Fishin report for Lake Iwanttobethere..

[Bobby Bass]

Well don't ask me how but I am a cashier for the wife's garage sale. First off this was not of my choosing but since I am here guarding my good stuff, I might as well make myself useful. Not a tuff job, I sit under a big umbrella with the wood cash box in front of me. My ash tray, a roll of yellow stickers and a black sharpie. A box of cookies are close at hand, raisin oatmeal they are for customers. But I feel that in order to maintain proper quality control that they should be tasted on a regular basis. I call it a garage sale even though it is a yard sale but we have been having these little popcorn rain storms come through and stuff has been moved under cover. Some tarps have been hung and plastic is tucked under the table to be brought out when ever it starts to rain. This of course does not stop the seekers of other peoples treasures as they just seem to drive from sale to sale during the rain and wait in the drive. As soon as the rain stops they exit their cars and trucks and a foot race follows.

I had to nail up a few sections of that almost invisible bird netting across the inside of the garage just in front of the wall of junk. A sign hanging on it said nothing for sale here. After every rush of bargain hunters I have to go back and untangle someone from the netting. The answer is the same, they didn't see the sign and just wanted to take a peek. A few guys stop at the table and we chat of fishing and watch as there better half haggle over a glass vase or a sewing pattern. Elmer is over and he handles the elderly ladies. Well the ladies his age anyway. He has brought over a few boxes of odds and ends and if he does not sell them somehow they will find there way to my garbage can instead of his. He does a little flirting and soon some gal will be at my table paying a quarter for a chipped saucer. He will walk her and her friends out to their car and wave as they drive away. He'll walk back with a smile on his face and some spring in his step. " What" he will say when he walks by me.

Cookbooks seem to be the thing everyone is searching for today. Several ladies asked if we have any for sale. I tell them no only to find out later that the wife has a stash of them and it is an ask only sale item. Guess I am somewhat new to the behind the scenes action at a yard sale. I have the laptop outside with me. I am in charge of watching the weather. Even though we have our own Sunshine Ray I do take advantage of a certain web page that allows me to view a radar station that just reaches out to Lake Iwanttobethere. A little secret of mine that I use in making bets at the Lodge. Many a Hamms has been poured for me when I differ with Sunshine Ray's forecast and win. Blue sky overhead right now but another storm should be here in about thirty minutes or so. Steady traffic as the sale is scheduled to go till five or so. All around the lake balloons Are tether to mailboxes and signs point down drives to sales. There are even pontoons making the sales. They tie up to the dock and then walk up to the tables and browse. Usually one of the guys is driving and then they will troll between sales. Bud and Barney both are on the dock and they escort the buyers from the dock to the sale tables. Bud has been keeping a watchful eye on the old goose who is not a very sociable. Pepper sits on Elmers porch and pretends she is a watch dog. Barking and letting us know when the next pontoon is coming.

I lite up a cigar and kick back watching the wife work and my daughter who somehow got involved.. She is selling some of her pictures and painting making more on one picture then the wife does in a half hour of peddling. But of course that is not the real reason behind a yard sale. So many reasons for sales. Some people are looking for something they don't have and need. Some people are looking just to snoop and see what you have. Others are looking to buy stuff to stock their next yard sale with and still others just like to kill the day haggling over a twenty cent scarf. For awhile there I had to run the sale as the wife said she had to make a run into town. Elmer and I exchange positions. I worked the tables and Elmer was the cashier. He dug out his pipe and sat behind the card table making smoke rings. I with sharpie in hand walked the tables and my answer to all questions was, 'What ya give me for it".. Guess that is a common opening line for haggling. I could care less and would accept the first offer made. About an hour later the wife showed up with a couple of boxes that she started to lay out on a table. Her black sharpie marking prices on the stickers. Her running into town was a ruse, she had gone and hit a few sales and was now trying to resell her purchases... Going to be a long afternoon.. From Lake Iwanttobethere (34093)

[Bobby Bass]

Got a reminder from Mother Nature that it is still Spring. I totally forgot that yesterday was the Mother in Laws birthday and with plans to go fishing I was in my own little world. I was going to go chase some small mouths over on Mystery creek when sisters and brother in-laws starting coming down the drive. Car doors open and a cascade of nieces, nephews and grand kids swarmed the grounds. Caught with tackle box in one hand and a rod in the other I was blocked in and could not leave. Asked by my sister if I was just getting back from fishing I just shrugged my shoulders and put the gear back in the garage. Locked the doors and went to the shed where I removed the keys from the tractors. Just got there in time as already the ten year old was looking to take a ride.

Found the wife busy in the cabin kitchen producing cover plates of salads and cut up vegetables and potato salad. Guess I had seen the dozen hard boiled eggs cooling but had not thought twice about it. Being like every spouse I acted as if nothing was going on. I picked up a carrot stick and made mention that I thought it was early for her mothers birthday. She made some remark about checking the calendar. I walked into the den and looked at the fishing calendar saw nothing about a party. Just a notation about fishing in the river. Wife passing me by chasing a grand kid with a roll of tin foil unfoiling behind him said I should check the REAL calendar in the kitchen. Wandered in to the kitchen and there in red was the mother in laws birthday and BBQ circled on the calendar. Mmmm well I went down to the dock where Barney was already fishing with one of the grand kids. Two others were busy turning over logs looking for worms. A couple of the nieces were busy on their cell phones texing or talking or what ever they do. Nephew was over at Elmers offering to mow his yard if he could use the riding tractor. Last time he did it he put it in the lake but he is a year older now and was stating his case to Elmer.

