Category: Resolutions

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

2020 Visions – Family

Posted on by Troy Jackson

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

2020 Visions – Variety

Posted on by Troy Jackson

I rely heavily on fishing for a steady stream of content here on the blog. That stands to reason as casting and sometimes catching are my favorites among outdoor pursuits. However, I called this thing “Outdoors” instead of “Fishing” for a reason as it promoted a broader range of activities.

And with this “Vision”, I’m looking to do just that, expand the variety.

Variety in fishing and variety in pursuits.

I had a good time fishing for crappie last spring and I don’t know the last time I caught a catfish or a carp (actually I do but it doesn’t have quite the same effect when composing a post). Perhaps I can cut the bass some slack and nab a few other species with a little help from some fishing partners.

Our crew needs to find more frogs and crawdads and birds and wildflowers.

It’s also been two years since the family has slept in a tent near a campfire under the stars with a transistor radio, some taco in a bag, a few s’mores…

You get the picture and no matter where you live there are plenty of outdoor options if you take the time to look or do a little internet research. Thus, another part of the variety consists of some day trips to explore what outdoor sights and adventures lie within say a 45 minute drive from the driveway.

 

Of course, with the “Mission” and “Video” aspects of the 2020 Visions you will be able to tag along via your favorite outdoor blog.

Get set for some fresh air and talk to you later. Troy

2020 Visions – Video

Posted on by Troy Jackson

 

“You think you’re in the movies and everything’s so deep.” – You Might Think – The Cars (1984)

I’ve got to say that it is pretty cool to have a GoPro or iPhone in tow while running around outdoors. And while I frequently put them to use when I head outside, particularly while fishing, I could certainly kick it up a notch.

So there you go, more “Video.”

Sounds simple, right?

Well, like anything, there are pros and cons when emulating the outdoor video legends of my childhood like Virgil Ward, Marty Stouffer or Curt Gowdy. For better or worse, I pessimistically find myself dwelling a bit too much on the “con” side of being a videographer and host. Things like time, technical skill, lack of verbosity and yes, confidence often get me hung up.

I mean, do you know how weird it is to stand alone in a boat or alongside a fishing hole and talk out loud to an imaginary audience? It’s tough to overcome all those years of enjoying the solitude where nature does the talking. Perhaps a voiceover would work but Thurl Ravenscroft or John Facenda, I am not. And I’m too cheap (and broke) to pay anybody.

Therefore, I think I will simply address this video vision in the same manner that I have come to approach the writing portion of blogging. Just be myself, document as much as I can and throw out the self-conscious trepidation of whether or not the posts pass muster.

After all, jotting down notes on a clipboard or pecking away at a keyboard is kind of like talking to myself anyway and I’ve grown quite comfortable with those tasks. Here’s hoping that you will continue listening.

(Note: if all else fails, shooting more video likely translates to more bloopers which were always a hit for another outdoor childhood hero, Bill Dance).

 

Talk to you later. Troy

2020 Visions – Missions

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Coming your way next are a handful of what some folks would call “Resolutions.”

And over the years, I have been down that blogging road so I figured that I’d change it up a bit and go with “Visions” instead. After all, the term goes hand in hand with 2020.

If you peruse many of the popular YouTube channels you will find countless submissions that scream “CHALLENGE.” Part “clickbait”, part “Search Engine Optimization” strategy and perhaps a beneficial term, but for now, I’m going down the path of being different (or stubborn, or old, or marketing unsavvy).

Earlier this year, my brother, Brent, and I went on what I would consider a “Mission”, something I called “The 100 Year Trip” (click here to check that one out). Well, I’ve got at least a couple other ideas up my sleeve for 2020. And not only do I suspect that I can get Brent to play along but I also figure that I can recruit Julie, the four youngsters who live under our roof and perhaps some others to tackle a mission or two along the way.

Enough said for now, all you get are a few pics in this post that will hopefully have an explanation in 2020. For now just looking to build up some of that edge of your seat suspense for the new year. Stay tuned for the rest of the “Visions” as 2019 fades from view. Talk to you later. Troy

2017 Resolution Result – Bama Bass

Posted on by Troy Jackson

On the heels of my latest posting regarding a new Iowa bass best, here’s a similar record breaker quest that pertained to a lure instead of a location.

July 6, 2014 5:53am original Alabama Rig record, a whopping 11.5″ catch

“So for 2017, my resolution is to set a new Alabama rig personal best. As you can see from the above photo, size wise that ain’t a very tall order. However, from a confidence standpoint it could be a challenge in selecting this lure when I’m used to throwing something else. Yet I do have a handful of numbers lakes or off the beaten path fishing holes where I just might be able to pull off this proposed ‘record’ catch as the fish are either unpressured, dumb, or both.”

