Warm VS Cold

That darn ground hog any way, I am going back and forth between if I want warm or cold. I am starting to think about pre-spawn fish stacking up in areas and the wind blowing in on the rocks still cold but open water. And what do I need to prepare or can I focus on to cure this bug for open water, oh travel to Texas. Ya I think that will be something to do next month. 

One thing I did last week was to go thru all last year's GPS and log it to the appropriate lake maps and data files. This was a little mind numbing but very doable using a remote cord to my Lowrance HDS 10 and my computer. It always feels good to be organized. 

Now I will begin working on the open water tackle organization by species Lakers, Pike, Walleye, Trout and Bass. Man I think of all those boxes and how much crossover there is, having Eagle Claw as a sponsor is a blessing as I get to change out the hooks I fish with to the best. 

I am getting excited to see old clients, make new friends and meet new fish this coming guide season. I will be guiding on Williams Fork , Grand Lake and Wolford. Looking forward to these new waters and the classic older one of Grand Lake. I meet a whole lot of tourists who just need some time on the water. 

I hope everyone enjoys this last bit of winter and the spring snows, it seems we will be blessed with water for the summer if the snow fall continues to go this way thru April. 

Well on to the next fish and this years tackle needs.

Oh, I thought I should relate a story about Eagle Claw from my childhood. We used to write to companies in the auto racing industry and ask for stickers to make us look cool to our friends. Well as you might guess I sent a letter to Eagle Claw back in 1973. I already had a Trail Master rod and used it and broke many times which Eagle gladly fixed (which they still do now). If they can not repair it they will help you out with a small fee to a new rod. Hey they also sent me stickers, I mean a bunch of em and some big enough for my bedroom window. Now who do you think the coolest kid on my block was (at least in my mind ). I have always had a warm spot for the company, its folks and its culture. I am so proud to have developed a relationship with a company like this over the  years.

Fishing With Friends

I saw this on a persons blog signature it went something like this. " When I am too old to fish,  I want to remember the large friendships I enjoyed over the years instead of the large fish I have caught." This speaks so true to me. I have enjoyed relationships with folks I would never have introduced myself to, as I really am a shy person. It is amazing to me how we hunter gathers share such a bond. I experience a lot of different aspects of the fishing industry from guides to factory staff and competitive anglers as well. I believe we have one truly common bond "We Love to be Outside". The greatest gift I have ever received is the acceptance I feel when I slow down outside to be a part of the creation, universe, oneness with mother nature or God's creation however we as individuals name it, it is our common bond. 

I have to take a few minutes to thank those who make this lifestyle possible first and foremost is my bride, Debra who also shares my love of the outdoors as long as we can keep her warm. The folks at PK Products the home of PK Lures and the long time friendship of Pat O. The anglers which I hold close to my heart:  Kristen, Jim T, Bernie, Charlie, Dave, Pat O x2, Ryan, Bud and Barry thanks for putting up with me and my need to control the boat or have to see the sonar all the time. The folks at Eagle Claw, Fins Premium Fishing Lines who help support the habit of guiding. Bernie, how we have shared the learning and challenging aspects of being a fishing guide and worked together to share our passion with others has been fun and hard work.

If you have been on a  guided trip or fished a tournament with me, I will say its not about the camaraderie its about the fish. I mean it too. It has taken many years to learn to know the difference between working and playing while fishing.  I hope you know how to separate competing with those around you from being able to just enjoy the presence in creation with them. I challenge you to think this thru!

P.S. Thanks for the inspiration, Z Man


Steve G

What We Think

The winter is a time for goals, thinking, reflection and most of all patience. I have fished with a young friend Nik a few times this year. I always love to watch his desire to catch fish and to learn more about the sport and the quarry we pursue. I always seem to come away with a refreshing thought after hanging out with him.  Here is the latest (darn I guess it is a group of thoughts all related to each other with a common theme): 

So the thoughts which come to mind are what we think affects us and our outcome. Boy we have all heard this before, just saw it the other day on a friends Facebook post 'pick an attitude its up to you.' I agree whole heartedly, what a gift it is to be able to think and choose to have Peace in a life of chaos. I know how hard this can be at times, but the simplicity is amazing and leaves me with a child like view of the world. 

When I really get to the point, I can be a part of the environment in which I pursue the sport and provisions of fishing, it is refreshing. In our world of such differing opinions and goals as humans we all share a common bond, our souls and our desire to know some form of peace. I as a parent was taught by both of my kids to think and take care of the little stuff.  Creating a freedom of self and soul allows me to experience as well as watch as others form opinions and thoughts of our world. The process of thought and the ability as well as the desire to choose well comes from within for me. I hope I can continue to be present with those I fish with and learn and grow from the thoughts, opinions and direction they choose for themselves. 

My mom used to talk about how her generation was the first to have the luxury of time for contemplative thought as a mass, versus the few whom had the opportunity. Please take time to think for yourself and what you value in a day.

This may be a little weird for a fishing guide to share all this stuff, I may be a little crazy but I enjoy fishing friends and time outside with creation. We are of the same carbon base with a soul seeking Peace I think.

Yes I do see fish sometimes when I close my eyes. I sometimes see young folks grinning ear to ear with a fish or or just being outside joking around.

Be well friends until the next ramble,

Steve G

Photo is Sabine River in east Texas at Sunset in November. 

                                                                      "Peaceful, let the river flow."

"It's a New Year"

I love the fact this is the last holiday for awhile, I love family and friends but a lot of em don't like to be outside as much as me the time of year.  The ice is building in the hills and here we come.  

I sometimes wonder how and why we look at the new year and celebrate so much.  It really is just another day, right?  Nature doesn't act any different, do they the animals know its all new?  I think we are still gonna suffer the consequences of our choices good as well bad.  Even though the year changed, my fishing skills did not magically change overnight. 

