Yesterday (Saturday)
I got to spend the day on the river with my uncle (my Dad's brother). He's a fantastic crappie fisherman and does everything in the simplest way possible. No trolling motor. No depth finder or fish finder. Just him on the front of his aluminum boat skulling along. I counted it a privilege to get to fish with him in his boat. I only boated four very small crappie, but I spent the day with my uncle. I'm still learning this sport, but I can't wait to get to take my Dad this coming fall when I can count on us putting some fish in the boat.

Today
I fished solo from 11am to about 4:30 this afternoon. I only got one fish and can't figure out why. I caught the one fish within the first thirty minutes. Fished the same technique the rest of the day and nothing else bit. Strange? How/why did that one fish bite and then no more. Seems like it would be zero fish or several. The one fish was 1.21 pounds and over 12 inches, so I was pleased with it. I tried to keep in mind that I am blessed to be able to go out and enjoy the outdoors and the sights and sounds of nature. To that end.... I think I may have seen a big cat (mountain lion or cougar) pulling up to my spot. It was out in the middle of a field at least 200 yards to the nearest tree line. I guess it heard my truck and took off. Never looked back and ran extremely fast to the nearest trees. I'm pretty sure it wasn't a deer.

Today's trip brings me to 24 crappie on the year. My average per trip is 1.41. Perhaps I can improve those numbers this fall. I don't think I'm going to fish through the summer.