Fishing The Guadalupe River

Photo: Chris Carson

Have you ever gone fishing at one of our beautiful Central Texas rivers all excited to catch fish? Have you had thoughts of fresh fish on the grill at the camp site race through your head only to get skunked or catch a few 5" Bass?  Me too! Just like the pic on the left.

Probably the number 1 question we get at Twisted Oak from March to October is "How do you catch fish on the Guadalupe?"  My standard answer was to cover more water and get away from the areas that everyone else fishes and to do that, you need a kayak or canoe or private access to the river. At the very least wade further up or down stream to get away from the crowd at public access points; and I still stand by that advice.


However, on July 1, 2017 at 1:00 PM, we have Immanuel Barela coming to speak about fishing the Guadalupe.  He will provide some great insight on baits, reading the water, where to locate fish, tips, tactics, etc.  We will also have some special buys to correlate with his seminar.

Photo: Immanuel Barela

Immanuel is a content creator on YouTube and has caught some impressive bags here on our central Texas rivers including the Guadalupe.  You can check out one of his Guadalupe River videoshttps://youtu.be/hO5GovWrunQ?list=PLxDjilbnahysJzm95nYpxB19_Auc4nBos
at:

Come by Twisted Oak, get some great insight into fishing the Guadalupe and subscribe to Immanuel on YouTube.  Bring your gear and hit the river to put your new found knowledge to work!

Adventure Files: Learning to Fish From A Kayak

Recently, I celebrated a birthday... I turned a whopping 46 years old.  The kayak fishing adventure has just begun for me.  I have no earthly idea why it has taken me so long to see a kayak as an acceptable vessel for fishing.  I fished from canoes as a kid.  Banging around all over the place, we tied it off to trees, trolled, drifted along fishing Rat L Traps and creating great memories.  One would think that fishing from a kayak would be the next logical step. Fortunately, I came to my senses, so, I embarked on another kayak journey with Cole in celebration of my 46 years on this earth.

I was looking forward to doing some fishing, but I knew that still only having one kayak, that was not going to be a real possibility.  I really wanted Cole to experience the kayak as well. I took him along knowing that he would monopolize the time in the kayak, and leaving him to fish by himself on shore while I tooled around the cove fishing was a monumentally bad idea for a multitude of reasons, though it did cross my mind. Fortunately for both of us, I'm slightly more intelligent than that!

The planning for this little adventure being what it was found me at Wal Mart at 11 PM on my birthday eve purchasing a new paddle because of our paddle fail chronicled in Adventure Files: Kayak Fail (not so much) Part 2.  I found a small Propel paddle for just the right price at $23.87.  This will make a great stow away paddle when my new kayak and paddle arrive at Twisted Oak.

A boy and a borrowed kayak
Photo Chris Carson

The next morning, Cole and I headed back to Canyon Lake again.  The water was back to a more normal level.  Boat ramps were open again and most of the picnic tables were out of the water.  The water had receded about 60 yards or so since the last time we were there.  The wind was blowing out of the South at about 15-20 mph. The water was a little choppy in the cove we were in, but we handled it well.  I was a bit nervous about getting broadside to the wind, but the Aquaterra proved to be pretty stable given how narrow it is.

I must admit, I am beginning to like the Aquaterra more and more.  I still can't wait for my Malibu Stealth 14 to come in, alas, I must have patience.  In the meantime, I will enjoy this kayak and milk it for whatever lessons I can gain and use it to teach Cole water safety and how to position the boat for a multitude of scenarios.

The first thing I realized today is the importance of an anchoring system.  On our previous trip, the wind was calm and we could have easily positioned the yak.  Today, I showed him how to read the current to set up a drift since we had no anchor.  Without a drift anchor this also proved to be difficult as we were moving way to fast to be effective (especially in the summer when fishing deep and slow is usually the key).

The Anchor Rock   Photo: Chris Carson

After a bit of frustration, I fashioned an anchor from some parachute cord and rock.  I was inspired by a post on Facebook by Eugene Mora.  It wasn't pretty, but it was effective.  Notice above that I said an "anchoring system".  "System" is a key word here as without an anchor trolley to move the anchor to the back or front of the boat depending on how I wanted to position the boat, I spent most of my time broadside to the wind.

I also quickly realized that dumping a 15 lb. rock overboard with no anchor line management system was a good way for Cole to lose a finger.  Loose rope laying around with a heavy object tied to it is not a safe practice.  

 

Kayak Crate   Photo: Chris Carson

In other news, the kayak crate that I made awhile back worked well.  Although the Aquaterra is lacking in places to stow such an item, we strapped it down with bungees and made the best of it. Cole accidentally flipped it once trying to get out of it in deeper than he thought water. But, the crate stayed in place, one of the rods actually never left the rod holder.  All other contents floated long enough to recover easily, none the worse for wear.

Anchor line management is a different animal altogether though... I'm open for ideas, so comment below or on Facebook and give me your thoughts.

