Category: Family Outdoors

Sleds, Shishkabobs & Snowballs

Posted on by Troy Jackson

The aim to remain on friendly terms with winter continues as we head towards a Groundhog Day/Super Bowl Sunday combo. Yep, still plenty of winter to go but I must admit that it is slip sliding away in timely manner. Groundhog Day around here is supposed to see temps in the mid-40s which may put a damper on one of our winter missions but no complaints here. After all, we may still get our shot at that mystery activity. You just never know what Mother Nature may have in store for the shortest month of the year.

In the meantime, me and my boy, Zac, finished out January with another visit to the sledding hill with a bit of a new wrinkle with the GoPro. Another project was foiled by the consistency of the snow but we made the best of getting outside with a little target practice.

Videos below and more posts to come…

A little more sledding….

 

A few wipeouts and a “shishkabob” on the slopes…

 

A new wrinkle was sled target practice aimed at the GoPro…

 

Finally, we resorted to target practice on the durable GoPro…

 

Talk to you later. Troy

Embracing Winter-Sledding Vol. II

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Unlike the gloom and doom forecast from two weekends ago that fortunately never came to pass, last weekend the weather folks were more on target. Rain, followed by freezing rain, followed by several inches of snow arrived as winter got its money’s worth. While it made for some treacherous travel, it also provided some quality conditions at the neighborhood sledding hill.

And sticking to the theme of embracing winter, a couple of the kids were pushing to get out and take advantage. That meant a Saturday morning trip to get in some fun before bone chilling temps arrived. What started as a mid-30s sunup would soon plummet into the single digits combined with high winds resulting in below zero wind temps.

Even so, the proper amount of bundling up allowed us to hang in there for over an hour. Me and our youngest sledder, Zac, were joined by big sister Carly on the slopes. All were troopers as the winds had pushed the windchill temps to near zero by the time we headed back home at noon.

Once again, we shot plenty of GoPro video during our outing as included below.

First up, some highlights…

 

And then there were the wipeouts…

 

I was pretty proud of our effort and dedication in getting outside during the less than comfortable conditions. In years prior, there is no way in heck I would have been out in that stuff. Thumbs up to the kids for pushing me to take them sledding and allowing us to not only make good on the winter embrace concept but also realize several of the 2020 Visions (namely Family, Video and Variety).

We’ll see what the rest of winter holds in store in terms of weather but I’d say we’ve already got our money’s worth of cold weather fun. In fact, a couple of us hit the slopes again today. Talk to you later. Troy

Embracing Winter

Posted on by Troy Jackson

I can’t say that I have really ever been much of a winter fan despite spending my whole life around West Central Illinois. You never know anymore what you’re going to get in these parts with winter but you will get some. Nothing you can do about it and lately my means of dealing has simply been staying inside unless I’m shoveling.

Well, 2020 is going to be different as I’ve elected to “embrace” winter.

Heading into last weekend, the local forecasters were all gloom and doom with as much as 7-10” of snow on the horizon. In preparation, I stopped at the store on Friday afternoon to pick up a few sleds as well as a couple young boy sized shovels. Of course, the snowfall barely covered the ground which I can’t say was overly disappointing despite my aim to get outdoors.

The boys, however, were a bit bummed and made me live up to my boast. Barely enough snow but plenty of fun as evidenced by the videos below.

First up, we sot some basic footage with the GoPro.

 

Next, we got a little fancier with our tricks and video technique.

 

Of course, there were also a few wipeouts.

 

Winter is in full force this weekend with plenty of snow, some ice, gale force winds and bone chilling temps. Not sure what we will accomplish but looking to pull a few more stunts while my least favorite season lasts. Talk to you later. Troy

More Than A Few Good Reasons

Posted on by Troy Jackson

As you may know, if you’ve hung around here very much, this is not your run of the mill outdoor website.

After all, what kind of blogger professes to be a bass fisherman yet hasn’t caught a bass in over a month?

Well, there’s good reasons for that as bass fishing resides a ways down the old priority list.

