mess.

This is one of those posts that a fishing blogger doesn’t really want to write but should. If you’re going to tell fish stories, you’ve got to tell the not so good with the good. This one comes from a June 4 walk-in outing and made it 2 out of 3 on the downside in regards to my latest fishing trips.

It essentially goes like this:

“I had a bad day on the water.”

But, of course, I just can’t leave it at that, so here we go.

Lone bass, caught on a spinnerbait, from the abbreviated and frustrating morning

Walk-in access had deteriorated due to terrestrial weed growth and water conditions had made it darn near impossible to fish these stomping grounds due to aquatic weed growth. As a result, I wandered more than I fished.

About two hours of the former and maybe forty minutes of the latter with only a lone short bass to show for it. In addition to the site conditions, I was just kind of overwhelmed and stressed from the regular routine of work, responsibilities, budget, fatigue, sore joints from the previous day’s fishing trip…

What a way to mentally and physically spend a vacation day, huh? Darn near turned the whole “worst day fishing, better than the best day working” adage on its ear. In fact, the previous night I was tempted to turn the day off back in and go to work instead. Once I got out, that feeling did not really change as I was just in a down mood. Still not sure what would have been the best decision as my afternoon upon returning home turned into a rather wasted bunch of hours trying to combat that rough mood with fitful napping.

Sure hate those kind of days and extra troubling when even fishing can’t pull me out of my funk.

More bad line as there’s a buzzbait under there that was hand lined in after undoing a backlash only to find that the line had busted as well, for the third time in two days, weird…

Even though the trip was a bust as a result of my poor mood and attitude, I always feel that you should learn something new each time you hit the water.

So, what were some lessons learned or reinforced during this challenging outing?

Lesson One: Always pack the little boat along as a backup, could’ve saved the day but mistakenly went all in on the walk-in. I really should know better as I have used this Plan B approach in the past, just a poor decision on this day.

On the bright side I may have found where this one swims (see below)

Lesson Two: When stuck in a funk, just explore, as I think I found a spot for this fall or next spring. The picture above came my way in a text message last year, pushing 7 pounds and a slight reveal in the background of the photo that I have since cropped. Anyway, I believe I found it. Unfishable on this outing but plan to revisit under better conditions.

Lesson Three: Not always welcome but I still have to marvel at how nature does its thing. I knew the earlier controlled burn on the property wouldn’t last but just amazing how the vegetation rebounds after that management process. And throw aquatic vegetation into the mix as well for I have never seen these waters as weed choked as this year.

Really kind of a disappointing day for a guy who just can’t pack up and fish anytime he wishes. But ultimately the letdown rests squarely on my shoulders due to the combination of poor decision making and allowing a surly mood to get the best of me. As it happens, I’m over it and ready to work my way out of the fishing funk that has struck me down on two of my last three trips.

Been here and done this before and regarding such funks and I’m always taken back to a Brownsville Station lyric from their classic “Smokin’ in the Boys Room.”

“But I found a way to get out of ‘em…”

Stay tuned and talk to you later. Troy

Friday Flashback – June 7, 2013

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Today’s flashback takes a look at a family past time that we have yet to take a stab at this year. We had a camping/fishing trip in the works for last weekend but chickened out amidst the influx of gnats and mosquitoes to kick off summer break. In addition, there was a couple batches of thunderstorms poised to move through the area. Did that routine twice last year and not much fun for some folks who still subscribe to tent camping.

As it turned out, the storms never materialized last weekend although the bugs remained. At any rate, we kind of kicked ourselves for not giving it a shot. Still a batch of weekends to go before back to school but sure seems like it moves a lot faster than when I was a kid.

And by the way, here’s how this 2013 campout panned out via details from the original blog entry submitted at my former blogging outlet.

5:30pm – Me, Julie, Helena, Carly and Jayce arrive at Little John and get things set up along with starting a fire for hot dogs and s’mores. Our littlest family member, Zac, is to be delivered by my folks a bit later as it is near impossible to watch him and accomplish anything at the same time.
7:15pm – The soon to be two year old arrives with my parents. While not technically a “terrible two”, he is quite active.
10:15pm – Due to Jayce developing a nasty cough, we decide that it would be best for Julie to haul him home along with his little brother while I remain camping with the girls.
10:40pm – Helena says that she doesn’t feel well and she and Carly decide that they should go home. Rather than fight it and risk losing my temper, I calmly decide that we too should also depart.
11:20pm – The entire Jackson clan is home to sleep in their own beds following less than six hours in the wild (which is actually probably less wild than our home some days).

