Self Bow

Wow February 1st already! I've been extremely busy, not being busy. I've been in the job hunt for awhile now and have had a huge lack in fishing due to spousle respect since shes now the bread winner and I'm stuck at home searching. I did manage to add a new passion, hobby, and skillset to my portfolio recently. I've been an avid bow hunter for over 20 years and have always had a fascination with traditional bows and methods. I had been using modern compound bows mostly, but have always wanted to start building my own "stick bows" and use them in the most traditional ways and supply food for the family in the ways it was meant to be done. I am in the process of my first ever self bow and thought I'd post it up. I made it out of red oak and I think its turning out well. I still need to make a string for it and stain/wax it, but you'll get the idea. I may even pull out the wood burner and do a little work to it. Thats whats fun, each creation is unique, artistic, and functional. I'll maybe post some pictures of it when its finished as well.



Hard Water Wonders

I scouted out a new lake today.  Actually it is a hidden river backwater way out in Bigfoot's back yard.  The waterway is quite unique and full of giant panfish.

A pair of 13.5" Black Crappies

Besides big Crappies this lake had huge Bluegills in it as well; some of the biggest I've caught in many moons.  Most averaged between 8-9", but a friend of mine lost one in the hole that was seriously 1.5-2#, a true Bull Gill.

A average Gill for this spot



Lovely Lawyer's

Its been awhile since I've been able to get out.  I surely couldn't miss my annual migration to a secluded stretch of a Lake Superior tributary known only as "Gooseneck Bend". 

Its a beautiful and rugged river full of snags and holes galore.  Every year about Christmas time, mass schools of male Burbot ascend the riverway in anticipation of the secretive mating dance.  Males show up first all pumped and ready to get it on.  Huge females start showing up in the first week of the year.  Once they meet, they form a ball of whithering, sqwirming Pout in a massive orgy whose soul purposes are to propagate the species by spreading the eggs along the rugged confounds of this protected tributary.  Me and a small group of hardcore Lingist's gather at the site at this time every year and give proper respect for these creatures.

Me with one of many males

Corey with a huge 13.5# female

Mitch with a nice female

A collection of males for the dinner table; we let all the big females go

The beautiful spot

Wooly Waterdog

I've been playing around a bit with plastic doll eyes.  Large molded eyes really turn a mediocure fly into a more 3-D real life representation.  I've been tying on stainless steel Mustad size 1's and my smallie box is filling up quickly.



Smallie Slider

I just made up a couple of these badboys.  The spun Jackrabbit head absorbs water making casting distances simple, but also adds life-like flowing movement.



Life's Happening

So I haven't had a chance to get out at all lately.  I recently got a new career that keeps me quite busy and with Katelyn approaching 10 months old already, shes been keeping us quite busy.  On December 4th she was baptized.  This was a very happy day with grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, and cousins from both sides.

I hope to sneak away soon for Burbot fishing on a Lake Superior tributary, and will report for sure.

Sad News; Charlie's gone

He was my English Pointer, Charlie.  Charlie died yesterday.  He became sick last week and kept deteriorating.  It took 3 Vet visits to 3 different Vets to try and figure out what was happening.  X-rays, blood samples, fecal samples and urine samples showed very strange abnormalities.  His potassium level in his blood spiked to death levels and his heart rate dropped to 40 BPM when 80 BPM is normal.  We had spent many hundreds already and the third Vet suspected that Charlie had Addison's Disease, a diease that messes with the adrenal glands and screws up the Kidneys and bladder.  The test to know for sure cost $300 more, plus a 48 hour hospitalization totaling $800-$1000.  The Vet said we could try it, but that Charlie's blood potassium was so high and with his low heart rate that he had a low chance of making it through the test.  Also Charlie would have to live on expensive medications the rest of his life with regular visits to the Doc.  I could tell my boy was in pain and made the difficult decision to have him euthenized to ease his suffering.  He came with me everywhere and had a active enjoyable life.  He will be missed by all and was my best friend.  I loved my pal Charlie!

He loved his balls and his Gumby.

Charlie was great with kids and loved his sister Katelyn; she will miss him too.

Charlie loved to "Go With" and always had the best seat.

He was always ready to go and loved to watch squirrels out of the window.

Although sometimes he would be a little mischievious, he was still my little doggie.

He was loved by all and will be greatly missed.  We all love you Charlie.



Been Tying A Bit.....

Stonefly Nymph

Peeking Caddis

Scum Ball

Mottled Sculpin

Popper

Caterpiller

Blue Dun

EeLeech