The month of May has been a wild one in regards to those reasons. How about lots of bad weather, a First Communion, a birthday party, 2 field trips as chaperones, 3 stitches in the forehead, 3 plays/concerts, 4 awards ceremonies, 5 music lessons, 5 fundraisers and 16 sports related events.

 

And it’s only May 26, so there’s nine more items to add to those totals above before we bid May farewell.

From the stats and the video I hope you can understand why those green fish have gotten a break from this sometimes bass blogger.

Time will tell when I see them again but stay tuned as plenty of other stuff to pass along in the meantime. Talk to you later. Troy

A Really Crappie Day

Posted on by Troy Jackson

                                                                         Mother’s Day weekend crappie chasing success

While there are no fish on hand for the Monday Top 5 Update, we do have a fishing report as a suitable substitute.

And it goes like this…

My boys and I were invited down to a “secret” destination by a noted local guide who goes by the name of “Papa” for our crew and several others. For decades he has had the crappie dialed in at this fishing hole during the Mother’s Day weekend. While the weather forecast left much to be desired with early rain, barely 50 degree high, gray skies and a stiff breeze, we confirmed our reservation around lunchtime and headed out for the late afternoon outing.

First casts were made at roughly 3:35pm and in no time the bite was on. My brother, Brent, and his kids joined the fun a little after 4:00pm and our bunch hung in there until 5:15pm during a bite with barely a lull.

            Jayce called this contorted technique “Pretzel Fishing”, can’t argue with the results

All told we combined for somewhere in the neighborhood of fifty crappie and a few bluegill courtesy of waxworms on a jighead hung from a bobber. Location was key as the fish were flat out shallow and on the inside edge or first pockets in the abundant surface vegetation. Not uncommon for this fishing hole, been there done that before.

Weather was really pretty crappy for the second weekend in May but what was cool is that there were zero complaints from our young anglers. In fact, we grownups were the only ones who commented on sore and somewhat numb fingers and a chill that just kind of stuck. And mind you, those kids handled and released a bunch of fish.

                                                                                          Cousins conquering crappie

Post fishing fun included hot dogs over the much needed warmth of a campfire at the area campground along with some kid led hiking. Good stuff considering that Brent and I have been on the kid end of such adventures on those same trails dating back to the 1970s.

      Our guide led us to a sizeable earlier dead muskie discovery

All in all a great outdoor day in less than great conditions. Plenty of practice for the youngsters in terms of casting, catching and fish handling and always fun to watch their confidence grow in regards to each aspect. Also fun to teach in the same outdoor classroom with the guy who taught Brent and me the same lessons well over 40 years ago. Yet again proves that the best time to go fishing (or get outdoors) is anytime you can.

 

One other impressive observation was the fact that the only devices in use were in the hands of me and Brent as we preserved some quality memories for posterity (and a blog posting). Never heard a peep from the kids either as they were too busy having some old fashioned, low-tech fun, gotta love it.

And thus ends today’s fish “Storey.” Talk to you later. Troy

2018 Fishing Video Recap – Top 5

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Back in 2014 on a former blogging gig I kicked off an audience participation thing called “Top 5.” It all began with bass and basically you send in your catches as the year progresses working towards a year end Top 5 weight. I’ve covered all of the specifics here on the website a couple times, most recently in the January 7 Top 5 Update post so I’ll refer you there for the scoop.

For 2018, 116 more bass entered the database thanks to anglers both young and not as young, waters both public and private and lures galore. It’s always a treat to see a new message in the Inbox, catch one for myself or have a front row seat when a fishing partner gets a good one.

And the latter is where we are headed with today’s video. All of the 2019 bass had their merits so how in the world would a guy pick a Top 5 from the Top 5 to call his favorites.

Actually, it was pretty easy.

And they ain’t even mine.

 

Yep, it was quite a day. Chunking Senkos on Cinco de Mayo with my boy. Don’t get much better than that.

I’ll leave it at that too, as the video says plenty. You don’t need any more words from this guy, just go back and watch the video instead.

