k olson

My lack of participation with the club this year is embarrassing, I was unable to attend all outings, due to Saturday work and a commitment on the only Sunday outing scheduled. I was kinda wondering why there are no October outings on the calendar ? It is the month of big fall pigs correct? Any thoughts ?

I'm currently working in the Milwaukee area and have been hitting up the Milwaukee river on a regular basis. I decided last week would be it for wet wading. Honestly though the temps are fine and I could have easily wet waded; however after my third leech removal I feel much more comfortable in my waders. I cant understand how one would not like waders, the ankle support alone is worth it to me. I do wish I had some breathable ones, I just have thermal and got way overheated while fishing with Paul T. last fall on the Rock.

I bought a of thermals from Bass pro about 3 years ago for 60$ and have beat the crap out of them, no leaks or problems yet.

I would like to debate the issue of buzzbaits. I believe it was in the latest issue that John G. talked about his favorite types based on sound & presentation. I would like to respectively disagree with him and claim that the "Boogerman Buzzbait", which is made in Illinois is by far the best one on the market. Its the only one that I know of, that the blade is made to hit the shaft on purpose for an extremely loud clanking sound that really pisses off large smallies. I will admit that the buzzbait takes quite a beating and must be tweaked on a regular basis because of its large size but based on my experience, larger baits produce larger fish. The second issues is the presentation. I have read and was told many times, that a very fast retrieve is often the best method for strikes. Personally, I feel a fast retrieve will increase your percentages of misses whether you are throwing a large or small buzz. In addition to that, we are supposed to be mimicking a potential food source, a large moth or dragonfly does not rip across the water. Therefore, I purpose a slow and steady retrieve with increased speed at the end will ultimately increase your odds of hook ups. Any thoughts ?

That is awesome! First label is way cool. I really cant believe the amount of talented members in this club, it just blows my mind that people know how to do stuff like that and are bad ass fishermen. Maybe I should have played less hockey and not drank so much in college, oh well.

I really look forward to reading the latest and greatest issues. The articles and the format are top notch: however I was wondering if this was the first issue since the spring? I don't recall such a long gap between issues? I know a lot of hard work goes into producing such a fine product, I hope I have not missed any issues. kip

This story you are about to read is based on actual events that happened to me one week ago, some are graphic in nature and I hope no one ever has to go through this ..... The sickening feeling in my stomach still lingers most nights as I try to shake of one of the worst days of my life. You see, it started last season. I have been in the worst fishing slump known to man. I can count all the fish I have caught on one hand since last September, hell I barely managed to catch two fish with John Graham on full day guide trip. I consider myself a decent fisherman and nearing the twenty outing mark already this year, knew this terrible streak had to end soon. The Dupage is my home river and I have fished the southern pools extensively. It has taken me over two years to get my john boat set up the way I want (I have a coosa but don't care for it very much, I'll save that for another time) and last sunday my bad luck was coming to an end, so I thought. I dropped in the duper at about 9 am in a pool known for having some pigs in the spring. I anchored up several times in the next two hours throwing everything from the "Eric Bait" to John's big hammer swim jig, nothing so far but my attitude was still positive. As I was making my last drift, I had a light tap on small football head w/ a crawl on it and managed to boat a 13" smallie. Ok i thought, I'm on the board I'm ready to end this streak. I decided I needed to make my was way down river to an even better pool, this turned out to be a really bad decision. As I headed down stream, I realized some areas are still moving at a pretty good clip and the river has really changed. I could see that I had to navigate around a tree that was hanging down but I was going to fast and I smoked it ! I essentially clothed lined myself, which capsized my boat, I managed to hang on to it as I was floating down river. I climed on it trying to catch my breath and figure out what just happened, I managed to get over to a point and hold on as the water was moving pretty good in this area. This is where the story goes from bad to awful. I did not realize that I had trapped the remaining of my gear under the boat, when I flipped the boat over I watched that go too. So let's do a quick inventory because it's not even noon yet. Brand new battery, almost new 55 thrust trolling motor, two spinning rods (Falcon series), two bait casters, full tackle bag, lunch sack ,wet cell phone and favorite sweatshirt- all gone in about 30 seconds. I would love to tell this is where the story ends, unfortunately it does not. I hiked back up steam dragging my boat, get it loaded up, head home and take care of my now water logged cell phone. At this stage I'm having trouble keeping my emotions in check but I figure I have to go back and look for anything I can. I load up the coosa and head back. In the past there is a back way to get into where I lost my stuff, but a downed tree made it almost impossible to do but I manage. Its almost 4 and I start to search, right away I find my lunch sack (sandwich still good), find my seat and one of my spinning rods that had a brand new real that I put on that moring. I feel little better, I padddle around a little longer and find my tackle bag, yes! I spend another hour but that was all I could find, ok so not a total lose and almost 5, need to meet my ride down river at six. Are you still with me, it's about to get bad again. I start to head down again, I know I to make a couple tight turns where a tree is down; however there is two trees down and bank changed. I get caught up in the second tree, dump my coosa. Mother F******* !!!! I lose the rod and reel I just found my sweatshirt and are ready for this? I manage to knock off my Maui Jim's and favorite hat-nothing recovered. At this I fight back tears, glad I put my tackle bag inside the coosa and make my way to the launch. I don't really know if there is a lesson to be learned from this story or not. I guess I'm greatful to only have a few minor bumps, bruises and scratches, it could have been a lot worse. In conclusion I have come to realize that Mother Nature will beat your ass no matter what and the next time you think you have had a really really bad day, you might want to think of me.

I can' believe a week has gone by since the blowout. Great job to all involved, I think it is a great event and look forward to it each year.