Monday, September 24, 2012

Fish Suit

Oh, looks like little Johnny is an artist!
 

I couldn't resist doing this cartoon of these waders hanging on the wall and little Johnny's artwork all over his dad's fish suit, as little Johnny calls them. Looks like that's a permanent marker in Johnny's hand. Hmm, wonder what daddy's reaction will be? Remember: Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!  


Friday, September 21, 2012


Thought my cartoon of this bass fit with the last post about the piranha. Enjoy!!

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Piranhas in Percy Priest?

I fish in this locate lake and this has been in the news lately.

SMYRNA, Tenn.- A local fisherman's startling catch at Percy Priest Lake has people talking and wondering how and if an exotic fish from South America could end up in Smyrna. Bill Haynes says there is no doubt what bit his bait Saturday is a Piranha; Native to Amazon, this one somehow ended up in a Tennessee lake and Haynes says it was likely at the hands of irresponsible pet owner. He's been fishing his entire life and said even this took him by surprise, "You know what you're fishing for, but that doesn't mean you know what you are going to catch," he said. Never was that more true than what he reeled in Saturday night from his boat on Percy Priest Lake.

The Piranha exotic fish is known for its sharp teeth, sensationalized in Hollywood for its killer instinct and quick bite. And seeing it next to a Tennessee catfish in the catch bin shocked many eople docked at Percy Priest. Haynes said the fish tried to snap at him Saturday night and even ate the 15 blue carp that were also caught. "If you get them stirred up, they will probably bite you back. I know he was trying last night," he said. Haynes took a closer look at the teeth on the fish, many of which were broken off but growing back in. Bill believes this fish came from the Amazon to an aquarium before finding a home in Percy Priest. "People get them in their aquariums and they get tired of them or they get too big and they don't want to kill them, so they bring them here and turn them loose, and it's against the law," he said. What puzzles Bill even more than seeing a Piranha next to a catfish, is that they both took a bite of the same local bait. "This dumb fish bit a hot dog," he said.
Now Old Man Bill's got all of Dock C talking and watching the water for what exotic pet they might catch next. "I'm not getting in that water. If you see me in it, it's because I fell in not because I jumped in!" he said. A biologist from the TWRA is coming to take a look at the fish on Monday morning and confirm what species it is. This is not the first report of a Piranha being caught in Percy Priest Lake; a similar catch was made by a woman last year. It is uncertain if they are affecting the local habitat.

Monday, September 17, 2012

French Kiss your Bait?

Kissing bait for good luck is something a few fishermen partake in. I put a little humor in this ritual with "fench kissing your bait." Enjoy.
 
 
I normally do a few of these cartoons every week, if you like, join my blog or add a comment.
 
Remember: Get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!
 


Sunday, September 16, 2012

Who Dunnit Mystery!

It all started yesterday, Sept 15, 2012 in the ten acre woods when two bodies were discovered……….

Mr. Bunny lived in the meadow across the road from the ten acre woods. He spent most of his days with his wife and 12 children in their beautiful two hole house, only coming out in the early morning and late evening to eat. Something was different about this day and Mr. Bunny could probably sense it. While Mr. Bunny was enjoying a second helping of fresh clover, he was suddenly and brutally attacked.  The evidence indicates that Mr. Bunny struggled with his attacker but was not able to free himself. He was killed on the spot and his body was dragged from the meadow, across the street, and down the ten acre drive.
Forensic evidence suggests that Mr. Bunny died from bite marks around the neck area. Also, the time of death cannot be certain, but rigamortis had set in and Mr. Bunny was likely killed sometimes on the evening of the 15th.
While police were canvassing the area, another body was discovered only 25ft up the drive from Mr. Bunny. This body was that of a field rat that also lived in the meadow. It appears this victim was murdered in the same fashion as Mr. Bunny however, evidence indicates Mr. Rat was killed on the morning of the 16th.
Police indicated that there are four known predators of interest. All four are being interviewed.  
 
Mr. Storm
Mr. Stormy is a grumpy 4 year old cat. Police commented that it was difficult to get anything out of Stormy. After interviewing Mr. Stormy, Police have concluded that Mr. Stormy is a house cat and has never been outside. Stormy commented "I did not do it, there is no way. I’m a full time house kitty!"
 
Mr. Gray
Mr. Gray was very cooperative and seemed to like the attention even suggesting a suspect. Mr. Gray commented that he bet that it was that mean cat Spot Nose that lives outside. Police have also concluded that Mr. Gray is a full time house kiddy and had no means of leaving the house at the time of the murders.
 
Mr. Creamy
Mr. Creamy is an indoor/outdoor cat. He is a loner and kind of crazy. Police have determined that Mr. Creamy had the means and the motive to murder the field animals. In fact, Mr. Creamy was outdoors and no one had seen Mr. Creamy during the time of the murders. Creamy is a cat of interest.
 
 
Mr. Spot Nose
 
NO PICTURE AVAILABLE FOR SPOT NOSE
 
Mr. Spot Nose is the bully of the neighborhood. He beats up every cat that’s near and has even been seen chasing wild turkeys. Police can’t even find Spot Nose to interview. Spot Nose is a cat of interest.
 
Police have completed a profile of the murderer that suggests the murderer is a predator, likes for his victims to be found, kills in the early morning or late evening, is a pathological murderer who preys on small helpless field animals. A policeman was quoted as saying “we have a serial killer in our neighborhood” stay in your hole. Stay Tuned for more information on this riveting story…………….

Friday, September 14, 2012

Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad...............



Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!

Why did Bob's buddies laugh at him.



Life's short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!

Monday, September 10, 2012

The story behind an old fishing lure!

I have been lucky to have a couple of lures that my grandfather fished with in the 30s. Now, my grandfather was not much of a fisherman, but did fish on a rare occasion. When I was a kid, the family cleaned out his home after he passed. My father and I found these old Heddon lures in his shop. My father said he remembered these when he was a kid and fished with them on the Duck River during the depression.
As you can see, they have seen better days. In fact, someone tried to modify the top lure for some reason. I do wonder what's the story behind this bait, where was it purchased, and what fish were caught. I'm sure if this bait could talk, it would be fascinating.
They are made of wood. The shellac has deteriorated with age and the paint is starting to crack and flake off. The quality of the craftsmanship is excellent. The diving spoon is thick and made from high quality metal, no rust after 80-85 years.
I bet my father or his brother modified this lure when they were young and decided a spinner would be better added to the front. Oh well, I am glad to have these old relics.They are not worth much to anyone else but me. I do want to preserve the story and place them in a better container. So, I decided to print and build an old fashion lure box made of paper.
Now folks in the future will know a little more about these old lures and the story behind the bait. "Old fishermen may pass, but their bait lives on!"
The above is a proto-type box and I am working to improve. I think it needs to be a little thicker and better graphics. I will add a new picture when I finish.
Remember: Life is short, get away from the big the screen and get on the big screen.