Marrowbone Monster

As I drove across the small bridge that overlooks the lake, I recalled fishing in this lake as a teenager. I could see the same small white fishing office where you are required to check-in or visit if you want to rent a boat.

Near the water’s edge, a host of old aluminum Jon Boats are strewn in an almost orderly fashion, dull and gray. I bet the boat I rented as a teen is still here. I remember how large, heavy and difficult to paddle these boats were and how hot aluminum gets in the southern, summer sun.

This is Marrowbone Lake. I am not sure why it’s named Marrowbone, but this absolutely beautiful 60 acre lake is nestled between vivid green hills near Nashville.  It was built in the 1930s and has remained a hidden paradise that only few have discovered. This lake is operated by the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency.

I walked into the small fishing office to pay as the coldest air hit my face. Inside, a large counter with snacks and fishing items for sale hung around. A nice lady from the counter said, “$5 to fish all day, just sign your name there on the clipboard.” I thought, “What a deal.” I told her that I would like a Dr Pepper, too. She said “Okay, there in the refrigerator.” I thought, “…nice and homey, an actual kitchen refrigerator, much better than the overly commercial C-stores”, as I opened the door to get my ice cold Dr Pepper.

As we unloaded our kayaks, the water was as smooth as glass. Getting in to my kayak, I could tell this was going to be an enjoyable trip. This lake has little flow and paddling is made very easy. Using my ultra-light rod I began to plug the bank with a small grub. Right off the bat, I caught a nice bream, dark blue with a touch of orange. A perfect catch, hooked right at the lip, easy to release. 

While casting, I found that the water was so calm that the kayak moved along the bank, stealthy without much paddling, an easy way to catch a few more bream. I heard the honk of a Canadian goose near, while fishing around a downed tree. The goose swam by and posed for a photo. Every few minutes he would honk. I wondered who or what he was looking for, likely his or her mate. 

It’s been a while since I drank that Dr Pee-pper, so I had to go. The shore slopes down to the water, oak, hickory and a few pines grow with poison ivy, poison oak, an assortment of vines and wild flowers make up the under growth. It became apparent to me that a bathroom trip is going to be an adventure, so I titled this part of the story: An adventure to knock the dew off my lily. To keep it short I will sum this up in a Dr. Seuss nursery rhyme: 


I did not trip! I did not fall, and the dew was knocked from my lily after all. Life is goooood, again!


Now back to fishing, the water in this lake fills the coves between the hills and is fairly deep next to shore. Casting into this water, I caught a small Blue Cat on the same grub. Yes, you can catch catfish on artificial bait.
I decided to paddle to the end of the cove and explore. At this end of the lake the water becomes very shallow and you can easily see the muddy bottom. I was sitting in my kayak. All of a sudden, swoosh, swamp, Swoosh!! I felt the hair stand up on my neck. I saw a large wave headed near my kayak. I could see something large, slightly red through muddy water, and a dorsal fin that resembled one of those foldaway hand fans in the full open position in the middle of the wave. Wow, it was a Marrowbone Monster and I must have disturbed him in the shallows! This was one of the largest Carp I have ever seen, scales as large as hub caps, well maybe not that big, but big. I was lucky that I just knocked the dew off the lily or I might have had dew in my pants. 

I decided that the drama was over and got back to fishing. I caught a few bream and saw a big Largemouth Bass swim near me. I quickly cast a few times over near the big fish. Bang, I set the hook, but I was hung on a log. Needless to say, I was unsuccessful and decided to begin the trip back to the dock. While paddling, I could see a Great Blue Heron flying about 5 feet above the water coming toward me. I thought this would be a great photo. I reached for my camera photo. I unbuttoned my pocket, unzipped the zipper, took the plastic zip lock bag out, that contains my camera phone, unzipped the zip lock bag and grabbed the phone, turned the camera on and the Great Blue Heron was already in Nashville. Dang, I realized that I need to improve my photo process just a bit. That’s it; next trip I will bring my Nikon in an easy accessible, water tight bag. 


As I paddle back to the dock, I think this lake would have been a great setting for one of those idyllic outdoor paintings by Terry Relin with the golden sunset and geese flying over. You may agree that this is a beautiful lake; however there is one thing that just ruins this wonderful setting. Just look at these signs and study them for a minute. Why so ugly? Why so many? Why so confusing? I think it's time for a sign make over?

Remember: What's in your Lake, River, Bay or Woods? Adventure out!

Lake Allatoona

Just finished this new lake decor print of Lake Allatoona. Lake Allatoona is located near Atlanta and is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineer reservoir. Built in the late 40s, the major inflows come from the Etowah River, the Little River, Noonday Creek, and Allatoona Creek. Lake Allatoona is a fine fishing lake for Crappie, Striped Bass, Spotted Bass and Hybrid Bass.

This lake Allatooona lake art print is 10"x20" and would look great in your office, home, boat or lake house. www.LeoMap.com 

Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream or at least enjoy one on your wall. Frame your favorite lake, river or bay, LeoMap!

I saw a rock and caught some rocks.

First things first, my annual fishing trip to the Aflac River turned out to be an exciting event. Now, this is not the real name of this river but you may be able to figure it out, if not, I will tell you later. Located in Middle Tennessee, this river flows into the Tennessee River and is a good river for fishing.

All rigged and ready to go. The recent rains have the river up a bit and the water is slightly dingy.

The fishing is cut short because I saw an interesting rock. I docked to investigate and hiked on the shore.

