Memorable Fishing Trips.

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

As excitement is generated with the upcoming Bluegill peak in many areas, I was just wandering if there were any members that would like to share a favorite fishing trip they take every year or used to go as a child that has created a lifetime memory. For many anglers I know, these outings are the cornerstone of their love for fishing....

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

Thanks for sharing Jody and I couldn't agree more....one of my Grandfathers use to say..."everyday you get to fish is a free one" and I took that to heart! Good luck to you guys next time out!

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

More scenes from a prosperous period on Toledo Bend Reservoir.......We will always talk about it and share the memories of friends and family.....I could write a book on this period in our lives and fill it with great testimony and photos....

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

Few more memories from Toledo Bend Reservoir...I would take a month's leave from the Navy every spring and my dad would align his vacation and it was on......My extended family soon learned that they would have to visit Toledo to see me and we always made it a fishing reunion....Uncle Mike is pictured with my cousin Kelly and a few chunky largemouth....The kitty named "Fuu" wants some largemouth sushi.....It wasn't uncommon to catch multiple species in this lake on one trip including Striped Bass, Largemouth, Crappie, Catfish and Gills....Absolutely love the place.....

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

My dad has been retired for nearly 20 years now and one of the highlights every year is our family reunions and the associated fishing memories that come along..We have been forging these memories for 45 years now but in my opinion one of the best months we have ever had was last June here in North Carolina......I aligned my 26 days off consecutively with my family's arrival from Louisiana....They were to arrive around the 6th of June and my fishing nephew Dan would be with them for the fourth year in a row.....I felt pressure in late May around Memorial day to find some fish and be ready for the family's arrival...I had a great week leading up to them getting here and we were off.....We fished a total of seven rivers during the month and lost only one day to weather the entire month, and we actually had caught some fish that afternoon before a thunderstorm chased us.....I loaded a multitude of fish doubles from that month ....We are already talking almost every night about 2012 and can we match or top 2011....I don't care as long as we make memories doing it....

[dick tabbert]

Memories are forever and to make them with the family and friends there is that feeling of absolute closeness and security and longing for your next endeavor. Jeffrey its all good and share with us so maybe we can relate well thank you.

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

We think alike Dick...too bad we're not neighbors! But in the meantime we can share pictures and stories here for the enjoyment of all!

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

This group of doubles are all from 2010 during what was a banner year until 2011 showed it's muscle when we were only slowed a bit in early September by Hurricane Irene.........My father and nephew made it in for our standard Summer Carolina Bluegill Adventure and it was a great time as usual......

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

Summer time success in Carolina Black water rivers is addictive....Just a potpurri of fresh water game fish thrive in these waters and hit good right through the dog days of July and August...Especially appealing to me is the great numbers of Coppernose Bluegill in this region...These photos are from 2010 when my nephew Dan visited and we had a great few weeks and both ends of the boat were very competitive....On 6/22/10 when we filled the big green cooler we each got broke off on a big fish which could have easily been a bowfin but we can only speculate because we didn't get a glimpse of either fish...but we salvaged a pretty good day........Three Cheers!

[John Sheehan]

 Many years ago I took my nephew when he was 10 yrs old ,in June I believe  ,Bluegill fishing. We hit a dock that was anchored away from shore and started wiping up on  Gills with Marabou Jigs and worms on small hooks with small bobbers .This was in the boat a few yards from where we launched.Realizing a fast bite  I said lets keep ten 8" and over and I'll cook them up .Don't recall how many we caught but it was a good number we were there for a good while,the bite kept comin' and we did keep ten 8" and over  .

  When I got home and filleted them out by the garage the neighbors Cat from across the street came over to investigate . I gave the snowy white Cat ,named Cotton by my wife, the skins ,heads and entrails . The cat visited often and was being fed by my wife Linda on the deck for awhile .One day my wife and the Cats owner ,living across the street ,arrived home from work at the same time and the cat was in the middle of the road looking both ways alternately at the two of them .'Cottons'owner was calling ,"Come here Crystal " while wife Linda stood there curious .The Cat looked at the owner calling her ,then back at Linda ,and then walked into our driveway towards Linda while the owner poised stunned . Not sure I know the moral of this story ,after all I'm not a Cat . If however I were to take a stab at a reason the Cat acted this way I'd say ,Commercial Catfood doesn't beat fish remains in the eyes of some Cats or at least Cottons /Crystals!   

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

If I was a Stray cat John..I would strut right over to your cleaning station and hope for a great day Bluegill fishing!

[John Sheehan]

Jeffrey- I like the shirt with your prison number on it .What a great way to habilitate ,take em Bluegil fishin'!! Heh heh!!  Just joshing pal. Oh!, and thankfully Linda and I are not inundated with stray Cats scratching at the windows .I release most of my fish to their dismay I guess. Hey great post BTW should have said that already!

[dick tabbert]

Another nice mess of fish there Jeffrey