Thanks to Dave Stewart..

[elnutsmalljaws]

I just wanted to post a public thank you to Dave Stewart for taking me out fishing on Monday. Dave donated this trip to me back last winter when I was going thru all of my medical issues and I can't thank him enough. Sunday night Dave and his wife went out to eat with my wife, son and I and I enjoyed the dinner as well. Heck of a nice gesture for a guy that could have filled this date and made another days pay for a guide and I can't thank him enough. We hit the water at 5:30am in some of the thickest fog that I have seen around Ky in a long time. Had to pretty much idle for the first couple of hours for it took that long to lift. We caught a few fish here and there on the way but never go to hit the best spots until the fog lifted and we ran up the lake a bit. I was throwing my typical texas rigged hook some bass lizard until Dave started wearing me out on that Last Cast jig and I had to beg borrow and steal one from him, just kidding, for it only took him to catch 2 in 2 cast and a third shortly thereafter when I asked and received my jig from him. What a great jig this thing is. Best weed guard that I have ever fished for it was stiff enough to not get hung up in the junk but not too stiff as to not get a hook in a fish. Outstanding product to which all would be wise to invest in a few to try it out. I threw this jig ALL day long after that and as Chunknwind knows, I am not afraid to throw it in the junk and it came thru it all. Never got hung up once that I did not get it out with just a flip or twitch of the rod and never lost it all day long. We were catching our share of fish with some shorties and 2 1/2 to 3lbers mixed in pretty much all day long. Dave had a couple on back to back cast that was a 4 and a good 3 and I had one that was a really good 3 and a few more 3+. Our bag was just shy of 20lbs or so until I caught my biggest Greencarp (just for you Biggw) to date a 6-1 that was fully spawned out to boot. This fish was probably 7 to 7 1/4 last week for not an egg was left but she was long and broad. I had told Dave earlier in the day that I had caught 5 smallies all bigger than my biggest green and he said he would have to do something about that and did. She hit in about a foot of water on a leadout bank snuggled up against a laydown on the shady side just where she should have been. This put our bag over 20 conservatively and maybe even pushed the 21 mark if each was weighed individually. Never kept actual count but we had over 2 limits and close to 3 if not 3 limits of fish with conservatively 30+ or so total for the day. With the few fish I caught on the lizard early and a couple that Dave caught on a wacky rig worm, the Last Cast Jig was the ticket in Green pumpkin with Green pumpkin trailer. Out in front of the buck brush, close to spawing areas, lead in or lead out banks (same bank depending on what you call it), and creek channels in the back of the bays were the ticket. All of the fish were in very good condition and put up a great fight. Just wanted to post about the trip and to say thanks to Dave again for the day on the water. I believe Dave had a good time as well for we were just out fun fishing and that is something that Dave does not get to do very often. No guiding pressure or dealing with a "stranger" in his boat made it more enjoyable and he never had to cast for me, tie on my jig, get me out of the buck brush, climb any trees to retrieve my lure or anything else that he does on a normal guide trip. He even saw my big behind fall flat on my face as I was steppping down to the bottom and caught my left foot on the back of the seat and face plant I went. Busted my shoulder and shin in the process and I have both bruises to prove it was a nice impact. My own fault for being as big as I am and thinking I was getting as nimble as a cat in my shrinking days. It happens and will happen again for sure. I bet Dave's first thought was that I hope he does not pop another stitch or hernia. No problems for the bruises will heal. Thanks again Dave for a very enjoyable day on the water. Looking forward to doing it again real soon. Elwood

[roadrunner]

Elnut as always a great post.

It is always a good time being with Dave a true professional. I bet this trip healed you better than a Dr. visit and a whole lot cheaper. It is nice to hear your fishing and casting has improved and Dave did not have to do any of those normal guiding things you referred to. I am sure Dave was impressed with your improvements. Just kidding.

Please be careful the first thing I thought when you said you did a 1 and 1/2 gainer off the back deck was your hernia. I hope your son and wife had a good trip also.

Beep Beep

[mhall]

Nice report, congrats on the greenie. I hope the wife and your son had a big time as well.

