TD's recap of the pres. Day Tourney

[troutdog]

Sorry I did not have this report and pics up sooner, but the weather kicked my butt Monday and I had to attend a funeral Tuesday....better late than never I guess!

My weekend started a little early and I got to fish Friday with my buddy Pat who had not fished the Vine since the water level was up near the cleaning station a number of years ago....the weather was iffy and it rained on us several times throughout the day. Fishing was really tough and I was only able to scratch one fish while my buddy got the skunk. We had a great day hanging out regardless.



We started the day at TroutIsland, but it was dead so we joined The Fish Taco by the boat ramp before he bolted for his pre-Valentines dinner so he could get the fun pass for the weekend I had to take a quick shot of this boat coming in for the day...they were having a little trouble getting on the trailer, but finally got things in order.



Left Friday afternoon and returned later that evening and camped out for the night. Met up with Doctorhook and 2Quickmotorwerks and we all got a chance to watch the steelhead stocking and the quality of the fish was insane....be great if more of the stockings were like this one! (hint-hint) Doctorhook turned in early and 2Quick and I chilled with eventual 2nd place winner Ricardo, his bro Varian, APfish1969 and a few others from the Phenix crew....thanks to the boyz for sharing the brews, the warmth of your heating element and for all the laughs. Morning came quick as it always seems to do when camping at the Vine with friends, but I was up and ready to slay for the day! Doctorhook and I bee lined it to TroutIsland while 2Quick opted to fish the ramp area, we were quickly joined by Bullets and Hitts as Team57 was well represented...I was stoked to get my favorite spot and it was fish on in less than 15 minutes. My white pb in the first hour rarely fails me and Saturday was no exception! Doctorhook got on the board quickly thereafter and I followed it up with a chunky brookie that weighed in at 3lbs.


Bullets "the flying" Frenchman I guess decided to go bass fishing instead of targeting the bows


Fishing slowed quite a bit after about 11am, but we were surrounded by a great group of guys and we were cracking jokes and enjoying the sights...not far off shore in a boat were get Da Net and his fishing partner(help me out here I forgot who you were fishing with....my bad, sorry!)


Hitts doing his thing with the FusionMetalWorks rod holders close by....I got to pick me up a couple of those bad boys this Friday!


Bullets surveying the lake while sporting the sweet Team57 shirt...


As the day wore on we had a couple shots at some good fish...Bullets had a BIG fish on, but it was not meant to be and I missed a good opportunity while "asleep at the wheel" Oh well I guess it was not meant to be. As one o'clock rolls around I start to get ready to go weigh in my brookie in hopes of placing and suddenly Doctorhook gets bit! It was evident right away that this was a better fish and the fight lasted for close to 20 minutes while a huge crowd gathered as the battle waged on...long and short of it as most of you already know Doctorhook landed a PIG!!!


As soon as the fish was landed we sprinted to the scales to weigh in the eventual 1st place winner which came in at 14.10lbs and earned Art $500!


I was lucky enough to take 9th with the 3lb brook and net me $45 for the effort...sweet the weekend is paid for! Saturday's raffle was awesome and well represented by Team57. OlFisherGal, Bruce Watson, Doctorhook, Mav, Crvz(and kids), Hitts and I all sat together and that must have created some good mojo because we racked up in the raffle! I got my favorite prize in another free pass, Hitts won a Bayoo shirt that I inherited(thank you), Doctorhook got a cool little crawler keeper, Olfishergal got a Vine hat that wound up on my head for protection from the sun(thank you) and CRVZ won the Crucial rod they raffled off....I think Get Da Net got something too.....please throw it out there if I forgot anyone!

The Fish Taco and APfish1969 taking in the sights at the weigh in....


There was a buzz in the air as they started to announce the winners as we all knew Doctorhook was the man of the hour...what an exciting day for Team57 family!


I took Sunday off from fishing only to return Monday for some more "fun in the sun" This was a day for only the heartiest of fisherman...that or the craziest! Wind whipped up to 30 mph and blew rain sideways most of the morning, it was brutal and if it weren't for Doctorhook's easy up Timster, 2Quick and myself would have been miserable! Our neighbors had the same idea....


The road to TroutIsland was closed as part of the road was under water, but we made the best of it for as long as we could before calling it a day around 1pm.


It was a little on the muddy side....


There were only 8 fish weighed in by the 28 anglers in the tourney and Doctorhook and I weighed in two of them! Art took 3rd and I took 5th good for $33 and $25 respectively. Even with the small turnout the Vine put together another great raffle including free passes, a fishing rod and one of the coolest prizes I have ever won...check out my new beer stein!


Wanted to get another angle as this item has some awesome details...that Dolly Varden India Pale Ale pictured is on sale at Albertsons and is excellent btw!


I finished the cold rainy day at Art's house as his wife prepared us some homemade albondigas soup and garlic bread....all I can say is AWESOME!!!! Thank you for having me over for lunch buddy.

All in all it was a great weekend spent with some great people...thank you for making it another memorable experience guys.

Thanks for reading,


TD

[Koshaw]

Killer report and pics man!

Great to see all of you out there having fun and fishing together.

Will see you Friday at the Event!

[Seng90806]

looked like one hell of a weekend you got there i'll hit u up later for some hint on where the big boys are at

[chris]

great report thanks for sharing and congrats on the wins

[Mondo21]

Great report TD! Love the pics also! Congrats on the nice Brooke you caught. Dr Hook and his "Fat Pig!" Art has "Mad Skillz" Can't wait to get out there with you Guys again. Cindy

[Granny Fish]

Great report TD. I had to laugh when I seen the pictures of everyone fishing in the mud. Congrats on placing in the tourney (twice) and the cool raffle prizes. I really like that beer stein. See you soon!

[MAVERICK27]

Awesome report my friend! I always like when I show up at the Vine and see your crazy smiling face there :) Great job on the brookie too! Next time, I may have to join you guys on shore for the shennanigans!

[FISH_HUNTER]

Very nice and detailed report TD!! Congrats to all winners/participants!!
$500.00!?

[kewlwhip]

kewl read and photos mr TD, and sweet lookin brookie~ hey where's the 4x4 shots in the mud?! doctorhooks trout was truly a faT toad~congrats art, i told ya so in the am that day!

[Rooster]

Enjoyed the great read and pics my brother. Looking foward to seeing ya Friday. Props