It Was Such a Nice Day

                        You I work a third shift job and yesterday was so nice out , when I got off . I did not want to waste such a nice sunny day . When got home , I worked on painting the inside of the boat . While doing so I let the battery go dead. I just got caught up in working and enjoying being outside . This is just all part of the experience . The point is now matter what is or how it turns out , just do something to enjoy life .You will have something to share in conversations with friends . I didn't get mad about the car going dead , I just pulled out the battery charger .I did feel stuck like chuck , I had a helpless feeling about not being able to drive till I could get it charged .
                         So whole waiting I worked some more on my oars . I have one ready for finishing and started on the other one . I feel progress is being made . It will not be long before I will be out there on the lake fishing .This is the first time in my life that I can remember that I have been working on my own life .
                  At the end of day I had a beer and walk around the field with my brother and grandson . Such a great way to end a day .surrounded by family and nature .When am through here I think I will drop a line in the river . Can you think of better way to start a new day . Fishing is what it is all about .

Winter has broken , spring is sprung

      Well I have been neglecting my blog haven't I . Well it not entirely my fault though .With the crazy weather we have been having here in Michigan it been kind of hard to think of anything but I thought it was spring . The snow we got and could temperatures kept from working on the boat . It been kind of to cold to to be working on the boat . After a lot of checking online I found it may be cheaper to make my own oars . this is my progress in the last four days . They are a long way from being done . From the weather outlook for the next four or five days I may get some work done on the boat .
       I got an news letter from the Michigan DNR , I see there are some Fisheries workshops open to the public . I plan on going to the one in Grand Haven Mi. on Lake Michigan . Maybe I might learn something and possibly become more involved in some way . Time will tell , I will go with an open mind and the want to learn something .
         With every passing day my list of projects just keep growing , my brother showed me the trailer that he found the boat on . He said I could have it . The thing is in need of a lot of tender loving care . Meaning there is a lot of work that needs to be done on it ,to get it road ready . Some where between working on my projects , the workshop , work , classes , helping my brother on the farm where I can and sleep . I need to take the online boaters safety coarse .

        The biggest thing is I need to get around to dropping a line in the water , to catch that all important first fish of the season . I need to break the ice some how , right . The purpose of all my projects is to fish . One thing is for certain though since I started on this fishing thing , I haven't had a lack of things to do . It also has given me a topic to write about in my blog . So here's to working on the projects and a chance to post about the progress and dropping a line in the water . The next time I hope to have more to share .

April Fools Day try at fishing .

       Well , today is April first , April Fools day . So I was the only fool out there trying his luck fishing . It was breezy and 39 degrees out , I froze my butt off . To boot the was some strong storms last night , I don't know if that had anything to do with my luck .
    At first I tried to use the rod and reel I got sale at Walmart , I could not get it pay out any line . So went to a rod and reel I got from my baby brothers mother in law . She had a bunch rod and reels just collecting dust in the sheds on their farm . It was a five foot Zebco Continental with a Daiwa Rs1600 reel . Amazingly enough it still worked with little or no effort . I had went out at 6:30 am to the closed bridge by Union Lake to give it a try .I did have something tug on my line but I guess I reeled it in to fast and it it let go . If anything I got to see the sun come up and there was about a dozen geese out in the wetlands area near the lake . Could hear the birds chirping as the day got started . I guess that's all part of the experience . It's just the idea of getting out there and doing something . Living life .
                If finally finished the cutting board I intend on using to fillet the fish I catch ,if i get so lucky .Its just two piece's of half inch birch plywood glued together , with a wood burning I did on it and seasoned with some cutting oil . I am using a woodworking pinch clamp to hold the tail of the fish while I fillet the fish . Just something cheap , heck I spent less on this than the the fillet boards I saw in the stores .It looks nice and its heavy .I did this yesterday . Its been to wet and cold to work on the boat .They say we are supposed to get some snow this weekend . I sure hope not . I need some warm weather to work on it . I want it ready for the warm spring weather that should be coming soon .Shoot I need to get out there and turn it over ,so the water that collected in it before that bad weather they say gets here .
               All in all , its been a good couple of days . Tomorrow mourning , as I pass by the Kalamazoo River by Michigan 311 , Angler's Bend . I will stop and try my luck and see what happens . I will wear a warmer coat and better shoes , so my feet will not be cold . I think that was half my problem was today . Well I just heard on the radio the snow is supposed to come tonight and on in to Saturday . I guess now will see how I will feel in the mourning after work . If the snow is to bad I might not get out there ,but if I was to become hard core I should be out there anyway .

