Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Always fun to see some fish in the inbox for an update and an extra treat this week with some State Capital city public water bass.

Weight: 1-4 (14”)
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: September 15
Weather: Sun with some passing clouds, air temp mid-70s
Water Temp: 78-80F
Location: Sangchris Lake
Lure: Wacky worm
Angler Comments: Casting to shoreline structure

Weight: 1-4 (14”)
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: September 16
Weather: Sun with some passing clouds, air temp mid-70s
Water Temp: 78-80F
Location: Sangchris Lake
Lure: Wacky worm
Angler Comments: Casting to shoreline structure

Weight: 1-2 (13”)
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: September 16
Weather: Sun with some passing clouds, air temp mid-70s
Water Temp: 78-80F
Location: Sangchris Lake
Lure: Chompers
Angler Comments: Casting to shoreline structure

Weight: 1-8 (14”)
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: September 16
Weather: Sun with some passing clouds, air temp mid-70s
Water Temp: 78-80F
Location: Sangchris Lake
Lure: Wacky worm
Angler Comments: Casting to shoreline structure

Weight: 1-3 (13”)
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: September 16
Weather: Sun with some passing clouds, air temp mid-70s
Water Temp: 78-80F
Location: Sangchris Lake
Lure: Chompers
Angler Comments: Casting to shoreline structure
Top 5 Weight: 8-0 (1-15,1-13,1-8,1-6,1-6) culls 1-4

Way to go, John, looks like a productive pair of days on the water. Further reinforcement that a solid bite remains so keep on casting as we officially head into fall this week. Talk to you later. Troy

Lake Storey Report – September 13

Posted on by Troy Jackson

I always look forward to the “Fall Drawdown” at Lake Storey in Knox County, Illinois which typically begins just after Labor Day. In general terms, here’s how it is supposed to transpire.

1. The City of Galesburg Park Department opens the valve to lower the lake.
2. The lake drops and leaves the spots for little fish to hide high and dry.
3. Cooler nights and warmer days get the predator fish in a fall feeding mood.
4. Me and Brent clean house on the often challenging lake.

And here’s how it really went down in blog terms.

6:57am – First bass on KVD Squarebill crankbait

Stats

Date: September 13, 2020
Location: Lake Storey – Knox County, IL
Time: 6:40am-10:55am
Weather: Partly cloudy to sunny/breezy
Air Temp: 58-73F
Water Temp: 67-69F
Totals: 5 bass (Troy – 4 bass, Brent – 1 bass)
Lures: Spinnerbait (white) – 3 bass, KVD Strike King Rattling Squarebill crankbait (natural pumpkinseed) – 1 bass, Red Eye Shad (sexy shad) – 1 bass
Top Bass: 1-5 Spinnerbait
Top 5 Weight: 1-5 (only one at 12” or better)

Notes and Nonsense

The In Crowd – By most accounts, recreational fishing has seen a significant uptick in 2020 as a ripple effect of the pandemic. Lake Storey supported the validity of such an assessment with six trailers in the lot and a flotilla of kayaks scattered about the lake. Good for folks to get outdoors in these wild times and it appeared that crappie or bluegill were the targets for those we observed. Nobody else seemed to be casting and moving and honestly they weren’t missing much from our perspective. Then again, maybe they knew something we didn’t and opted to leave the bass alone.

Mr. Lake Storey – And, yes, on occasion there’s that one guy who owns the lake and feels that the rules do not apply to him. In this case, he was running his outboard at a pretty good clip around the lake multiple times. Several kayakers, bank anglers and other boaters hollered at him to no avail. In fact, he actually waved at us as he sped by in the distance. Brent and I elected to wave back rather than respond with an alternate hand gesture. Who knows, maybe the guy was just clueless but kind of hard to believe he was unaware of the trolling motor only restriction.

Proven winners at Lake Storey but limited production on this outing

Excuses – I was feeling good about our chances leading up to the trip as the weather had been warming for a couple days after a cold front and heavy rain. Word also had it that the drawdown had begun many days prior. It turns out that the level had not dropped much at all, seemingly filling up from the rain as much as the drop from the drain. In addition, the rain had the clarity murkier than the normal green tint and was progressively dirtier to the east away from the dam. All our meager catches came from the west end of the lake and none more than a quarter of the way to the inflow near the east ramp.