Talk to you later. Troy

Happy Birthday, Zac

Posted on by Troy Jackson

The July birthday parade edges closer to its conclusion with birthday wishes to our little man, Zac, who turns 7 today.

Sharp as a tack, very entertaining and a perfect fit for the youngest of the bunch.

And…he certainly knows how to play that card.

Good looking fella, too, really knows how to sport a fishing hat. Could make a guy who’s just a bit older version of that kid a little envious. But hey, I look at it as being at least partly responsible for his rugged good looks.

Also thought about blanking out the bottom part of his shirt in this photo and letting his siblings post what they think would fit in place of “Champ” in “Mommy’s Little Champ.”  But, I want to keep it family friendly and a friendly family so will just leave it to the imagination.

Happy Birthday, Little Z, and love you. Talk to you later. Dad

Happy Birthday, Carly

Posted on by Troy Jackson

The July birthday parade continues with birthday wishes to our daughter, Carly, who turns 12 today.

This favorite flashback pic comes from the summer of 2010 and was shot in our backyard shortly after returning from a weekend camping trip.

And yep, that four-year old little girl is indeed asleep.

Always loved this pic as it speaks volumes for the value of some good old fresh air and the wonderful world of being a kid.

Happy Birthday, Miss Carly, and love you. Talk to you later. Dad

Happy Birthday, Helena

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Happy Birthday to our daughter, Helena, who turns 14 today.

Personally, I’m a big fan of the Friday Flashback series that runs weekly here on the blog so I’m sticking with that theme for Helena’s birthday posting (the first of several July birthdays).  And this one helps the website live up to its billing of “fun”, “family” and “some foolishness.”

Today’s birthday pic goes back 10 years to a 2008 camping trip. Somehow we forgot to pack the paper plates so the hot dogs over the campfire and Pringles from the can were served up with a dose of ketchup on a recent church bulletin that we had in the van.

The Lord works in mysterious ways, right?

And if you’re eating hot dogs and Pringles, anyway…

A favorite pic and story that still bring a smile.

Happy Birthday, kiddo, and love you. Talk to you later. Dad

Happy Father’s Day

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Happy Father’s Day to my dad, Terry Jackson.

13 pictures today as that represents his number (and my favorite as well). This collection spanning the 70s to present conveys what an outdoor/fishing dad is all about. They leave little doubt as to why I kind of dig this fishing thing and go a long way to explaining why I’ve taken up this little corner of cyberspace. Just can’t beat “fish stories.”

1972 – Dad with Brent Jackson and a pair of quality farm pond bass

1980 – Camping and bankpoling with kids (left to right) Brenda Boyer-Cornell, Tara “Sis” Jackson (with Curious George), Thad “Bub” Jackson, Scott Boyer and grown ups (left to right) Kenny Boyer and Dad

1980s – Bankpole haul with Dad, Brent and Bub Jackson

1980s – Float trip catch with Brent Jackson and Dad

1980s – float trip catch with Dad and Brent Jackson

1994 – Bankpole catch from Pat’s Creek with Dad and Troy Jackson

2002 – Creek fishing at Pat’s Creek with Brent Jackson and Dad

2002 – Bankpole fishing at Pat’s Creek with Troy, Brent and Dad

2004 – Icefishing at Emstrom’s Pond with Troy Jackson, Tim Townsend and Dad

2010 – Lake Storey with Jayce Jackson (poor kid is wearing his sister’s or cousin’s life jacket), Troy Jackson and Dad

2012 – Lake Storey with Dad and Troy Jackson with a “double” emphasizing the “fun” and “foolishness” aspects that this website was founded upon

+

2013 – Lake Storey with Zac Jackson, Brent Jackson and Dad

2017 – Little John “Lake Lowdown” outing with Dad (click here for original posting)

Of course, this meager collection barely scratches the surface of the photo albums, tubs and baggies full of outdoor pics. And while I do believe that “a picture is worth a thousand words” I’ll just let the photos suffice for today.

Thanks, Dad, for getting me hooked. Talk to you later. Troy