Finally, we're home. I never thought I'd appreciate my own bed as much as I did that first night. I don't even remember falling asleep. All that happened, as far as I know, is that I fell backward into the bed and woke up the next morning in my own bedroom. It was wonderful.
Speaking of the next morning, I'd forgotten how much fun it is to mow grass. I got out my trusty John Deere and spent two hours cutting the grass. It was a real pleasure. I can't wait to do it again next week.
It's crazy what you miss when you're on the road as much as we are. It's the little things that start to bug you. I'll also have a chance to see the kids for awhile. That a big thing, not a little thing. I don't want to put them in the same class as mowing the grass. But, you get the point, nevertheless.
After that it'll be time to head to Kentucky Lake. I understand that the water's down — supposedly it's at full pool — and they're pulling water trying to get it down even farther. That should make the ledge fishing fantastic.
The bass will be out on the ledges. The current will help position them as well as make them bite. That means once we find a school we should be able to catch them. Based on what I know now, I'd say the weights should be heavy this time.
That's fine by me. I'm currently in 13th place in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings. I'd like to be a little higher but in reality I'm not that far out of it. I'm only about 60 points out of 4th place. That's not too shabby.
From Kentucky, we'll head to the Arkansas River out of Muskogee, Okla. That's going to be a real fishing tournament. Except for a few guys who live out there, none of us has ever fished the place before. That means we'll all start on the same footing — no history to help or hurt us.
That's my idea of tournament fishing. We all will have the same amount of practice time, and the same opportunity to learn about the fish. Everybody's equal. The best angler that week will rise to the top and take home the trophy. That's the way it should be at this level.
I'm glad I stopped out there on my way home from California. It won't help my fishing directly but at least I know where everything's at. I won't have to drive around in circles looking for gas and a donut.
Once that one's in the history books — and the postseason is over if I qualify — we'll get back to discussing hard-core fishing techniques. I've learned a few things this year that I think you guys will find interesting.
Until next week …