7:44am – Retro floppy hat and Top Bass of the day on Blue Glimmer spinnerbait

Old Hat – I managed to destroy my lucky floppy fishing hat and elected to go retro with a previous version instead of breaking out a new one. While I do have a couple new options, I wish to put 2020 behind us and start 2021 with a new floppy. More on that at a later date.

I feel bad as I failed to get a shot of my fishing partner but always like this 1980s Lake Storey shot of Brent

BREAKING UPDATE!!!

 I paid a short visit to Lake Storey last evening and walked the bank armed with a couple poles. Three bass in roughly 75 minutes of casting in a pair of spots was certainly an improvement over last week’s visit. Looks like the increased drawdown and the cool nights/warm days combo has some fish in a biting mood.

I believe the anticipated fall fishing bite has arrived, just a few days early. Get out there and get after some bites. Talk to you later. Troy

Friday Flashback – September 2010

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Well, I’ve been writing a great deal about Snakeden Hollow in celebration of 30 years of public access. So, how about a look back ten years ago at some results from three trips within a week to Snakeden’s Lake McMaster. Welcome to another Friday Flashback courtesy of some notes, numbers and pics from September 2010.

Slideshow below of some highlights along with plenty more from late September back in 2010, as I remember, what a week.

 

Originally posted 9-23-10

Having a full day to fish, Dad and I decided on an early start and chose Snakeden Hollow’s Lake McMaster for our destination. We’d fished it back on May 20 with fair results and figured we’d give it another try before the area shuts down to anglers on October 1. We had to work for our fish but had a successful day once we pinned down some cooperative bass.

Original log entry from September 22, 2010

Date: September 22, 2010
Time: 7:20am-2:20pm
Results: 19 bass, 1 green sunfish (Dad – 10 bass, Troy – 9 bass, 1 green sunfish)
Lures: 5” Yamasenko wacky rig (natural shad) – 13 bass & 1 green sunfish, Zara Spook (black shore minnow) – 3 bass, Lizard – 2 bass, Zoom Baby Brush Hog – 1 bass
Top Bass: 3-6 (Troy – Senko)
Top Five Weight: 11-4 (3-6,2-1,2-0,2-0,1-13)

September 22, 2010 – First bass at 7:31am on a lizard, weight 2-1

Notes – September 22

Toothy Encounters – We each had an opportunity to add another more impressive species than my lone green sunfish. About thirty minutes into our trip I had a muskie (upper 30 inch range) blow up on my Zara Spook. I’d seen the fish in pursuit and committed the cardinal sin of Spook fishing as the water exploded. I set the hook before I felt the fish and came up empty. I know better but if you’ve been in my shoes I hope you can relate. Dad also had a similar size fish follow a hooked bass to the boat but it wouldn’t commit to the easy meal.

Beaver Lodges – If I had to pick my favorite piece of structure it would likely be a beaver lodge and we picked three bass off of the two spots we fished today. Our first fish of the day was Dad’s 2-1 on a lizard and I quickly followed his fish with a 0-15 on a Baby Brush Hog. Fifteen minutes in we had three pounds on the board and high hopes.

Top Bass – My 3-6 came from a series of laydowns crossing a small, fairly deep shoreline pocket. It hit shortly after my Senko landed near one of the laydowns and the bass dove between a pair of the tress scraping my eight pound test along the wood. I could see it was a decent fish but had little choice other than horsing it to the surface in hopes it would clear the trees into some open water. In the end, I got lucky and have a new personal best for 2010 (for the time being).

Originally posted 9-24-10

Wednesday’s success on Lake McMaster brought us back for Round 2 on Thursday. Once again, we had to work for our fish but presentation was more of a chore than location as the weather forecast was right on with high winds.

