Where are the fisherman

1. 54

   ujoutdoorsposted 13 years ago

   You would have to be living under a rock not to know about Toledo Bend Lake bordering Texas and Louisiana, if you happen to be a fisherman. Recently I knew there would be a White Bass run and the best place was Pendleton Bridge, right off the bank.
   
   I took along a Soldier from Ft Polk and found four more along the way. The little fishing safari was complete but they weren't too enthusiastic as they had never caught much or nothing at all, in the past. My first instructional cast solidified the fact they were about to get happy. The water was working alive with Whit Bass. The young soldiers had a field day, they all caught the legal limit and released many more.
   
   Funny thing, no one else was around in a public fishing area. Occasionally an expensive bass boat would pass by as I commented, "there goes one hundred thousand dollars of, I ain't caught nothing all day."
   
   "Why aren't the people taking advantage of this, Uncle John?" inquired one of the soldiers. "Well they don't know about it, they don't care about it and they have something else better to do, at least to them." Life styles have changed, many think its better to sit out on the beach and get stoned, many families have broken up, and everybody is broke. The rich ones just cruise around in those boats and go back home. I took you guys fishing today because it is a better thing to do while I go broke....Pass it on
   
   John Simeone
   Outdoor Writer
   Robert Ruark Society

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   1. 61

      qwarkposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I fish Toledo Bend for crappie.
      Catfishin' is good too.
      I use "stink bait" for the "blues."
      The "cats" are some of the best eatin' catfish in TX.
      I prefer salt water fishin' but hey, when I fish I don't go fishin', I go "catchin'.
      Fish around those stumps out there for catfish. Ya'll be glad ya did.
      Qwark

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2. 92

   habeeposted 13 years ago

   I love fishing - especially saltwater fishing!

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3. 78

   Adventure Coloradposted 13 years ago

   I love fishing too, but I'm up here in Colorado, so I haven't fished there.

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4. 71

   maven101posted 13 years ago

   That was a nice and educational thing you did for those young men...I've been an avid fisherman all my life...My experience is in the Pacific Ocean out of San Francisco...We went for salmon, strippers, and Ling cod, along with the occasional monster sturgeon under the Carquinez bridge that thrive in the salt and fresh water mix there...
   I have learned over the years that most folks don't realize its not fish they are trying to catch when they go fishing...Sure, the fish are great sport and even better dinner, but there is much more involved in this activity...I would hope that you imparted some of life's lessons to these young men...And from reading your interesting post I'm sure you did just that...

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5. 54

   ujoutdoorsposted 13 years ago

   Thanks guys and gals who fish. Yes I do impart as mush knowledge as I can to young soldiers. Not just the Army but youth around the area. I'm retired Army so it is customary for me to adopt a few soldiers now and then. Many joined the Army to be a  part of something they were lacking in life, it gives me a chance to be a dad again. As a professional outdoor writer of 20 years it has been my message to all sportsmen to teach people how to hunt and fish both young and old alike. Robert Ruark who was a friend of my mother in New York years ago taught us in his famous book The Old Man and the Boy the first concepts of the Pass it on legacy that rings in my mind every time I hear the song. So rather than find a less active thing to do by myself I go out and find a kid or a soldier and take the opportunity to...Pass it on.
   
   John Simeone
   Robert Ruark Society

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6. 82

   tlpoagueposted 13 years ago

   My husband and I took our kids fishing a couple of days ago and caught a drum and large mouth bass. We had a great time, even though it is still cold here.

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7. 60

   Randy Godwinposted 13 years ago

   I love both salt and freshwater fishing.  We have 5 ponds stocked with crappie, large mouth bass, bluegill, and catfish, so I get to fish whenever I feel like it.  I'm only a couple of hours from the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico too!   Gotta fish is this part of the country!  It's a law, I think!  !

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   1. 49

      jim Stevensonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      If any of you fish for trout, try one of those new sachs spinners.  I just was banging brown trout on them in a semi-small stream.
      
      website = www.sachsfishing.com
      
      My Cousin hooked me up with these and they are heavier than most trout spinners but the same size, and seem to run deeper and better in faster water.

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8. 79

   daybreakposted 12 years ago

   John
   
   Your post hints to something that is certainly endangered; the sport of fishing.
   
   As you mentioned, the friendships that are developed thru fishing are worth their weight in gold.
   
   We tend to focus on the technical aspects of sports and many people never realize how important these activities are to our culture and our local communities.
   
   I have also noticed the lack of anglers that are following in our footsteps and it is sad.
   
   Fishing teaches young people so many important lessons that are really important when they begin a career and start a family.
   
   I hope you will continue sharing your passion for the outdoors with others.

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9. 71

   FishAreFriendsposted 12 years ago

   Fishing is very fun... I guess it's what inspired me to go nuts about fish...lol. I used to live in california where we saltwater fished, but now in colorado we fish freshwater. One of the most important places of my family and I to fish is Trappers lake near Meeker. We have fished there as long as I can remember- I plan to go back on my own sometime- it's so peaceful. My parents even got engaged at that lake, on a boat while fishing.

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