Month: January 2020

1,000 Words – 5 Gallon Dipnet

This photograph depicts the first big fish that I ever landed in a “normal” fashion. Prior to this channel cat, the trophies that me, Brent and our buddies had brought home were a handful of carp from the Lake Bracken spillway during a wave of snagging and bowfishing. Other than those, the fish that I’d been catching legitimately usually consisted of a multitude of bluegill, crappie, green sunfish (mistakenly referred to as rock bass for many years) and small largemouth bass that were normally quite receptive to a smorgasbord of ultralight offerings. While ultralight fishing was the way of our world back in those days, the results from April 14, 1985 turned out to be anything but “normal.”

I still have the original story in an old green spiral notebook that served as my fishing log from January 19, 1985 through August 25, 1985. Back then I would record the date, location, time and results along with a brief overview of the day including who I was fishing with and what we were throwing. However, this occasion demanded an extra entry, kind of like one of those “Special Reports” that we are presently bombarded with in our world of twenty four hour news channels. Unlike some of the ridiculous stories that are nowadays passed along as “important breaking news” (fill in your choice of Hollywood knucklehead) this tale was actually worthy. Here are the original submission and the “Special Entry” just as they were documented close to 35 years ago.

Date: April 14, 1985 Time: 7:00-9:00am Temp: 50F Fish Caught: 16
Location: Lake Bracken, followed north shore from Al’s dock down to the levee by holes #11 and 12. Also went along south shore from levee to directly across from West Point.
Summary: Dad, Brent and I got out early to fish for bass, bluegill and crappie. We had a decent day just combing the bank. Around 9:00 I hooked a big catfish just north of Ron Patterson’s dock and fought him for 15 minutes. We finally dipped him in a bucket; he weighed in at 7 pounds 14 ounces.
Bait: Used white crappie jig with a black head and Dad and Brent also tried a Mepps.
Type of Fish Caught: Bass-8 Bluegill-3 Catfish-1 Crappie-2 Rock Bass-2

Special Entry: Catching My Record Catfish (7 lbs. 14 oz.)
April 14, 1985 9:00-9:15am 50F at Lake Bracken
Dad, Brent and I were fishing at Bracken and were going to hit the cove just west of Al’s dock. I threw my white body crappie jig with a black head in just north of Ron Patterson’s dock and got a hit. I set the hook and saw a big catfish come up and then head back under. It tried to go under a dock but we passed my pole around the boat and got him out. He dove under the boat and we could hear the line scraping on the boat. I let him play for about 10 minutes until he got tired and Dad dipped him up in a five gallon bucket. When we weighed him, he came out at 7 lbs. 14 oz.

We called it a day after landing the fish. As I recall, it was then time to brag. We took the fish up to the golf course and showed it off to a co-worker/golfing buddy/friend of Dad’s, Al Dickson. Al lived at Lake Bracken at the time and his dock served as home port for Dad’s rowboat for a number of years. From the golf course we headed into town, hitting both the baitshops that were in business in those days.

First up was Al’s Sporting Goods located on the corner of Henderson Street and Monmouth Boulevard for over thirty years before closing up shop in 2011. Then it was on to Steve’s Bait Shop on the banks of Cedar Fork on Seminary Street. The building is now gone following construction of an overpass but once housed a baitshop and army surplus store into the 90’s if my memory serves me correctly. At each location I got my photo taken, joining the stacks of pictures that rested on the counter and displayed other fortunate anglers (or downright lucky in my case). I remember stopping in each place later just to check them out even when having no money to purchase anything. It just felt cool to be kind of famous. I even got a mention in the Lake Bracken newsletter, all for an unintended catch.

As far as the bucket that was turned into a makeshift dipnet, it was likely taken along to serve as a livewell. In those days, our arsenal mainly consisted of a wide array of grubs, twister tails, puddle jumpers, Gapen Fishies and the like that were quite effective on the multitude of bluegill, crappie and green sunfish that called Lake Bracken home. As such there was no real need to bring along a dipnet and we never did. For one thing, there wasn’t a whole lot of room in an eight foot johnboat carrying three anglers and even our limited tackle. Besides, back in this primitive era, we often succumbed to the superstition that bringing a dipnet was bad luck: something akin to counting your chickens before they hatch. We’ve since evolved and I would have to say that bringing the dipnet has only a positive effect on success. It has come in quite handy on many occasions, surely saving us from losing some nice fish.

