Today was a Great Day!!

[Grumpy]

The predicted air temperature was to be in the law sixties for this morning and since I hadn’t been fishing for more than a week I thought I would have a go at it. Because it was post frontal and clear skies also predicted, I really didn’t expect to catch a lot of fish and, although I don’t want to spoil the story, I wasn’t disappointed.

I got up early and got to Barren’s Beaver Creek ramp about 6:30. When I pulled into the parking lot there was only one truck and trailer there and I gave thanks for being retired and able to fish during the week when the ramps aren’t so crowded. I put all my gear in the boat, got it ready to launch and just as I was about to get in my van a big truck with a really big pontoon boat behind it went right past me and headed straight down to the ramp. Well, you know the rest of that part of the story.

About a half hour later, I pulled into the ramp turn around and backed my trailer down to the water. When I tried to pull back up the ramp to straighten up the trailer, the tires started spinning on the slick pavement. Anyone with a front-wheel drive vehicle that has been to Barren knows about this problem. I gave thanks when a fellow came down the ramp and helped me.

I finally got the boat in the water and parked my van in the lot. As I started walking back past the trailer I saw that I had a very low, almost flat tire. I gave thanks that I had the fore-sight to get an air hose system when I bought my van and decided I would fish now and fix the low tire pressure after I finished.

I tried to start the big motor and although it was cranking, it wouldn’t start. I decided to give it a rest and just use the trolling motor to fish the long bank next to the ramp. That is what I call “my barometer bank”—if I catch fish there I’ll catch more elsewhere but if I don’t get anything there, then usually I don’t get any anywhere else either. I didn’t catch any there but thankfully the big motor started when I tried again.

I fished several of my “honey holes” and never got any kind of hit that I could even lie about and say that I missed a big one. But I did lose three crankbaits, one in a tree and two in underwater hang-ups. Finally, about noon, a three inch Bluegill, with a hungry stomach and bad eyes, kept me from being totally skunked and, thankfully, I called it a day and headed for the ramp. I got the tire pumped up, put the boat and on the trailer and went home.

In spite of all the things that seemingly went wrong, I am truly thankful that God gave me such a beautiful day and the ability to enjoy my retirement.

Grumpy

[Viking]

My compliments, Grumpy. I've had great days like that too.

[dcbasser]

Any day on the lake is a great day .

[BassBest]

Yesterday WAS one of the best days of the year, maybe THE best. Although I am not retired and was at work (doing an onsite on Lake Barkley staring at the water more than I was working), it felt great with the cool breeze we had. I had enough around 3pm and said "That's it, when I get home I'm going fishing... I just know I'll catch a few today". I have a "test" that I do too, a certain rough fish that if I spot one around the ramp I will not have a good day, and I spotted one. Well let's just say I would have been more productive if I would have stayed home and mowed the yard, now I get to mow today, but shouldn't be too bad around 6 hopefully.
No fish but was a good day.

[DJD]

Finding joy in your troubles is a true test of faith. I'll remember this post as a reminder for myself.

[justfishin]

Hey Grumpy:

I have been talking to some of the Rangers(corp) about the maintence of the ramp there at Beaver Creek. I ask when they were going to attempt to resurface the ramp so that those of us who use it could get a boat in or out with out having to go to the Tire Sales after 2 trips up the ramp or have a transmission rebuilt. The answer to my question, we really do not hear that many complaints about it. They have a new lake manager there again. I think the third in 4 years. He said if enough people complained about it, he could justify the money being spent. So those of us who use this ramp contacted the corp office and made it known that there is a problem it might get fixed{might}. The Phone at the office is 270-646-2055.

So if you like to fish Beaver Creek and you take just a few minutes to call and let them know that it needs to be done, we might just get things changed for the better:)

[Grumpy]

Justfishing, thanks for the information and suggestion. I have complainted in the past, but if they have changed managers that often, I know why it hasn't done any good. I'll call in again today and I will also make a new post, using your information, and ask others to call too.

Thanks again.