A few here were sweating along with me until I got word today on whether or not I was going to be having lower back surgery. I was scheduled to have knee replacement on my right knee on October 9th until my back flared back up and couldn't be ignored. During my left knee replacement surgery in January, my back got twisted and the pain was unbearable. It has finally gotten to the point something has to give.

I went to a surgeon today (who also happens to be a crappie fisherman) and he is trying a couple of treatments for arthritis and injections into my spine. I have a seriously crushed nerve that won't get any better but as a fisherman, he understood I need to be fishing the next couple of months. I had not allowed any bookings after September 30th. Now I can keep at what has been some of the best fishing I've had in years plus participate in our Shin-Dig like I'm used to doing.

Surgery around the 1st of the year is a probable but he says I should be back in the boat in 3-4 weeks. I'm hoping his plan of treatment is successful.