Had a nice little get together, I was just as surprised as my mother in law at the nice gift I gave her. BBQ was fired up and burgers were made along with some hot dogs. This is when mother nature reminded us she was around. With everyone out on the decks eating the wind shifted and we got a couple of gusts of wind well over forty to fifty miles an hour. In a second the tables were cleared of paper plates, cups and napkins. Trees sang out against the wind and the old row boat strained against it's moorings. A couple of the little guys were knocked down and kids screamed chasing their plates across the grass. Dogs went to work running down rolls and rolling hot dogs. Menfolk held on to their beers and cigars and the women to their hair. Just like that the wind died and order was restored. Except for the paper plates that had blown out into the lake. Sons launched the row boat and bailing as they left they went out and gathered up the plates. Kids picked up cups and napkins and dogs took care of the hot dogs. More hot dogs were made and Elmer returned from his cabin with a box of potato chips. The bowl on the table was swept away, I did see a chipmunk running away with a chip.

Mother in law and the ladies retreated to the inside of the cabin, just in case another gust would come. Inside they lite scented candles and drink flavored tea. Men found deck chairs and kids disappeared. Dogs now full found spots in the sun except for Barney who was still fishing. Chuck came over, smelling the BBQ he had an empty plate in hand. Lake was quiet and still again. This was broken up a rhythmic chant coming from the other side of the cabin. We got up from the deck and walking around to the other side, could make out a chant of " EAT IT, EAT IT, EAT IT" we found all the kids gathering in a circle around one of the nephews who was threating to eat a earth worm held over his mouth. Standing in the background we adults waited to see if he was going to do it.. He chicken out... Chuck walking past us reached into the cup of worms and pulled out a worm. Winking back at us he popped it in his mouth. Sounds of Cool and gross were yelled out and kids scattered. Chuck walking quickly past us made mention of needing a beer. From Lake Iwanttobethere (34690)

[Bobby Bass]

Last night at the Lodge we stayed late as the baseball game went into extra innings and those of us who stayed around sat out on the deck with our jackets on and a cold Hamms at hand. Cigar smoke drifted upwards and conversation was quiet. The almost full moon worked it's way across the evening sky and it's light was reflected off the calm waters of the lake. The ten o'clock freight weaves it's way around the far side of the lake and for a moment there we could not hear the game over the sound of the train engine. With the trees bare of leaves we could watch the bright headlight of the engine fickler in and out of the trees. From time to time we would take turns getting a pitcher of beer and refilling the popcorn bowls. The oily yellow light of the popcorn machine just about the only light on in the Lodge. Most people had already left for home when the home team won in the twelfth inning. Elmer got up and change the station, some soft music that just was background noise. Conversation in quiet voices between those of us who were left. A little talk of baseball and some talk of fishing. A lot of quiet time between spoken words. I loon sang out and all on the Lodge deck went quiet. The glow of cigars tips were the only way to see if a chair was occupied. Guys became lost in their own thoughts listening to the echo of the loons call.

After a while cigars went out and offers of another beer were declined. Guys got up and made that walk down the hall to the washroom. A few minutes latter they reappeared patting jacket pockets looking for truck keys. Nights were said and promises to report back on there next fishing trip out on the water. Nothing was heard from Elmer who was dozing on his wicker couch in front of the flickering TV, the sound turn down low. Barney had snuck up to lay next to him, Elmers hand petting him between his ears from time to time. Down in the campground a few fires were burning in the scattered fire pits. The creaking sound of the outhouse door could be heard from time to time and as we sat on the deck we watched as camper lights went out and fires became just dim glows in the darkening night.

Sometimes a story does not have to be long to say a lot. Last night was one of those nights when a little says a lot. Just sharing an evening, some small talk, a baseball game and watching the moon light on the water. That Loon brings memories back to everyone, just one of them sounds that makes you stop and remember. From a quiet and still night here at Lake Iwanttobethere. (35020)

[Bobby Bass]

Kerplunk......... Got to love that sound. Kerplunk!.... The sound of a red and white bobber landing in the lake. Kerplunk... Little rings spread out from the bobber as it hits the water and disappears for a split second before bobbing back up to the surface and righting itself. Little waves spread out from the bobber to form rings that grow as they roll away from the bobber. Growing smaller as they grow larger till they just melt into the surface of the lake and disappear. The line stands up in a loop from the top of the bobber to lay down across the surface. The line weaves it's way back to the waiting rod tip of the old rod standing in a holder on the wood dock.

Keplunk, the bobber lands but this time the line finds it's way into the hands of a youngster. It does not stay still long as it is reeled back in hardly before the little waves are gone. The bobber and rig is dragged across the surface and tossed in a better spot a few inches to one side. Still not the place it was targeted for but getting closer with each toss.

KERPLUNK! A bigger bobber this one, with a sucker underneath it. From experience you know this rig has to be tossed nice an easy, the weight of the bait taking it out where them northerns wander. You stand and watch. The bobber moving slow on it's own. The sucker beneath it pulling it along the surface. A good eye is needed as you watch to making sure the bait is doing the pulling not a northern below.