Original log entry from September 23, 2010

Date: September 23, 2010
Time: 8:40am-1:25pm
Results: 17 bass, 1 bluegill (Troy – 13 bass, 1 bluegill, Dad – 4 bass)
Lures: 5” Yamasenko wacky rig (natural shad) – 16 bass & 1 bluegill, Zoom Baby Brush Hog (watermelon seed) – 1 bass
Top Bass: 1-9 (Troy – Senko)
Top Five Weight: 4-9 (1-9,1-1,1-0,0-15)

September 23, 2010 – Top Bass 1-9 at 10:47am on a Senko

Notes – September 23

Some Words on the Wind – The reports indicated gusts of up to 33 miles per hour but I think there was a fair amount that exceeded even those predictions. A couple nearly knocked me off balance and more than once I found myself having to lean into the wind as I fished. On the upside, the wind helped to position a few bass but it never fails that the wind is working against us when trolling back to the ramp.

Back of the Boat Blues – Such was Dad’s assessment as he joked about having a tough day on the water. Typically I’m up front on the trolling motor while Dad is in the back sometimes getting “used” water despite my best efforts. But all he had to do was ask and on this rare occasion I would likely have traded places and let him fight the wind.

Solitude – As I wrote about last week, fall is a good time to have the lake to yourself. Today was a prime example as we showed up to an empty lot, never saw another angler the whole day and returned to find the lot just as we’d left it. It could be argued that the absent anglers simply had enough sense to stay out of the wind. But, you know, we got seventeen more bass than we would have hooked in the living room and it sure beats mowing the yard or doing the dishes.

Originally posted 9-29-10

Our pursuit of a strong fall finish continued Tuesday after a weekend at work and a Monday of grown up responsibilities. Dad and I selected Snakeden’s Lake McMaster once again in light of our recent success while hoping that the days off had given the bass in our hotspot time to recharge. We weren’t disappointed.

Original log entry from September 28, 2010

Date: September 28, 2010
Time: 9:10am-2:10pm
Results: 16 bass, 2 green sunfish (Dad – 9 bass, 2 green sunfish, Troy – 7 bass)
Lures: 5” Yamasenko wacky rig (natural shad) – 13 bass, Zara Spook (black shore minnow) – 2 bass, Mann’s Baby 1- 1 bass, 2 green sunfish
Top Bass: 3-9 (Troy – Senko)
Top Five Weight: 12-10 (3-9,2-13,2-11,1-14,1-11)

September 28, 2010 – Top Bass 3-9 at 11:01am on a Senko

Notes and Nonsense
81% – Of our 16 bass, 13 came from one general area in the span of just over an hour and a half. All but one came on a Senko with the lone exception hitting the Zara Spook. This was quite similar to our trip on 9/22 where the spot produced 13 of 19 with 10 on the Senko and 3 on the Spook. We had the area to ourselves despite half a dozen other boats on our latest outing so apparently nobody has caught us catching bass.

Misses – While we weighed a decent stringer (all released of course), there were a couple others that got away. Dad lost a two plus pounder when it dove into some heavy weeds and I had a big blowup on the Spook that unfortunately had bad aim. Near the end of our day I also had a small muskie nose my Senko part way back to the boat before slowly turning away.

Top Bass – At 9:53am I landed a 2-11 on my Spook to set the bar for the day’s big fish. It stood until Dad reeled in a 2-13 at 10:20am on his Senko. As soon as I set the hook on my bass at 11:01am I told Dad that I was going to need a net man. Upon seeing the fish in the clear water I further told Dad, “I think I’ve got you if I get this one in.” My eyes did not deceive as the 3-9 on my Senko would not only claim the title but eclipse our lake record of 3-6 from 9/22.

