My fishing trip to Paris (no kidding)

Several years back, I was lake fishing near Paris with some of my buddy’s. I caught a good size fish and as I was taking the fish off, he flung the hook out of his mouth and into my hand. Startled, I jerked back setting a hook deep in my palm. My buddy’s looked at it and said “oh that’s going to leave a mark, yank it out and put some worm dirt on it and keep fishing.” I used pliers and a knife to try and remove the hook, but while trying, I almost hooked my other hand. I thought, great if that happens I’ll be handcuffed by bait.  Yep, I was greatly embarrassed, but that’s fishing, right? 


I decided it was going to take too much cutting to get it out, so off to Paris we went. When I arrived at the clinic there were other folks there. One had been on his tractor and a branch fell on him and another had been kicked by a cow. Oh yeah, I don’t want you to think that it was in the other Paris. It was Paris, Tennessee and the Henry County Medical Center because I was crappie fishing on Kentucky Lake. 

Anyway, in the exam room a new, young Doc walked in, looked at my hand and told the nurse to get the scalpel, we’ll cut it out. An older nurse told the young Doc, “around here I’ve never seen it done that way; most Doctors clip the hook to remove the lure. Then push the end of the clipped hook and the barb end will curve right back up and out with almost no scar.”  The young Doc took her advice and sure enough the hook came right out with no scar. Boy I’m thankful for nurses that speak up and young Doc’s that listen. Now, I know how to remove hooks the easier way, clip and push. Believe me; I will never forget that trip to Paris.  See my treasured lake maps at LeoLakes.com

Taking fishing too serious!

Here's one of my popular comics from Baitrageous.com. A fisherman that's way too serious don't you think? 

Harriet the Egret

Here we have Harriet the Egret looking for a free meal. Harriet is a smart bird; she goes around to every door at Lemon Bay and peeps in. This is Harriet on her way.

Sometimes Harriet hits the birdie jack pot. This is like an all you can eat meal at the local greasy spoon.

Mmmm…… Roast Beef     

My trip to the Venice Rookery

If you enjoy nature, birds, and the outdoors, then you should take a trip to the Venice Rookery located in Venice Florida. It's basically a small lake with a small island located in the middle where many different birds nest during the spring.  The Venice Rookery is a great place to photograph and view many birds nesting such as the Great Blue Heron, Night Heron, Anhinga, and the Egret.  

 

If you click on the sign, you may be able to read about the Venice Rookery.

The island is loaded with birds and most are on thier nest.

Here's two Anhinga's necking. I'm not sure which one is the male or female?

Hmmm...... I think I figured it out.

The Great Blue Heron with the spiked hair is a large chick that will soon leave.

A nesting Blue Heron with a small chick. If you click on the photo you may see the chick down in the nest.

A Night Heron just chilling. Better be careful a alligator could be near.

A Red Wing Black Bird that has locked himself in reed jail.

Here he is, the big alligator that patrols the small lake and you must be careful while photographing.

Sometimes it's more fun photographing the bird watchers, watching the birds.

Behind every great fisherman there's a Blue Heron!

While in Florida I made a significant observation while fishing. I'm sure you have heard of the saying, behind every successful man there's a great woman.  For fishermen in Florida, the saying should be, behind every great fisherman there's a Blue Heron. Why? Because the Blue Heron is always looking for a free meal and has apparently figured out how to spot a great fisherman. 

You can have two fishermen walk down to the dock and start fishing. The Blue Heron will strut around and then choose a fisherman to stand behind and wait for a free hand out. Sure enough the chosen fisherman will make catch after catch. How does the Blue Heron know, appearance, smell or luck? I'm just not sure but his choice is always correct. I was the other fisherman thinking pick me, pick me. The Heron never did. Anyway, if you look in the picture below you will find the Great Blue Heron.

A Great Blue Heron behind a Great fisherman, Pop.

Fishing in Lemon Bay.

Hmmm.... is that a bite?

Sure is! A spotted sea trout, too small and must be released. The spotted trout is really not a trout at all, it's in the sucker family. I'm not sure why it's called a spotted trout, maybe it's because it looks so much like a trout.

Sunset over Lemon Bay.

Get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!

Fly Fishing Osprey Style!

I have been at Lemon Bay Florida for the past few day's and have been hoping that I would get a few photo's of an Osprey that fishes over the bay.  The Osprey did not disappoint! 

Hmmm..... appears to be a patriotic bird. 

I was very lucky, with my Nikon D-80, I captured a dive into the water........

and bang! The Osprey goes all the way under the water. What an impact! They're really tough birds.

Out of the water and hopefully with a meal.

Again, I was lucky and this Osprey landed near me. I was able to take a few shots of his catch. Amazingly the fish was still flopping around, but the Osprey had him with those sharp talons. This is certainly fresh sushi. 

Well, he decided to leave for some reason which was good for me because I could identify the fish. The fish appears to be a sheep-head. A great tasting fish. In fact, for dinner last night I had Sheep-head that was caught out of Lemon Bay. Good choice Osprey! 

I just had to zoom in for a close-up. Check out those talons. Hope you enjoyed and there's more to come from Lemon Bay.

Lemon Bay Flounder

Pop, my Father-end-law catches a nice flounder in Lemon Bay. Here in Florida the temperature is about 80-85 in the day time. Fishing is fair.  

More to come.

When Nature Strikes!

It was 10:15pm last night. We (wife, 16 yr daughter, and myself) were in Florida at my mother and father- end-laws. I was sound a sleep after a hard day on vacation and my cell phone rings. It announces that it's my other teenage daughter calling. It's very unusual to get a phone call from her because she only communicates by text message, plus we never get a text so late at night and a phone call is unheard of. She's a teenage college student attending Sewanee: The University of the South. I went from dead a sleep to fully awake in less than a 1 second. My mind started running wild thinking of what may have happened and  knowing this is not good.


I scrambled for the phone and finally answered "What's wrong." I hear sobbing and then "Dad I just, I just ........hit a deer." I asked " Are you OK." She answered "Yes, but my car is not." Then relief settles in and I realize everything will be fine. Here's the pictures she sent me today of her car, not too bad.

 

This deer will cost me a $500 deductible charge, but the other dear is doing well. "When Nature Strikes!"