This trip was an exercise in getting a feel for fishing from a kayak.  Figuring out what works and what doesn't was the goal. There are many nuances such as casting angles and gear management that must be re-learned and mastered from a kayak.  For instance learning to flip a jig while sitting at water level will be interesting I'm sure! It's all part of the journey and I look forward to it! 

There were no fish injured or otherwise harmed in this excursion.

Grumpy Old Men: Retirement or Bucket List

When I was a kid, I would wait with excitement for Christmas break to come.  I'm sure my anticipation to get away from school was mostly for that... getting away from school and the presents of course.  However, this also usually brought to town a different cast of characters in my life.  My brother's return from college for a few weeks was always exciting.  Just the fact that he was around was excitement enough, but he would also take me hunting.  These were my first experiences hunting when I was about 12 years old.

Another usual arrival about the time I got out of school, was my aunt and uncle who would come in from places like Alaska and Minnesota.  My uncle usually had quite a few tales to tell, none of which I can really remember at this point other than fragments of stories that usually had to do with planes or bears or both!  As a descendant of the likes of Kit Carson and Daniel Boone, and other men not as well known but every bit as adventurous, sometimes I feel a little like a droopy branch on our family tree.

Lately, I have been watching Grumpy Old Men and Grumpier Old Men when I need something to watch while falling asleep.  I really can't pick a favorite among them, but something inside me seems to connect with the ruggedness of the setting.  As I'm sitting here thinking about this now, I also recall watching Northern Exposure episodes a few years ago when they were in reruns and dreaming of an Alaskan vacation.  I'm not sure why, but the north woods seem to be calling my name.

Last year, I watched an episode of Scott Martin Challenge on YouTube.  He was fishing Rainy Lake near International Falls, Minnesota.  Even more interesting to me, was the fact that they were towing their bass boats behind rented house boats.  That got me to thinking, "Why would you tow your bass boat around the lake?"  So, I Googled Rainy Lake.  I got several results from lodges and other places to stay and a Wikipedia result that basically outlined it as a large lake, used for hydroelectricty to power International Falls, MN and Fort Frances, Ontario.  All great information, but until I looked at it on Google Earth, I had no appreciation for the size of this lake. The lake is sort of "L" shaped, but is basically the size of Houston Metro area.  In fact I'd be willing to bet that Houston has as much road surface area as Rainy Lake has water surface area.

While a bass boat can easily blast back and forth across the lake much like we drive our cars across town.  It's much easier to have a "home base" that can move.  This way you can spend a few days in certain areas and a few days in others, allowing you to spend more time fishing without ever having to come off the water.  Then I thought "What about a kayak?".  That would be a great way to fish that lake by kayak for a week.  What an adventure that would be!

So, it has been added to my bucket list, along with fishing the Chandeleur Islands, Tarpon fishing in Florida, hunting Elk, Moose, Bear, and so many other species.  Then I thought "What about retirement in Minnesota?"  We could retire there and fish all summer in more temperate weather and head south to hunt and fish Texas, Florida, & Louisiana when it gets too cold.

The fact that these things keep getting added to a "bucket list", has opened my eyes to the fact that a bucket list really just amounts to a list of things you can't afford to do or don't have time to do.  But isn't it always that way?  I don't know how many times I have uttered the phrase "If I have the money, I don't have the time; and if I have the time, I don't have the money."  It gets frustrating!

This also led to this thought and the whole reason for this post... It occurs to me that adventure is what you make it.  It seems these days, that you can have just about any adventure you want to pay for: bungee jumping, sky diving, hunting, fishing, cliff diving, scuba diving, some are extreme, some are not.  We live in a society where most of the time, we have to go looking for adventure.  This isn't the wild west.  You don't step out the door and adventure awaits, or make a living by blazing trails from one side of the country to the other across mountains and deserts, or flying the mail or supplies in and out of hostile environments in planes that barely fly to begin with.

Our ancestors (not all that long ago) lived an adventure everyday.  They heard drum beats and worried about Indians, we wonder which car at the light has the sound system.  When we go hunting or fishing, we are looking for an adventure.  They were looking for dinner.  Sure, there are places in this world that are still wild, and still so remote that supplies must be flown in or dropped.  Would I enjoy that life?  I don't know.  Probably not, because I am accustomed to my way of life. But, I can see a part of me wanting to give up these things for a simpler life, on an island perhaps, fending for myself and my family. But then again, that wouldn't be an adventure now would it?  It would just be life again in a less hospitable environment.

But then I sit here and tell my son the stories of my youth: catching crawdads in the creek,  hunting and fishing in the creeks near our house, the Great Pecan Wars of 1979, running the alleys and ditches; and as we got older, 4 wheeling in those creeks and ditches. All I can think about is how I would be put in jail for allowing my kids to do these sorts of things now.  Or sued because little Tommy down the street fell out of a tree or got multiple contusions from being pummeled by pecans.