Final Stats
16.75 hours produced 52 bass (Troy – 29 bass, Dad – 23 bass)
3.1 bass/hour average (solid anywhere but very good for Lake McMaster)
Lures: Senko – 42 bass, Zara Spook – 5 bass, Lizard – 2 bass, Zoom Baby Brush Hog – 1 bass, Mann’s Baby 1- crankbait – 1 bass
Top Bass: 3-9
Top 5 Weight: 14-8

September 28, 2010 – Dad Top Bass at 10:20am on a Senko, weight 2-13 

All in all, a darn good “week” on the water and fun to take a walk down Memory Lane. Hope someone else got some insight along the way as well. Got at least a couple more Snakeden pieces to post before I wrap up the 30 year Snakeden celebration. Stay tuned and talk to you later. Troy

Strip Mine Report – September 12

Posted on by Troy Jackson

It’s that time of year again folks, when some of my public strip mine stomping grounds are reaching the end of fishing access. Of course, in the case of the fishing holes in today’s report, the bite is just picking up as the site nears shutting down. Gotta get in those last casts while I can and this outing produced a solid bite.

Stats
Date: September 12, 2020
Location: Knox County, IL public strip mines (5 lakes)
Time: 3:15pm-6:45pm (3 hours fishing)
Weather: Partly cloudy/breezy
Air Temp: 68-72F
Water Temp: not available
Totals: 15 bass
Lures: Chatterbait (bluegill) with Zako trailer (smoke) – 11 bass, Strike King Red Eye Shad (sexy shad) – 2 bass, Booyah Spinnerbait (bleeding shad) – 1 bass, Senko wacky rig (smoke) – 1 bass
Top Bass: 2-12 (Chatterbait)
Top 5 Weight: 8-5 (2-12,1-7,1-7,1-6,1-5)

3:20pm – Happy to be on the board but room for improvement

Notes and Nonsense

First Cast Top Bass – After catching a pair of small bass in 30 minutes on my first stop, it was on to what is probably my best fishing hole on the site. Right on cue, the first cast with a chatterbait parallel to the deep edge of a lengthy flat produced a 2-12 bass. Sure thought I was on to something but that catch would be Top Bass of the evening.

3:55pm – Top Bass at 19″ and 2-12 on a chatterbait

Feeling Hip – With a heavy batch of rain for several days and a light shower ending as I arrived, I figured that the vast expanse of terrestrial weeds would be quite damp. As a result, I opted for hip boots over my regular knee boots to contend with the moisture. The approach took me back to the old trapping days of walking miles of creek and timber in a pair of the bigger boots. The kept me plenty dry (although a bit sweaty) and provided a nice barrier when planting a knee to climb up several steep banks. Once again, that technique took me back to those fall days of yesteryear on the trapline.

Five for Five – Each of the stops at the five lakes that I selected on this evening produced some bass. My best lake produced the best catch after struggling the last few years on the spot to get quality bites. It was also cool that the lake where I have the least confidence produced four bass in 45 minutes with all running over a pound. Yet another of the aspects that I enjoy about spot hopping a collection of strip pits. While you may have a track record or a preconceived notion of how things may shake out, you just never know.

Entertaining late night horror hosts, past and present (Chuck Acri’s Creature Feature was a highlight of 1970s Saturday nights with siding sales pitches and all) 

Attack of the 14” Bass – I tune in to a couple of Saturday late night horror programs nearly every week, Midnite Mausoleum and Creature Feature. Both include some interesting flicks and camp humor reminiscent of the original Chuck Acri’s Creature Feature that I watched as a kid in the 1970s. I couldn’t help but think of a monster movie sort of title as I reeled in a batch of solid bass on this outing with nine of the fifteen looking quite similar and ranging from 13-14.5”.

 

A fun evening hike on the strip mines and one that I hope to pursue again before access for 2020 ends on September 28. As always, if I get out, you get a report. And speaking of another fishing report, stay tuned for a recent trip “back home” to Knox County’s Lake Storey. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

I say this every year and will say it again. Don’t put those fishing poles away just yet as there are plenty more bites to be had and a solid chance to give your Top 5 a boost. I actually got to join the fun last weekend and added a few ounces courtesy of a hike around the strip mines.

