April Farm Fest 2011 @ the Vine! (Report)

[TaperSteve]

I arrived at the lake just after 5pm Friday evening. JimmisLine, Bobber Boy and his better half were already in line. Within the next few hours Josh, See Chris Fish, 5150fishn, Blue Wagon, Castaway, Big Daddy, McFishingAnimal, Hitts0n, Troutdog & Lil' TD, Hometown & his brother had all shown up.

By nightfall we had 3 grills fired up, ready to go!
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For a second there we thought we were being attacked by aliens till we realized it was the Hittsignal!
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We grilled up some burgers, steak, and not to mention the BACONATOR!
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Here's a couple group shots!
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The fun went well into the am hours of Saturday morning. After getting a couple hours sleep I awoke around 5:30am to go to the tackle shop and say my good mornings and pay my fishing fee's for the day. The main gate opened shortly after 6am and Josh and I had my boat launched and on the water by 6:15am.

Here's a pic I snapped shortly after leaving the dock!
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We started out trolling down the West Shore towards the dam. Things started out slow but on our 2nd lap around the lake my leadcore starts screaming. What a fight this fish had to it nothing like i've felt before. Thought maybe I had hooked into one the wipers they stocked last season but once I got it close enough to the boat and it jumped outta the water I could see it was a small trout but it looked differen't. Finally I netted the fish and saw I had just caught my 1st brown trout ever!
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First thing I told Josh in the am was his sole duty for the day was to stay in constant contact with Big Daddy as he had invited us to breakfast on the lake. After figuring out where Big D was we trolled up beside him. Not long after one of Big D's rods goes bendo. Here's a pic I shot of him fighting the fish!
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Yeah we might have been vultures following around "Jo Momma II", but we weren't the only one's! (5150)
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We knew it was almost time when Big D yelled over to us, "How do you want your eggs?". Josh reeled in his rods and we prepared to dock with the mothership!
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What an amazing breakfast! I can't thank Big D enough for all the great food he love's to cook for all of us. I truely am in debt to you my good friend!
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After breakfast and on our next lap around the lake, my leadcore starts screaming again. We could tell this was a bigger fish and when Josh netted it for me we could see she was a fatty. At 1st guess we were thinking 7lbs+ but when I picked her up she dumped out a bunch of eggs. I didn't take a pic of her right away because I wanted to let her die before I tried picking her up again so she wouldn't spit out anymore eggs.

Not long after I caught my 3rd fish of the day, this time on a Rapala CD07.
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Josh was starting to sweat bullets but finally he beat the skunk with this 4lb 4oz trout!
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Around 2pm Josh tells me to look up at the birds, then we both realized it was one of the bald eagles chasing around another smaller bird that was carrying a trout. The bald eagle bullied the smaller bird into dropping the trout into the water from 100ft+ up in the sky. We watched in amazement as the bald eagle swooped down and picked up the fish!
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After that we watch as the smaller bird helplessly followed the bald eagle around till they both disappeared out of view!
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What a thrill that was to watch but it was getting close to that time. Right before the scales were to close at 3:30pm I landed my 4th fish of the day, another trout. After that we quickly reeled in and headed for the scale to weigh-in our fish.

My 1st brown trout ever! (2lbs 4ozs)
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My fatty for the day! (5lbs 12ozs)
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After weighing in our fish we headed over to the Team 57 get together.
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A few people couldn't stick around too long so Hitts and TD graciously got to the awards right away.

First up, in 3rd place, with a 4lb 4ozer, Josh!
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Next, in 2nd place, with a 4lb 8ozer, Big Daddy!
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/TaperSteve/4-23-11/DSCF0371.jpg

And this years, 2011 April Farm Fest Champion, with a 5lb 12ozer, TaperSteve!
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While all this was going on Big Daddy was busy preparing his BBQ pulled pork sandwiches with coleslaw.
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After giving away the awards to the top three, Troutdog and Lil' TD started the raffle. Here's a pic I took of the raffle items!
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At this point my camera died so I wasn't able to take any pics of the raffle. While watching the raffle I quickly downed one of Big D's pulled pork sandwiches. After the raffle was over I had to head home.

I'd like to say a big thanks to all those who showed up and made this event possible! Also i'd like to say an even bigger thanks to Hitts0n and Troutdog for helping to put this event together and to the Vine for being such a great venue for this event!

The fishing at the Vine has been so incredible this trout season and this weekend was no exception, but now I think it's time to start changing gears and practice for their upcoming Crappie Classic on May 21st!

Hope to see ya'll out there on the water soon at my favorite lake, the Vine!
:Dancing Banana::Dancing Banana::Dancing Banana:

TaperSteve

[Troutman65]

Congrats Taper Steve on first place .:Cool: Well deserved after all the hours you have put into the lake this trout season at Irvine Lake . I had fun hanging out . Big Daddy's pulled pork sammy's were awesome . Thanks Blue Wagon for the cup cakes .:Wink: & thanks to all who brought food & raffle items .

[5150fishn]

What a insane trip we had. Congrats to you on both your first Brown and the Beast first place fish! You put the time in and deserved it. You couldn't have said it better- "vultures" LOL How could we not with that smell of delicious food drifting down the lake. Another thanks to Hitts & Troutdog for putting this together and Big Daddy and Bobber Boy for the epic food. Thanks for putting up the pics. Steve.

[See Chris Fish]

Thanks for posting up the pics.
Steve, congratulations on the win. You truely deserve it!!!!
Where's the pic of the Bite-On?!?!?!?!?! lol

[Hometown]

Congrats Steve great job and that brown sure was pretty.A speacial thanks to Hitts and TD for putting this together and also thanks to Big Daddy and Bobber Boy for some awsome grub.Cant wait to see all on the next outing.Peace Hometown

[Josh]

I am glad I was able to make it. It was good to see everyone again and meet some of the other Team 57 members. As always I had a blast. Thanks again for an awesome time and thanks to all the sponsors and Hitts for making this happen.