My childhood was pretty adventurous, but my adulthood seems to be more monotonous, which I suppose makes me a somewhat responsible adult, but it makes me sad for our kids and sad for future generations which will be even
more restricted.  Where does it stop?  We need a little adventure in our lives!  What on your Bucket List? Dream Hunt? Fishing trip of a lifetime?  Let us know in the comments below of on Facebook.

Crotch Pot Chili Anyone?

In one of my typical fishing shorts.... I wish
this was my typical fish!

This morning, I woke up to a message on Facebook Messenger from a friend that asked what I wear when I wade fish. Here is the message: 

"What do you wear (shorts) when wade fishing? Swim suits chafe where the webbing hits on my legs so I tried compression shorts under my PFG fishing shorts. After 2 days on the water I had the worst rash, probably from constantly being wet in my marble sack. Suggestions???"

As I'm pretty sure it has to be some sort of "Man Code Violation" to let this go unanswered or even be slow in answering, I quickly answered his question and I am going to do the same here today in hopes of helping anyone else avoid this unfortunate situation I like to call Crotch Pot Chili.  

First, before the big reveal, I will say that everyone has their own personal issues and hygeine aside, our bodies have differing physiologies. What works for one person may not work for the rest of us.  

It seems that our bodies were designed in a manner that makes it quite easy for all the sweat our upper bodies produce to head south and and congregate in one specific area. When Adam reached for the fig leaf, the first case of jock itch was born. When we wear underwear, it seems to collect all the sweat and nastiness that our bodies produce. Add to that skin allergies and chaffing... It can be downright unpleasant.

So how do I avoid that most unpleasant journey home from a fishing trip with a 5 Alarm case of Crotch Pot Chili?

First, I use an Under Armour Boxerjock, here is a link:

https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/mens/apparel/underwear/bottoms?lsg=a02715f4-0961-4c27-b968-de0b44fc94a5

This Boxerjock has a woven panel that wicks out moisture in all the right places.  A little research this morning revealed that they now have them in versions that will help you stay warm or cool.... I may need to investigate this more thoroughally come deer season!  Maybe it's time for a new pair! I have worn other off brand compression type underwear and had issues, but the UA Boxerjock has always performed well for me.  

As far as fishing shorts go, I like to wear the rip stop fabric shorts that are very loose fitting and do not have a "swim trunk style" mesh liner.  Many people will wear pants to wade fish in to protect from both the sun and jelly fish.  Alas, I am a shorts guy.  At least I will be until I get whacked by a jelly fish!  I usually buy Columbia or Magellan, but while looking at the UA website this morning, I noticed that they have Performance Cargo Shorts that I might give a try.  The main thing to look for in a pair of fishing shorts in my opinion, is loose fitting and quick drying lightweight material.

Photo: Chris Castro  Next Level Fishing TV

I'm sure there are those out there that go "cowboy style" or "commando" in an attempt to avoid this most unfortunate situation.  What do you do?  Infact, as I am just recently beginning to pursue kayak fishing, let's hear from the yakers out there... How do you handle this situation?  I would guess that what would work for wade fishing would work for a kayak fishing, but maybe I'm wrong!  And what about the women... Do women have these issues or something different?  How do you deal with it?


Let us know in the comments below or on our Facebook page. 

46 Outdoors Prepare and Pursue Fishing Checklist for April

April is a month of shifting weather patterns.  Transition is a good description for this month as a whole. Rising air and water temps make it more enjoyable for the kayak angler and wade fisherman.  Weather changes make it interesting and many species are on the move.

Check out your 46 Outdoors Prepare & Pursue Checklist for April...

Largemouth: Largemouth Bass are spawning.  Target weeds and vegetation.  Catch these big females by sight casting to visible beds in shallow water.  This is a great time of year to practice CPR (catch, photo, release).  Let those big girls go back to the nest and stock your freezer some other time. In some places the spawn may be waning; as water temps rise, look for fish on ledges and points and other submerged structure.

Chris Castro with a King Mackerel
Photo: Chris Castro

Beyond The Breakers (BTB): Chris Castro of Next Level Fishing TV and sponsored by Malibu Kayaks says "The magic number is 70 degrees (water temp). This time of year the window of opportunity is always small due to chaotic fronts. Just last week, my bud TJ Batten and I ran into four penetrating species. Big King Mackerel are in and they are on the move as we caught a 39-42 inch king. Spanish Mackerel are also running super thick and we spotted them moving closer to shore. Jack Crevalle have pushed through around the legs of the rigs running in huge schools. Moving on to the Cobia, which is my personal favorite, have also been spotted. Two curious Cobia decided to swing near the tail end of my kayak, so the big ones should be showing up soon if not already."

Redfish: With Southeast winds moving the tide up onto the flats, and into back bays, look for reds in skinny water. Also, keep an eye out for gulls working over hatched shrimp.  I've already heard tales of schooling Redfish this year.