Kerplunk Just a little thing. The red round plastic top just showing above the surface of the water as it settles in. Small tiny rings move out to disappear in just a few feet. You peel of a few extra pulls of line and ease back into the dock chaise. A sigh is released as you lean against the sun drenched warmth of the old wood back. The rod lays across your leg and rests on the arm of the chaise. Your hat gets tugged down over your eyes and a loop of line rest across your forefinger. You close your eyes and feel the warm sun and a little breeze. A buzzing of a bee and that noise dragonflies make as they hover just out in front of you before looking for something smaller then you to eat. The croak of a frog somewhere off to your right and crow calling out in front of you as it is being chased by a couple of angry blackbirds. They move quickly out of sight and your eyes rest on a heron slowing working the shallows. You watch for awhile till she turns and disappear into the reeds.

Kind of like being in a deer stand only much warmer. Waiting, as you get older you work on that skill, some call it patience and are born with it. Others have to practice it and get better as time wears on. Elmer is good at it, as he says he has been practicing for a long time. I see him on the end of his dock early in the morning. I can hear the kerplunk as he settles in his chaise and practices. He is not fishing mind you, he is practicing. Sometimes he even puts a worm on his hook.. From Lake Iwanttobethere. (35681)

[Bobby Bass]

Hiya from Lake Iwanttobethere. Well some signs that the holiday weekend is fast approaching. The Gulp -N- Go raised gas prices overnight a dime and now have a pallet of charcoal stacked just outside the main door. Was up early this morning, trying to catch our paperboy Jessie for a fishing report. But he had already been to the dock and gone by the time I made it down there. I never really thought about it till now but when I say Jessie the paperboy you are probably thinking of some high school kid with a baseball cap and sporting a long sleeve two tone shirt. Actually Jessie is about sixty years old or so. He invented some gizmo that he sold a ton of on one of them home shopping networks and retired to the lake here several years ago. Looking for something to do he replaced the young feller who was headed off to college and now he delivers the morning paper and fishes a lot. It does pay much but it is enough to buy gas and oil for his boat and gives him a reason to be up and about during the summer. He says and I tend to believe him that the early morning is the best time on the water. For the most part the lake is calm and just a breath of a breeze if any at all. Morning fog lifts off the lake later in summer and you can see the dew on the grass leading to the water. He always has a camera on board and has some pretty nice looking pictures of deer, bear, otters and I have seen a few of a timber wolf he caught drinking.

Not everyone on the lake gets a paper so it give him time to troll between docks and toss a few casts at likely looking spots. Sometimes you can tell how good the fishing is by how late in the morning your paper comes. One time I never did get a paper because Jessie just was hitting them hard and forgot about the route. From time to time he will take people along his route for a ride along. After a morning trip with him they tend to forget about getting a paper a little late. Down at the Lodge we hired a full time bartender for the summer. His name is Mark and he is renting a cabin up here on the lake and will be at the Lodge full time working days. With the Lodge having open the doors to the general public during fishing season we felt that we needed someone who could actually mix drinks that people asked for. I can mix a few but everything that Elmer poured was basically Wild Turkey in a different size glass. This to will allow me some time out from behind the bar to allow me to sit at the bar. His girlfriend Norma Jean will also be doing some part time waitress work. Will take a little getting used as Norma is all of six feet tall and then wears heels to make her as tall as Skinny. With blonde hair all done up and makeup and nails we are already making bets as to how long it will take her to get into some jeans and a pair of flip flops.

Been busy this last week, with memorial coming up so quick and the weather just in the last few days turning Spring like. The phone has been ringing for tilling. Hammering Hank has been sliding me some of his jobs as he and Skinny have been living in their waders this week putting in docks. Lots of tourists in town and the locals are hard to find. The farmers have been busy planting and everyone who works or owns a resort has been working. Tinkers fly in service has been making daily passes over the Lodge as he heads out with customers and he dips his wings to us. Vicki at the Masterbaiters shop has her summer hours in full force and her and her husband don't see to much of each other. One is working while the other is sleeping. Might be why they have been married for so long. Speaking of marriage. Ruby our piano teacher will be celebrating their fifty wedding anniversary here on Jun 21st the first day of summer. Her husband made the remark it was the shortest wedding night of the year and Ruby says it has been the longest day of the year for the past forty nine years. This made me pause and think for awhile..

So I am out all day working, and I come home to greet the wife as she is carrying in some groceries from the jeep. Checking the fridge I see a white paper wrapped package marked shrimp. I start listening to what the wife is saying just in time to hear her says ' So I was at Ma and Pa's grocery and I was just writing the check to pay for the shrimp when I realized that today is our wedding anniversary, Hhahahh I had forgotten all about it" Frozen in front of the fridge with the door open I had just been told that I to had forgotten about our wedding anniversary. Pretending to take great interest in the white paper wrapped shrimp I made some feeble comment about my turn to cook supper.

Ducking into the den I looked and found a anniversary card from a few years ago, I quickly updated the signature and grabbing a handful of cigars I wrapped some green string that we use to tie the raspberry bushes up with. Wrapping the cigars in a bundle I took the card and cigars out to the wife and said " Gee honey you didn't have to get me these, and here I got you nothing! She smiled and gave me a hug and a kiss and told me it was nothing.. She then turned away with a frown and I returned to the den, putting the cigars back where I had them. Quick thinking had saved the day. I better find a gift for her before she figures out what I did. You would think after thirty one years she would know me by now... From Lake Iwanttobethere

(36412)

[Bobby Bass]

Busy Busy her at the Lodge tonight. Lot of regulers and a few tourist are also in. Holiday weekend is here and the resorts are booked full as well as the motel in town. If the wind was not blowing so strong off the lake it would be almost a decent evening. Sun was out today and hardly a cloud in the sky. But the wind, it was blowing all day today, Windy the windmill has been spinning away and the meter is in the green. Just in the past few days the buds on the trees have started to open and the hillside around the lake is starting to turn green. Just in time the Loons are singing in the evening and the Peppers in the swamps and lowlands are singing their evening song. The best thing so far is that the skeeters are almost no where to be found.

