TinCan and Chalk win NFGFC...

[Jumptrout51]

Congratulations to Gomer and Goober

[birddog]

Way to go boys. I knew you could do it.

[Sir reel]

And the congratulations are well deserved. Jump didn't mention that he and brother Butch took Second place. Fishing was such that out of 7 teams that went out, only 2 brought Trout in to weigh. I had the pleasure of having Eerman on my boat for the first time. He certainly did his part today but the Captain just couldn't put him in the right place. Eerman was looking forward to fishing and seeing the Saint Marks.... He got to fish it but he still ain't seen it!! The fog was really bad. I had some points in my GPS for a couple of creeks and we were able to feel our way through the soup to the mouth of four mile creek, Big West Bayou, then back into Flat Creek a fair ways and no fish. We went to the steamer wreck and anchored... could not see the shore where the light house canal comes out... could not see the light house... could not catch fish... 12:30 started following the bread crumb trail back to the fort. Went up the Saint Marks past the power plant on up past a couple of bends and anchored up on a hole. Eerman brings in a nice Sheep's head but when we read the back of the "laws stick" we found out that the measurement for them is to the fork and not the end of the tail Had to throw back an 11 and 7/8 inch fish. We spent the remainder of the time catching small Sheepies and Eerman caught a couple of puppy reds.
Eerman makes a real good partner. Thanks Rick...I enjoyed the day.

[Chalk]

Congratulations to Gomer and Goober

Thanks Cleopheus...and that Dadgum Quail Hunter for finding a few fish will redfishing....It's was an interesting two days of fishing, but I will allow the "Captain" to tell the tale..

[Reel Slow]

Details boys details....

[tin can]

Yesterday we confirmed 36 miles of where not to go. Thursday, Jumptrout was kind enough to show me several places east. We also spent over 3 hours of quality time together, with the boat stuck on the bottom. Even though Jumptrout and I caught fish Thursday, given todays tides, there was no way we could have gotten out of those places, and back to jerrys by 3. Jumptrout, I do appreciate the tour. And, I enjoyed the company.

That leads to the decision of where to fish today. As Chalk and I were riding home yesterday afternoon, after a day without even a bite, we get a call from a quail hunter wearing Panacea Reeboks. He said he had caught some trout, in a hole, in a creek. I told Chalk I felt we could get in and out of that creek, even with the low tide in the middle of the day. After quite a discussion, the decision was made to go to this creek. As those that fished today know, the fog was thick today. That made the morning run interesting. The first thing to happen was my glasses fogged up. I had no choice but to take them off. That made following the track in my GPS interesting. But we made it to the mouth of the creek. I knew there was a hole at the mouth of the creek. So, we started fishing right there. Within 5 minutes I put the first keeper of the day in the boat. We fished that hole for another half hour. Not another bite. Given the wind direction, and the falling tide, we idled up the creek and started fishing in a hole as far up the creek as we would go all day. That hole produced 1 short. So, we started fishing down the creek, fishing every hole we could find. We fished most every hole in the creek twice. No more fish. Then the "discussion" began. My partner wanted to leave that creek and explore others. There were plenty of other creeks around, but none of them had deep holes. I insisted we stay where we were and wait the fish out. I was confident they would eventually bite. My partner's response was something to the affect of "If you don't get me out of this creek I'm gonna whop your arse, throw you out of this boat, and leave you here". We stayed where we were. Fortunately, for me, he caught the second keeper of the day, at around 11:45. It had been a long morning. Then the fun began. We boated 4 more keepers (giving us a total of 6 in the box) in the next 30 minutes. We also caught several shorts, and several more keepers that wouldn't improve our weight. Then it was over. We boated 1 more short fish after that.

Then it was time to head to the ramp. We fired the motor and got up on plane in the deep hole at the mouth of the creek. I don't know how we managed to run through what we did, but if we had stopped we would still be there. It was shallow. We were both holding our breath, hoping it didn't get any shallower.

It was a tough day. But my partner's patience payed off.

Thanks for another good day on the water, partner. As usual, it was an experience.

[noleflyfisher]

Great report TC. Congrats to you and Chalk.

[wevans]

Congrats guys I never did get a bite the few hours that I got to fish with the fog staying thick, I started back to Bottoms early from Oyster Bay, the 15 minute ride took 1 1/2 hours needless to say, I was a bit late off the water but the car had the second fastest time when we left the track and with my final adjustments, should be in the run for a first place finish today
WAY TA STICK WITH A PLAN GUYS

[Littoral]

That's a classic report and one for the hall of fame archives -if we had one, which might be an interesting idea. I can just hear the echoes in your head, they've got to be here, they're somewhere else (repeat..). Mixed in to that internal debate is the observation you made, one that would only have come with a lot of experience, - They can't be anywhere else. Chalk deserves credit for helping you wait it out. We all know how hard it is when you're the "captain" and you really want to put your crew on fish. The option to stay for hours right where you've done almost nothing for hours is a tough sell.
Sounds just like kayak fishing.

[Reel Slow]

WTG guys. That is knowin something there! I'd have left that creek hours ago

[qoutrage]

Good show ya put on there T/C, Chalk. More patience than me, for sure.

[tin can]

they've got to be here, they're somewhere else (repeat..). Mixed in to that internal debate is the observation you made, one that would only have come with a lot of experience

Chalk,

Thanks, Lit.

[Eerman]

Thanks to Bud for a great time on the water even if the fishes weren't cooperating with our plans. I'd be happy to share a boat anytime. Congrats to TC and Chalk for a nice mess of fish and for making it through the day without killin' each other. I'm sure it made that drive home to P.C. a lot easier.

[Chalk]

they've got to be here, they're somewhere else (repeat..). Mixed in to that internal debate is the observation you made, one that would only have come with a lot of experience

Chalk,

Thanks, Lit.

Just for the record...He had a 50/50 shot at being a hero or zero.....What does all this mean to me....If he gets a nibble, I'll have to wait...cause all I will hear is remember that tournament....

Great time as usual partner....

[Fighting Conch]

I'm totally amazed by yo'als skill and persistence.