Trout: The "Gator Trout" bite is all but over, but look for trout in transition or in deeper waters or muddy bottoms when the wind shifts and blows from the north or west.

Cole with his first "Flatty"
Photo: Chris Carson

Flounder:  Flounder are back in the bays (if they ever really left).  We are already seeing good
numbers of Flounder.  Fish the bottom around docks and piers and along channels and passes.  Don't be too quick to set the hook.  Let them eat it and it will pay dividends.


Boat Maintenance:  Along with your routine engine maintenance, we suggest you spend a little extra time washing your boat this month.  Especially here in South Texas, oak leaves, tassels, and pollen in general can do a number to a white gel coat on your boat.  Use a good quality marine soap. Check your fire extinguishers and PFD's. Look for wear and rot on the PFD straps. Make sure you have enough for the capacity of your boat.






Kayak Maintenance:  Oscar Castillo (aka: Shimano Penn on Facebook), founder of the Fin Addict Angler Foundation and sponsored by Cowtown Kayaks, says "Check all your screws. and terminals. Tighten whatever is loose and spray those things down with something that prevents corrosion.  I use Corrosion X."


 As Spring patterns emerge, be nimble.  Check the forecast and always have a contingency plan.  Make sure you are personally prepared for whatever the weather brings.  The fish will move with the weather, so be ready to change your plan from one day to the next.  Many times, luck does not produce success, but confidence in a great plan of action will often spell difference on the water.

What are you doing to prepare and pursue? Comment below or on our Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/46outdoors/

46 Things To Do Within 46 Miles of Hwy. 46

There are many great things to do outdoors.  There is bound to be something on this list that will get you, your kids, and/or the whole family outdoors.  Below are 46 ideas of what to do outdoors.  I have not pulled up Google Earth and measured specific sites and such, but I'm willing to bet my paycheck that all of these can be accomplished to some degree within 46 miles of Hwy 46... In other words, right here in the Texas Hill Country!

1. Whitetail Deer Hunting  This species is one of the easiest and hardest to hunt.  While being quite abundant and fairly easy to pattern, they will frustrate even the most seasoned hunter with their keen senses and ability to sense danger.  This is a great way to spend Thanksgiving weekends and Christmas holidays with friends and family.  The good times and stories produced in deer camp are legendary.
2. Turkey Hunting One of my all time favorite hunts.  If I had a place where turkey were consistently abundant, I would guide these hunts.  There is something about the interactive nature of this hunt that makes my pulse race.  The ability to call a turkey within 30 yards or so is an experience you won't soon forget, and it is best done with a partner to call while you hunt. That makes it a great opportunity for family and/or friends!
3.  Hog Hunting Over the years I have had the opportunity to hunt these creatures with a multitude of means and methods... rifle and bow, from a blind, a tree stand, a jeep, the back of a pick up truck, spot and stalk by moon light or during the day, trapping, with tracking dogs and attack dogs.  
4. Quail Hunting Another great hunting experience here in Texas.  Best done with dogs. This is alot of walking over all kinds of different terrain.  It's a great opportunity for exercise, but get a good pair of waterproof snake boots.
5. Small Game Hunting A great opportunity to get kids started hunting.  This can be a static endeavor sitting in a blind or a jeep or truck.  Or if you want more exercise, cover some ground!
6. Dove Hunting This is another great event for groups.  Bring the family AND the dogs.  A little campfire action after a good hunt and some fresh dove kabobs are hard to beat on a cool September night!
7. Shed Hunting An opportunity to get back into the deer woods and learn something about their habitat while looking for the antlers they shed in the Spring.
8. Scouting Start looking for patterns, scrapes, and rubs on those bucks in late summer and early fall.  Bow season is right around the corner. Don't just go sit in your blind, get a broader view so you can see the bigger picture.  
   