Campground down by the access is full and there might even be a few more tents then what the grounds have been approved for. Sheriff Tim had to run a group off campers off who were setting up camp in the softball field outfield. They tried saying that they thought the 240' sign they mistook for their campground number. They were sent on there way. A station wagon loaded down with camping gear pulled up outside of the Masterbaiters shop and a young couple with a two young lads headed inside. A few minutes later they came out with the boys toting new rods and dad with a full minnow bucket. They ran the short distance to the wagon and the taller one made the first touch. They all jumped in and headed on down the access road. Hank and Skinny have been loading up the firewood racks and today they were at the Lodge moving ice around inside the icehouse. Grace was there as soon as she heard the lock come off the door. She made her way to her stash of ice and dragged a chuck out the door.

Sunshine Ray has gone on record says the weather should warm up and only a chance of rain on Sunday. Monday looks good for the BBQ in the park and also for the fishing contest. Several pontoon boats are tied off together off the point on Root Beer island. A regular sight here on a Friday night and I am sure the group will only grow as the weekend moves along. Lot of lights coming on around the lake and I think it looks like a good holiday weekend coming up. Even with gas prices being high you can't miss the opening of the summer season here at the lake. Big Earl down at the general store has his rack outside the store stocked with charcoal and lighter fluid. Hot dog forks and bug spray along with the ever present umbrellas. Even down at Ma and Pa's grocery there is a cart with watermelons parked outside the door. From time to time you can hear the low boom of Del's pizza cannon firing. Pizza pans flying across the water to waiting hungry campers. With the sun dipping low here it will grow quiet as Del is not allowed to fire his glow in the dark pizza's.

Pretty good crowd here in the Lodge and Gus was busy in the kitchen most of the night. Mark the new bartender worked past his quitting time but I think he is having a good time meeting the guys. Seems he is a crappie fishermen and some of the bass guys are giving him some grief. His girlfriend Norma is doing well in the tips department as the Lodge guys appreciate seeing a pair of legs. It has been a long winter here at the lake mind you. Reed the Realtor is working the room shaking hands and introducing himself to anyone he does not know. Baseball game is on the TV and the home team is ahead. A few guys are watching but most are just telling tales and sneaking glances at the new waitress. A new jar of pickled eggs sits on the bar top and as of yet no one has broken the seal. Popcorn machine is popping away and the smell fills the air of the Lodge. Few guys have moved to the deck to watch the sunset and smoke a cigar. A few red and green lights can be seen moving on the water as boats come off heading for there home docks. Fire pits down at the park are burning away and the faint sound of someone strumming a guitar can be heard. Looks like the kids are ducked away inside their sleeping bags and the adults are sitting in their fold up chairs. I am sure talking of old camping trips.

I hope you can make it out to the lake and you find a good spot out of the wind where the fish are biting. Even if they are not there is still not much that beats a wiener cooked over a fire or the smell of coffee made over a campfire in the morning. Funny I always sleep pretty good when I can hear waves slapping against a boat or washing up on the shore. From Lake Iwanttobethere have a good holiday weekend. (37152)

[Bobby Bass]

Checking my work calendar on the computer I see I actually have three days off. The only thing that could change this is if I answer the telephone. I take the cell phone and stick it inside the desk drawer making sure that I turn it off. The last time I did that I left it on vibrate and it shook around inside the drawer drawing the attention of the dogs who then came to the desk and barked at the drawer that was making funny noises. Even after the phone had stop ringing the dogs continue to bark and paw at the drawer. This drew the attention of my wife who found the phone and then found me just in time to receive an incoming call and the loss of my weekend. Today I hid the phone turned off and inside a sealed manilla envelope marked 2006 fantasy football players.

Since last weekend was a wash out with the Mother in laws surprise birthday party, which was a bigger surprise to me then my mother in law I did check the master calendar in the kitchen. Nothing of interest was on the calendar so I checked the fishing calendar and it told me I should try the river. Now the fishing calendar is worked on over the long dark days of winter. I go through logs and note the days when and where I have caught fish and when the bite was on around Lake Iwanttobethere. I also steal er I mean ask questions of other fishermen and if I think I can believe there answers I add that data to my calendar. This gives me my fishing calendar and today is says I should go try the river. Of course it is also the opening of bass season on the river and it does have a good number of smallmouths but that has nothing to do with the fine art of research that was performed during the long winter.

I go out to the boat house and get down the river knapsack that was packed last weekend. First off I remove the forgotten paper bag with my lunch in it. I dump the contents out on the table and re pack the bag. Bug spray, stringer, rain suit, small tackle box, bigger tackle box. Dump out and rinse and then refill water bottle. Check juice box, still ok, not out dated yet. Lighter and scale and a zip lock bag. Spend some time looking for a missing nail cutter and find it under the knapsack.. Reload the bag and grab the fishing rod already spooled with fresh line. Open up the wife's Jeep and stick it all in the back. Being smart I think I will take the wife's four wheel drive as I ain't getting any younger and I can drive up the tote road that run along the river and save myself some walking. Now all that is left is to pack a new bag lunch and I will be off. I head back to the cabin but am distracted by Elmer down on my dock. I head down in his direction and see Barney running back and forth on the dock. As I get closer I see Elmer has his pole tucked under his arm and his pipe clenched between his teeth. The braided line disappears into the water and the line is cutting through the water from left to right and back again. Looking at Elmer I can see what I think is either a smile or he is in pain holding onto his rod. With his teeth clenched that way it looks the same to me.

