The Occasional Fisherman

[Mike Cork]

We have all had that season when we wanted to spend every day of the spring on the water catching monster bass, setting new records and making our friends envious. But then "Life" hits you and soon it's nearly impossible to get on the water....

Check out Bud Kennedy's latest blog and then come back and tell us your stories of "Life" getting in the way of your best laid plans. I could say us all some frustration and point out what to watch for so we don't get sidelined.

Bud's story is full of unpreventable, but some of our stories had that turning point. Let's get those turning points out in the open and save a trip of a life time.

www.ultimatebass.com

[Lee Smith]

    

Sure hope you get more time in '16 Bud 

[Wizard]

My fishing stopped on 9/11. From the time of the Twin Towers and for the next 4 yrs,. I worked 24/7. A combined job of running a team looking for Taliban caves in Afghanistan in the weeks before Shock and Awe and later overseeing the production of all military mapping for the war. I took little time off between then and 2008 when I retired. I don't think I even looked at my fishing gear during that time. Lots of military on UB along with a few of my intel buddies. We knew what could happen to us when we signed up.

[Bigwrench]

Sure hope you get more time this year Bud ! My year has been much the same way for several different reasons but I hope to get the old Ranger out on the water this year and Might even get it to Guntersville and Norman Rallies this next year !

[Bud Kennedy]

Last season was just one of those things.  My plan is to have the steering cables replaced in January along with adjusting the motor height/jackplate height.  Will have the motor inspected just to check on the fluids and then should be ready to go get em.  I don't usually fish in January or February but if the opportunity presents its self then you can bet I will be on the water. Got a whole bunch of river to discover.

[Nutt]

This year, I was definately the definition of an occassional fisherman.  Started off the year fishing pretty regularly, slowed down in May, then after our clubs July tournament, fishing came to a screeching halt due to some pretty serious family issues and an ever changing oilfield work schedule.  Hopefully, the issues are straightened out now and 2016 will have me on the water more often.  Hell, my boat is two years old and only has 42 hours on the motor.  That definately has to change.

[Oldfart9999]

It's been alm ost 2 years when I had surgery on my right shoulder to repair 2 badly damaged tendons, 6 weeks in a sling 12 weeks of therapy and a whole lot of ibuprofen I slowly got back to fishing. Then I lost the upper bicep tendon in my left shoulder, another 6 weeks of therapy, a whole lot of ibuprofen and a shot of cortisone and it's doing ok. This year my trailer broke, several weeks to find a used one, can't afford a new one, a months work figuring it out and a whole lot of work to make it usable and I got back on the water. Now in stead of cold with snow we have warm for the season and rain with front after front coming through, it's raising hell with my arthritis and I'm doing another 6 weeks of therapy for my knee, when I'm don't hurt much it's off to the gym so I can stay mobile.
I'm 70 and I'm for sure not ready to pack it in, I plan on giving it hell and my best shot for quite a few more years, I'm sure not ready for the rocker on the back porch.
Rodney

[bluebonnet2]

good morning,

seems this year has been a bust for me after my trip to "el salto" ( it was fantastic)  PB 11.5, then come back and Dallas is closed down...took me damn near 7 hrs to go 200 miles... ...come back to 8 weeks of continueous rain, lakes flooded, ramps closed, and the one day, near 100 degree heat for 10 weeks....

then another 4 weeks of rain....water line busted to my house, got a bill for 23000 gal of water , dog has major issues with barbed wire.. , she's OK.. fishing bud gets transfered to okla for work...road washed out to my house, ....seems everytime i pick a time for fishing, other things pop up

maybe i should write a country song

on the other hand god is good.....god bless us all

i normally average 2-4 times a month...

working on my health and trying to sell my boat....it will happen when it supposed to.....at 70, sometimes its a bitch....

so i'm going back to "el salto" in feb..

Merry chritmas and happy new year to all.........secret santa is on his way.....

good luck,
PURA VIDA,
bluebonnet2

[Donald Garner]

 Other than fishing the UBCS at Toledo Bend and a couple Fishing For Freedom trips that's been it for me.  Things at work kept me off the water. 

Bud thanks for the read.  I kept up with your happening through out the year.  I hope next year is a a better year for you.