[Col Forbin]

Dang-it Elwood!!! You know as good as me those last cast jigs are garbage!!!! Just kidding, I won a tourney last weekend on them - had close to 17 lbs. I like those little things - thanks Dave. Glad you had a good trip! I have my Dave trip booked for the end of the month, and can't wait. If anyone is looking for those jigs down here you can get them at either of the two good tackle shops around the lake (The cabin, and Fisherman's Headquarters).

[RiverRunt]

You appear to be back to full speed and that is great! I have booked a trip with Dave for the last 5-6 years - the last one in late April. It is always an enjoyable and informative day on the water regardles of how the fish and weather cooperate.

[Rangerman]

Elnut, glad you got on 'em and had some fun. Be glad you were not down there prior to Saturday as it was a wind tunnel there for a few days then Noah and the ark showed up on Friday. I was expecting you to give me a call for a report and when you didn't I knew you were up to no good, lol. Dave told me you two wacked 'em though. Don't sore mouth 'em all and be sure to not show Gerald any honey holes!!!!! Take care!

[elnutsmalljaws]

Elnut, glad you got on 'em and had some fun. Be glad you were not down there prior to Saturday as it was a wind tunnel there for a few days then Noah and the ark showed up on Friday. I was expecting you to give me a call for a report and when you didn't I knew you were up to no good, lol. Dave told me you two wacked 'em though. Don't sore mouth 'em all and be sure to not show Gerald any honey holes!!!!! Take care!

Never even thought to call you Marty. I just now remembered that you were down but just flat out forgot. I caught them pretty good Sunday afternoon by myself after dropping Mom and Son off at the Lodge for their mid day nap but nothing like what Dave and I caught them on Monday. I had 17 in just over 3 hours on Sunday afternoon with a 4 and a couple of 3+ fish in the mix, all on Hook Some Bass Pumpkin/Purple Flake Baby Brush Hounds. All caught south of the 68/80 bridge on both sides of Ky. The bite was pretty good Sunday, better on Monday but for whatever reason maybe it was a rambunctious (sp) 4 year old jumping around my Aluminum Boat but the bite was not that good on Tuesday morning. We caught several fish but other than 1 3+ fish, that was the only good one. Tried "Worms and Bobbers" for Joshua and Krista and could not even get the Gills to play on a consistent basis. Hope you had a good trip and maybe we can get together down there some day.

[Tobias]

Great post and congrats on your fishin! I've never met Dave but have read his posts on some of our IN sites. He seems like a great guy who truely loves this sport. He's always willing to offer up info and help guys out.

[BassNNutt]

Great report, glad you all got into some nice fish. Just wish I had someone like Dave to tell me what to do at Laurel in two weeks... LOL

[Dave Stewart]

Elwood...thanks for the kind words. I really enjoyed the dinner with your wife and your son....it was great to finally get to meet your family after all this time. Thanks and Becky said to tell you thanks again also.

Obviously the day on the water was a great day...spending time with a good friend and fish biting...it just doesn't get any better than that. Like you, I have no idea how many fish or limits we caught...it was definitely a bunch on both counts but being relaxed and just having fun catching the fish was more important than counting fish. Looking forward to it again...which if my memory is right will be real soon.

[stevec]

This just proves the point even more that Dave is a top notch guy...as well as incredible fisherman....you guys go easy on us next week Dave...LOL

[elnutsmalljaws]

Elwood...thanks for the kind words. I really enjoyed the dinner with your wife and your son....it was great to finally get to meet your family after all this time. Thanks and Becky said to tell you thanks again also.

Obviously the day on the water was a great day...spending time with a good friend and fish biting...it just doesn't get any better than that. Like you, I have no idea how many fish or limits we caught...it was definitely a bunch on both counts but being relaxed and just having fun catching the fish was more important than counting fish. Looking forward to it again...which if my memory is right will be real soon.

Dave only fishes one tournament a year and it is taking place next weekend which is a Challenge Charity tournament which all proceeds go to the Trooper Island Kids Camp. He so graciously asked me to be his partner to which I accepted in a heartbeat. We will be pre-fishing all day next Friday and then the tourney is on Saturday. 2 more days in the boat with Dave next week with fishing as good as it is right now and my guess is my 6-1 won't last long as my biggest to date. Thanks again Dave for the invite and I will see you at the Moores next Thursday night. I will be fishing with Mickey on Thursday as well so I get to fish 3 days at Ky and not even tow my boat the 250 miles to get there. Heck of a deal with gas prices at what they are.