I stand and watch the old pole is bent nearly in half and it seems that every time Elmer makes a few turns on the reel the fish pulls a few more turns back out. Noticing that Elmers pipe has gone out I offer to pull it from between his teeth. I grabbed the pipe and Elmer gasps for air. Color starts coming back into his face and he mumbles something about not wanting to lose his pipe and it is about time I pulled it out. About this time I hear the bell on the deck being rung and turn to see the wife waving at me from the deck, she is yelling something but I can't hear her over the grunts coming from Elmer and Barney barking. I just wave at her and she waves back. Turning my attention to Elmer I see the red and white of his bobber just under the surface. I go into the boat house and grab the big hoop net and when I come back out to the deck Elmer has the bobber out of the water and Barney is leaning over the edge of the dock looking straight down into the water at a big sucker foul hooked in the tail. Not wanting to say anything I just turn and put the net back in the boat house. Elmer walks the sucker around to the shore and removes the hook with a twist of a fishing pliers that is always in the back pocket of his bibs. Barney returns to the end of the dock and sits acting like nothing has happen. Elmer puts out his hand for his pipe and then with rod in hand heads back to his dock. I open my mouth to say something and he just points a finger up in the air and I close my mouth. I am already thinking how I will retell the story at the Lodge.

I make my way back up the hill to the cabin and Bud greets me. I pat him on the head and go inside. A few minutes later I leave the kitchen with a new lunch in a new paper bag and walk out to the Jeep. Except the Jeep is gone and with it my river rod and knapsack. Well what the heck I say out loud, I turn and go back in the cabin, that is when I remember the wife yelling at me during the height of the big sucker battle. I recheck the master calendar and see shopping written in small neat print on the bottom of today's date.

I walkout to the deck and take my paper bag lunch with me. Sitting down at the bench I put the bag on the table. I guess I am going to be here while. From Lake Iwanttobethere

(37524)

[Bobby Bass]

Looking back in my notes I see last year the day before the holiday it rained. Looks like more of the same today. Kids and Grand kids are all up for the holiday weekend and the cabin is full with dogs and cats. Grand kids helping grand ma in the kitchen and sons out in the garage going through tackle boxes and looking for a break in the weather. I never did get out fishing yesterday. After waiting for awhile on the deck and eating my bag lunch I got to tinkering with things. I ended up cleaning the green house out and transplanting some of my plants. They are now all out in the greenhouse and I even got the potatoes and corn planted in the main garden. The yard was made child proof and all the keys were removed from the riding tractors and shed doors had their locks secured. Ice house is empty and is ready to serve as the summer bunkhouse. With the rain the kids like to play outside in it. I have one grandson who is only two but he does like to be outside with me. He does not say to many words yet, Papa seems to be his favorite when he is here. The rest is just a language that only he seems to be able to understand. I give him another six months or so and we are going to have some good conversations together when I can understand him.

With all the kids running around the cabin the three cats have disappeared during daylight hours. As soon as the kids hit the beds last night they reappeared like shadows in the dark. Filtering through the cabin they find there way to the kitchen and their food dishes. One at a time they came to me in the den and jumped up on the desk. The small one, the mother sat and stared at me for awhile. Giving me attitude I think she wanted to know how long she was going to have to put up with kids chasing her. Her sons the two tom cats came in next and the three of them all sat on my desk and stared at me. I was of course talking to all three of them when the daughter came in and said she didn't know I was having a board meeting. One by one they all jumped down from the desk and again with the attitude slowly walked out of the room. The daughter sat down in a chair and said nothing. The bookcase was right beside her and she reached over and pulled out one of my fishing ledgers. She quietly read to herself from it and from time to time would ask if I remember when she and I fished here and there. I would respond yes and tell her how we did that day. She would check the ledger and more times then not I was right or pretty close. I have a good memory and so does she. Her mother on the other hand... Well we will leave it at that.

So now you are going to say what about missing your own mother in-laws birthday last weekend? Well I let the wife remember those dates. I call it micro mangement. Someone has to remember the important things like fishing trips and hunting adventures. That is why they make calendars for anniversaries and birthdays and holidays. Guys have to remember oil changes and when to sharpen lawn mower blades. The e.r.a of your favorite pitcher and passing yards of quarterbacks. Where the extra shear pins for the snow thrower are at and how many cigars are left in the cabinet. How much gas was twenty years ago and what kind of car you drove when you got your first kiss in one. I mean that is a lot of important stuff to remember. You don't see any of that on any calendar either. Did I mention the combo to your high school football locker 1-33-17 and your draft number.... So many things to remember..

Even though it not raining right now it will be here again. I see gathering clouds on the far side of the lake and Barney the dog is following me around the cabin. He is not one for rainstorms. I might have to wake up the youngest grandson, he is sleeping on the leather couch in the living room with Bud. Bud was already there laying on top of a couple of sleeping bags and the little guy using Bud as a pillow climbed up and is fast asleep. Bud tends to be a very good baby sitter and usually picks out the grandson to stay with when he is here. Barney was in there awhile ago and you could hear a low rumble coming from Bud as he warned him he had the couch. Barney moved on and found cookies to taste test in the kitchen. He return to the living room holding one in his mouth to tease Bud with.