Beyond the fish there are also a number of other nostalgic details for me in this photograph. The camper behind me is long gone but served us well over a number of years. The deck to my left is also gone, replaced by a cement patio now decorated with the artwork of grandkids. The blue house has been covered with white siding and now sports central air rather than the single window unit. The large willow tree in the neighbors’ yard has been removed and the tree peeking over the roof has disappeared as well. I still remember when my grandpa planted it in the mid-70s, right in the middle of our baseball field. Speaking of baseball, the spot where I’m standing was a stickball home plate for me and my brothers for a few years. We’d tape up a plastic golf ball and use a broom handle for a bat (in fact it is lying on the ground to my right). It was excellent practice for hand-eye coordination that I can’t even imagine coming close to duplicating these days. Besides, it’s now a gravel driveway.

While much has changed, one thing hasn’t. The fish in the photograph still represents the largest catfish that I’ve ever caught as I’ve been more about scales than whiskers for various reasons. These days I definitely would be satisfied with a simple photograph before releasing the trophy to fight again which makes the accidental catch even more unlucky for the catfish.

Regardless, this particular accident and photo will always remind me of an important part of what fishing means to me: fish stories. In this case, the big one didn’t get away, thanks to a five gallon dipnet. Talk to you later. Troy

West Lake Tease

Tough to find time to edit and write as of late so the best I can do is a quick video preview of an upcoming blog project.

Over the winter, I am looking to pass along a batch of pictures, videos and words from the “West Lake Complex Lake Restoration Project” in Scott County, Iowa. I paid several visits to the site in 2019 as the work progressed and submitted a series of posts last month detailing my observations during the initial stages of the project.

For the time being, today’s video clip will have to suffice but in the words of Bachman-Turner Overdrive, “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”

 

And there’s plenty more to see that hasn’t been revealed for decades. Stay tuned later this month and talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Our first Top 5 Update of the New Year spans both the old and new. All the details below as we play catchup with an outstanding 2019 limit and kick off the New Year with our first submission for 2020.

Weight: 4-13
Angler: Mark Balbinot
Date: November 3, 2019
Water Temp: Low 50s
Location: Fulton County Strip Pit
Lure: White Shad Crankbait
Structure: Sloping bank

Weight: 5-5
Angler: Mark Balbinot
Date: November 9, 2019
Water Temp: High 40s
Location: Fulton County Strip Pit
Lure: Underspin with Lake Fork Magic Trailer
Structure: Treetops

Weight: 5-1
Angler: Mark Balbinot
Date: November 9, 2019
Water Temp: High 40s
Location: Fulton County Strip Pit
Lure: Underspin with Lake Fork Magic Trailer
Structure: Treetops

Weight: 4-14
Angler: Mark Balbinot
Date: November 16, 2019
Water Temp: Low 40s
Location: Fulton County Strip Pit
Lure: Rattle Jig (black/blue)
Structure: Laydown

Weight: 5-3
Angler: Mark Balbinot
Date: November 16, 2019
Water Temp: Low 40s
Location: Fulton County strip pit
Lure: Bladebait (silver)
Structure: Grass flat
Top 5 Weight: 25-4 (5-5,5-3,5-1,4-14,4-13)

Weight: 1-4
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: January 4, 2020
Location: Tazewell County private pond
Lure: Ned rig
Angler Comments: Actually got six in a little over a half hour. 1-4 was the first and biggest.
Top 5 Weight: 1-4 (1-4)

Much appreciated guys and here we go again. Year number six is in the books with the final results to come next week and some all-time stats later this month. And with year number seven off and running look for a rules reminder for anyone reading who may not be entirely familiar with our virtual brag board. If you have wavered on joining the fun, 2020 is the year and make sure you tell all your fishing friends.

NOTE: Mark Balbinot’s latest YouTube video entitled “Fall Blade Bait Bass” featuring his November 16 catches can be viewed by clicking here.