The pics included in this post were actually from the following day when we headed back to the campsite. We stayed long enough that afternoon/evening to fish, cook out and have some s’mores before tearing down the tent and heading home. Sounds like at least we were braver and more dedicated back then. And I must add, a lot less wore out. Talk to you later. Troy

Strip Mine Report 6/3

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Got to enjoy a Sunday morning on the water with a friend who I have known since the 80s when I used to run around a Galesburg High School basketball court with his younger brothers. Jim Junk has also been a regular contributor to the Top 5 project going back to the start in 2014. His 2018 Top 5 is off to a great start with some solid Banner Marsh bass so I was hoping some of his success would rub off as we teamed up for some Knox County, IL strip mine bass.


6:31am 1-4 Senko

Stats

Date: June 3, 2018
Location: Little John Conservation Club (2 lakes)
Time: 5:55am-12:50pm (6 hours fishing)
Weather: Sunny/windy to very windy
Air Temp: 62-81F
Water Temp: 76F
Totals: 30 bass (Jim = 15, Troy = 15)
Lure Jim
Senko wacky rig (several colors) – 15 bass
Lures Troy
Senko wacky rig (several colors) – 11 bass
Booyah Buzz Buzzbait (sexy shad) – 4 bass
Top Bass: 1-14 Troy Senko
Top 5 Weight: 7-5 (1-14,1-8,1-6,1-5,1-4)


8:09am 1-8 Senko

Notes and Nonsense

Off the Bank – As noted in the intro, Jim has been knocking the bass pretty good from the bank at Banner Marsh and has also had bank bound success on the first body of water we fished on this morning. For me, it was not only fun to have a fishing partner along but also to be able to help that partner get a look at those “over there” spots that are inaccessible to a bank angler. If you’ve spent any time on the bank, you certainly know what I mean.


8:13am 1-5 Buzzbait

Wind – The forecast called for the wind to pick up around 11:00am but it arrived about an hour ahead of schedule. We’d relocated to a second lake after working over stop number one but the layout just made it too tough with the particular wind direction. Therefore, we bailed out and headed back for round two on our original stop. A handful of bass joined the ledger on the second visit but the wind and its toll on the trolling motor battery prevented us from reaching a spot that was productive earlier in the morning. Chop on the water in the sunny conditions was welcome but when you’ve got to run full throttle on the motor just to stay in place it makes for a challenge.


8:36am 1-14 Senko

Senko Domination – Several Senko hues fished wacky style were the big winners on this trip, landing 26 of our 30 bass. The Senko success was no surprise as it is the typical winner on the water we fished and both Jim and I are big fans of the presentation. In fact, we were in definite agreement as to the fact that the Senko had revolutionized our approach over the last decade plus. I also tried to force feed a buzzbait in search of that one big bite but it never materialized with the combined weight of those four bass coming in close to what I had my sights on for a lone big bite.


12:46pm 1-6 Senko

Good numbers and certainly enough to keep us interested but just couldn’t find a lunker. Still good to get out with a fishing friend and shoot the breeze with some fish stories, Cubs observations and whatever else came to mind while chasing bass on a windy day. More than a few months of fishing left for 2018 so perhaps a Part II lies in the future. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

More wacky bass as spring was turning rapidly to summer.

Weight: 3-7
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: May 31
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Senko wacky rig
Structure: Submerged weed beds

Weight: 2-15
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: May 31
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Senko wacky rig
Structure: Submerged weed beds
Angler Comments: Got in a few hours to wet a line. Same old story – Banner, Senko, in and around submerged weed beds.
Top 5 Weight: 14-14 (3-10,3-7,2-15,2-8,2-6) culls 2-5 and 2-2

Thanks, Jim, for keeping the Top 5 Update string alive.  A slight reprieve on the heat this week so hope some folks can get out there and chase some more fish. Took my shot yesterday with the guy in today’s update hoping that some of his Senko touch might rub off. I’m also setting out on foot today for another chance. Full reports to come. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 10 Trip Tunes 5/28 – Part II

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Some heavy hitters round out this version of the countdown, forgive me if I get carried away.

5. Just What I Needed – The Cars (1978) – Okay, its summer break after 5th grade and things are starting to change on the radio. Of course, I don’t realize it as an eleven year-old kid but it won’t be long until we leave Andy Gibb and the Bee Gees behind and get some new wave in the mainstream. I may overdo it a bit, but got to mention MTV coming down the road with exposure to some interesting variety in the musical landscape. As far as The Cars, their recent induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (for whatever that’s worth) has prompted me to revisit their catalog leading to a few late nights with YouTube. Great stuff.