The waters of the lake are calm in my little bay here and the granddaughter is down with her dad watching a couple of bobbers floating. The boat house door is open and they already have a few chairs set up just inside. When it starts raining they will retreat to the boat house and watch from there. My youngest daughter has her camera set up inside the garage and she is hoping to get some pictures as the storm moves across the lake. Guess everyone here is looking forward to the oncoming bad weather. Even Elmer next door has his tent out and the old fart loves to lay on his cot and watch the walls of the tent move in and out and the doors flap. He says the sound of the beating rain on the old canvas is one of his favorites. I have my swing with the roof on and will sit there and enjoy the rain. Usually Bud will be at my side but he is busy being a pillow right now. Barney has made his way under the desk at my feet so I know it's getting closer. Around here we look forward to a good thunderstorm, a little hail on the deck is always a crowd pleaser for the grand kids. No one is out on the water that I can see, guess everyone is heeding the warning that Sunshine Ray predicted there would be storms today. With any luck we will try and take the old rowboat out later this afternoon and maybe even take a ride on Chucks pontoon. Unless of course there is another storm to watch. From Lake Iwanttobethere.. (38165)

[Bobby Bass]

Hiya from Lake Iwanttobethere. We wake up this morning to sunny skies and already the bass thermometer on the cabin wall reads 55 out. Of course it is the day after a three day holiday weekend and people are back at work. That is how it works. Yesterday the high here on the lake was 64 at about nine in the morning. Then the cold front came through and it was all down hill from there. When the drizzle started around noon or so it made for a cool damp day. Here at the cabin the grand kids were all up by 7 in the morning and on the dock fishing for blue gills by 7:05 Breakfast was ready by 7:30 and grandma had big flapjacks with smiley faces on them and ham and eggs for the menfolk. The smell of coffee and hot cocoa drifted through to the den where I was.

Around eleven or so we all headed into town for the parade. Finding a good spot down by Ma and Pa's grocery we waiting for the parade to begin. Elmer was in it leading the way and instead of using convertibles with the drizzle coming down the idea of horses looked like a good idea. The local high school's ten piece marching band performed and a group of 4H kids followed. Last year the band took up the rear but with the horses and 4H animals they were doing a high step down most of the parade route. We even had the old horse drawn fire pumper bring up the rear washing the street down. The parade ended down at the access where the BBQ's were already going. Several tents had been set up and for awhile there the drizzle ended and people ate and tried to keep warm. By this time I think it was in the middle 40's out. Not really great parade weather but we do have to remember we are still in May and once again we had some frost last night.

Some people did some shore fishing trying to catch something to enter in the contest and there were a few boats out on the lake. Fishing has been slow as overcast sky's and the wind have been with us most of the past week. The thunderstorms did not make it to us here at the lake, went right around us but some very bad weather was down to the south with a lot of damage done. Last year by this tine we had already had two hail storms at the lake but nothing more then some brief hard rain has happen this year. I think I may have had a part in that as did get my roof fixed a few weeks ago and I know if I had not done that it would have been pouring for sure. Well after a visit with the locals the grand kids and their parents decide to head back out home and they already had the grocery getters packed. We made our good byes till next weekend when they will be back up. The wife said the Jeep needed gas so she took the Dodge back to the cabin and left me with the jeep sitting on empty. I took it over to the Gas -N- Go, filled it up and bought myself a candy bar. I then noticed that my river knapsack and rod was still in the back and I didn't need much to take a left instead of a right heading back to the cabin.

I found myself on the banks of Mystery creek a little while later. Funny when I got there the drizzle was gone and even a flash of sunlight made an appearance. Just like I was meant to be there. My second cast I hooked a little small mouth who gave me a brief battle till he came to the shore. My third cast was a cedar tree. Looking to make sure no one saw me I untangled the mess and acted as if nothing happen. In the next hour I caught five little bass, a northern, watched two perch follow my lure right to the bank and another northern jump out of the water chasing my lure. I also had one real good snag with a spinner bait. I walked up shore from the snag trying to get free and then decided I was going to have to break off. That is when I remembered that I had some of that new super strong line on and I was not going to be able to just break off. So I did the old fishermen's trick of wrapping the line around my hips and then turning around in a circle to pull up the slack and break the line. Well I made a few circles and the line was not going anywhere and all I had done is tied myself up on shore. Thinking to myself I should move away from the wet bank as I did not need the last thing in life to be found in the river tied up in fishing line. What would the guys at the Lodge say? I would be the talk for years to come over a Hamms beer how Bobby was dragged into the river by a snag. Not a pretty picture I think. About then the hook straighten on the spinner and the lure came free. I spent the next five minutes trying to untangle myself and hoping a fish didn't take the lure still in the river.

It started to drip a little and that was my cue to head back home. I took the ride back to the cabin and was not allowed inside by the wife until I was tick checked. She saw me put the knapsack and rod away in the garage. Six ticks later I was cleared to enter the cabin. I went to the den and entered five bass and one northern on the fishing calendar. From Lake Iwanttobethere (39263)

[Bobby Bass]

HiYa from the lake.. A down right nice day out as I drove into the Lodge the needle on the bass thermometer hovered right around seventy degrees. A number of boats could be seen on the lake through the thickening leaves on the trees as I took the access road in. What a difference a year makes I was thinking to myself.. Last year at this time the big fire up north was burning and the smoke was coming all the way to the lake here giving us some colorful sunsets. The woods were dry and the fire ban was in full force. This year we have water levels back up or maybe even a little higher then normal and the woods are damp and slowly turning green. With the cold spring we are still behind but making progress. The other night we had frost and it got cold again last night but not as cold as Sunshine Ray had forecasted. Still there were a lot of sheets laying on top of plants in the gardens.