Are you ready to do some fishing

                    Wow , I think I came across the right topic to write about for my blog . A beginning fisherman's view on the sport . His attempt at at learning the sport , getting his equipment and learning how to use it . Well , yesterday I made a large investment , got the hitch put on my van , so I could tow my boat when its ready . So now I am at the point of no return . I bought a boat, the hitch , and some equipment , not mention I have a Michigan Fishing License for the 2016 season . So that is making a commitment to the sport .Tomorrow is the first day of the season and I plan on being out there early .
                   As you know yesterday I went got a hitch put on the van . I would like to mention Midtown U-Haul of Kalamazoo Michigan . The were quite helpful in the whole process , from when first met with them last week to set up the appointment ,to the installation . The staff was very professional and knew their product . If I was to need anything the have again I would use them again . I thank them for helping me to get ready for a great fishing season .
                I found the cane pole that my dad gave me as a boy . Apparently he has used it over the years , because he has rigged it . Now I just have to learn to use it . I do have a lot to learn about fishing, but its a lifetime sport and you will always learning something new . I just hope I am up to the challenge . Do I have the right equipment , Will I catch something , or anything  tomorrow . Well I will write about it in my next entry .

It's almost the first day of the new fishing season , a lot left to be done

                               Well  today I went and made the commitment to do some fishing this year . Went to Merchants Hardware in Union City Michigan and bought my fishing license to go fishing for the entire year . So early Friday mourning I will be out there with thousands of others trying to make that first catch of the season .
                               I got and e-mail from Cabela's  whom I ordered some running lights from a couple of weeks ago . They have shipped my running lights for my Jon boat . There was a slight problem in shipping but I can say they quickly resolved the issue and I thank their service department for taking action so quickly . Because of this experience I would order from them again .So now my Jon boat will be on the way to being out on the lake soon . I get some more warm and dry weather I will be able to finish painting it . Then be ready to work on installing the new transom and running lights . I saw on line and idea on how to make my own oars , I will try this and ask my brother for some help in making them . All that's left is to find a trailer to haul her in and get a trolling motor at least a 50 lb thrust . That would at least get me three miles and hour on a good batteries . The go to the state offices to register the boat and trailer and I will be good to go with few minor purchases to make , life jackets , first aid kit , a horn , fire extinguisher and maybe I will be all set .
                             Tomorrow will be a long day , when get of work I will make a forty mile drive to be in Kalamazoo to get my trailer hitch installed . Speaking of which I need to be getting some rest for work . I need to be at my best for work from now on . Something made sense in a class through work . Everyday is an interview , so I need to look my best , have a good attitude , and give my work my all  now that all eyes are on me because I made it known that I want more from the company . So between this my blog ,fishing , the need to find my own place and the job my plate is full . So i guess I need to put into effect to be the best in everything I do so that it just happens naturally . So there is a lot of improvement that needs to happen . So its off to bed I go and will write next on opening day about my first experience fishing in many years .

Some preseason thoughts about fishing

                          I have got to say fishing as a sport and hobby can be a bit overwhelming . For one there is the wealth of information out there on the sport , two there is the laws and regulations , there is the cost .I found myself looking at books on the subject , even searching the internet , there is so much out there to sort through and to absorb . Even on you tube there is all those how to video's to go through .
                         The first day of the 2016 season is on Friday .My Jon boat is not even close to being ready . I have so much to do to get it ready and at the same time I also need to be working on getting my own place to live . I can't be living on my brothers farm forever . I need my own space , and he needs his .I walk into a sports store or any store that has fishing tackle , wow there so much stuff . What of do I really need , the there is the stuff that you need for the boat just to be legally out on the water . I am now realizing the getting the boat ready may take a little more time . So I will have be satisfied with fishing from the shore line . I found out about a dozen or so spots that could go to . I will be writing about each one I try and each one of my missteps along the way .
                               I should find a fishing buddy to go along with , so I can pick up some pointers from them . My problem is I work a third shift , so there is not much of opportunity to meet people outside of work . So I will go out and check out this spots on my own and maybe meet some people along the way . I  fully intend on making this a full time hobby and learn as much as I can . Even if it is by trail and error .As time goes on ,as I blog more about my exploits , hopefully more people will read this blog and give me their thoughts and ideas . See on Friday or shortly there after when I write about my first mourning of fishing .