4. Call Me – Blondie (1980) – So, if you were a 13 year-old boy and got the occasional glimpse of Deborah Harry in the days of limited television music offerings, well, let’s just say it left an impression. Remember those were the days when you had to rely on The Midnight Special, Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert, Saturday Night Live or The Old Grey Whistle Test when you caught it on PBS. No internet, YouTube or MTV back in 1980. But an internet search nearly forty years later confirms that my 13-year old eyes and hormones did not deceive. And yes, I know Blondie was a band, but…

3. Gimme Three Steps – Lynyrd Skynyrd (1973) – “I was cutting the rug, down at a place called The Jug with a girl named Linda Lu.” I dig opening lines and these are a winner, grabs you right from the start and keeps you hooked for the rest of the story. Not to mention the killer intro that leads up to those vocals. What else can you say other than “Turn it up!”

2. Locomotive Breath – Jethro Tull (1971) – Now if we’re talking top intros, this one’s got to have a spot on the list. And once this sucker kicks in it is sonic onomatopoeia, if there is such a thing. And how about a song that lets me use the term “flautist” in my tribute? Ian Anderson rocks it with a trademark bit of flute solo, pure genius, pure rock and pure flautist.  Also certainly worth a look at the bands live footage over the years as Anderson is a hoot, one of the ultimate front men of rock.

1. Doctor My Eyes – Jackson Browne (1972) – One of these days I’m going to compile a list of my favorite intros. And while this one is not as lengthy as the two previous cuts, it has the same effect as it gets your attention, gets you moving and puts you on the edge of your musical chair ready for what’s next. In terms of lyrics, it still amazes that Browne penned this and a several other favorites in his 20s as they seem right on target to a 50 year-old guy who sometimes wonders where did all the time go and what the heck happened.

Always fun to sneak my tunes in when I can. Now just need a way to get some baseball, or sports in general, into this thing. Believe it or not, I’ve got a few ideas. But first, another Monday Top 5 update and looking to create a firsthand fishing report soon. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 10 Trip Tunes 5/28 – Part I

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Back with another distraction from my latest drive to the fishing hole. Only 25 minutes to my destination, Lost Grove Lake in this case, and I was concerned that I may only get a “Top 5” off the radio dial. But I needn’t have worried as the presets that span the airwaves came through yet again.

10. Blurry – Puddle of Mud (2001) – Well, not the most uplifting song but still stops me in my search across the radio dial. Glad that I can only relate on a sonic level and dig the emotion without being vested. I understand that the singer is a real piece of work but those experiences and the fallout are how you get tunes like this one. Yet another piece of this musical fascination, several minutes of escape that can mean a lot of things to a lot of people.

9. Still The One – Orleans (1976) – Great sing along song, cool harmonies and one of those cuts that gets me to thinking “I could’ve written that” even though it’s not quite that easy. Classic love song formula in the vein of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…” Well, “you’re still the one that…” and you’re off and running. Now, for better or worse, what other outdoor website is gonna go there? And tell me you’re not opening a new browser tab to revisit this cut.

8. My Life – Billy Joel (1978) – Takes me back to recording my favorite songs off my old clock radio with a cassette tape player, all the while hoping my siblings would be quiet for 4:44. A few years later I could listen to the recorded cut on my “52nd Street” 8-track tape via the radio/phono/8-track stereo. Prized possessions long gone but fondly remembered.

7. Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ (1983) – Side One, Track One on my cassette tape of the legendary “Thriller” album. Jackson was definitely in the zone and just killing it on my favorite television channel, the still new MTV. And still a hit as my kids dig this cut and a slew of other Michael Jackson tunes all these years later. And I used to wonder, is he singing “you’re a vegetable”? Indeed, he was. Gotta be a superstar to pull that one off.

6. Get Down Tonight – KC & the Sunshine Band (1975) – Makes you smile, makes you move, makes you sing. Harry Casey’s formula of groove and repetition was magic back then and still a winner today. And I always dig what I call “horny songs”, you know, cuts with a horn section (see Chicago, Kool & the Gang, Earth Wind & Fire…). KC and his crew were right on the money and those “horny songs” took on a dual meaning beyond the brass upon being a few years removed from an 8-year old kid in the summer of 1975.