Weight: 2-12
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: September 12
Weather: Partly cloudy/breezy
Location: Knox County, IL public strip pit
Lure: Chatterbait (bluegill) with Zako trailer (smoke)
Structure: Flat/drop
Angler Comments: My first cast on the second stop at some walk-in strip mines had me pretty fired up that I’d found the right spot. No such luck on more big bass though as this one would be as good as it got for the evening.
Top 5 Weight: 17-11 (4-12,4-0,3-11,2-12,2-8) culls a 2-7

I haven’t been able to post a 20-pound limit since 2017 but the possibility of return to the club is within reach. Here’s hoping that the handful of trips I have in mind can add those additional 37 ounces to my creel. Good luck if you get out and keep me posted. Talk to you later. Troy

Friday Flashback – September 2010

Posted on by Troy Jackson

A couple late summer fishing trips to an area farm pond with Dad were custom made for a pair of days when I had a few hours to get away. Not only was it several enjoyable and successful hours with Dad but it also answered the often asked question:

“Who is the U.L. Washington of fishing?”

Is Terry Jackson the U.L. Washington of fishing? Or, is U.L. the T.J. of baseball? Take your pick from these masters of the toothpick.

Originally Posted 9-12-10
On Friday I had a few hours to get away after dropping off the girls at school and was torn between Little John Conservation Club and Snakeden Hollow. Instead, Dad invited me along to a farm pond on some land that he traps. He’d caught over a hundred bluegill during a pair of recent solo trips while fishing from the bank but with less than a quarter of the shoreline fishable on foot he figured that we’d take the little johnboat and explore the rest while taking a shot at the bass population. Here’s how it went.

Date: September 10, 2010
Location: Warren County farm pond
Time: 9:00am-12:30pm
Air Temp: 65F
Totals: 17 bluegill (Dad 17, Troy 0), 16 bass (Troy 14, Dad 2)
Lures: 5” Yammasenko wacky rig (natural shad or bubblegum) – 14 bass, Zoom Baby Brush Hog – 2 bass, waxworms on jighead hung from bobber – 17 bluegill
Top Bass: 2-3 (Troy – Senko)
Top 5 Weight: 7-10

September 10, 2010 – Top Bass at 2-3 on a Senko

Notes & Nonsense

Different Targets – In all fairness to Dad, he stopped fishing for bass after our first lap which only produced five fish so the final totals are skewed in my favor. On the other hand, the bass kept me interested enough that I never picked up the ultralight rig I’d packed along just in case.

One That Got Away – On an earlier trip, Dad lost a roughly five pound catfish at the bank while panfishing with waxworms. This time around, an even larger whiskered fish took a shot at the bait but spit the jighead following a wild explosion at the surface. It seems like it might be worth targeting another species at some point in the future.

New Terminology – For years we referred to short bass (9-10”) we caught anywhere as “Bracken Bass” due to the multitude of these fish that called Lake Bracken home back in the 1980’s. In a similar development, Dad called the fish pictured below an “Emiquon Bass” as I lipped it at boatside. Sure enough, the healthy looking bass measured 14” and tipped the scales at 1-9, quite like its thousands of relatives to the south.

September 10, 2010 – A solid bodied “Emiquon Bass” from Lucas’ Pond

Originally posted 9-22-10

Date: September 21, 2010
Location: Warren County farm pond
Time: 8:45am-11:45am
Air Temp: 75-85F
Totals: 11 bass (Dad 6, Troy 5), 1 redear (Dad)
Lures: 5” Yammasenko wacky rig (natural shad or clear with large black flake) – all fish
Top Bass: 1-5 (Dad)
Top 5 Weight: 3-8 (only three bass 12” or better)

Notes & Nonsense

Surprise – Well, we were certainly aware of the pond population containing bluegill, largemouth bass, crappie and channel catfish. But a slight flash of red below the surface as Dad reeled in a hookup prompted me to say, “That looks like a redear.” Sure enough, my assessment was correct as evidenced by the photo below.

September 21, 2010 – Dad with a redear to claim the species title

Luck – Dad offered me a good luck charm off of the patio table before we left but I declined. So I guess I shouldn’t have been too surprised that he wound up with Top Bass, most fish and claimed the species title as well. He reminded me of my decision as we got back in the truck to leave, producing a lucky buckeye from his pocket. He and my brother, Brent, have employed the lucky buckeye tradition for many years particularly when squirrel hunting. Maybe next time I’ll give it a go instead of relying solely on my floppy hat and shirts that should have bit the dust long ago.

