mikechell

That green is particularly nice.

I like bright! It's not blue, but it's nice.

LOL ... heaven forbid your popper's "suit" should clash! Welcome to the site, Marsha.

Yep. I actually work for Marine Mechanics Institute. We've done all of American Honda Marine's training for over 2 decades. The Dealer season runs from Nov. through March/April. Then it's the government courses through the Summer.

Ugh. I'm supposed to be done with the travelling. But here I go again. I leave Sunday for three weeks south of Stockton, CA. Usually, I can fish when I go there, but it's been cold and the flooding they had earlier this year is still affecting the waterways. Might be the worst three weeks away from home ever.

First thing I would say is ... sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you. Sit like that for as long as you think you'll be fishing. If you can't hold that position for the duration, you don't want a kayak. On the other hand, a plastic canoe like Utyer's, or like the "Coleman" I've got, is almost as light and is easier to move around in, to change positions.

The Painted Bunting was my wife's "unicorn". We started seeing them a few years ago as they pass through. We also just starting getting Chipping Sparrows stopping by, too. When they're here in numbers, the ground looks alive with motion. We get Palm Warblers and Yellow Rumped Warblers but we haven't had Pine Warblers. Wife saw a Black and White Warbler, too.

Welcome to the site.

The Painted Bunting is here! Passing through on his migration. Haven't see a mate, yet.

We had Spring a few days ago. Now it's Summer here. Beautiful and hot, just how I like it !!!

👍 Whooooo Hooooooo!!!! Happy Anniversary !!!!

Many of us here have or know people who've had back surgeries. One of the consequences of getting old. The most common thing I've heard from those I know, is the ones who've recovered the best stuck to an exercise regime. As Poopdeck said above, keeping active and using those legs will get you back up on them and keep you up on them. Good luck. Good to hear you're not in pain!

If you run into a guy named Steve Mercado at a marina, say "hi" for me. He leaves on Friday to go work on the Arizona side of the lake. Good luck catching some trophy sized Red Ears!

You're welcome. Also, I extend the thank you back and to everyone else.

About 9:30 Saturday morning, I "tested" my cell phone ring tone, so it sounded like I was getting a call. "Talked" to my boss (so Wife could hear) for a few minutes, talking about "Is he okay?" and "Yeah, I'm sure I can get a flight tomorrow." "I'll see if I can get into see him when I land there." My wife was looking more serious and concerned ... and angry ... each second. When I "hung up", I told her that Scott (the guy teaching a class in California) had been in an accident and broken both legs. I had to fly out and cover his class. Just as she was heating up to rant about me needing to fly out and not being home, I couldn't keep a straight face anymore. If she'd had a weapon, I might not have made it out alive !!!

I was wondering if anyone would do an April fools joke. Figured it'd be YOU, Steve !!! 😄 I hope.

Welcome to the site.

Welcome to the site.

Welcome to the site.

Yep. I like that one, too.

from a wife: "Give a man a fish, and he'll have food for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you can get rid of him for a whole day." > Zenna Schaffer

I call them "Chell's Panfish Attractors". I catch more fish on these than any other fly. Saved a few trips with them. Hook: size 8 or 6 Aberdeen (pictured are 😎 Eyes: ceiling fan bead chain (hardware store) body: neutral dubbing (tan or mustard) Tail: Fly tier's dungeon "Crystal Flash" in blue hook covering "wing": raccoon tail (I like raccoon because it doesn't soften in water, so it keeps the fly a little more weed resistant. thread: the one bright spot other than the eyes on these. I also use a color similar to the body if I'm heading for clear water.

That first one was a nice fish!

Welcome to the site.