[Rooster]

:LOL:Always a blast out there at a Hitts event. Congrats Steve on taking home the trophy and the sweet brown. Thanks to all the hard work from the cooks to Bebops kind offerings. That meat was some goooood stuff. Thx BigDaddy & Bober Tip :Envious:

[Hitts0n]

Congrats to you Steve!! I said it fronm the jump that you were going to win it!!
I mean you put lots of time on the waters!! I mean you help out in every way.Grill,taking family out,reppin Bite 0n! etc. Thanks to everyone who donated the raffle prizes!! Big ups to the Chefs who fill our bellys up ! Thanks to everyone who tossed me a beer ! It was nice to meet new Team 57 members as always !! I cant wait til the next event as I already have plans to set it up ! BeBop..........THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN!! I hope you feel better brother!! My pics to follow!!

[Hitts0n]

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THE SS JO MOMMA !!

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Thanks Bob !!

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[CASTAWAY]

it was nice hanging out with all the team 57 as always. the grub was good. til next time. here are a few pix. next time i will have to take more...
http://www.kodakgallery.com/imaging-site/services/doc/5454:814060992311/jpeg/BG

bendo for BlueWagon...
http://www.kodakgallery.com/imaging-site/services/doc/5755:424060992311/jpeg/BG
a few caught by the fellas....
http://www.kodakgallery.com/imaging-site/services/doc/5755:166950992311/jpeg/BG
some of the team members....
http://www.kodakgallery.com/imaging-site/services/doc/5716:234060992311/jpeg/BG
some more team 57s.....
http://www.kodakgallery.com/imaging-site/services/doc/5808:734060992311/jpeg/BG
trying to put up the banner...


Good times Team 57-------

[Hitts0n]

http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n594/hitts0n859/hitts0n.jpg

[Bebop]

Hello fellow 57 Members. Sorry I wasn't able to make it for fishing, but as usual you took a slow fishing day at the lake and made it into a fun day. I am glad once again you all enjoyed the gifts I donated and other vendor gifts. I can not believe that the trout season is almost over, but fishing.......never stops. Oh congrats to all te winners. Talk to you all later

[diamondbear]

GREAT POST TS , Congrats on the first place and nice brown . Looks like everyone had fun and ate even better , ha // db

[BLUE WAGON]

had a great time , looking forward to the next event. The food was fantastic,thanks to all that cooked
HITTS,TD great event
TS, great job on the big fish of the day
A big THANK YOU to those that brought stuff for the raffle.

[Thisfool]

ALL RIGHT BUDDY CONGRATS

to bad i missed it it looked like great time.

[TaperSteve]

Congrats Taper Steve on first place .:Cool: Well deserved after all the hours you have put into the lake this trout season at Irvine Lake . I had fun hanging out .

Nice to meet you! Wish I could have hung out longer Sat afternoon with ya'll.


Congrats to you Steve!! I said it fronm the jump that you were going to win it!!
I mean you put lots of time on the waters!! I mean you help out in every way.Grill,taking family out,reppin Bite 0n! etc.

Hitts - Thanx again for putting this awesome event together and a big thanx for all the pics you added to this thread!


it was nice hanging out with all the team 57 as always. the grub was good. til next time. here are a few pix. next time i will have to take more...

Good times Team 57-------

CASTAWAY - Pretty sure i've met you before so it was nice hanging with you again! Thanx for adding pics to the thread!


Hello fellow 57 Members. Sorry I wasn't able to make it for fishing, but as usual you took a slow fishing day at the lake and made it into a fun day. I am glad once again you all enjoyed the gifts I donated and other vendor gifts. I can not believe that the trout season is almost over, but fishing.......never stops. Oh congrats to all te winners. Talk to you all later

Bebop - Heard you weren't feeling too well. Big thanx for the all stuff you donated to the raffle. Hope your feeling better and i'll see you out on the water again soon....


TS, great job on the big fish of the day

BLUE WAGON - Nice meeting you BW!


ALL RIGHT BUDDY CONGRATS

to bad i missed it it looked like great time.

Thisfool - We sure did miss you out there! Heard you were working on the sharkmobile because your going to be trying to sell it soon. I have one question, does the screwdriver come with it?

5150fishn, See Chris Fish, Hometown, Josh, Rooster, diamondbear - Thanx for all the positive replies/vibes!

Bobber Boy - Also a big, big thanx for the amazing baconator and tri-tip you always bring!

TS

[troutdog]

Hello fellow 57 Members. Sorry I wasn't able to make it for fishing, but as usual you took a slow fishing day at the lake and made it into a fun day. I am glad once again you all enjoyed the gifts I donated and other vendor gifts. I can not believe that the trout season is almost over, but fishing.......never stops. Oh congrats to all te winners. Talk to you all later

Bob thank you for the awesome donation to the raffle, guess who is the proud new owner of a "bebop Special"!

Nice report Steve, thanks to all that made it out and help make this another fun gathering among friends....I hope everyone enjoyed themselves as much as I did! Food was great, raffle was plentiful (thanks to all that made it happen) and the friendship/comradery was 2nd to none!

Congrats on your 1st place finish...your cameo on CNN was well deserved, you seem to have quite the following too! :LOL:
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj285/troutdog_photobucket/Taper2.jpg

See you on the water!


TD

[TaperSteve]

Ohh man TD, thats gotta be the best pic I think i've ever seen in my life! Sadly the Wifey didn't so much agree with. Nevertheless I got a new backround on my comp!

TS