DP's vacation week

07-26-2010
Monday: Met up with Crappie Pro out in his trees on Conway. He gave me a couple of jigs, showed me how to modify them, and where to fish them. I was kind of disappointed he didn't tie them on for me. I didn't let it bother me though. The man is a catching machine.
Thanks for the day CP.
I about got hit by lightning. I was under the interstate by Dano's riding out a storm. It hit one of the tall cypurus trees that mark the first zig before you zag in the trail. It stripped about 6" all the way from the top to the water.

Tuesday: There really is fish in Lake Maumelle!!!!!
I started out spider rigging the bouys in deeper water. I marked a few fish, but, didn't catch any. I met Perodine (sp) and his buddy. They were entertaining. I started dragging my cranks around 10 AM. The final tally was 4 crappie, 2 nice bream, and a green carp. I usually don't keep green carp. But, this one owed me. As I was about to lip him, he shook his head. Then we were sharing a Bandit. He was on one end, and I was on the other. I was trying to get my net since he was still in the water trying to swim off with his part of the Bandit and the other end still in my index finger.
After I got him unhooked and surveyed my situation, I didn't know if I would poop or puke first. It was buried all the way to the curve. I wanted to cut it off and go to the doctor. I couldn't get the cutting part of my needlenose to it. I noticed it didn't hurt too bad to tug on it. So, I decided to be a man. I pulled it back out with a twisting motion. It bled profusely. But, never did really hurt. The sight of that hook in my finger haunted me that night as I tried to sleep.

Wednsday: Lake Degray. Final tally was 4 crappie and for catfish. After getting hooked my self the day before, it took me a while to get the bandits out of a catfish. When the day was over, I came across a mother with two boys fishing at the boat ramp. They had about 6 really nice bream. I asked them if they were going to cook them tonight. Mom said she planned on it, but they were out of worms and she didn't think there was enough fish for all of them. I slipped her my bag of filets and told her not to let the boys know they didn't catch them while they were eating them. I was really amused at the way she kept saying they were from "Wiscooooonsin".

Thursday I took the Mrs. Up to Greer's Ferry. I wanted to fish a new part of the lake and ended up fishing the mountain across from Shilo. Lot's of timber holding fish. But, I couldn't get down to them I stayed out in 45' to 60' of water to keep from gettin hung up so much. They were too deep for my bandits. I wanted to spider rig. But, the wind would not allow that. I caught a few little bass and that was all. But, I learned a new part of the lake and look forward to trying it again under more favorable conditions.

We did a dinner cruise in the Mrs.'s toon boat on Hamilton Saturday evening. Cajun's Grill did a fine job. They were releasing water from the Ouachita dam. That made for a pleasant boat ride in the 50 degree water.

DP

Sounds like a fun week DP, except for the hook in the hand and near lightning strike part. Nice to meet ya on the water and hope to see you agian on the water. Next time lets both get in my boat.

Glad you had a good time Don. Will be in Maumelle Wednesday may hollar at you.

DP sorry to hear about the Bandit in the finger. Sounds like a great week fishing other than that. I sure like vacation time much better than being on the job even though to fish that hard, it's probably as much work.

Enjoyed the read, one day I will take a week off and fish. One day

Sorry to hear ya got that hook in the finger, bet it's still sore. Sounds like ya had a good time anyhow lake hoppin in Arkansas.