A couple looks at the bait, note that one hook is clipped to adhere to Illinois regulations of two hooks

Dateline: September 9, 2017 Knox County public strip mines

 

Tale of the tape was 13.5” and 1-1, not a trophy but darn fun to get this one done. Maybe for my next trick I’ll have to give it another go to see if I can fool two at once. Done that a few times over the years on other lures, but those are stories for another series stashed away for another day. Talk to you later. Troy

2017 Resolution Result – IA LMB PB

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Our family moved to the Quad Cities area from Galesburg, IL back in August of 2014. Although still remaining on the Illinois side of The River, the proximity of one particular Iowa fishing hole caught my attention. I fished Scott County’s Lost Grove Lake on June 18 and June 29 of 2016 with good results in terms of quantity but quality left much to be desired. Even so, it grabbed enough of my interest to warrant a 2017 Resolution as follows:

“But it is still a quite young lake and based on stocking reports and a firsthand look at the habitat of the 360 acre fishing hole I am enthused about its prospects for the future. As such I am looking forward to a few more visits in 2017 in pursuit of a new Iowa largemouth bass personal best. 1-10 doesn’t set the bar too high, hopefully just a matter of getting some time on the water.”

So, off I went in search of my “Iowa Largemouth Bass Personal Best” beginning on June 10 and came up way short. But I was not deterred and going forward I opted for an all-in change of location on the fishing hole and it proved to be a winner. One week later, on June 17, I had a 1-11 that beat my old record by a whole two ounces. Not an outstanding fish but a winner for this resolution.

June 17 6:15am 15″ 1-11 Buzzbait

And Lost Grove Lake wasn’t done quite yet.

Two trips and three days later, on June 20, I latched onto a 2-3 that boosted the personal best Iowa bass into a little more respectable territory.

June 20 6:01pm 17″ 2-3 Mann’s Baby 1- Crankbait

That was as good as it would get despite five more visits throughout the summer and early fall. I did have one encounter with a bass that topped the four pound mark but I was on the camera end of a photo shoot, lending a helping hand to the bank angler who landed the lunker. It was a simple case of first come, first serve as he beat me to the spot where the big one bit by only a matter of seconds. In fact, I was rowing to the exact area, same spot where I caught my 2-3, when he pulled into the lot, hopped out of his vehicle, strolled down the bank, cast a popper and got the immediate reward. All within casting distance of my boat. A tough pill to swallow at first but his excitement over the catch quickly changed my tune and I joined the fun in offering to snap a few pics of him and his catch with his phone.

A different kind of “one that got away” that makes for a good story that I’m sure I will retell and revisit every time I cast to the area. Which I will certainly do every visit as he fortunately released the bass to fight again. Perhaps my next personal best. Talk to you later. Troy

2017 Resolution Result – Go Swimming

Posted on by Troy Jackson

    

This Resolution started out like this:

“Okay, so I know that the collection of baits in the photos above do indeed catch some bass and some really good ones at that. However, I just can’t seem to put down my confidence baits in favor of any of these varied lures that are generally categorized with ‘Swim’ as part of their names.”

As such, the intent of this Resolution was to catch a bass on either a Swim Jig or a Swimbait. From the picture above, you can see that like many fellow anglers I do not lack when it comes to options for the weapons of choice in these lure categories. The occasional purchases with good intentions have added up over the years but have rarely ever seen action. I don’t believe any of the baits have fooled double figures and many have likely never even been wet.

Now, the funny thing is, that I know a couple anglers who swear by them and have the documented proof to back up their endorsements. For those fellows, I’m sure that these baits represent what are referred to as “confidence” baits just like the Red Eye Shad, Booyah Buzzbait and wacky rigged Senko do for this angler.

But I did cast aside those “go to” baits in favor of a swim jig back on October 11, 2017.  And it went a little something like this…

 

Different strokes for different folks as the saying goes. I made it a point to employ the swim jig and was rewarded as demonstrated in the above clips. No monsters, but it didn’t matter.  Resolution accomplished and the swim bait was the best lure of  the day. Talk to you later. Troy

2017 Resolution Result – Kid Fishing

Posted on by Troy Jackson

“Simply looking down a stretch of bank to see four young anglers casting, reeling, laughing, hollering, smiling and catching is about as good as it gets.”

This Resolution involved getting our crew on the water more often and during school break we were able to do just that. But time flies and it always seems that there’s just not enough of it to get everything done. Stuff like work and well, work, just seem to demand a lot of a grownups time. Of course, I will admit to getting a bit selfish more than a few times when heading out in the pre-dawn hours to chase my bass.

All water under the bridge for 2017 but still plenty of catches and many memories as conveyed in the pics and videos below. (Note: looks like we need to get the biggest sister to reel in a few as well.)

    

  

So far so good on the 2017 Resolutions as this makes it a perfect 5 for 5, we’re on a roll with several more to come. Talk to you later. Troy