The Anticipation of the First Day of Fishing

         Not only have I been working on my boat , over the past two months I have collected some basic tackle to get me started . Here is a picture of what I have gathered . Plastic baits , bobbers , leaders , sinkers and a collection of hooks among other things . I also got two books on fishing .
          Yesterday I made an appointment to have a class three hitch installed my van . A receiver hitch so I will not bust my knees when loading the van ,when not in use . I also spent the afternoon watching how to videos on you tube . Yes there lots of videos on every aspect of fishing . So much so , that you have to wade through a bunch to find beginner videos . I signed up on the Field and stream web site to use to get information . Still waiting on Navigation lights for my boat . They should have been here by now . I did send off an email to them to find out what happened to them .
                    Next week is April First , the day to get my fishing license . I promise you I will go out that day to make my first attempt at fishing in over thirty years .I decided I am going to keep a log book on my fishing . Date , time, weather , What rigs I used , what fish if any I caught , size and anything else to help to learn what works .
Its been too wet to work on the boat . I will also be watching Craig's list For a boat trailer  and a used 5 horse power outboard in the coming weeks . I see this coming together .I am looking forward to making my first catch and so is my cat Chip whom will be sharing in the rewards . So am I making some progress in the right direction on my new hobby .

D-Dawgs Tub

This the boat I am fixing up for fishing this summer 

   Yes , progress is being made , The outside hull painted and ready .Next is to clean up the inside and paint it . I am going to install a new transom also . With a little work she should be ready for some fishing this summer . This week I am having a trailer hitch installed and maybe get a trailer . If I do this I will take it down to the car wash and spray it down to get all the dirt out of it . Then I will be able to finish the paint job. Then all I will have to do is install the new transom , mount the trolling motor and register her . After I paint on the registration numbers ,I will be able to take out on her fist run on the lake . I think I will name her D-Dawgs Tub .
                  I have made some miner purchases of some fishing gear , rod and reel with some tackle that was on sale , a tool bag . cleaning gear , a 5 gal. bucket . Making my own cutting board to fillet the fish . I bought a a couple books on fishing I have been reading , to get a general idea of what I should be doing . My baby brothers mother in law said she may have some gear she would let me have . I am going to talk to her to see if she would show me how best rig my pole . It would be nice to have a couple of poles to work with out on the lake . I know the boat will not be ready for the first day of the new season on April First . I do have a few places spotted that I could fish from the shore line . At first I am going to keep it simple , and build on that .
                I think I will find a bait shop that I will regularly go to , so as I can try to get advise and learn from . What I really need to do is find someone to go fishing with to learn from .

A change in direction

             I have decided to make change in my blog . I am going to write about my learning to fish . My mis-steps and my progress . On April 1st the next years license will available . That's when I plan on starting . I have been making some steps towards this . I have bought a couple of books on the subject ,one more helpful than the other , but still a lot of useful information .
              I bought a Rod and Reel on sale , it just a basic one that came with some tackle and other odds and ends I may need . I also bought a used aluminum boat which I am cleaning up . Still need to get a trailer to haul it on , and defiantly a hitch installed on my van . One last thing a trolling motor .This is turning out to be a costly hobby to get in . I always thought it was just a matter of getting a license . Well it could be , but if you want to get to the good spots in Michigan , boat is really needed . Yes , there are places I could probably go with out one .You just have to find them .
             I am going to spend as much time as I can fishing to make my investment in it worth while . As I go I will learn the sport , I will share the experiences here . For those of you who may read this blog ,I encourage you to share your experiences and advice as well here . I will be posting pictures as well as I go .Here is to beginners luck .

Snow , Dogs , Fishing , and Trucks

                             The snow is steadily coming down , It looks great out there but its cold and really not sure about driving in it . This being my first real winter in years and on top of that I finally have a drivers license after twenty-five years of not needing one . I used live where I could ride a bus or train every where , out here in the country no public transportation . That was hard to get use to . I rode my bike a lot till the temps started dropping . It to cold to ride now , my waist line does miss my ten or more miles a day ride . Truthfully I miss my time out on the back roads , it cleared my head and gave me lots of time to think . Not only that ,the scenery that was there to look at . I think my longest ride was forty-five miles , boy I was tired that day .
                            I have finally made my first ninety days on my new job . Which I plan on staying at till I retire , unless I get lucky and when the lottery . We all know there is a slim chance of that happening . So I guess I have to count on at least another ten years on the job . Its good thing that I am starting to enjoy my job .  So it on to my next goals work on my new hobby wood burning . Also plan on going fishing a lot when the new season starts .So right now I have to get some gear together and boat to use . More importantly a place of my own to live by the end of spring . I just have to keep my eye on my goals .
                             After all this is said and done , I am considering getting a pet cat or a small dog . On one hand the cat will be easier to take care of . A dog I could ride around in the truck , on my bike , go for walks , and take out on the boat fishing . So I guess I am leaning towards a small dog . It all depends on if the place I get to live allows small pets .
                             Things are getting better , I am finding I am thinking about what I left behind less and less.  I do miss some things about Charlotte NC . The job I had , the people I knew , Bojangles and the southern cooking . The last I will make up for when I am in my own place .
                            Tomorrow will a big day though , going to look at a truck hope it will be worth getting . I hope to be driving by the end of day .