Talk to you later. Troy

1,000 Words – Belonging

I figured it was only appropriate to start my series with the photo that prompted the idea for “1,000 Words.” This photo was taken on November 8, 2004 at a location known as The Cemetery, one of the spots we used to trap at an area we called Moore’s. Trapping season began on November 5 so this snapshot comes after a couple days on the trapline. Our haul of five coons came on the heels of a twelve coon opening day and six on the following day.

The shot was taken with the timer function on the camera so that all of the hardened trappers could be included in the portrait. The camera was likely placed upon a tailgate or trapping box as four of the subjects assumed their places. I then attempted to frame the shot so as not to lose anyone, chop off someone’s head or miss our catch. Once locked on, I had ten seconds to get back and join the others as we struck a pose. I’d have to say that we did just fine while shooting with Advanced Photo System film which didn’t provide the instant feedback of today’s digital photography. No “do overs” back in the day and you had to wait until your film was developed to see if you goofed up.

The image is relatively focused and no one’s blinking although some of us could have used a little work on our “cheese.” At worst, the image may have been a bit off center (which is easy to crop these days but I won’t). However, I find that this slight mishap doesn’t detract in the least from the smallest trapper and, in my opinion, the star of the show. For those who may not know, “the star” is my niece, Natalee. At the time she was three years old, just in case anyone was concerned about her playing hooky in order to hang out with the guys. If you don’t happen to be familiar with all of “the guys” here’s an introduction: from left to right are my brother, Brent, my uncle, Richard Jackson, my dad, Terry, and me.

Of course, those above identifications are relative to each individual’s relationship to me, the one telling the story. Such relationships were the first thing that came to mind after spotting the picture and really got the wheels turning about writing an article. Initially, I thought about the extent of the family relationships in a photo that contained only five people. I started on the left and worked my way to the right noting the relationships solely among the trappers in the photo, missing several during my first pass. Therefore, I went through the process a few more times and I continue to wonder if I’ve indeed got it all figured out. My final list showed that the photo includes four brothers, three uncles, two sons, two nephews, one grandpa, one great uncle, one father, one granddaughter, one niece and one great niece. Without considering that multiple titles can describe each individual, it would seem that there are a great deal more than five people in the picture. Based only on the list of kinship, the total comes to seventeen if I’ve done my math and my evaluation correctly.

Then, if you take into consideration the family roles that each person fills beyond those represented in the photograph, the list continues to expand. I gave up on compiling an all-inclusive list but for starters it would include one great grandfather, two grandfathers, four fathers, four sons, four uncles, four brothers, one sister, four husbands, five cousins, four brothers-in-law, and so on. It’s rather amazing when you ponder the wide range of relationships each of us have upon exploring our extended family trees.

Yet, within these formal blood and marriage ties lie even more roles that we fulfill. At various times, “the guys” have been teammates, co-workers, role models, teachers, coaches and mentors to me and countless others. Hopefully, “the star” will someday be able to mention us in some of those same roles if we’ve fulfilled our responsibilities. Additionally, outside of the basic definition of one’s family, everyone also leaves their mark on a multitude of friends and acquaintances while being influenced in return. We all touch many more lives than we could likely ever imagine.

Dad (right) and Uncle Dick (left) with me and my cousin, Julie, back in 1970

Along these lines, I found it rather amusing when looking at the poses of the subjects in the photograph. Apparently, the Jackson men are all genetically predisposed to plant the right knee and raise the left. From such a foundation it would only seem natural that we would rest the left elbow/forearm upon the upraised knee. However, we then observe what I suspect represents the inevitable generation gap. The older generation prefers the right hand at the side, perhaps even stuck in a pants pocket while the middle generation crosses the right arm over the left in their expression of solidarity. Finally, our little trapper utilizes a trapping box as a booster seat with a fist planted resolutely on the hip as she makes her own independent statement.

Clad in her camouflage she looks the part of a budding outdoorswoman while a stocking cap and pair of gloves demonstrate that she’s still young enough to listen to grownups. These items also go a long way towards ensuring that she will probably be allowed to tag along again as her grandpa and her uncles show some semblance of responsibility (although I’m sure we also let her drive the truck). And the green boots that resemble a dinosaur gained fame thanks to Uncle Brent endowing them with special powers. He rendered them “cow poopie proof” in an effort to spare Natalee the pain of a harrowing encounter with a cowpie that has haunted him for roughly forty five years. Brent maintains that he was tripped by one of the members of the older generation while his uncle steadfastly denies involvement, typically with a wry grin.