9. Camping Camping is an outstanding opportunity to get the family together and enjoy a campfire.  Sleeping bags, tents, s'mores, ghost stories.  Awesome fun under the stars!
10. Hiking Whether it's hiking into a camping spot or just a walk in the woods, this is a great way to enjoy many of nature's wonders, and the slow pace is great for teaching kids about nature.
11. Night Hikes Up for a little adventure? Take a flashlight and go for that hike after dark.  Many state parks have guided night hikes.
12. Trail Running A great way to change up that exercise routine.
13. Orienteering Basically a hike or run using a map and compass.  Off the beaten path using using specific points along the way for bearings.
14. Adventure Racing Usually combines running, orienteering, some sort of water sport like kayaking, and a mystery obstacle. 
15. Geo-Caching This activity is like a world wide scavenger hunt.  Find little trinkets and leave something for the next person to find it.
16. Cycling Another great opportunity to exercise.  Great scenery and all the hills you want to endure.
17. Mountain Biking Take those two wheels off road.  Many great places for this activities and trails for beginners and experts.
18. Horseback Riding A trail ride is a great way to enjoy the outdoors.  Again, many state parks offer equestrian trails, but bring your own horse.
19. Rock Climbing Whether it's a rock wall at the gym, or a bluff somewhere outdoors, or Enchanted Rock, you will get a great workout climbing. The views you are rewarded with are priceless.
20. Zip Lining This is a fun activity for just about anyone who doesn't have a heart problem.  Go sailing through the trees or across canyons and rivers.
21. Spelunkering (Caving) Take that rock climbing adventure underground and see the interesting things caves have waiting for you. Or, just take a cave tour.
22. Wildlife Safari Whether it's on a ranch somewhere, a commercial drive thru safari with african animals, or just a Sunday drive in the country, there are many beautiful things to see in nature. take the binoculars and look close. Scan the horizon and spy on a herd of deer.
23. Bird Watching If birds are your thing, head out to local lakes, ponds, parks and look around. Sometimes, the backyard can be a productive place for this activity.
24. Bat Watching Head out to one of our many area bat caves at Sunset and see the bats come out.  Forr you city dwellers, there are bridges and buildings where you can see this on a smaller scale.
25. Star Gazing Find a comfy place away from the city lights and relax while looking for constellations or shooting stars.
26. Outdoor Photography Many of these activities can be done with camera in hand.  get a good camera and start documenting your trips, the birds you are seeing, interesting flora & fauna, etc.
27. Picnicking A classic way to enjoy the outdoors.  
28. Archery Puchase a bow and start shooting.  Hunting, 3-D ranges, and competitions await you.
29. Canoing/KayakingGood old fashioned family fun on the water.  Take a trip on the river or a clm peaceful paddle on a lake.
30. Stand Up Paddle Boarding Great exercise and yet another way to enjoy the water.
31. Tubing A lazy float on the Guadalupe or Comal River may be just what the doctor ordered.  Get some Vitamin D!
32. Rafting When the river is up, we have some pretty aggressive rapids nearby.  Take the opportunity to live on the edge with a little white water rafting.
33. Paddle Boating Whether it's white water or just a lazy afternoon paddle, the scenic rivers and lakes offer great opportunities to experience the outdoor life.
34. Kayak Fishing Arguably the fastest growing segment of the fishing industry, fishing from a kayak
    
    offers a whole new set of skills and thrills.
35. Fishing (rod & reel) Fishing is probably one of the best ways to enjoy the outdoors.  It can provide a challenging experience and keep you guessing. Skills required are few to get started but there are endless techniques and strategies to learn.
36. Fly Fishing Maybe one of the most exciting ways to fish and enjoy the outdoors.  Some advanced skills required, but fun to learn and even more fun to catch.
37. Bow Fishing A great way to help manage invasive species as this method is not lawful for taking gamefish, but it sure is fun and will test even the most skilled bow hunter or angler. 
38. Boating An afternoon boat ride, weather it's to enjoy the wind in your face, or view the marine life, boating is a great way to enjoy the water. Stop and take a dip along the way.
39. Personal Water Craft Jet-Skis, Sea Doos, pick your poison... Get out there and have a blast on these funwater toys, but have some respect for other folks enjoying the same water you are!
40. Water Skiing A great way to spend a weekend on the water.  Take your turn! Slolom maybe?
41. Wakeboarding A close cousin of traditional water skiing.  Take it to the next level with tricks and jumps.
42. Wind SurfingA surfboard with a sail... what could go wrong? Worst case scenrio, you get wet... but isn't that why you are on the water anyway?
43. Sailing Can be a little work, but rewarding when you and mother nature work together to get you where you are going.
44. SCUBA Diving Explore the depths of area lakes.  There are two towns that were flooded when Canyon Lake was impounded.  
45. Swimming Why would you want to go to the pool when you have the beautiful rivers and lakes we have around here to enjoy a swim or just play in the water. Rope swing anyone?
46. Hammoking   Yes, I said "hammoking".  The art of napping in the shade while swinging peacefully between two trees. RELAX in the Texas Hill Country!                                                                                                                            

There are a ton of things to do int this area and wherever you might be.  Get out there and look for them.  Weather it's land based fun in the sun or a day on the water, all of these things provide a great opportunity to experience what nature has to offer.  Remember to pack sunscreen, life jackets and other safety items needed for your trip.

Pick something on the list and go do it! 

Introducing Adventure Files: 46 Outdoors Adventure Series

One of my favorite photos taken by Chuck Crowsey at a
ranch in South Texas 

I once heard adventure defined as: "an exciting or wild undertaking of uncertain outcome".  That sounds like the plan for most of my outdoors experiences.  Isn't that truly what many of us are after?

If you asked me why I hunt and fish, of course feeding my family would be high on that list.  I would also argue that the meat I harvest is as organic and naturally free ranging as anything you can buy in a grocery store and probably more so.  I would further point out that these wild animals are leaner and since I process my own meat, it is void of many of the chemicals and  growth hormones found in your local grocery store or meat market, but that is a conversation for another day.  What I am really after is the thrill of the hunt. I want a memorable experience.  Not only do I want to come home safely with a cooler full of meat or fish, I want to bring home a story.  I want a memorable experience to share with my friends and family.  I want an ADVENTURE.

