Lake Waynoka

I had a chance to take my nephew, Joey, fishing this week on the lake where I learned to fish, "Lake Waynoka" where my mom and dad live. We had a great time and even caught a few nice bass. The one thing that is always consistent at the lake is my mom's meals.... Awesome!

Joey's first Bass of the evening at Lake Waynoka

Incredible!

I would first like to apologize for not blogging the past couple of weeks and I am sure there were those of you who thought I must have slit my wrists after my disastrous finish in the FLW Tournament on Pickwick. Not true... I'm still alive and kickin'! In actuality, I have been on a two week long hunt in Africa with very limited access to internet. We videotaped the hunt for an episode of Scent Lok's High Places and the whole experience was incredible!

I will admit that I was very nervous about the nearly 16 hour flight from JFK to Johannesburg, South Africa. I normally get very anxious on flights over four hours... I made it through okay though, and without the aid of sleeping pills!

Once in South Africa, we hunted with professional hunter, Ricus de Villiers of White Lion Safari. He and his wife, Nelia, were incredible hosts and the lodge, food, and hunting were exceptional. I took a beautiful nyala with my bow after many failed stalks and topped the trip off with a 25 yard bow shot on an enormous cape buffalo after a very scary two hour stalk!

Bull nyala

Cape buffalo with a bow

I had fulfilled a huge hunting goal of mine with that animal. One other thing which made the trip even more memorable was the fact that my camera man, Gerry Addison, also got to hunt, harvesting a black wildebeest, gemsbok and a beautiful kudu. I can definately see why people who hunt Africa cannot wait to go back!

Africa

Part of life is about firsts, and today is one tremendous one for me. I'm headed to Kimberly, South Africa to shoot an episode of Scent Lok's High Places. My biggest concern is not about getting stomped by a cape buffalo, but surviving the 15 plus hour flight from JFK to Johannesburg!

Even though I fly a lot, I have always had anxiety issues on flights longer than 4 hours. My longest time on a plane to date is about six hours. Though a lot of experienced overseas travelers have suggested sleeping pills or tranquilizers to get me through, I just can't go that route. It is mind over matter right? Gotta be mentally tough.... right? Well, we'll see. I'm sure I'll be just fine. I'm not sure if I'll be able to blog from camp, but if I'm able I'll keep you posted. Hopefully with some photos as well....

Stopped

Well my 2011 FLW season is officially in the history books!  My two day total on Pickwick weighed a whopping 20 pounds 4 ounces landed me solidly in 84th place, smashing all hopes of qualifying for the FLW Championship. Ouch!

 I am writing this blog on my phone as I drive up I-65 North towards home.  Yeah, I know I should not be emailing while driving, but its all good as I have been sitting in stopped traffic for over one hour now! Please Lord..... I just want this week to be over!

Give-Away:  Brandon Adams!  I will send to you a Stihl shirt and hat if you send your snail address to jtpfishing@insightbb.com.    Keep watching, everyone, for the next give-away.

Pickwick Day One

Well I can tell you first hand it no fun getting pounded on the first day of a tournament! Pickwick did its job, putting out lots of great limits of bass, but I had to struggle to catch a limit weighing 9 pounds. Tomorrow has got to get much better for me or I'll be headed home tomorrow with no paycheck. I will do my best to keep that from happening, I promise you!
Shown below:  

Kevin, a winner of a Stihl hat, 

with a fish he caught while wearing it!

Slim Pickings at Pickwick?

Today was my final day of practice for the FLW on Pickwick Lake. This weeks practice was like banging my head against a wall at times. Many of the key main river spots are getting hammered by our competitors. You would never think a lake this big would fish so small! Hoping for an early starting number....

Interesting

Today was my third practice day for the FLW on Pickwick Lake in north Alabama. Aside from very hot temperatures and less than stellar fishing, I found something very interesting today:

A giant cactus of some kind growing out of a rock bluff above the high water line. I didn't even realize they grew wild as far north as the Tennessee/Alabama line. I took close up as well hoping someone could identify it and tell me if it is rare in these parts.

I know I'm supposed to be concentrating on fishing, but things like this spark my interest on an otherwise slow day!