Fishing Forum

While this request may seem strange to some, I'll ask it anyway. I've suddenly gotten the urge to find out about fishing in other states, I live in Colorado, just about 25 miles NE of Denver. After reading posts from many anglers, and assuming incorrectly that I knew all about fishing, I discovered that I knew very little when it comes to other states. As a wise man once said, " Your degree of stupidity depends on which state you're standing in at the time the question is asked."

So, a little background on me. (Drum roll please). I was born and raised in Waco, Texas and have been fishing all over that state, rivers and lakes. I spent time in the Navy (Yes, I'm a Vietnam Vet) and have fished the waters from California to Hawaii to Vietnam (damn, that water is deep) and I've seen some strange sights. Read my post to daymere regarding catfishing for one.

Then there was the fishing aboard a fleet oiler off the coast of Vietnam. Now that is one big, fishing boat. 553' feet long, 75' wide, a draft of 35 ' with a top speed of 18 knots, more if we really pushed it. It only came in one color, gray. The 6' of freeboard lent itself to fine fishing. The Captain was an avid fisherman and every change we got -- fish call. Cookie would break out the shrimp and away we'd go. On one special occassion, when we had time to spare, a GunnersMate broke out a large treble hook, it looked more like a small anchor, baited it with a spoiled piece of meat from the galley, attached it to 500# test line and tossed it overboard. Just before he drifted off to sleep, the line was stretched out behind the ship at a leiasurely 5 knots. Several hours later, just as we were picking up speed and steaming to our next replenishment, he woke up and saw the line pacing the ship off to the side. Inanimate objects aren't supposed to do that.

Bringing in the line, he could feel something tugging on it as he pulled. The word got to the bridge, and to the Captain, and he ordered the ship slowed at first, then stopped. There were soon so many men on the fantail watching, that the bow came out of the water. Using tried Naval inguinuity, someone rigged a block and tackle to assist in pulling ??? whatever was on the other end. It took about an hour before it was identified -- a 12' Hammerhead shark, and the crew's mouths started watering at the thought of fresh shark steaks for chow. Just as he was about to swing it on deck, it gave a burp, out came the hook and it belly-flopped back into the water, to swim calmly away. Groans of disappointment filled the fresh, salty air. Now, my being a Navy Vet, and an avid, died-in-the-wool fisherman, you know this is true.

Now, I'd like to hear from other fishermen who have stories to tell but were afraid of being laughed out of the AVID FISHERMAN'S ASSOCIATION.

johnin colorado
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the best i can do on this is a three foot sandshark i cought in the black stream in carmel maine as a lad some 30+ years ago , look at a map , it's just WEST of bangor .

for my ultimate big fish almost cought was in black lake in the upper east tip of the mit a few years earlier , a stergon as big as the canoe on a zebco 202 !

i gotta start fishing more places that have black in there title , seems to be a trend there i overlooked ![]
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HI JOHN . GO TO THE MICHIGAN BOARD AND OPEN THE STATE BY STATE D,N,R, LISTING PAGE , COPY IT TO YOUR COMPUTER TO GAIN A PORTHOLE TO ANY STATES FISHING INFO ! []

IT'S NOT AS GOOD AS BEING HERE WITH ALL OF US , BUT IT SURE GIVES YOU AN AVENEW TO CHECH OUT THERE LAWS AND FEES AND STUFF .[]

BFT GUYS ARE ACTUALLY OUT THERE FISHING [cool], THERE REPORTS GOTTA BE MORE RELIABLE THAN SOMEONE WHO'S SITTING BEHIND A DESK SOMEWHERE IN AN OFFICE BUILDING ![]
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