And I'm still try'n ta get warm!!
Took a quick trip out to a small lake Saturday about 2:30. It was a lot nicer than the previous weekend. Water was muddy but still had cleared up some. Tied on a pearl and pink flashy spoon. Stopped next to a big oak tree that had part of its branches hang'n over the water because of the high water level. Second cast, I felt the spoon hit a big branch that had fallen and was laying on the bottom. 3rd cast I had a real nice fish gobble up the spoon. I was feeling pretty good about that time and I continued throwing the spoon. About the 3rd or 4th cast after the fish, I hit the log again and this time the spoon hooked up. I tried a few moves to get it off but I finally had to break it off. Doggone new spoon too. The only thing I had that was flashy like a spoon was a spinner bait (redfish magic.

) I put it on and tied a red and white floater/diver stick bait on my other rod. I tried both for a few cast's but nothing else hit. Then I hung the red and white stick bait on the same blasted log!! I was very distressed at the though of leaving $12-$13 worth of lures hanging on that log.

I thought about it...(at least I thought I thought about it)

and decided to brave the cool water and retrieve at least the stick bait since I was still connected to it and could tell for sure where it was. Besides, I could see some grass/weeds sticking up where the plug was so it can't be all that deep.

I removed my billfold, ADDRESS BOOK, (experience is a great teacher isn't it) and Cell Phone. I left everything except my pocket knife and a pair of pliers. In addition, I had recently purchased a iron cowboy cook set for use over an open fire with Homestead Ministries and it was still in the back of my SUV. Part of that set was some iron rod hangers that you hang pots from over the fire. The rods have a bend in each end which I though would be perfect to reach down and hook the plug and pull it off. So, ... well prepared, I stepped off into the cool water of the lake.

HEY... I'm already over my knees... HEY...this water ain't cool at all... it's freez'n and It's hard to BREATHE!!

Various body parts are beginning to shrivel up. I'm up ta my waist and I'm only half way to that stink'n log. I continue on, and reach the log. I'd better make this quick so I can get out of this ice flow and restore my respiration.

I can just make out the plug and after the third sweep with the rod I see the little bugger float to the top. I make my sloshy way out of the glacier pool and onto the bank to a sunny spot. After, recording the event and reminding my self why I didn't go water skiing in February during my younger days, I started around the lake to another spot (with lots of sun shine). From that point the day ended on a rather placid note with one more nice bass for company to the first one. Had broiled bass filets Sunday evening.
THAT AIN'T A SHADE LINE ON MY TEE SHIRT!!
Supper!

"Good Judgement" comes from experience, ... and a lot of that..... results from "Bad Judgement".