In the series that follows, I will chronicle and share with you these adventures when they unfold. I
have found these experiences to be fairly entertaining and at least somewhat educational. Much like my Kayak Fail a couple weeks ago... If you haven't seen that post, click on the link. It's pretty entertaining! Many of these exciting undertakings will involve my kids and the trials and tribulations of exploring the outdoors with kids in tow. Other installments will include some throwback stories. These may be some of the best of this series as there was probably more true adventure in my younger, wilder days. However, I have found that my kids can take me on adventures too. You just never know what will happen.

The essence of that is what drives me to live life in the great outdoors. How many adventures do you have indoors?  How many adventures do your kids have indoors?  I for one can tell you, if you don't tell them to put down the tablet and go outside, the only adventure they will find is a new world in Minecraft or some other ridiculous game.

My 10 year old son played 4 baseball games this weekend.  Our 4 year old son has a blast at these tournaments.  He races pebbles down hills like race cars, plays in the sand, and runs the bases after the games. They don't like to be indoors.  Their imagination runs wild when they are outdoors. When they have the chance to go hunting or fishing, there is never a question as to weather or not they "want" to go.  I think the older one would truly not be able to decide if I gave him the choice of baseball or fishing. When we are at home, they play their share of video games (much to my dismay). Fortunately, that is not at all very often.  In fact, the real issue is keeping him off the screens so he can get his homework done.

My daughter spends less time outdoors willingly.  However, sometimes she surprises me and wants to go. This may be more about the age (age 12) than anything else.  She used to like going to the lease with me to fill feeders and just poke around when she was younger. I always laugh, when we leave her at home and go to a baseball game. We almost always get the call... "When are you coming home? I'm bored!"  I like this call, I think it means we are one day closer to her coming back around. At least that's what I tell myself!

It is my sincere hope, that one of these days, I will have the time and means to produce enough content to fill a weekly series.  Until then I will attempt to fill in with throwback content...  Enjoy!

The Key To Success in Hunting & Fishing

Success is a funny thing.  There are a million different ways to define success; and probably as many ways to achieve success.  Weather it's hunting, fishing, archery, shooting sports, team sports, individual sports, or just about anything else, success plays a big role in our happiness.

Last Friday I endured my Kayak Fail.  I must admit, I was bothered by the fact that this outing didn't go well.  Not only was it disappointing, it was embarrassing, and even hurt my pride a little. Even though I'm 50 lbs overweight, I still consider myself fairly athletic and agile.  I stay pretty active by coaching baseball and softball, and now Tball again along with all the outdoors activities I do. It wasn't long ago that I was in the construction industry, loading and unloading, toting lumber,concrete, and tile around jobsites.

Having had the weekend to think about this, I have come to a new outlook. I realized that I overlooked the learning curve.  In most cases, I would have pressed on and shortened that learning process.  I would have removed all my gear and headed out to flip myself in order to figure out my limits and gain confidence.  However, given the fact that the water temperature was as cold as it was, the chill of the wind on wet skin, and the chop on the water lapping over the side. I limited myself as to what I would endure to compensate for this learning curve, and rightly so. With low water temps, choppy water, and no buddy with me, there were definite safety concerns.

Success and failure go hand in hand.  Life would be pretty boring if we didn't have to work at some things from time to time. Those of us that are hunters and fishermen know all too well that we can do everything right and still not succeed. I have also been around people who do everything wrong and still succeed.  Who among us doesn't know someone who hunts the wrong wind or is loud in the deer stand, plays video games and still ends up with the biggest buck.

Sunset in Hondo from the deer blind

I think many times, it comes down to how we define success. If we expect to limit out every day we, we will surely be disappointed.  If we always go hit the same spots where we had success before, we will again be disappointed at some point.  Without trying new techniques, new places, new baits, etc., we will never grow as fishermen.  The same is true for hunting.  We must test the things we think we know, and try things that may not make any sense to know what works and what doesn't and try to discern why.  The variables are virtually never ending, so success this time may yield failure next time.  Lately, I have been taking photos of sunrises and sunsets, and other nature photos to remind me that ultimately, I don't have to fish to eat and I'm there to appreciate what God has created.  Sort of like the old saying goes. "A bad day of fishing is always better than a good day at work."

When I was a senior in high school my buddy and I went fishing ALOT.  Our first trip together was in January of 1989.  I caught a pretty nice bass that first day and we were hooked. We fished at least 2 or 3 times per week and  had some real adventures along the way.  After a month or two of not catching anymore fish (and I mean ZERO fish), you would think we would have given up, but no, we kept going, kept trying, and kept failing.

