Thursday, February 11, 2021

A Tresured Memory

 I was working on a map of the Tennessee River the other day for a customer. It included the section of the river that shows Danville TN. As I was working on the map, I felt something different about this map. However, I just couldn't pin point why this map was special. I didn't finish the map that day and put it aside. 

The next day, when I started back on the map, It Hit Me, I've been here before! It was with my dad and a fishing buddy. I was twevle years old. It was early spring and we were in a bass boat fishing along the railroad tussel that extendes across the water near the Danville Ferry. We were fishing for catfish and using chicken livers, yes chicken livers. A very funny thing happened that day! 


As I was casting out, my juicy chicken liver flew off my hook and splat on the side of my dad's head, right above his ear. I watched the liver slowly slide down, stop and curl around his ear with juice running down. It was so funny, but I wasn't sure if I should laugh. However, my dad and his fishing buddy busted out laughing. It was so funny when he reached up and flung the bait into the water. It was a cool memory and it all strated with a "Treasured Map".  Remember: "Get away from the big screen and get on a be stream..." Paddle over to my website site, LeoLakes.com to see some beautiful Lake, River and Bay maps. 



Friday, January 29, 2021

Treasured Heirloom Lake Maps

 I've been working on this special map of Watts Bar Lake. What makes it a special map other than being a Leo Lakes Map? Well, it's a wedding map.  


I have been doings, what I call, wedding maps for over ten years. Couples email me about painting a map of a lake that they either met, proposed, or were married on. Amazingly, more couples than you would think, have a connection to the lake and their relationship.


This customer asked that I add five special points of interest to this map. If you look closely, you may see them. The most interesting point is "She Said Yes". This definitely makes the map special. Hopefully, this map will become a family heirloom and passed down generation after generation. Hey, why not paddle over to LeoLakes.com and see more interesting treasured maps.



Friday, January 22, 2021

Bobber Logic

Everyone needs a little "Bobber Logic". I do a few fishing cartoons on occasion and here is a few that you may find funny during this covid virus. Happy Fishing...... 






Leo Lakes Studio 
Check-out my maps, they make the best fishermen's gift! I have over two hundred on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalizes lake, river or bay maps, too. I have maps of Lake Winnipesaukee, Table Rock Lake, Greers Ferry, Lake Lanier, Gaston Lake, Choctawhatchee Bay, Toledo Bend, Raystown, and many others. Oh yeah, I hide a tiny fish in the waters of all my maps that folks love to search for. Find out more interesting facts about my treasured maps by going to LeoLakes.com



Saturday, December 26, 2020

Santa's Lake House on Reindeer Lake

Santa has finally finished his job for the year and is relaxing at his Lake House, which was established a long time ago on Reindeer Lake. It's near Snowflake Mountain. The closest towns are Dancer City and Elf Town. The elves surprised old Santa with this beautiful Leo Lakes Treasured Map.....LeoLakes.com

I have hundreds of maps on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalized vintage style lake maps, too. 

Lake maps will add beauty to your Lake House Decor! Find out more interesting facts about my treasured maps by going to LeoLakes.com

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Huge Lake Map

 A few weeks ago, I completed this huge canvas map of Old Hickory Lake. It is approximately 12 feet long and 4-1/2 feet tall. it is wall papered to the drywall and a frame was added. The lake house owner added the accent lighting.     


When you walk into the room, it certainly grabs your attention, "What a conversation piece". This is the largest map that I've done to date. I added as much detail as I could to the lake, creek titles, small towns, named bluffs, etc... 

Also, you will find much wildlife/waterfowl around the lake such as eagles, geese, herons and gulls. To add more interest to the map, I add fish jumping and hide a tiny mermaid to the waters. Folks love to search the waters for hidden surprises. 

If you would like to see more and read about my treasured maps go to LeoLakes.com.  We have many lake maps that will make great gifts for the lake house. 





Friday, December 11, 2020

A beautiful Lake Map

Need a Gift idea for a "Lake Lover"? Why not a beautiful canvas decor map of the lake that they love!  They are sure to enjoy a nice map of the lake or river where they have a lake house, A star can even be added to show the location.  

My maps make great Christmas gifts and will bring back memories of those trips to that favorite lake. Don't forget to look for the hidden mermaid in the lake waters and other interesting things......


Check-out these other comments from our customers.

The map arrived right on time and it was a sensational hit.  Thanks so much, this was exactly what I was looking for and was even better than anticipated. Nate
I just received the map, it looks beautiful! Thank you for helping me put together such a spectacular gift and I will definitely keep you in mind for future gift ideas. Have a wonderful Sunday!

Arrived safe and sound this afternoon and looks great!  I can't wait to give it to my parents for xmas for their new lake house.  Thank you!

I must be doing something right! I'm finally getting my ten minutes of fame, sort of. Interestingly, I got a call from, now get this.......a major studio in California. They are filming a new tv series for mid-season. They want to use one of my big lake maps as a prop in the series. It won't come out for a few months, but I'm hoping that it will be prominently displayed in the series. I will have more news about this later...... 


Paddle over to website to see my Lake, River, and Bay Maps. I have hundreds of maps on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalizes vintage style lake maps, too. Lake maps will add beauty to your Lake House Decor! Find out more interesting facts about my treasured maps by going to LeoLakes.com

 It's time for my annual Christmas fishing Poem. A few years ago near Christmas time, I went to one of my favorite lakes to fish and kayak. This particular lake was stocked with "Rainbow Trout" the day before. My goal was to catch a few. Here's a poem that lets you know, just how well the fishing trip went.


Not a fish was stirring not even a carp!


T’was the night after the "rainbows" had been stocked in the lake, I went fishing to see what I might take,

The flys were hung in the tackle box with care, in hopes that a big rainbow would soon be near.

As I paddled out on the lake, there arose such a clatter, I sprang up in my kayak to see what was the matter.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, a just fallen tree near a old whitetail deer.

I found not a fish was stirring, not even a carp, so I paddled my Kayak back to the park.

When I arrived home, fun was had by all, as my wife had just arrived from the mall.
That pretty much sums up my fishing trip. Apparently the trout, being new to the lake, had pissed off everyone and nothing was biting.

Visit my website to see more. I have over two hundred lake, river and bay maps on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalized lake, river or bay maps, too. If you would like to see more and read about my treasured maps go to LeoLakes.com


As you can see, my maps make a great gift. To see more of my work, click here www.LeoLakes.com

Remember, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Be sate!

 Most of January, I was on vacation in Germany and Austria. Luckily we got back home before Covid hit. The Virus is shutting down lots of  businesses. It currently in Washington State and is spreading. Leo Lakes will continue, but not sure how much blogging that I will do. Stay Safe!!!


If you need a beautiful lake map for the lake house check-out my website: LeoLakes.com