In a slump....

This year has been really strange, I've had some great fishing opportunities but the catching fish part has been just ok.

I hooked my first carp which was exciting, but it broke off.

I caught some smallies for the first time, but none were over 12 inches.

Drum fishing was a great experience I look forward to doing again. I can see how it is exciting. I'd like to hook up with one of those.

I was able to finally get to the mtns but the weather was cold and I didn't have much time to fish. This last weekend I was on the water for maybe an hour. It was a hatchery supported stream. The water was low and the stream had obviously been pillaged.

I can't believe how much stuff I've gone through this year in terms of gear. I really need to figure out a system. I lost one rod and reel to the New River. Broke my Orvis last week. My friend fell on my redington and broke the reel. Somehow I managed to lose my felt bottoms for my Korker boots? I swore I was wearing them on the smallie trip. How could they have just come off? I'm determined to find them. I've already searched my house and storage area but here is no sign of there existence. I've found the mud bottom souls but can't for the life of me understand what happened to the felt souls.

The weather is starting to cool down and my focus is turning more to the birth of our first baby. I want to get the rod fixed and plan some trips for this winter, but I think that's going to take a back seat and this spring will be about raising a baby.

This last weekend it was confirmed the Family Reunion will be in Idaho next year. It is in June and the snow melt might effect all the rivers and creeks in the area. We'll see.

I'm going to try and get back in touch with my Neuse River fishing buddy to attack the Neuse this winter.