Hi Folks,
This is a special time of year. No, I’m not going to bore you with some old guy’s Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday reminiscences. Nope, this is the time of year we can hunt AND fish. That’s pretty special in my book.
The weather hasn’t been too good lately. Just in the last 2 weeks we’ve had temperatures in the single digits, about 6 to 8 inches of snow where we are, and then some 70 degree weather just to confuse both fish and fowl. Never mind the fishermen or hunters!
One of my buddies was bear hunting in Pennsylvania last week. He didn’t even see a bear, but he sure got wet, then snowed on, then most likely a cold. Now he’s out for deer, but so far the reports aren’t too good. He lives here about 3 miles from our house, so I’m not sure why he felt he needed to go to Pennsylvania other than for bear.
Here’s the irony: Another friend who works with me spent at least 5 days in a deer stand about 30 miles from the store. He got 2 does, but never even saw a decent buck. This part of southern Indiana is seriously over populated, so he can take 3 or more if he gets the tags. He’s a “meat hunter” and I can assure you not a speck of meat will go to waste. I’m just hoping he remembers good ole’ yours truly when he gets his summer sausage from the processing plant.
Fishing has been far from normal. Suppose that parallels our weather in the last 2 weeks. They turn on, then turn off, but there have been some very, very nice largemouth’s caught in our local DNR lakes. And big sauger in the Ohio River fishing just below the dam in Newburgh, IN. We also are getting reports of some nice pike, bluegill, and slab crappie. And there’s a rumor that the fall musky are hitting anything that’s top water.
I like hunting and fishing, but at my age I just have a tough time dragging these old bones out when the wind is blowing at speeds well above our little town’s speed limit and the rain (or snow) is coming in sideways. Maybe I’m just getting soft in my old age. Or maybe, just maybe, I’m getting a little bit too cautious.
Stepping into a boat with icy gunwales or climbing up into a deer stand when the rungs are slippery just doesn’t appeal to me much anymore. Cold feet? Wet crotch? Just not my cup of tea this year.
But, I must admit that I really miss getting out in the woods or on the water. There’s just something about being outside that any fisherman or hunter can’t resist. Nature doesn’t have a bad day as far as I’m concerned. It’s just that some days are better than others. So I suppose the real trick here is to pick those days when Mother Nature is at her best. According to the weather man that should be this coming week.
So, I’ve got the boat loaded and ready to hitch up. Rods and reels are rigged. Gas tank is full. Just depends on how reliable the weather man is.
Turkey season is coming up and we have another deer season later on as well. I did buy some new gear and do need to give it a decent “test” to make sure I selected all the new stuff that will give me the advantage.
But today we’re supposed to have snow mixed with freezing rain. So for now, I’m content to build a nice fire in the fireplace, open up a book I’ve been trying to get through for months, and cuddle up with 4 golden retrievers who share my feelings about being warm and dry. But I assure you I’ll be out there – sooner or later!
We have some great deals this week on Daiwa Surf Rods, Shimano Terez Rods, and some great clothing items.
Thanks to all of our great friends and customers who have supported us and passed our name on to their friends. We know we are only here by making sure your needs are our first and only priority. Please let me know if we ever fail to meet and exceed your expectations.
All the best,
Tom Ashby
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