Six Months Later...

What a six months this has been! Surgery went well and things have healed up nicely. I can eat hot wings again! WEEEE! Anyway, the fishing has been nothing less than spectacular. Nick and I have had a great first half of the year, going after several different species. Here are a few high points...

The ice fishing season was cut short for me by the surgeon's blade, but we did manage to get out a few times. Don't tell the doc, as I wasn't supposed to be up and around, let alone walking out on a frozen lake. We hit Presque Isle Bay a couple times with marginal success. Actually had better luck at Nimisila catching nice redears and crappies. It was just good to get out.

After ice out and a recovery period, it was crappie time. Nick and I had one of our most memorable trips ever, travelling to PA's Shenango Lake. The slabs were on fire and we caught several fish over 14 inches. Thanks Ken Smith for showing us the way on your home waters. The Microspoons really work. REALLY! Never got to West Branch for the crappies this year, simply because the fishing at Portage Lakes was so damn good. Crappie after crappie, with an average size in the 11 1/2 inch range on the second most utilized inland waterway in Ohio made my Spring. Close to home with numbers of quality fish. The pictures I have taken will keep the fires burning in my memory forever.

As the Spring rolled on, had a curve ball thrown my way. Working weekends. But, as we have to do from time to time, adapt, adjust, and overcome. The fish bite during the week too. Had several great perch trips and very memorable walleye trips, one of which Nick caught his biggest walleye to date. 9.8 pounds and it's pictured above. He's definitely turned into quite the fisherman and outdoorsman. The walleye bite has been all kinds of hot lately and the freezer is full, at least for now. Lots of pictures taken and great times discussed on the radio show and outdoor shows we've had the pleasure of working.

Hopefully the next six months will be as much fun as the first. A lot of things on the horizon, I just have to get there. As I reach those goals, there will be more to come, that's for sure....

I'm Carl "Big Daddy" Bachtel and I'll see you on the water.