Florida Bay Fishing

 Over spring break I was able to get away from the big screen and get out on a big stream! Here's a picture of beautiful Lemon Bay Florida. Interestingly while fishing, we were checked by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Enforcement personnel. Earlier, I had purchased my 3 day saltwater fishing licenses which came in handy during this check. All went well, and I got to ask the game warden a few questions. I asked, how many folks that you check, don't have their fishing licenses? I was surprised by the answer! The warden said 50% do not have licenses. Now that seems very high to me, but I suppose there's a lot of out of state folks that just start fishing in hopes they don't get caught. Anyway the warden said the fine for not having them was over a 100 bucks.   

During the boat ride we came across five dolphins in the bay. It appeared they were chasing bait fish. This was a good sign because the red tide had been present a few weeks earlier and killed a lot of fish.

We fished around bridge piers and boat docks in hopes of catching sleep head. Our bait was live shrimp which we had purchased earlier, 3 dozen for $12.00.

Here's the result of about four hours of fishing. We actual caught 8-10 fish, but only 4 were keepers.

Yum, sleep head is a great tasting fish.

Pop has an audience while cleaning fish. The neighborhood Pelicans, Herons, and Egrets are always ready for a handout.

Not a bad day fishing! Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream! Hey, need a great gift for the bay lover, checkout my bay map art at www.leolakes.com

Thanks

 

Shark?

Just got back from spring break to Florida. While walking on the beach near Lemon Bay Florida, I took a photo of this fisherman catching a fish in the Gulf of Mexico.

On the gulf side of the bay lots of folks swim and a few fish. What kind of fish is on the other end of the line?

Hmmm...A black tip shark. I looked up the black tip to see what I could learn. They grow to about 9ft long and are common in the gulf. Interestingly, 16% of all shark bites are by the black tip, but there has been only one death. Still, I'm glad I wasn't swimming in the gulf today.

Looks like the shark is about two & half feet long.

If you look carefully, I think the black tip is smiling! Later I will post the fish that we caught while on spring break.

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

Lake Paintings

I just completed two new custom lakes, Cheat Lake and Madison Lake. These lake paintings are printed on 16x32 canvas. On this size canvas print, I actually hand paint/touch-up the waterfowl and other areas after printing. This really makes the print pop when hanging on the wall. The prints shown here are before touch-up.  

 

Cheat Lake is located on the states line between Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The lake is 13 miles long and 1,730 acre. The major tributary is the Cheat River. A good bass and walleye lake.

This painting of Madison Lake includes Herman, Long, Round and Brant Lakes. Madison Lake is located in South Dakota. Madison Lake is a beautiful lake and is great for fishing. See more at www.LeoLakes.com

Lake Lovers Poem
"I Love this lake, The most amazing scenes appear in its wake, The sun arises just above the shore, Giving grace and beauty to this place I adore." LKO

A March Dusting

This year’s winter in Nashville has not been much of a winter as far as snow fall. So far we have only received 1” of snow and last year we received only 0.4”. On average we normally get 8-11 inches a year. Sunday we woke to a dusting and I decided to get the camera out and take a few shots in the 10 acre woods.

 

I found this tree while wandering around the woods. Who lives here? Looks like the tree is hollow and some animal has set home with the welcome mat being the leaves.

About 3 feet above the active hole was a woodpecker hole. I bet this woodpecker thought the tree was hollow at this level, but found out he had mis-calculated. No bugs today!

After a closer inspection..........

I discovered a nut had been stuffed into the hole, a well polished acorn nut. Looks like the squirrels are doing well this year.

I ended the walk at a red cedar tree! Not a bad ending to a March dusting. 

What's in your woods? Adventure outdoors!

The hottest lure for 2013!!!!!!!!!!!!

Catch big fish like no one esle! Here's a great new plug "guaranteed" to catch more fish, Pete's Paranormal Plug. Pete says this plug will increase your BIG FISH catch by 50-60% and here's why. Have you ever been on the lake or river and heard a big splash only to look out on to the water and see nothing, not even a ripple. That was a ghost fish!

Now with Pete's Paranormal Plug you have a shot at catching that trophy. Just cast Pete's Paranormal Plug as you would your normal lure. If there's a paranormal fish present you will catch it, just hang on for an experience of a life time.

CAUTION: Don't forget to click on the Plug above and read the fine print. Here's a comment from one of our customers: Boy, I fished all day and didn't get a bite and then I put one of Pete's plugs on my line. WOW....WOW.....WOW, what a difference. I am still RECOVERING in the hospital!!!!! Pete says this plug will catch all types of paranormal fish, Bass, Rainbow, Brown, Catfish, Rockfish, and others. Guess what? Currently there's no limit on the number of paranormal fish you can catch however, we recommend that you practice catch and release because.......well you'll find out. You can only get Pete's Paranormal Plug here and it's on special......Buy one, get one for the same price. You gotta get one or two!

Here's a photo of Pete working hard on his next development.

Oh yeah, as you can see or better..... can't see, Pete is Paranormal too.

Remember: DON'T JUST FISH NORMAL, FISH PARANORMAL!

Beavers don't just build dams!

I guess this is what’s called Beaver Graffiti? Look what they’ve built down at the creek. These are some deadbeat beavers. Just think, Mother Nature will need to work overtime and clean this up.

 

Dang Beavers!

 

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

 

Goldilocks Retired!

Do you love your SUV? Goldilocks is my 1999 SUV and has been in the family for 12 years. She's been my fishing buddy, kayak hauling, camping partner and all around family mover. After 248,317 miles, its time to retire Goldilocks. Over the years, she has become a loved family member much like a pet. Goldilocks has been with us on many an outdoor adventure, from the Everglades to Yellowstone and even Canada.

Both kids learned to drive under Goldilocks watchful eye, keeping them safe, even when one crashed her through a gate. I've been babying her along for the last few years because I haven't found a new vehicle that I liked better, "Goldilocks is just right". Well, the time has come! So long Goldilocks, its been great!

Custom Lake Paintings

Have you ever wished that you had a decor map of that little lake you live or grew up on. Well maybe not, but there are a few people that really treasure those small lake gems. Here's one such lake, Suncook Lake in New Hampshire located just below Lake Winnipesakee.

Most folks personalize these lakes by adding photos, poems, cherished locations and special notes, which is the plan for this map. The best part of painting these little lakes is talking to the customer about personalizing their treasured map. You can feel the love for the lake as they discuss those golden memories and how to display them on the map.

I too have a special lake (actually a river), in fact, that is how I started painting rivers, lakes and bays. If you are a lake lover or need a gift for a lake lover, and want to create a family heirloom, then checkout my website at www.LeoLakes.com