Hawks are still floating over head traveling northward and this year no robins have decide to make my boathouse their home. I am a little disappoint in not having to do battle with them. In to the summer routine of opening up windows and watering plants in the greenhouse every morning and Pepper makes a beeline to Elmers garden as soon as she is let out in the morning. She makes a quick round to look for ground hogs and then heads to Elmers back door to scratch on it till he lets her in. Barney heads for the dock to fish and Bud finds a spot in the sun to go back to sleep in. Grass is ready to be mowed again but it can wait a few more days. Having Mark working at the Lodge is sure making my life a little easier. I came into the Lodge and got paper work done in just a few hours and confirmed some orders and was back out the door just before the lunch crowd starting coming in. I did grab a Coney to go and ate it hiking down the trail to the Masterbaiters shop. I did go down to check out on some plugs as was loading up the Puddle Humper I seem to have misplaced some lures. I was running low anyway so I went down to check on my account and ended up working a few hours while Vicki took a break. Well not really working just getting paid to talk some fishing and dip a few minnows.

Got to love the sound of minnow tanks running in the back ground the cold tile floor under your feet and sunshine reflecting of the wall of spoons. Buzzer always seems to be going off every few minutes and most of the people coming through the door midweek are locals. HiYa is exchanged and the secret Lodge hi sigh and then we get down to exchanging hot spots on the lake. Challenge is going on at the Lodge and of course we talk about who is on the leader board and how much skill or is it luck has gotten then there. Elmer comes down and is dipping in the tank for a dozen perfect shiners. I leave him be, I have better things to do then sort minnows. During a lull I pick out a few plugs and set them off to the side. Copper colored with a little wobble I have just the place where I want to try them out. Vicki comes back looking refreshed and carrying in lunch from Amy's. I wave at Elmer as I leave, he has eight shiners picked out so far.

The hike back up the trail is a lot slower then the hike coming down the trail. Either it is getting steeper or I am getting older. As I pause just to take a pause I remember when we would run this very same trail, in the dark. Guess my legs and my eyes were better then. I continue on up the trail and can see Grace, Dan's dog sitting outside the ice storage building. Guess it is warm enough that she wants some of her ice she helped harvest this past winter. I make my way into the Lodge and grab the key. Going out to the building Grace is happy to see me. I unlock the door and she slides past me to grab a block and backs her way out the door and out of sight around the corner of the building. I put the lock back on and make sure it clicks. Grace will be back to check it later I am sure.

Going back in the Lodge I see Chuck has Mark's attention at the end of the bar. Skinny and Hammering Hank are also standing alongside as Chuck is holding up his arms spread wide. I am guess he showing off the size of a fish that I know he has never caught but Mark does not know that. Poor Mark, he is going to hear a lot of stories this summer and like a lot of good bartenders he is a good listener so the guys will be bending his ear. I go to my office and grab my truck keys and slip out the back door of the Lodge. I have my rod in the back of the truck and there is a little spot I want to try on my way back to the cabin. From a really nice spring day here at Lake Iwanttobethere.

(39917)

[Bobby Bass]

A catch up day here at Lake Iwanttobethere. Already it is Friday and we are going into our 4th weekend of fishing. At this rate summer is going to be over before we know it. Like most people here at the lake I still have a snow shovel just inside the garage door, just in case. And the winter parka is still in the front closet. Have not come even close to eighty yet and summer won't be here till you can go to the local Dairy Queen and have to work at licking your cone before it melts in your hand. A heavy fog here on shore and out over the water. Can't see if anyone is fishing because you can hardy see much past the dock. Out on Root Beer Island the buoy can just be heard clanking away in the small waves. I think they have the lights on at the bait pier, at least it looks a little brighter on that end of the island. Had to roll the garbage can down to the end of the drive this morning and was just about clipped by a gray pick up truck hauling a trailer. Fog so thick you can't see but this guy had no lights on. Why is it that when people who drive with out lights in fog or rain always seem to own gray or white cars? Might be the same people who run their boats on the lake with no lights on. Are they worried they are going to burn out the bulbs or something?

Fog is starting to burn off some here now as I just checked. Grass is soaking wet as it rained most of the night and it being only forty five out I will be working on the Honey Do List inside. Funny how that list has kept growing as the days have gone by. Had all the kids up for the holiday weekend and I assigned jobs to everyone. I do know the boys cleaned out the fridge in the garage and all the aluminum cans went down to Mike's scrap yard. Got some city beer in there that they brought up. Not to my liking but if it gets hot enough outside, say over sixty I might be able to drink it then. Grand kids fishing rods need some work as I was in the boat house and I see there are the remains of worms on hooks that have dried up and need to be cleaned off. Best I take the reels apart and do some cleaning. New line might be a good idea to. Was on the list to power wash the dock and lounge chair off and I see that did get done. Something I can check off the do list.

The go cart which has now grown into a guy cart is getting closer to being completed. The sons started welding a frame up this winter, going to make a go cart for the grand kids. It has now evolved into a adult cart with a forty horse snow machine engine on it. Suspension and four chrome wheels. It is hidden up here so it will remain a surprise for Sheriff Tim. Dug I am sure has something in mind for the 4th of July go cart races. Already there have been some changes made to it like the roll cage and a seat belt. When everyone is here on the weekend most of the guys can be found standing around talking about it or looking at it but no one is working on it.