Sunset at the Crappie Pier

For a long time, we continued doing those same things trying to catch fish. We went to the same place, used the same baits to no avail.  At some point, we began trying different things, we went at different times, different places, different lakes. Finally, one beautiful day in May right before graduation, we found a pier on Canyon Lake.  We sat there and fished around it for quite some time and finally caught a Crappie.  I don't remember if I caught it or my buddy did, but it was the start of something good.  We met a local there on the pier that told us the fishing was great at night, so we came back the next night at dusk and stayed late into the night.  We caught limits of Crappie. Over the next several weeks, we re-equipped ourselves for crappie fishing with ultra light gear, lanterns, floating lights, etc.  We went back time and again. Sometimes we caught, sometimes we didn't. To this day, I'm not sure what I learned from all that, but I know it made me a better fisherman and I love to catch Crappie to this day.

41" Bull Red

Last August, I took a trip to Port Mansfield with my son to fish with my brother.  During that trip, my son caught his first Trout, Flounder, and Redfish (he had a Texas Slam for the weekend as the Redfish came on Sunday).  I caught two personal best Redfish and we had a great time catching fish and spending time with my brother.  A week or two after that trip, my son and I went back to that crappie pier. We got blanked. Another failure to learn from.

Over the years, I have learned to pay attention to the solunar data and adjust my presentations and expectations accordingly. I have also learned alot about seasonal patterns and have been able to apply my experiences years later to understand why things have worked or not.

Success is a long term goal that is born from failure. We learn from our mistakes; and although it's hard to admit failure, we must continue; even in failure until we succeed. This is the learning curve.

Kayak FAIL

My first kayak outing was a dismal FAILURE.  I have been looking forward (for months now) to getting into a kayak to fish and paddle.  I heard the White Bass are running on the Guadalupe River,  and figured a quick little trip to the calm waters of Boerne Lake would be a good idea so I could get used to the kayak and get things organized, so I could take a float trip to the Guad.  Instead, I learned (well, not so much learned as confirmed) a few things I will outline below.

I had to purchase a few supplies, so I spent about $100.00 on a life vest, whistle, small bungees, a waterproof pouch for my phone and a pair of rubber/neoprene boots that will double as my hunting boots next season.  Having procured my supplies and cleaned out the back of my truck, I loaded the kayak, paddle, crate, rods and reels, along with a cooler for some water and sandwiches.  With all the excitement of a kid going fishing for the first time, I headed to Boerne Lake with my hopes high and smile on my face.

To start with, I should probably set the scene.  It was a beautiful day outside,  the temperature was probably in the mid 70's (don't let this fool you though, the water temperature was probably in the 50's).  The wind was blowing out of the southeast at about 10-15 mph which resulted in a 6-8" chop on the water.

I think the first thing I learned, is that it's not as easy as one might think to strap all that stuff to your kayak.  Bungee cords leave something to be desired.  Although they were tight, things still slid around.  I will have to work on this.  I guess it's all the years of building things and hauling materials around, but I like things to be solid; no movement.  Also, because the kayak doesn't lay flat, it was a little difficult getting things situated.  Between the slope of the boat ramp and the kayak rolling over, things didn't want to stay where I put them; so I was left to leash, lash, strap, and otherwise tie down with one hand while I held and steadied with the other.  I know I need to get better at this and more efficient.  A boat ramp on Friday around noon is not a very busy place in the middle of February, but I would have had some folks pretty angry folks around if it were June.

Once I got everything strapped down and ready to go, I stepped down into the water with a plan.  The goal (and reason for he plan) was not to get wet.  Ultimately I had a picture in my mind that looked very similar to the photo on the left.

Fortunately, there are no pictures or video (that I know of) of the events that transpired over the next 2 minutes.  I faced the lake and headed out with the nose of the kayak in hand.  When I got out to the point where I would have filled my boots with water had I taken another step, I stopped and eased the kayak into the water floating it between my legs to the point where the seat ended up right below me.  Everything was great so far.  I sat on the kayak and immediately realized that I wasn't far enough out and the rear of the kayak was still on land.  In case you are wondering, this makes the boat flop violently right and left with every movement.  This is also the point at which I realized my plan was inadequate.

I began lunging forward to try to get the boat fully into the water.  I tried, unsuccessfully I might add, to put my feet in the boat... one at a time, then both at the same time.  Every time I picked up my feet, I had to slam them back down into the water to regain my stability.  By now, I had about a gallon of water in each boot. This might be a good time to point out that although I got them on clearance, I made a $50 investment in a pair of boots to keep my feet dry.  So, I put my paddle on the surface of the boat ramp and leaned toward it, swung both feet in the boat and pushed off at the same time.  I was finally actually on the kayak, in the water.  It was about this point in time that I realized that all the water that was previously in my boots, was now soaking its way through the small foam stadium seat that I used as a seat cushion.  It's also worth mentioning that there are two scupper holes in this boat to drain water , and neither of them are under the seat.

