I hear the promise land calling

This afternoon I will load the F 150 up with cloths and cig's and make my way up North to the Chester VA to meet up with my fishing partner Jim, from the BOC. The next day, Saint Pattys day, we will connect up with the Mighty Capt. of the James River, Capt. Hughs, and go catfishing for two days.

Just think, for the first time in a long time, I will not have to catch my bait for a trip. I will not have to be pleasant all day on a trip. Will not have to cut up the bait, nor cast out the bait. Will not have to give instrution as to how to fight the fish. Will not have to net the fish and on and on. I will be like a hog that fell into the slop or a rabbit that was thrown into the briarpatch.

I know all the dumb questions to ask Capt. Hughs and might try a few out on him. He appears to be almost twice my size, so I better not push my luck too far.

Most likely I will have my junior reporter notebook with me and I might gather enough data for a feature story about the James River and it's mighty Capt. for the Charlotte Observer/Sports.

The main reason Brother Jim is going on this trip, he says, is to hold on to me when the big one gets on my rig, so it will not pull this old man into the drink. It appears that I will have to teach this young whipper snapper a thing or two about old fishermen. But, I migh squeal like Kriss did on her video when she had a pole bender on while she was fishing with Whistler, if I connect with a seventy pounder.

Every chance I get, I will be thinking of you folks that have cabin fever due to ice and snow. You'll know who you are!

Fishing report due on March 19, 2008 and I bet you it will be a good one. Mac

 

Brother Jim Helring and myself met the good Capt. Hugh's on the James River at the appointed time and we had a great time. Before I tell you about the trip let me share this with you. I had never met Jim before the trip, nor Capt. Hugh's and it was like we had known each others for years. That is what brotherhood is all about.

The trip was a success, anyway you measure it. I did not get my seventy pounder, eventho we had a shot at it. But, we did catch close to 350 pounds of Ark. Blues under less than desirable conditions. We caught five in the five to nine pound range in the AM and came on strong in the PM with catches of 12# (two), 13#, 16# (two), 25#, 29#, 35#, 41#, 42# and a long (46.5") blue weighing in at 54 pounds. All fish were released alive for others to enjoy in the future.

It was quite a birthday trip for me and we topped it off with a trip to one of the local buffets and went back to the motel and sleep like babies. Jim informed me that he was asleep before his eye lids closed.