rsimms, Nickajack (Riverpark), Mixed Bag, 5-6-2011, Stan and Mike

[FishNews]

Stan Darden and his friend Mike from Chicago needed a break after a hard week working so we escaped to the river for a while Friday. My pet catfish are finally starting to cooperate a little as the water gets to an "almost" manageable flow. It's still tough fishing my favored "chicken drift" pattern, but we're starting to make it work.<br /><br />But mixing in shiners with the chicken, it really was a mixed bag morning. We had all three species of bass, stripe, crappie, rock bass, bluegill, channel cats and blue cats. Can't complain about that.<br /><br />I can complain about my Minn Kota falling apart. emoBang I really shouldn't... this is it's sixth year of "hard" use after being raised and lowered about ten thousand times, the plastic screw holes keeping the head together all gave up the ghost. I rebuilt it with that wonderful product known as "duct tape," covered by a layer of electrician's tape. But I suppose I'm in the market for a new trolling motor. Anybody got a 55 lb. (or more) thrust, hand-steering TM they want to let go of for a song? emoBig <br /><br />It's been a tough Spring fishing season for me... but I think I'm finally about to turn a corner. But this time last year I was in bad pain from a bum shoulder, to be followed by a spontaneous ruptured disc in my neck. So no matter what... life is good and getting better every day! emoBeer