2008 – What do you remember?
- This topic has 42 replies, 26 voices, and was last updated Sep 24, 2008 at 6:29 pm by
.
-
Posts
-
Fishing with my Dad on the Madison and Gallatin rivers, whitewater rafting the Yellowstone river with my two kiddos. Also going after Redfish on the Texas coast with a good friend of mine and have him yelling at me “I want a 80′ cast at 11:00 and I want it now”.
I’ve been browsing around here for a year or two and decided I might as well join the fray.
2008 has been good so far, but some of the best months lay ahead.
At 131 days on the water this year, I’ve spent a lot of time behind the wheel, driving toward the horizon…
and saw a lot of beautiful country around the Western U.S.
I fished some big water and some small trickles…
and saw a bunch of bugs.
I harassed a lot of the locals.
And caught some fish in other destinations.
I hung out with some good friends.
With the help of Erich’s eagle eye, I even saw the Virgin Mary in a yellow zonker.
Yep, it’s been a pretty good year so far.
Welcome Micah. Those are some very impressive fish.
The quality of some of this work is impressive. John Bennett’s 2nd shot is my favorite. I haven’t got the photographic talent of many, but I’ve had a good year.
Intense draught has been unkind to Georgia trout streams, producing some of the poorest local trout fishing I can remember. Nevertheless, in a handful of trout trips I did add a new species: naturally occurring North Carolina tiger trout.
I discovered a new place—the most beautiful southern Appalachian gorge I’ve ever fished.
I fished more in warm water than I have before, finally breaking through the local striper barrier that’s been thwarting my lackluster efforts the last two summers. The striper experience has pretty much defined my “serious” fishing year thus far.
I added grass carp to the life list.
But most significantly, I’ve been introducing a newcomer to my world.
G
That is one nice boat………and a great trip!
Micah-the best is yet to come, right? Who doesn’t love mid-winter fishing?
2008…..
Got my Bamboo business up and running.
Welcomed my fourth child into the world.
My best friend and fishing buddy made it back from Afghanistan safe and sound.
Stood in one spot on the Holston in a driving rain and caught over fourty trout.
Caught my first Trout over 25″.~marc~
From Gary’s Tiger to Ryan’s Marble and from Lee’s girlfriend to John’s stunning skills as a photographer, and all inbetween.
Aaron –
I appreciate the enthusiasm for this board and this site a lot, believe me, but I am going to have to veto this one.
Wow some great stuff. I have been checking the site out from time to time and felt compelled to share, although with the Lauer brothers jumping on board I worry about the security of this place 🙂
2008 has been fun so far, still have a few more trips to do. I have been lucky enough to fish all over the West this year, having spent the better part of 3 months combined hanging out with fishing buddies. I am now grounded by my wife…
Starting out 2008 on Da Juan, temperatures did not exceed 20 degrees for the 4 days we were there. Add a toothache, my solution to this was to stuff snow into my mouth to keep it numb, to the mix and 08 was off to a pretty lousy start…and why did I buy that stupid hat.
Off to Pyramid Lake for Camp Lahootie II…
8.5lber day one, this was going to be the year of the 10…
This was the 10 for sure…nope, 8.
This is it, I was sure of it. I look at Geoff and he just gives me that shoulder shrug. This might be the most irritated anyone has ever been to catch an 8lbs fish.
Within 5 minutes, I was netting Josh’s 12lber…Always the bridesmaid.
After that it has all kind of been a blur, lots of Captain, little bits of sleep, another 40K on Hank, so many good times…
Henry’s Lake
My good friend Zach trying not to laugh at the world’s smallest Rooster
Small Delta Striper
Nice views from camp
Many, many games of washers…I am not very good at washers…but if you want to we can put some money on it just for fun.
Spent some time at home in Arizona this year, next year I will be home more(did that sound convincing enough that my wife may believe it?).
Oregon Brown
Montana Grayling-I hollered, no one came for the photo op
Some derelict with a Grayling
Toro, toro
My home away from home…Hank and the Alaknak.
I apologize for the excess, but once I started sifting through the memories it was hard to stop.
Bob~
I have seen a lot of pictures of some great years on this thread, but to see a man go through what you have and still keep the optimism needed (i.e. the grass trout), is not only evidence of a great year, but within your struggle is a life lesson that perhaps all of us should consider.
In a nutshell…GOOD ON YA MATE! 🙂
~marc~
Nice views from camp
Many, many games of washers…I am not very good at washers…but if you want to we can put some money on it just for fun.
Oh crap, Krai is here. There goes the neighborhood! Haha.
That camp… seriously. Best base camp ever. 3+ lbs rainbows and smallies casting distance from the tent. What a damn good trip!
The view was pretty crappy too.
If I remember right, there was a fish on in this photo.
January started out with a bang. Fishing was good and I won the fly division of the PFC kayak tournament. Life was great.
February found me collapsed in a heap in the hospital parking lot. Diagnosis, Guillian Barre Syndrome. It seems my immune system had issues with my nervous system and excercised the Bush Doctrine. After 11 days in the hospital and 6 plasma replacements, I was able to walk about 25 feet with the aid of Brenda, a nurse and a walker. From there to inpatient rehab to learn how to walk again.
By the end of March I had graduated to a cane and could walk about 500 feet (a miraculous recovery for GBS). That didn’t stop me from following my Tigers to the NCAA basketball finals however. Here I am in San Antonio with Brenda and Penny Hardaway. Notice the wheel chair and cane.
Recovery was slow, but I was working hard at the gym to increase my strength and stamina. By May, I was desparate to get out fishing. I even went out to the front yard to chase the ellusive grass trout.
I’ve learned a lot over the last year, about faith, health and life. I’ve also learned a lot about the kindness and compassion of family, friends and even acquaintences, if you will just give them a chance to help. At the end of May I was finally able to get back on the water, with the help of a bunch of my kayak buddies.
Now I’m looking forward to October 17. My feet are still a little numb, I still have some lower leg pain and my balance is still a little off, but, all in all, it’s been a great year.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.