Oh I just thought maybe its just a reason to act silly and party.  It does give a full day of fishen not silly but lots of fun in the work week, if you kept yourself from getting to silly the night before.  If it was a change in seasons I guess I could get my head around it more.  I still think I am missing out on something when I think about fishing  and going to bed before the ball drops. 

What's the deal with a ball dropping anyway, sounds like somebody is trying to steal it and dropped it, oops.  When the bell sounds seems more appropriate.  I sure could find more reason to celebrate if it was when the winter solstice cycled just past the longest day of darkness.  I guess, I should stop, this is getting dark and depressing.  I'm gonna go fishing and think about how fun and silly I get to be standing on the ice enjoying nature with a friend.  

If I had a goal it is to keep doing that which I already enjoy and reduce those things I don't.  Goal/Resolution crud there goes my mind trying to figure this thing out, yikes I better get out on the ice. 

SO GLAD I CAN LOOK OUT A WINDOW AND VIEW CREATION, IT DOES GIVE ME PEACE AND HOPE.

Happy New Year and God Bless,
Steve G.

Merry Christmas!

Folks please accept a very heart felt Merry Christmas, I truly believe God gave us his only son so we could have some form of PEACE on earth.  I know we all have our challenges and heartbreaks.

Please remember to find some way to give at Christmas (outside of your immediate family).  I really enjoy fishing, right, so last week I had the opportunity to take a fellow out to ice fish for a few hours while he had a break before a show in his hectic schedule of tuning drums for a family member of mine. This fellow, we will call J, spends his idle time much like I do - what are the fish and animals doing right now?  Keep in mind some days J only sees the back of a stage and the bowels of a venue, an airport or the inside of a semi trailer. 

I was so amazed at the life he is passionate about with music and the entertainment industry.  He truly focuses another whole being in the focus and joy of the outdoors.  So you know how you have a feeling about some folks, how they are part of your destiny and path on this earth for some reason.  Well this is a story of a flow of that. 

I met J in Dallas 2 years ago after hearing stories about his love of the outdoors and just how settled he was in his walk thru life.  Bang there was that feeling.  Cool dude, great soul and a parallel passion of the outdoors. So he travels and our paths have crossed a few times and we shook hands, chatted and spoke of some day.  The lovely lady I hang out with (married 32 +- years) remembers the shared passion and suggests to take J fishing last week. 

We set it up thru folks and we took off to fish last Thurs. on the ice at C Creek in Aurora, Colorado.  The ice is 4" thick and clear, I had fished it a couple of times this year already.  We had aprox. 2.5  hours to drive, dress, fish and eat a meal before the show. The life of a supporter of a rock star???  J is from Missouri and loves to fish crappie back home, our target for our flash fish is walleye, it had just gotten dark and J says hey I have one. Remember we want walleye, up thru the hole comes a 13.5 " crappie a trophy fish in any water and a dandy if comparing to Missouri. We run out of time have to leave and loading up J says thanks that was the  most fun I have ever had.  I had to challenge that with a few questions.

Ya he was right except for a few life things like having a daughter or the joy of marriage to a lovely woman. He was telling the truth. In looking back on this I was having a blast just hanging out with someone I hope will become a new friend and just want to be out doing what we both loved.  I got what I always hope to give and that was a opportunity to try something new.  I had no idea this was a first time ice fishing for him.  I would have stressed, not been so relaxed and would have done some more to comfort him on the ice for the first time.  Instead he got the Hurry Up Getter Done version of an ice fishing trip.  It was just what was to be called for, he was so joyful to just experience something I take for granted sometimes. 

I received the joy of giving and sharing the craft of fishing and the outdoors with someone whose soul is fueled like mine.  Hunt and Gather well J, I can't wait for the next opportunity with you and/or a guide client.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and the Joy and some of the Peace we can find in this world by giving to others from just being together without boundaries and sharing a like desire.

Blessing,
Steve G

P. S. Here comes the Ice on the larger higher lakes.

Playing on the Somebody Else's Playground!

Its here (The ICE) but not at my playground, so I am gonna go sample the other play grounds - i.e. lakes around the state.  The ice is somewhat safe on a few lakes and here I come.  Some of the things I think about on early ice are:

1. Where is that spud bar?

2. Is there a rope and something to throw in the sled (Ice Axe)?

3. Who is going with me? 

4. Are they bigger than me (Not usually, ya I usually get to test the ice)?

5. Ya the floating ice-fishing suit will float me I tell myself.  Tried it, its not a life jacket, floats you all over, it does fill and make moving difficult

6. Where are those ice cleats? If my fat a__ falls and smacks the ice I know its gonna break it and go thru. 

SO I have all I need, here we go out on the ice every 10 feet popping a hole or spading thru with spud bar, its safe, its clear and the spikes are on.

My buddy has a mountaineering ice axe to throw at me if the worst happens.  I have never fallen thru the ice, but have been with those who have!  Wear those safety picks.  Play on somebody else's playground until yours freezes up safely.

Enjoy and use the most important tool, our brains so we can do this all our lives, show others and enjoy our families.  Share the craft and share the joy of fishing.

Full Moons I hate Warm Fall

Full Moons I hate full moons in the fall when they are this warm and the elk seem to be not willing to migrate. So it is, I zagged on a zig elk hunt so far.  It's warm, the season is holding long for all species except the one I want for my table.  Solitude, sleeping in a cold tent, long walks (still hunts) daily.  Boredom as a blessing, mediation as a gift. 

Could not think of a better way to spend time, except if I could keep my wife comfortable to see all this with me, but 15-20 degree nights and I will pass on that. 

After this it is the planning for ice season.  Oh and I hope at least one walleye trip in December to Glendo for some eats til ice forms.