Top 5 up tomorrow and the variety continues with some New Wave, a leading lady, Southern Rock, Prog Rock and a singer/songwriter. Ain’t music great? Talk to you tomorrow. Troy

Friday Flashback – June 6, 2003

Posted on by Troy Jackson

How many times have I told you that I am glad that I took to documenting outdoor adventures via the modern equivalent of a journal?

At least a couple, and I mean it. How fun is it to look back in time and get another smile, chuckle or head shake out of some details that are long gone from the memory?  Sure the big fish or weird catch sticks with you but it’s all the little details that really make the writing worthwhile.  Throw in the photo album and some video these days and you’ve got a winning combination.

For example, the words and pics for today’s flashback come courtesy of the original report submitted to family and friends back on June 10, 2003.

Pat’s Creek with Dad on 6/6/03

Weather – Despite the weatherman predicting rain, we went fishing, spending around four hours in the creek.  Part of the time it rained, the rest of the time it rained harder.

Tips – Wait to see if anyone is injured before laughing.  I’ve learned this one over the years and was able to chuckle after Dad slid down the bank into the creek.

Hygiene – Always clip your fingernails before creek fishing.  Dad and I were on the same wavelength.  He mentioned it in the middle of the creek and I was on the same page.  We left no room for grit (the subtle things you learn from Dad…)

Boots – Smart enough to check for a matching pair.  Not smart enough to check for holes.  With a knee-high hole in one of my hipboots, I might as well have worn sandals.

Bites – Numerous fish with a handful of hookups, but the rain limits mosquitoes and biting flies.

Monsoons – Rivals Beefy’s Monsoon of 2001.  But, that’s another story…which may be another article…possibly concerning my penchant for “another story”

Species contest – Dad wins again 2 to 1 (5 channel catfish/1 carp versus 1 channel catfish)

Record Book – Dad (Channel Catfish 3-9 and Carp 5-12)

So, have you started your own outdoor or fishing journal yet?  Years down the road, you’ll be glad you did.  Talk to you later.  Troy

Lost Grove Lake Report – May 28

Posted on by Troy Jackson

I got to wondering the other day in my “Am I a Bad Fisherman?” posting about my merit as a dedicated fisherman after choosing some much needed rest over an early morning of fishing. Well, I tried to make up for it a couple days later and wound up questioning myself yet again. A couple tentative titles for today’s report were “Am I an Old Fisherman” and “Am I a Wimpy Fisherman” but I went with the standard fishing report format of location and date instead. Details below on why the alternative titles were up for consideration.

6:38am – Quick feedback with first Iowa bass of 2018

Stats

Date: May 28, 2018
Location: Lost Grove Lake, IA
Time: 6:35am-8:50am
Weather: Sunny/calm
Air Temp: 73-82F
Water Temp: no reading
Totals: 3 bass
Top Bass: 1-5 (only bass over 12”)

7:11am Top Bass 14″ 1-5 Buzzbait (GoPro video of the catch included below)

Notes & Nonsense

Late Night – My first error in judgment involved staying up too late and having a few cold ones when my intent was to get up at 4:45am. In the end, that poor decision making resulted in about 4.5 hours of sleep so was kind of getting off on the wrong foot from the get go.

Heat – The weather app on my phone read 73F at 6:35am as I made my first cast but it was already a hot 73 degrees. No air moving whatsoever and the effort of dragging my boat out of the back of the truck over some parking posts in a slightly elevated parking lot got the sweat flowing. Then, I had to drag the boat and gear through about 20 yards of weeds which got the heart pumping and the sweat kicked up a notch. And after that I just had roughly 400 acres of water in front of me to choose from armed with an old set of oars and an even older rower providing the power.

Snip from GoPro footage of abundat gnat population from earlier this year but same concept on this trip

Gnats Are Gnuts – If you have been enjoying the outdoors in my neck of the woods as of late, I am certain you are aware of the prevalence of gnats, a real bumper crop. Under the bill of my hat, on the inside of my fishing shades, in my ears, up my nose and yes, I ate a couple, just relentless. Most times you can get away from the bank and enjoy a bit of an escape but these pests were thick everywhere, flat out crazy and no fun.

Another gnat snip just for fun

Weeds – I am accustomed to goofy, scattered weeds on this fishing hole and I hope that someday they may subside as the lake ages. No go as of yet, however, as the vegetation influenced my presentation as I went pretty much all in on a buzzbait in open water amidst the gunk. Also tried a topwater frog in spots and flipped a Senko around but only the buzzer was a winner in the calm, sunny conditions that were likely better suited for something else. A gamble I was willing to take in hopes of a big bite but didn’t materialize this time around.

