Meandering

Decade

Mon, April 30, 2012

Decade (noun) – a period of ten years.

Ideas to this blogger are like money to a kid as they wind up burning a hole in my pocket, so to speak.  And this is one of them.

Ten years ago today I sent out the rambling paragraph below that would ultimately lead to something called “Meandering” that presently appears on your computer screen thanks to Jeff and HO.com.  Well, I’ve had it bouncing around in my head that I should fill some space by revisiting some of the entries from ten years ago as I have an affinity for milestones and a decade certainly fits the bill from my way of thinking when it comes to the somewhat shameless art of self promotion.  This is how this whole thing got started back on April 30, 2002 when I was a little bored and had an overabundance of something called “free time.”  Nearly six hundred postings and well over a thousand pages of “fish stories” and other distractions later, here we are. 

April 29, 2002 Newest entry into the record book Emstrom’s Pond 18” 3 lbs 3 oz Mann’s Baby 1- crankbait

Introducing the “Family Fishing Hall of Fame Newsletter”.  This inaugural edition is simply an overview of a way to share some of the data I have amassed over three decades of fishing adventures.  I have appointed myself President, Editor-In-Chief, Secretary Etc., thereby electing all on the e-mail list into the “Family Fishing Hall of Fame”.  There is no set schedule for press releases and no specific format for the articles to be distributed.  The “Family Fishing Hall of Fame” is a prestigious collection of family and friends (who may as well be family), most of whom I have either shared a boat, a bank or a creek with.  A lifetime subscription is provided at no cost and cancellation is only a few clicks of a mouse away.  I would like to give a “thank you” to Sis for helping me come up with this ridiculous idea.  She recently mentioned to someone that I keep track of every fish that I catch.  Very true.  As of 4/29/02, I have 1,920 records in my fishing log database.  Largemouth Bass, Carp, Channel Catfish and Muskies are recorded individually and Bluegill, Crappie, Green Sunfish (Rock Bass) are recorded as totals based on the location that they are caught.  A long list and I’m still entering data from the 80’s and early 90’s.  Many would say, “A complete waste of time”, but if you are still reading, maybe you understand.  However, I do not simply keep track of my own fish.  I have also established the “Family Fishing Hall of Fame Record Book”.  The top fish of all time (well, at least since 1985) are included in this list.  Many of you receiving this newsletter are included and I eagerly await the next entry.  The only stipulation is that you have a scale that will weigh the fish in at least 1/4 lb. increments.  Digital is preferred but the DeLiar is a piece of fishing history so it is accepted as well.  Honor code applies, as you would not be a member if you were not trustworthy.  Granted, some members can be full of crap but they are honest about fishing.  Entries can be submitted for several species but a minimum weight limit applies as follows:  Largemouth Bass-minimum 1 lb 8 oz, Channel Catfish-1 lb 8 oz, Carp-2 lbs 0 oz, Muskellunge-no minimum weight limit.  A Crappie record is in the works and will be posted at a later date.  Currently the “Record Book” contains 263 Largemouth Bass, 65 Carp, 27 Channel Catfish and 4 Muskies.  Whether you read it or delete it, hopefully it gets you to the water when you get a chance.  Troy

My plan is to periodically submit some more of the original submissions (and pictures) from 2002 as we make our way through 2012 as something entitled “Decade.”  I intended to reread the entire batch of stuff to see what, if anything, was worthwhile but never got around to that project before today’s “do or die” sort of deadline.  As such this is kind of a fly by the seat of my pants concept that may sink or may swim, it remains to be seen.  At the very least I figure some of you are reading this while you are supposed to be working, therefore, if nothing else you are essentially getting paid to read the experiment: my potential apologies to the rest of you.  Talk to you later.  Troy

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