Lake Chop

Though the boat launch was closed, the following day, Easter Sunday I took the yak out though the water was a silty mess, virtually un-fishable. But I had been away down south for two weeks and getting back out on the water was not simply a need, but a must. And I waned to test out my new DIY anchor trolly system if all else went bust. People kept telling me I was a brave man to venture out there in the kayak. I would say that bravery is more like the by-product of logic, of knowledge. Sure, I know that if I venture too far out into open water, like several miles, and the southwest wind turn due south and pics up from 8 mph to 30 mph, and the water temp being less than 40 degrees as it is, then I might never make it back, just like some unfortunates did this past month. One always has to keep in mind that this lake is very temperamental and can turn on you in a heart beat. And not just on The Great Lakes, the weather can turn fowl in any given situation. http://wkbn.com/2016/03/20/body-of-kayaker-found-in-northeastern-ohio-state-park/

Here's the water of Lake Erie at mid afternoon.

 Here's the water 10 hours later.

(Nikon D810 iso 250 white balance auto Nikon DX 12-24mm f.4 lens focus set at infinity aperture set at f.13 10 second exposure using cable release)

The trolly system worked great and I feel comfortable with it, but still a bit hesitant using it in water depths more than 30 feet. Always have a knife on your vest or in reaching distance when using an anchor. If the chop gets too choppy, better to chop the line loose. Better to lose a $25 anchor system than all your tackle or expensive fish finder! Oh, and that thing called 'your life'. I'm always putting my gear at the top of priorities....

After a good sized lake storm I enjoy combing the beach for washed up lures and oddities.

I would definitely rather chase a storm than have a storm like this chase me....

Good To Be Back

Been on the road for a few weeks - Birmingham, Alabama and Georgia. Had very little opportunity to do much fishing. What fishing I did was rather disappointing. I could only get my fly rod on the airplane because it is a 4 piece. The leader was too thin and kept snapping trying to pull in grass carp. I lost my last hook on a giant turtle and decided to call it quits until I made back home, back up north to my cold Lake Erie. And cold it has been! It snowed this past weekend, but now, though it only got to a high of 44 today, tomorrow it will sky rocket to 70, and I plan to be out on the chilly lake waters on the kayak. I'll be using the virgin bait caster paired with a short Gander Mountain Vertex rod, and my newest Shimano Symetre 4000FL with heavier than normal line (14 lbs). Usually I'll fish with 8 lbs flourocarbon, but I have this feeling there's something big waiting out there for me....

Like raiding the ark of the covenant! But I'm going to travel feather light on this adventure. The best bet will be the spoons. If all else fails I can jump to jig & maggot.

I get rather worn out from carrying so much gear all the time. These are some of the cameras I use.

This is the rig I roll in, sometimes for a month at a time.

With a yellow lab named, Buster behind the wheel. He stops at all the fire hydrants. 

Alabama sunset.

https://www.facebook.com/What-I-Do-Photography-538899382802614/

By Monday I'll have a new addition to my arsenal - GoPro 4 Black. This will add a video element via Youtube link. I have more product reviews to post soon, not just fishing gear and apparel, but of photographic equipment and tips and secrets I've learned over the years wanting to pass on. Well, it's after midnight, Happy Easter everyone....