All good for Iowa and always a good thing to do the right thing as noted below

Quitting Time – By about 8:30am, the factors above had taken their toll and I headed back to my launch point to see if I could rustle up a last bite from a patch of flooded bushes and sunken culverts. No luck in 15 minutes or so and I’d come to the conclusion that my mind and body had had enough of our early arrival of summer. But before I could get off the water, an Iowa DNR truck pulled up nearby and I rowed over for a license check (legal as I should be with my internet purchase the night before). A nice fellow and he also provided a recommendation on gnat repellent though I have since forgotten what it was and only recall that he said it comes in a “green bottle.” Oh well, I don’t think anything works anyway.

GoPro footage of Top Bass, not a trophy but the video thing is still pretty fun

So, after just over two hours and three not so impressive bass I was headed home to celebrate a birthday with my boy, Jayce. My intent was to get in some fishing before the kids got up and moving too much but I sure thought it would be later than 8:50am when I packed it up. Just couldn’t hang and hope it is only an isolated incident brought on by a combination of factors and not too early of an indication of the way things go as time moves on. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

More bass as our brief visit to spring has rapidly turned to summer with Mother Nature turning up the heat.

Weight: 3-10
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: May 22
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Senko
Top 5 Weight: 12-15 (3-10,2-8,2-6,2-5,2-2)

Weight: 15″
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: May 22
Location: Prairie Lake near Chetek, WI
Lure: Wacky worm

Weight: 2-7 (15″)
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: May 23
Location: Prairie Lake near Chetek, WI
Lure: Wacky worm
Water Temp: 65-69F
Structure: Shoreline, docks, downed trees
Trip Tunes: None, I just walk to the docks
Angler Comments: Lots of action from shoreline bass. Most are 10 – 14 inches. It is hard to find a bass more than 15 inches. All fish have been caught on Wacky Worms.
Top 5 Weight: 2-7 (1 bass weighed)
Total Length: 56” (15″,15″,14”,12”)

Thanks guys for providing the catches and, as always, keep ‘em coming. Gave it a brief shot myself yesterday morning, details to come. Talk to you later. Troy

Happy Birthday, Jayce

Posted on by Troy Jackson

We interrupt our regularly scheduled Top 5 Update (will appear tomorrow) to wish one of my co-anglers a Happy Birthday.

(Note: also wish to give thanks to those we honor on this Memorial Day. Much debate over the state of our country these days but no place I would rather live. I found it a welcome sight when driving through a local main street yesterday as it was lined with flags and littered with the lawn chairs of folks reserving a spot for the upcoming parade. I leave the bickering for other social media spots and keep my website dialed into a positive vibe so I’ll just say that it made me feel good and I’ll leave it at that.)

Today marks birthday number 9 for our oldest boy, Jayce, and as always I can come up with an outdoor tale to pass along. In this case, I got a little help on what to post courtesy of a birthday gift that Jayce received from his Uncle Brent during a family celebration yesterday.

The spinnerbait pictured above is the latest version of something that I dubbed “The Emiquon Special” after watching Brent wield it en route to a 98 bass day on his first ever visit to The Emiquon Preserve back on October 7, 2009. While not all 98 of his bass fell to this legendary bait, it caught the vast majority and his final flourish in pursuit of the century mark had me setting down my rod and reel to simply watch the spectacle. Anyway, there’s actually a little more to the story as Brent’s use of this spinnerbait color scheme goes back to the mid-80s and over 30 years later he’ still fooling them on the latest version of the bait, pics and tales for another day.

Don’t know if Jayce realizes exactly what he’s got a hold of with this piece of family fishing history which was handcrafted by his Uncle Brent, the angler who made it famous. Pretty cool and will be fun to watch when we put the new weapon in his arsenal to use. Spinnerbaits have a little bit more of a learning curve than the baits Jayce has already put to work primarily in the aspect that you generally need to get the bait moving shortly after it hits the water. Simply another skill for our young angler to work on and once he gets the hang of it I suspect the Emiquon Special and the bass will take care of the rest.

So, while Jayce and I wait for a chance to get on the water together for some practice, I told him that I’d just keep the lure nice and safe in my tacklebox. For you see, Uncle Brent has never made one of these for his older brother.

Further fishing stuff for Jayce’s tacklebox courtesy of Papa

Happy Birthday to my fishing buddy Jayce.

Talk to you later. Dad