FlyTalk

I'm not quite sure what to say about this, other than it made me spew water out of my nose after witnessing it. After running our shuttle on the Llano the other day Johnny introduced me to Randy Leifeste, owner of the Castell General Store in Castell. Randy has a rooster named Cockaroo that likes to perform what can only be described as "happy fun time" with Big Mouth Billy Bass.

I'm not quite sure why the rooster has taken a liking to Billy, but he must do his thing with the fish a ton as there are a number of billy big mouth's hanging on a wall in the store that have been "retired" after heavy usage.

Watch the youtube clip below and enjoy.

TR

I couldn't help it after yesterdays post... This was just to good to pass up. Can you imagine pulling up to your favorite fishing spot in this bad boy? I have a very distinct feeling that should anybody be fishing your hole they'd gladly get out of the way.

My good friend Jeff R. sent me this as an email forward a couple of days ago. I thought I must share this genius with all of you. I mean, really who doesn't need one of these? It never ceases to amaze me the lengths people will go for fishing... The words below are from the original email.

enjoy,

TR

I was going to build the Gazebo on the edge of my dock down
by the lake but I thought .....
I might just as well build the deck with floats on it
and I can then take it out fishing too. Has 15,000lb capacity.
The deck is 18ft x 18ft with 12 plastic foam filled dock floats
that are 4ft x 4ft by 18 inches high It's shape
is 10 ft. Hexagon with a table and chairs inside.

I have 2 electric winchs with 40# anchors. I have also built in a
water pump so I can clean the fish right on the spot.
Now I can relax and fish while my wife can sit and relax.

This is an actual letter sent to a man named Ryan DeVries regarding a pond on his property. It was sent by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Quality, State of Pennsylvania . This guy's response is hilarious, but read the State's letter before you get to the response letter.

TR

SUBJECT: DEQ File No.97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Lycoming County

Dear Mr. DeVries:

It has come to the attention of the Department of Environmental Quality that there has been recent unauthorized activity on the above referenced parcel of property. You have been certified as the legal landowner and/or contractor who did the following unauthorized activity:

Construction and maintenance of two wood debris dams across the outlet stream of Spring Pond.

A permit must be issued prior to the start of this type of activity. A review of the Department's files shows that no permits have been issued. Therefore, the Department has determined that this activity is in violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Pennsylvania Compiled Laws, annotated.

The Department has been informed that one or both of the dams partially failed during a recent rain event, causing debris and flooding at downstream locations. We find that dams of this nature are inherently hazardous and cannot be permitted. The Department therefore orders you to cease and desist all activities at this location, and to restore the stream to a free-flow condition by removing all wood and brush forming the dams from the stream channel. All restoration work shall be completed no later than January 31, 2006 .

Please notify this office when the restoration has been completed so that a follow-up site inspection may be scheduled by our staff. Failure to comply with this request or any further unauthorized activity on the site may result in this case being referred for elevated enforcement action..
We anticipate and would appreciate your full cooperation in this matter. Please feel free to contact me at this office if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

David L. Price
District Representative and Water Management Division.

I knew catching big dumb cutthroat was easy, but this is a whole different level...

TR

This is the first I've ever heard of anything like this. Apparently the fish in Antero reservoir that have grown so big over the past couple of years are in jeopardy of dying from low oxygen levels. There has been so much snow over the last month that the plants in the lake that produce the O2 that the fish need are not getting enough light. The Colorado DOW has decided to plow parts of the impoundment to save the fish.

DOW Biologist Jeff Spohn says it's an effort they hope will keep the fish population from dying under a thick layer of snow.

"We have some pretty low oxygen readings because of the lack of sunlight that's getting to the plants," said Spohn.

Strange huh? Whatever it takes, I guess...

Click here to see a video of the DOW in action.

-By Will Rice

"There was no evidence to show they’d been around. There were no boats, no wreckage. There was nothing." - Henry Bain. Andros Island, Bahamas

On the morning of August 5, 1995, Stanley Bain stood in front of his Cargill Creek Lodge and surveyed the small flyfishing empire that he’d built. The resort sat near the North Bight on South Andros Island, The Bahamas, concealed among lush tropical gardens and manicured lawns. Three satellite cottages peppered the outskirts of his property, which included an in-ground swimming pool and a Cessna 402 for his more affluent clients who wished to arrive via private charter. And surrounding it all were some of the most productive bonefishing waters in the world.

Stanley was preparing for a two-week fishing trip to harvest lobsters for the coming year’s clients. A recent hurricane had just passed and he and his brother William were getting a late start on opening season. But soon after fueling up the 36-foot Luhrs Sport Fisherman and two Dolphin skiffs that would accompany them, Stanley, William, and three lodge employees set out into the emerald waters surrounding Andros. As they headed away from Cargill Creek, the group passed Simon Bain, another of Stanley’s brothers, who was returning with a client from the North Bight and Moxey Creek after a morning chasing big bonefish. Simon ran his boat close in front of his older brother’s cabin cruiser, and he can still remember his two brothers laughing as he passed. It was the last time he would ever see them. Stanley Bain and his crew of four disappeared that day forever.

To continue Will Rice's, The Disappearance of Stanley Bain click here and finish reading at The Drake Magazine. It's not that long.  Go get a fresh cup of coffee, take your ten minute break and enjoy a good mystery story.

TR

One more crazy video for you. This is an archer fish taking a pot shot at a house fly. It's tough to see, so watch it more than once - but the fish actually hits the fly with "spit" then inhales it as it falls towards the water. This got me thinking about all the strange things I've seen fish do to eat.

Bass - knocking on cattails to eat beetles, trout picking salmon flies of of sheer rock faces, etc... The best example of this little phenomena was told to me by Capt. Conway Bowman in San Diego. He swears that white sharks ram buoys and knock seals off for a little mid afternoon treat. Scary.

Anyone out there have a story like this? What's the most unique way you've seen a fish eat?

TR

Japan has a fishy problem - as if we didn't know...

The lakes of Japan are being overrun with bluegills. Given to the emperor almost 50 years ago as a present by mayor Daley of Chicago - the fish was expected to be a raised as food for the Japanese. Turns out the people of Japan didn't take to the fish, which is strange as they seem to eat almost every other kind of creature with gills. The Japanese government has prohibited selling or breeding the fish since 2005 and is trying to solve the problem as they are overtaking local populations of indigenous fish. The university in Fukui has come up with a solution--bluegill burgers. They'll start selling them in December at their local co-op. Another firm is trying a combination of salting the fish with rice and letting them ferment for three years. Yum.

For more info visit http://www.guardian.co.uk/japan/story/0,,2217425,00.html

TR

Okay, enough of the serious conversation. Let's all have a good laugh at the expense of Roland Martin, 19-time Bass Master Champ. Earlier this morning I was perusing thisisfly.com and came across this video. Claimed to be the most, "advanced, cutting-edge, fishing rod ever developed..." - I dare someone to pull this thing out next time you're rigging up. Can you imagine he laughs you'd get? About the only thing I can guarantee without seeing the Rocket Fishing Rod is that is was most definitely NOT made in the USA.

Happy Monday!

TR