Natalee’s mom (left), her Uncle Brent (back) and her Uncle Bubba (right) in 1976

Such are the experiences when the little kids get to join the big kids. The youngsters are rightfully the center of attention and Natalee is certainly the focal point of one of my favorite outdoor photographs. Five coons and over 150 combined years of trapping experience play second fiddle to a new generation being indoctrinated in the ways of the outdoors. The opportunity to learn firsthand about nature at a young age is a family tradition, as evidenced by the additional pictures.

But for me, this particular photograph will always be special. The pose and the look of determination make her look like she belongs.

And she does.

Talk to you later. Troy

1,000 Words – Intro

Hello, 2020, and let’s keep the blogging rolling with plenty of ideas for another year.

First up, before the regular “Friday Flashback” posts kick into gear next month, I am going with a different series of turn back the clock submissions. For each of the Fridays in January I am delving into the archives for a revisit of some ground that I originally covered beginning back in 2008.

As shown in the snapshot above, I have thousands of outdoor photos contained in albums and baggies or stored on hard drives and devices.

From such a collection how in the world would a guy be able to pick out his five favorite outdoor photos of all-time?

After all, these pictures span the 1970s to present and cover various pursuits including fishing, hunting, trapping, camping, hiking, nature and more. Not only are the hobbies varied but so are subjects as they feature a wide range of family and friends.

Well, back in 2008 I did select my top five favorite photos from the collection on hand after spotting a copy of one of them on the mantle at my sister’s house. The picture (below) immediately brought a smile and inspiration simultaneously struck in that good old cartoonish light bulb fashion. That particular moment, frozen in time by the photo, brought to mind the old adage that “a picture is worth a thousand words.”

Sounded like it was worth a try.

First, I set about mentally selecting my all-time favorite outdoor photos (scattered here throughout the post) which did not prove to be too tough. In fact, I was pretty certain after electing to pursue the project as to what pictures would make the cut. However, when the image of a group of hearty young trappers/coonhunters (below) proved to be more elusive than I anticipated, I found myself combing through decades of family pictures. My search was not in vain as the image in my mind truly did exist on paper. And while the other four photos proved to be much easier to track down, the search for the lost photo was quite rewarding and entertaining. In the end though, I found that my five original selections were still my personal favorites for the series.

What is coming your way are examples of the type of pictures that stay imprinted on your brain, magically transporting you back through time in the mysterious way that memories get stored upstairs. Four of these pictures were originally from my collection while the fifth was borrowed from Mom and Dad and has since been added to my stash. These five photos span nearly 30 years, from the fall of 1976 to the fall of 2004. Coincidentally, or possibly subconsciously, their stories also represent much of what my writing has evolved to encompass since I took up the hobby back in the spring of 2002: fishing, trapping, hunting, camping, family, friends, tunes and sports.

Be warned that you will encounter a decent dose of nostalgic tangents along the way, but in my world that’s all part of the picture. If you’ve been around this blog for any stretch, you are already aware. If not, or if you would like a refresher course on my blog, click on any of these 2017 introductory posts: Who, What, When, Where, How and Why.

This updated version of the “1,000 Words” series did require a few slight edits to make it current. However, the personal thoughts, emotions and memories that each picture brought to mind during the original write up are all intact.

Tune in tomorrow and each following Friday this month for the tales behind the snapshots. For as Rod Stewart crooned, “Every picture tells a story, don’t it?” I’m all about that and I’ll leave it up to the beholder as to whether it rates “1,000 Words.”

But who’s counting? Talk to you later. Troy

2020 Visions – Family

We are a busy bunch which makes it a challenge to get away. Lots of folks going in different directions, weekdays and weekends. It takes a fair amount of planning, a little luck, occasional arm-twisting and some cooperation from Mother Nature to get the crew out together to take in some fresh air.

Yes, the prep and getting everybody out the door can be a challenge. But as you can see below, it’s worth the effort.

 

Just a small slice of the outdoor adventures since Julie and I started a family over 15 years ago.

I suppose that I should keep this clip on hand when I need incentive to get our rears in gear and get outside because it don’t get much better than such memories.

Here’s to some more in 2020. Talk to you later. Troy