Little Pond Fishing

[Bubba_Bruiser]

Tanner and I made a trip last Sunday evening and had a pretty good evening from a little pond. Here is a little story to go with it.

I will start out by saying, I am not to ashamed to ask people to fish in their pond when it comes to my boys. I am not in it for personal gain other than trying to hope my boys find the passion that I find in fishing. I called a man a while back that I used to see when I was a young boy myself. He would let me fish and I always had a good time out there. So I called him up out of the blue and told him that I now had 3 boys, 2 at fishing stage, and was wondering if he minded if I brought them out there. (I know some of you might frown on my position for coming out and asking someone if I can go, but like I said, these aren't places I would go without my kids in tow. I wouldn't call to ask someone if I could take my kids, and then call my buddy to go sain the place, that's not my angle.) The guy told me their was family dispute on the land and that no one was allowed anymore and he apologized. I told him no need for apologies and that I totally understood.

Well a few months later, I go to work in Africa and I tell the guys where I am from and they said do you know Phil works on here? I said I didn't, but he was coming out a week later. So when he got there, I snuck up behind him one morning at breakfast and greeted him. We sat down and caught up on old times. After a few days and morning talk sessions, he led in a good conversation...He said you caught me off guard when you called and I fibbed. He said you just cant be too cautious letting people come on your place. He said I let so and so come out, which I used to run with. He said he rutted my road and was shooting beer bottles and cans in the pond so he shut it down. He told me he felt bad for telling me no, but would give me a chance. He is an older fella now, matter of fact, he got ribbed and ended up quitting and retiring while I was on the rig.

Moral of the story, respect peoples stuff! Don't ruin it for everyone else.

So I gave him a call and he said of course you can come, but he just asked that we swing by and talk to him a little while, which I had planned on doing anyway. so we head out and stop by and Tanner went to him and shook his hand and introduced himself. We talked for about half and hour and set out. Tanner wanted to start out throwing a Mann's Frog he had in all the weeds and lily pads. He was a champ, but came up scratch after about 30 minutes. and asked to change baits. I was really surprised he lasted that long, but I let him pick out his next bait from his little box. He picked up a little 1/8 oz chartreuse road runner bait. I asked him if he was sure and told him he might have trouble throwing it. But he told me Mr. Harlan, my long time fishing partner, told him they were fish catching machines. He's been listening people...watch out. He flicked it out there like he knew what he was doing and had a fish on immediately, followed by a couple more. He went slack for about 30 minutes and decides it was time for a change again. He swapped out for a little Storm minnow an 1" long and went back to catching a couple of fish. I was so proud of him.

While he was catching, I was throwing a chatter bait that Boogie sent me during our Secret Santa. Boy was I impressed! I have never fished with one, but I caught my fair share as well. Well I will say I hooked them and gave Tanner the honors. We caught a few and lost a few, but we had a good time. Sorry for the long wind, just thought I would share.

Chatterbait inhaled:








Here is the wasp sting I got pre-trip hahahaha. Me and my yard feet

[Jrob78]

That's a great story Bubba! It sounds like y'all got on some good fishing and a good opportunity to teach Tanner a valuable lesson about respecting other people's property and being a gracious guest. It probably did the old man some good too, helped restore his faith in humanity a little bit.

Boogie's jigs are nice, best I've ever used. I think I've caught fish on them just about every time I've thrown one. When you consider that the originals usually cost $5 each, they are a good bargain too.

For God sakes man, put some shoes on!

[bamabassman]

that is jsut a very nice story garey. i can see ol MEAN GENE is gonna give oyu a run for oyur money REAL soon. glad oyu met the fella face to face. and oyu are right. HONOR someone elses place, it ain't yours so treat it as such. it's a shame some so called FRIENDS can ruin things of oyur own. i understand the owners position completly.

but you showed him he has someone he can trust now. i hope oyu and tanner get to go more often. love it man!

[kennethdaysale]

Way to go Bubba, building character and a love of and respect for the outdoors in children is so important, God only knows what that foundation will mean to them as adults.
I'm so thankful my Dad took the time to take me fishing and hunting when I was a kid. I really don't know where I'd be without it. I feel so sorry for lot's of todays kids I see that only feel comfortable inside four walls.