LAST EDITED ON Jun-11-01 AT 10:34 AM (PST)

"Snakes" you hit it right on the nose Chris. The fish I caught were long and skinny. These fish were over twenty inches long. Big heads, no shoulders, no belly.
Can't blame the fish on eating my spinner. They needed something to eat...:)

How it all went: Started at 4:00am Sunday morning. Checking in with the SCBBBC at Orwood waiting to hook up with my partner. As usual things happen and my pre-drawed partner did not show. Now I was without a partner and was going to be a odd man out. Meaning: I would be paired up with a pair of Tubers. (Twos company Threes a crowd). This works both ways - One more of a chance to add to our bag of 7 fish weight. If won all three would share winnings. The SCBBBC committee had me choose a number between 1-20 to determine my team. I chose #7 which happen to be Chris Youlden and Fred Church. Cool. Chris and I briefly shared our game plan. Three minutes till blast off and a Tuber in a truck races late to check-in. The committee then decides to undue me as a odd man and make the late Tuber my new partner. Which was OK, but now I was fishing with a .02 deduction for a check-in late penalty. (!!??@#$##) I informed my new partner to follow close as we make our way over to Union Point bridge to fish the Middle River.
4:40am The wind was blowing West-East. Tide had just turned from outgoing to incoming. This was crucial. In the SCBBBC the tournaments are fished without the use of oars. Incoming tide allowed me to fish from the bridge back towards the rock barrier. Company by five Tubers I made due of the conditions. Start off tossing a frog. Four blow-ups no takers. Switched early to a Senko, the wind made it difficult to fish the Senko. Missing two fish while talking to Fred. I decided on putting on the horse blinds and go for broke. I kicked over to my partner and told him work for a kicker while I'm going out to get our limit. I knew the tide was going to change back over to out going around 10 o'clock so I decide to go as far as I could up Middle River. Covering water I choose a blade and it paid off. I made it as far as the power lines. By now both of my legs had cramped up. The wind to my back no signs of letting down. I thought I was done for. A s l o w... kick back made good for culling fish. Having my limit I met up with my partner Greg who explained he had picked up two with a blade one being a solid three pounder. I smiled and said "let's get out of here and grab something to eat I'm starving". Not to sound cocky but I was done. Even now as I write this post. My body is aching sore.

I thank my partner Greg Vogel for his efforts (first time fishing the Middle River) I look forward to fish with you again. * Also Greg is the maker of Gem Rods. If your looking into having a custom rod build to your spec's talk to Greg.

-CAstro