Tony Livingston's Blog (21)

 Bluegills and Botanicals if you read the fine print. It seemed appropriate, as those two subjects definitely hold a special place in my family's hearts.

I thought I would share a little bit of the maple syrup process, for those who might be curious as to how it's done. I may add additional photos as time permits.

Disclaimer: No Bluegills were harmed during the making of this maple syrup.

My wife and our oldest son, tapping some trees during an unseasonably warm spell…

For some time now, I've pondered the possibility of starting a blog dedicated to those special instances when our favorite fish gets to spend a few moments in the limelight. My excuse for having not accomplished this task sooner is disturbingly familiar....not enough time. Well that situation has been remedied, at least temporarily, by my family and I enjoying a long overdue vacation.

So as I sit here surrounded by palm trees, nearly overwhelmed by the smell of sunscreen, with waves…

For Dick Tabbert. I've never had the pleasure of meeting him face-to-face, but from our dealings otherwise I can tell you that Dick is cut from the bedrock that this country was built upon. I've found him to be modest, unassuming, very knowledgeable, and endowed with a generous spirit. BigBluegill.com wouldn't feel like home without his presence, and we are indeed fortunate to have him as part of our online family. This place wouldn't be the same without him.

I'm asking everyone here,…

The area that comprises Greene-Sullivan State Forest lies divided between Eastern Sullivan, and Western Greene counties in South-Central Indiana, and was originally established in 1936 with a land donation of 3067 acres from the Indiana Central Coal Co. Further…

Jim Gronaw must surely be accustomed to wearing many hats.....husband, father, grandfather, talented outdoor writer, angler extraordinaire, and last but certainly not least, one of our very own moderators, right here at http://bigbluegill.com/ !

Residing in Westminster, MD., You're liable to find Jim Gronaw either casting a line at one of several local hotspots, or busily putting the finishing touches on his latest outdoor themed article. Jim's…

Guys, I need some help. I'm going to try and gather data on Hybrid Bluegill (HBG), of the variety most often stocked into ponds and lakes...a cross between a male Bluegill, and a female Green Sunfish.

What I'm looking for, is a length and weight measurement. If there's any BBG members who have a digital scale and fish waters where HBG reside, I would be very grateful if you would provide me with some data on your catches....I'm interested in anything and everything you could share…

"I have a friend who's a dentist in Lincoln....

growing bigger Bluegills is what he's a'thinkin'.

He'll practice genetic selection...

in search of Lepomis perfection,

Or maybe, he'll cross em' with a Chinquapin.......

Happy 50th Birthday Bruce!!!!!! Hope you have a great day, and thanks for all that you do for us here at BBG!!

What's that you say? You didn't get what you really wanted for Christmas, You've easily broken half of your new year's resolutions already, and your team lost the Super Bowl? Not to mention that the weather stinks, you're unable to go fishing, and you've already organized that durn tackle box so many times that the plastic hinges snapped off?"

"Well you've come to the right place guys and gals, because you KNOW bigbluegill.com puts a smile on your face! And now we're gonna' give you…

That's looking more like it:

Determine the length of the "stem" and insert it into the body:

Pressing a glass bead into the stem. I despise the plastic beads used on most slip floats, as the wear too easily and pinch my line.…

Since I'm unable to fish,  I thought I would post a few photos showing what I'm up to with my floats. This first photo shows the materials I'm using: Cans of primer and topcoat, 3/16" rigid aquarium tubing, glass beads from the craft store, some 5/32" hardened drill rod used for a turning mandrel, 1" square balsa blocks, and some split, flat washers and O-rings, used for float weighting.…

You're a fine one, Mr. Gill

You realllllyyy arrrrre the best.

It's a fact that Bass get better press, but still I find them such a pest, Mr Giiiilllll.....

I'll continue to pursue you with both.....passion and zessssst.

You indulge me, Mr. Gill

with your spirited, frennnnnzied fight.

I like the way you strip off line, when my drag is set just right, Mr. Giiiiillll......

To see my float sink neath' the surface is…

"On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me: A shiny new Pflueger Su-preme"

Got out for 30 minutes before work this morning, and I caught 5 HBG. All good fish, although the cold killed the batteries in my scale, so estimating weight between 1 lb for smaller fish, and around 22 ozs. for largest. Ice jig tipped with spikes, water has risen to 44 degrees, air temp was 30 degrees.…

   No one knows how deep it really is, at least no one alive today.

Jim, by the time I got off the tractor it was nearly dark, but I managed a few minutes at one of the ponds. I know they're not hybrids, (well, I guess two of em' are!) but will these work??

 …

Alright everyone...we've seen these bugs in action before, and we all know how well they work....here's your chance to have some of your very own! BBG member David Eitutis (Tooty) has generously tied up some of his creations and wants to give em' away to a lucky angler! Here's a look at the goodies.....Tooty's even throwing in the case!!!!

Here's all…

The area I'm hitting in the morning is where the Hoosier state record BG came from back in 1972. In addition, I received an email last week from a fisheries biologist who told me of a 2 lb. gill that came from there just a few weeks ago. Supposed to be photos available at a local baitshop, I will see what I can find out.

Slide the tube back into the foam body and secure it with a drop of glue. I recommend  leaving about 3/4" of the tube sticking out of the top of the float body.

Now, take those metal flat washers, clamp em' in a vise, and use a hacksaw to cut through one side. Like thus:

Slide an appropriate amount of washers, ( I usually use 6-7), onto the plastic shaft, right…

Okay, so maybe I usually call em' floats, not bobbers. Whichever you prefer, chances are there are a handful in your tackle box. Many of us cut our angling teeth drifting a worm below a float, and indeed that is surely a fine way to catch a Bluegill. I still reach for a float of some sort on many occasions, although these days I'm more more apt to suspend an artificial jig beneath it than I am a hapless garden worm.

But no matter the bait, the float still has to do it's part to put…

Looks like we may get a break over the next few days, as highs are forecasted to top out around 90 degrees through next weekend. It hit 105 degrees here today, with a wind chill of 106! Never saw that before...... Still no rain though, and none in sight.

Gage and I did get out for an hour this afternoon. The fish were cooperative and we caught and released quite the mixed bag, consisting of Hybrid gills' Native gills, Redears, Hybrid Striped Bass, and one Channel Cat. No big fish,…