Monday, November 5, 2012

Out of the frying pan and into the fire...

I'm sure when you read the title of this post you immediately recognized it as a well-known, often repeated one liner.  I couldn't think of a better way to describe the last three weeks.  I fished a BFL regional event on Lake Cherokee in early October, rather than bore you with mundane details, I'll give you the cliff notes version...I finished tied for 125th...with a total weight of 0lbs and 0ozs.  Yup, 0-0, your eyes have not deceived you.  It will go down as the second worst event of my career to date.  What did I do wrong?  I found a good dock pattern up river, never attempted to apply it to the docks on the lower end of the lake.  the fish up the river didn't cooperate very well and presto magic...0lbs-0ozs.  There ya go, its a not so subtle reminder that you can never work too hard, and you have to keep an open mind.  And with that the fishing season ended. 
Round two: Off to the races...well not literally, but I parked my boat and started my tractor.  I help my uncle farm, I missed a little bit of the harvest season due to my last two events, so I had some catching up to do.  During the harvest, we managed to plant close to 300 acres of wheat.
The final turn: As our harvest season ended it has allowed me enough time to start getting ready for duck season.  The season starts for the club that I guide at on Thanksgiving day, season in the area where I live starts this Saturday....I'm still behind, but I'm gaining on it.  We've got a pretty decent corn crop at our club, a little bit of water in the field (a few ducks are already using it) and more to be added any day now (the pump is in and ready). The pits are ready, all but a little camouflaging and we've got to check a few decoys and that'll be it!
Shew!!...this fire is hot.  Although it's a long season (nearly 80 days counting goose season) I'm ready for a single focus, no running around, just get up, go to the club, go home, sleep, repeat.  I'm getting excited just thinking about it!  Check back, as season nears and during season I'll be providing some updates on how it's going! We're all hoping it'll be a great season!
God Bless,
Duke