Check this fossil rock out. The round image is as large as a dinner plate. It appears to be 10" to 12" in diameter and is in sediment rock. I don't think I've ever seen any other fossil like this? 

This area was covered by a swallow ocean milllons of years ago. This petrified cirlce was probably a sea creature. It looks like a cross-section of a piece of coral. If this is correct, it would have been gaint coral and as large as trees. So, this is the rock that I saw.

Here is the rock I caught. Actually it is a Rock Bass also called a Redeye. A bit on the small side but very fun to catch.

It's no wonder they call these Redeye. They normally run under a pound, but can get a little larger.

I saw a lot of snakes on this trip, mostly Northern Water Snakes. I could not postively identifiy this beauty. In the last few years, this river has become loaded with Northern Water Snakes and I'm not sure why?

 

All good things must come to an end and so did this trip. Oh, by the way the name of this river is the Duck River. Remember: What's in your River, Lake, or Bay? Go find out!

Natures Fury

You never know what to expect from Mother Nature when Living in the Ten Acre Woods. Late last night we heard a big crash and discovered a tree branch had landed on the house. Luckily it didn’t do any major damage. This morning I went out and discovered some minor damage to the roof, a few broken stair treads and side rail. Also, it landed on the Direct TV Dish and we lost signal. It’s a very, very sad day when a man loses Satellite signal and the family is none too happy, either. I called Direct TV and they indicated that it will take until June 2^nd to repair, sad, very, very sad.

Currently, I have chain sawed and removed the limb. I found that the Satellite is in better shape than expected, but it is misaligned. I worked to realign the Satellite and was successful. Now, everyone in the Ten Acre Woods is happy except for the squirrel that lost his nest. Remember: What's in your Woods, River, Lake or Bay. I know what's in mine, today! Get Up & Get Out!

It was a Natural Phenomenon!

This is the completion of the last story named Un-natural Phenomenon. It is about who, what, and how was our drive edged? Now, I believe I know what did the edging. To begin, the moist leaves along the drive happened to be loaded with worms and grubs which would be a fine food source for many animals. It appears this animal did all the digging along side of the drive for the juicy protein that's available.

What animal did the job? Interesting, some might call the little fella a big celebrity. He represents the state proudly on many publications and can often be seen in the media. I actually got a few pictures of him near the drive at dusk yesterday. His title: The official animal of the Great State of Tennessee. Can you name him? 

It’s a Raccoon. Actually, we have three Raccoons that live very near our home in the ten acre woods and have spotted them digging in leaves. They will eat bread that we toss out and bird seed. Also, there are two opossums that live near among a host of other animals, but I am 99% sure it was a Raccoon that we call Davy Crockett. Davy Crockett has been coming by since December. You know, I think he is still upset by that coon skin cap incident in the 1800s. Hee Hee! 

Davey the Raccoon loves old bread.

He lives in a downed tree that is near our drive. We normally see him around dusk. 

We feed a stray cat that comes around and Davey will steal the cat food. 

Davey munching on cat food right outside the back door!

Davey the Raccoon may be a Peeping Tom? Speaking of Tom's, our turkeys rake our leaves. 

Just think, we have a Raccoon that will edge the drive! We have Turkey's that rake leaves.

Now, If I could only train the deer to mow the yard, I would be set! This is Life in the ten acre woods, hope you enjoyed. Remember: What's in your Woods, River, Lake, or Bay? Get Outdoors!  

Un-natural Phenomenon

When living in the woods things happen that can't always be explained. Lately while in the ten acre woods, I have noticed that our drive appears to have been edged. I know that I didn’t edge the drive, but who did? I posed the question to wifey and she said she thought I did because of the debris left on the drive. Ha Ha! Anyway, I know the kids didn’t do the work. It appears we have a mystery. Who, what or why edged the drive? Unfortunately, I was not able to capture the actual event as it happened; however, here is the work in process.  Look closely as you may be able to draw some conclusions.

If you are a true outdoorsman or outdoorswoman you may be able to make an educated guess to what actually edged the drive. Take a guess and write it in the comments if you like. In the next few days I will reveal what I believe happened with pictures. Good Luck. Remember: What's in your River, Lake, Bay or Woods! Get up & Find Out.  

Laze Bob Kayak Company

Laze Bob Kayak Company! The only Recliner Rocker Kayak. "It is your daddy kayak". Hee Hee! Just having fun. Remember: What's in your Woods, River, Lake or Bay. Get up and Find out! Don't be a Laze Bob.

Buffalo Jam!

I have eaten blackberry jam, been in a traffic jam, been to a music jam, had toe jam, and been through a big jam , but never have I been in Buffalo Jam. What is Buffalo Jam? Well, it's kind of like Bear Jam but there's a lot more of it. I must say, the kids liked it and you know how picky kids are.  If you have ever been to Yellowstone National Park you may understand Buffalo Jam. 


Two years ago we went to Yellowstone for a long vacation and I learned what makes Buffalo Jam. Instead of me explaining it to you, I will just let the picture show you Buffalo Jam. 

As you can see, a Great Buffalo Jam occurred in Yellowstone. About 40-50 Buffalo crossed the road and stopped traffic. This was our first Buffalo Jam and it lasted about 30 mins. I learned that Buffalo are sloooooow. This begs the question: Why did the Buffalo cross the road?   

Perhaps to get away from a Cougar, a Ram, or a Jaguar that were lined up down the road. Any way, put Yellowstone National Park on your bucket list. This park is the Disney World of National Parks. Remember: What's in your Woods, River, Lake, or Bay! Get up & Find Out!