September 21, 2010 – Dad with Top Bass at 1-5 on a Senko

I only work two days for the rest of the month and have plans to get on the water as much as the daily routine allows. I’m sure Mother Nature will have her say as usual during my vacation but I’ve got my fingers crossed. Hopefully we can also turn up some better fish as 2010 has left much to be desired in terms of quality. But such is one of the perils I foresaw when deciding to do the blog thing. I’ve got to tell it like it is, whether it’s flattering or not.

Sure wish I only had to work for two more days the rest of the month in 2020, but no such luck. However, another aspect of that original concluding paragraph turned out to be right on the money as we were able to “turn up some better fish” as 2010 wound down. Those fish are the subjects of several Friday Flashbacks over the next month or so. Talk to you later. Troy

Snakeden at 30 – Boots, Bikes & Boats

Posted on by Troy Jackson

It’s all what you want to make of it when opting for a Snakeden Hollow adventure. Boots, bikes, boats and beyond are among the possibilities when chasing some fish around the former strip mine ground.

Overall, the site presents a wonderful opportunity for an angler to get away from the crowd. For one thing, there’s not a real big crowd to begin with most of the time. Even on the big lake, Lake McMaster, it is usually not too crazy beyond some weekend days. And as far as the walk-in lakes, there is ample room to spread out amidst the vast collection of fishing holes.

It’s all a matter of how much exercise one wants to get as it can take some work. There are a fair amount of spots just off the interior walk-in roads and many more accessible via a series of typically mowed lanes. Beyond those areas things can get a bit wilder with hikes through tall weeds and lakeside navigation requiring one to be part mountain goat.

Of course, there is a great deal of tantalizing shoreline terrain that is inaccessible on foot. You know, those areas where your fishing mind says, “Sure wish I could get over there.” But where there is a will, there is a way. I have seen several watercraft caddies of varying design used by anglers to drag a boat in to get “over there.” My primitive foray into such transport recently broke down but it was fun and productive while it lasted. Time will tell whether I continue to pursue such stunts in the future with a rebuild.

 

I’ve covered many miles on those old strip mine lakes over the last 30 years. Trolling, rowing, walking, pedaling, a little climbing, a bit of falling, lots of sweating…it’s all part of the fun. Oh yeah, a bit of catching along the way as well. But that’s another chapter in the “Snakeden at 30” series for another day. Talk to you later. Troy

Friday Flashback – September 1, 2010

Posted on by Troy Jackson

A pair of recent Friday Flashbacks hearkened back to 1985 and included mention of a few high school friends and fishing partners. One of those co-anglers is featured again today as we were fortunate to be casting together again 25 years after those days back in the summer of ’85.

Originally Posted on 9-3-10

Forty two days between bass during the summer is not really a good thing if you cite bass fishing as a hobby. But such was my plight, fortunately due to not fishing as opposed to being completely inept. On Wednesday evening I got a chance to hit a subdivision pond with John and Brady Junk to see if we could fool some bass before dark. Here are the stats followed by a few highlights.

Date: September 1, 2010
Time: 7:10pm-8:25pm
Air Temp: 75F
Water Temp: Not available
Location: Still working on a name
Totals: 4 bass
Top Bass: Troy 2-2
Lures: 5” Yamasenko wacky rig (bubblegum), Stanley Ribbit Frog – 2 bass each

Notes and Nonsense

Respecting Your Elders – On this particular trip, Brady, the lake record holder (6-8 bass), deferred to the old guys. John and I each landed a pair of bass as Brady chose not to embarrass us. John did offer a bit of a taunt in claiming that he’d actually caught the lake record and simply allowed Brady to hold it for the picture. Brady argued otherwise and I was left believing the original report. After all, I’ve known John for many years and have learned be on the alert for a fish story whether or not we’re talking fishing.

Wearing Out My Welcome – John also commented to Brady that I wouldn’t be allowed to come back due to outweighing his catch by a mere three ounces. I posted a 2-2 and a 1-14 while John’s bass tipped the scales at 1-15 and 1-14. I think he was joking.