I gave a few paddle strokes to get away from land.  Then I began to try to get a feel for the stability by moving around a bit.  It still felt a bit unstable and therefore made me a bit uneasy.  Before I knew it, the wind caught the nose of the boat and pushed me broad side back to the concrete ramp and beached me.  I pushed off again only to get pushed back again.

At this point, I decided that my maiden kayak voyage, as short as it was, was over.  Already soaking wet, from my rear to my feet and from mid forearm to fingers on both hands, I figured that this kayak thing needed a new plan.  So, I bailed out and drug the kayak back on shore.

I went back to the truck and drove down to load it up.  While finishing up getting all my things off of the kayak, I noticed a guy getting into his truck.  I think he had been walking across the dam or in the park on his lunch break because he seemed to be changing his shoes while watching me load up all the rods and crate etc. He drove up next to the boat ramp and asked if I needed any help.  Loading the kayak is really pretty easy, so I refused.  He smiled and waved as he took off making me wonder if he had seen the whole ordeal.

All in all, it took me 40 minutes to drive there, about 15 minutes to unload the boat, get all my gear situated, put on my boots and PFD, 2 minutes in the water, and 10 minutes to load up and another 40 minutes to drive home.  Travel/prep time to water time ratio was 107:2.  I must admit failure on this one.

However I can pick out three positives this trip left me with.

1. The guy that stopped to ask if he could help had a Hobie sticker on his truck.  A fellow kayaker maybe?  It's good to know that if I needed help, he was willing.

2. I feel pretty good about my crate set up, although I need to figure out a better way to tie that down.  It took some violent weight shifts and jostling without losing anything.

3. After this ordeal, I wasn't 5 minutes from the lake before I was on the phone with Diablo Paddlesports in an attempt to get a WIDE, STABLE, kayak for Twisted Oak.  I had a dealer pack by the end of the day!

In no way am I giving up here.  I will be back on a kayak soon.  Hopefully a Diablo.  When the water warms up a little more, I will even give this kayak a shot again... when I don't mind getting wet!

Kayak Fishing... No More Excuses

If you read my "What's In A Name" post or know anything about me, you know I am no stranger to fishing the waters of Central and South Texas.  Canyon Lake, Medina Lake, Travis, the Guadalupe, Medina, Blanco, Colorado, Frio and the Nueces Rivers have all been my fishing waters along with the bays and shorelines from Rockport to the King Ranch on down to the Port Isabel Causeway.  I even have a story about alligators, deer, and a Game Warden at Choke Canyon that someday I may write about.  Of course I will have to change the names to protect the innocent (no really no laws were broken).  It's an interesting story nonetheless.  However, one thing I have NEVER done is fish from a kayak.  This week, that will change!

I have been looking (for quite some time) to put kayaks in our store, Twisted Oak Hunting & Outfitter Supply.  We are finally close to working out a deal with a company that will remain undisclosed until we get that worked out, but to say the least it has been a long hard road.  Since I began thinking about this (over a year now), I have wanted to give it a try.  It can be an economical way to get away from the crowds, and high pressure fishing that public access banks provide. In the last year I have made many friends in the fishing community and many of them fish from the yak and do well.  My excitement for this new endeavor continues to grow, but as we have not been able to get any kayaks here in the store, I have refrained from just going out and purchasing a kayak (to the dismay of my 10 yr old son) because I want to paddle what we sell.  However, my friend Brian Taylor with 5x3 and several other sponsors has graciously loaned me the use of his kayak while I am trying to get this worked out, putting an end to my wait!  (THANK YOU BRIAN TAYLOR!!!!!!)

Several weeks ago, Brian brought me his Aquaterra kayak. She is sleek and seems a little narrow for my 260 lb frame but that will not deter me.  It is a Sit On Top (SOT) model with adjustable foot pegs large front and rear hatches and came equipped with what looks like a couple Scotty Rod Holder mounts that need the actual rod holder pieces.  Other than that, your basic kayak with a paddle.

As it does not have the actual rod holders.... and the temperatures have been a bit low... and I have no experience kayaking... and I have no cold weather gear to wear on said kayak... and I have not yet purchased the all important PFD,  I still haven't put this thing in the water!  So, I have been working on an anchor trolley, a kayak crate with rod holders (I cut and flared PVC to make my own rod holders), and figuring out my general set up.  Also, it's worth noting that I haven't spent a dime yet... Remember, I said it was economical!  However, I'm quite sure I will want to change it all when I get it on the water!  Oh well!

Sometime this week, I will be purchasing my PFD and finishing up all these little projects.  Still left on my list is mountings for tools, a lid for my crate, leashes (I plan on making those too), and an anchor.  I plan to share with you my experiences good and bad about kayak fishing.  Once school is out I will be introducing my son to kayak fishing as well and relating that experience as it unfolds, so stay tuned!  Hopefully we will have a little video along the way as well.

I have been a little apprehensive about getting wet as water temps this time of year are likely in the 50's, but I can wait no longer!  Afternoon temps will be in the 80's this week, so I'm hanging out the shingle: GONE FISHIN'!