As with other parts of the world, Wisconsin has sacred days.  Do not make plans with those participating in these events in Wisconsin.  These days include opening of archery deer hunting, the rut, gun deer season, turkey season, first ice (ice fishing), or any event allowing an excuse to drink beer (especially in public).  Today's sacred holiday was fishing opener.  Wisconsinites are now able to fish game species on all waters.  No more panfish or carp....  It's on like Donkey Kong. As per usual, I meticulously prepare my lures, load my kayak, and pack my tackle.  Though my home water is 3 minutes from my front door, I cannot waste any time returning home for forgotten equipment.  After enjoying an evening Wisconsin cookout with the major Wisconsin food groups (brats, burgers, beans, beer, cheese), I turn in for the night.  Having enjoyed the evening with neighborhood friends, I went to bed later (and with more beers in me) than expected for my opening day.  The price o

Last week, with bass season closed in most Wisconsin waters, I took to a nearby river.  If you haven't read about my Bass Goggles clouding my judgement and nearly invoking a "code brown", check it out . I was determined, when conditions normalized, so avenge my pride and tackle the same river.  This opportunity was presented this last week when a new kayak fishing buddy of mine was looking for partners to float the river via our local Facebook Group . We called a local kayak rental/launch site to confirm parking and they indicated the river had dropped over 8 inches since my treacherous adventure.  We were planning the float for Friday, the day before Wisconsin fishing opens on other waters, and the local news was calling for an unseasonably warm 90 degrees.  We planned a float. The night before I carefully prepped and loaded my kayak and gear.  I rigged my DIY drag chain to help control my speed in the current (I learned last time anchoring in the current isn't

'Twas the night before Bass Opener, when all through the house all the creatures were stirring, especially the spouse. The lures were tied to the rods with care, in hopes that Mr. Largemouth would give them a stare. The anglers were all nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of topwater blowups danced in their heads. And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my camo cap, had just settled our brains for a short spring nap. When from my alarm clock arose such a ringing, I rose from the bed, hoping my drag would soon be singing. Away to the vehicle I flew like a flash, Tore open my coffee and loaded up the 'yak. The moon on the breast of the glass-like lake, Gave the luster of mid-day to the largemouth below. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a dawn top-water blowup on my baitcasting gear. With a fight so lively and swift, I knew in a moment it must be a monster fish. More rapid than eagles his jumps they came, and he

Work, stress, bills, politics, media, interstates, traffic, phones, social media, and the list goes on...  These things are part of today's society.  Everyone needs a "Happy Place" to temporarily escape.  For my wife, it is getting lost in a good book.  For Happy Gilmore, it was an odd dreamland destroyed by Shooter McGavin.  Mine is found at my local reservoir. I've spent countless hours fishing my local reservoir, learning every structure and contour.  The time I have invested here makes me secure and provides me a sense of familiarity.  I'm familiar with the water, weather, and fish patterns.  There is no stress related to water, weather conditions, or finding fish.   Anytime I struggle fishing other waters, I come here to normalize and find my Moment of Zen. After my "code brown" river fishing experience , I was in dire need of a Moment of Zen at my Happy Place.  Yesterday I took my FeelFree Lure  to my local reservoir.  On this picture-perfec

Today I learned a valuable lesson about respect.  Respect for mother nature.  She provides us with wonderful things we all enjoy.  For me, I was using one of her rivers in an attempt to catch her bass. To prepare for the upcoming May KBF North Central Great Lakes tournament hosted by TourneyX , I pre-fished a nearby river.  I've fished rivers, but never by kayak.  I prefer the calm lakes, but bass season is closed until May 7 here in Wisconsin.  I was up for a new challenge, blinded by the possibility of catching my first bass of 2016 in my new-found love (my FeelFree Lure kayak). My goal was to launch shortly before sunrise.  The night before, I ceremoniously removed my bass trays from my tackle box and placed them in my kayak crate.  I loaded the rest of my gear into the car and strapped the kayak on the roof.  After a Wisconsin winter that refused to give way for spring, finally.  I was actually going bass fishing!  I enjoyed the evening with a few beers and the family and

I love fishing.  I love fishing from a kayak from my FeelFree Lure more than expected.  I recently decided to go all-in.  I registered for the Minnesota Kayak Fishing Association Fishing Opener Online Tournament .  I have also registered for the Tourney X Great Lakes Regional tournament in May hosted by Kayak Bass Fishing . To ensure my tournament identifiers are properly preserved and displayed in my CPR (catch photo release) tournaments, I'm anxiously awaiting my recently ordered Tourney Tag .  If you are in CPR tournaments, check these guys out.  Their versatile product protects your identifiers exponentially better than your run-of-the-mill sandwich bag. In addition to entering the kayak fishing tournament trail, due to the overwhelming social media feedback on by blog, I am awaiting review from Amazon for my blog to be available to Kindle readers!  I will surely share the link on my blog, Facebook page , and Twitter account once approved.  I'm also working

No excuses. Rain or shine. The love of fishing with the "no excuses" approach has served me well in the past. I've caught some of my best bass in rainstorms while others are warm in their homes.  Last year I landed a nice largemouth in my Jon boat while a good Samaritan was cleaning up the river bank. He looked up while I was admiring the beautiful 19" fish and said, "Wow! Nice fish!".   I smile and release her so others may enjoy catching her and the future generations she will create. The good Samaritan yells, "What!?!?! You aren't keeping that fish?!?!".   I reply, "No, I'll let her make more bass and be caught again." By the look on his face, you would have thought I was skinny dipping in the river.  We silently agree to disagree and carry on as we were. To clarify, I occasionally keep fish for a Wisconsin fish fry.   I believe people are free to choose to keep or release fish within the local laws.  But I am