Other Bites – I did have a couple halfhearted hits on the Zara Spook and one that blew the lure clear out of the water. Following the latter strike I tossed in my Senko and the 2-2 bass came through just like he’d been schooled in Bass Fishing 101. I love it when they make you feel smart. While the bass bite never really materialized, the mosquito bite certainly did leading to a sort of “swat, twitch, swat” Senko retrieve.

A Potential First – At one point, John commented that it was likely the first time that he’d provided me with access to a fishing hole. In the past we’d either both had memberships/permission, gained access through friends or I’d brought him along. Whatever the case, I’m always up for a new spot and definitely enjoyed the brief visit. Too bad he’s threatened to not let me come back; did I mention that I hoped he was joking?

It’s funny though, as ten years later I haven’t been back on the lake.

Of course, a lot has happened in those ten years. As co-pilots to our wives, we’ve guided a batch of kids through the multitude of activities and events associated with their various stages of growing up. Here in 2020, those commitments remain top priority for these two old fishing partners with my bunch still requiring a bit more attention as they work towards increasing independence. (Note: I even added one more kid since that fishing trip back in 2010.)

So, while a return trip hasn’t materialized, it’s clearly more about life than about barely outfishing the host. Talk to you later. Troy

Friday Flashback – August 20-25, 1985

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Inside of an old green spiral notebook are a series of fish stories dating back 35 years. Those stories begin on January 19, 1985 and run through August 25, 1985 in a collection of 64 fishing log entries. The timeframe covers the latter half of my senior year in high school and the following summer.

Today’s flashback features the final three entries in the logbook and reinforces why I am glad that I took up the practice of documenting fishing. Things like the fishing partners, the fishing holes and the fishing habits are a treat to look back on and reminisce.

In terms of fishing partners in these last three log entries, the two fellow anglers were a couple of my best high school buddies. The August 20 entry notes John Junk, a friend since our sophomore year in high school and sports opponents going back several years prior. The fishing partner on August 21 was Jeff VonDrake, a friend going back to middle school. Many memorable fishing trips with those guys back in the day and just a few hijinks, on and off the water. Probably for the best that some of those were not documented for posterity, however.

Fishing holes in these entries consisted of the dynamic duo of Lake Bracken and its entertaining spillway. 35 years later I no longer have access to those spots but I do have plenty of memories to last a lifetime. It is also interesting to note the mention of “The Clubhouse” as the lakeside venue no longer exists having burnt down in January of 1987.

Fishing results were not stellar during that August week 35 years ago but no matter. It’s just fun to read of doughballs, chicken liver, poppers, Mann’s Jellyworms and Mister Twister jigs. A much simpler and less expensive time in bait and tackle.

What is also fun is reading the beginning of the summary for the August 25 entry, the final fishing trip documented for 1985.

It reads,

“I went out by myself for about 2.5 hours in a steady downpour…”

And thus, my fishing for 1985 likely ended. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to head for college shortly after that final trip. I suspect that new chapter in life put fishing (or at least logging any trips) on the back burner for the remainder of 1985.

Here in 2020, reading that last entry, I envision an eighteen year old kid rowing across Lake Bracken on that rainy summer day pondering a wide open future. High school behind, college, employment, adulthood and more ahead. A romantic vision, perhaps. More likely I was pondering whether I should throw a worm or a crankbait.

Makes for a good story, though. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

The Monday Top 5 Update is back thanks to the return of one of our young anglers.

Weight: 2-4
Angler: Landon Hannam
Date: August 21
Location: Private pond
Lure: Jig with a craw trailer
Angler Comments: I had only been fishing for about fifteen minutes and I had made a bad cast and backlash so I was just reeling it in and then the fish hit right up at the bank.
Top 5 Weight: 2-4

Way to go, Landon, and welcome back for 2020. Always enjoyed your reports last year and hope you get a chance to add a few more this year.

Looks like a heatwave on the horizon but the shot at a fall feeding frenzy will be here before we know it. Warm or cool, keep sending me those fish when you get out there and get some bites. Talk to you later. Troy