Should be mowing the lawn but it's to wet and with the lake rule about no lawnmowers on the weekend I guess it will just have to wait till next week. Something else I can mark off on the do list. I have volunteer to cook supper on Thursday nights. Down at the Sundown Cafe they are offering a twelve leg chicken for takeout for only six bucks. I picked one up last night and some salad from over at Amy's and I had a hot meal for the wife when she came home from work. Not to mention left overs today for me. I don't know where the rest of the chicken went. If it has twelve legs who knows what that that bird looks like!

Resorts are busy around the lake, not quite full but still you see a lot of rental boats out on the lake. Friday and the pontoons should be out cruising tonight, unless it is raining. Looks like some more showers here on Saturday and then Sunday should be a nice day. Sunny and humid with not to much wind. Have not had very many nice days at all so far and some of them have been spoiled by the brisk winds. With Windy the windmill in full operation we tend to pay more attention to the wind now. It is nice being on this end of the lake and be out on the water and watch and see which way Windy is pointed. If the weather stays the same today I am going to guess the Lodge will be busy tonight. Should be some stories told as we will be telling true tales of our fishing and we need to finish off the kegs so fresh ones can be tapped for the month of June. Or at least that will be our excuse.. From Lake Iwanttobethere (40333)

[Bobby Bass]

Well when guys gather at a local drinking establishment, such as the Lodge. Stories will be told and challenges issued. Last night at the Lodge somehow that wonderful game of golf was brought up. Today I found myself as a judge at our local golf course as Chuck, Elmer and Gerry had followed up on last nights discussion of who was better with a round of golf today. Trouble was no one had gone home to bed and we had come directly from the Lodge to here. Well we did stop and have some breakfast at the Sunshine Cafe. We split one of them eleven egg omelet's four ways. Adding a loaf of toast and a couple of pots of coffee we were ready. Everyone had their clubs down in the locker room at the Lodge so we loaded up Elmers truck and Chuck had to ride in back.

We arrived at the golf course well before it was open but Elmer knew where the keys are for the propane golf carts and we selected two of them that had already had the snow chains removed. There was a nasty smell in the air and I could not tell if it was the propane or the eleven egg omelet going through Elmer. After changing up partners I rode with Gerry. Well the contest was pretty simple, I would be the Judge and would not play. The three guys were going to play on the four point system. Longest drive, first on the green, closet to the hole and then first in. A pretty simple golf contest. However there needed to be some handicapping done. Gerry could only play with one club so he had brought his five iron. Elmer could not use the same club twice on a hole and had to start with his putter and Chuck had to walk carrying his bag and was not allowed to drink any beer.

Since our local golf course is far from being a country club and is but six holes we need to move tees around in order to make it play into a nine or even eighteen hole course. Today's contest was to be eighteen holes but after breakfast and the promise of a sunny day ahead it was decide that nine should be enough. Since I was the Judge I got to determine the lay out of the golf course and the hole selection. The first tee was right at the driveway into the course and I selected a pin setting that was 200 yards away directly into the rising sun. The order of tee off had been selected the night before in a timed Hamms drinking contest. Gerry stepped to the tee with his five iron and launched his first shot skyward. Where all of us lost it in the sun. A moment later we heard the ball bouncing off the metal roof of the storage building before falling into the water trough, sometimes known as a water hazard. Elmer taking out his putter drove the ball off the tee 30 yards and returned with his signature comment " Not far, but straight" Chuck addressed his ball and after a long conversation replaced it with another. The first ball had not answered him and he was looking for the right ball. As judge I stepped in and order him he had to hit and stop talking. Using a five wood he sent the ball high and far straight up to land just short of Elmers ball.

About an hour or so later we arrived on the first green. Elmer was complaining of a queasy stomach and I swear one of the golf carts was leaking propane badly. Chuck had just finished making the walk up the fairway and my stroke clicker stopped working after a hundred clicks. Gerry had drained the water from the trough and had used his sand wedge to rattle the ball around the trough several times before finally getting out. It should be noted that he was now walking with a limp as he had hit his ankle a few times trying to get out of the water hazard. Chuck had a moment of excitement as he rolled his ball into the box where you control the water for the sprinklers. Reaching in he found a snake and neither one liked what the other saw. In the moment he tossed his club in to the brush and held onto the snake. Trying to put the snake back in his bag he realized his mistake. He waited ten minutes before going back to get his bag.

Well the sun was up a littler higher and the kid working the golf course and come in on his bike and was opening the clubhouse. Guess he noticed the missing carts and was yelling something in our direction about calling the sheriff. No one was actually on the green yet and there was talk of calling it a draw and perhaps taking this to the water as a fishing contest where it was safer. It was agreed on and later today we would all meet at the Lodge, have a beer or two and discuss the rules. From a early morning, or is a just a late night here at Lake Iwanttobethere (40448)

[Bobby Bass]

Well Sunday night found me a still judge in the golf contest that had now turned into a fishing contest. I arrived before the guys at a distant landing here on Lake Iwanttobethere and decide that I might as well do some fishing before they arrived. Since I have been busy I have not been on the water as much as I like to. I thought this would be a good time for a shake down cruise of the Puddle Humper. After leaving the cabin and driving around the lake the sky started turning gray and the wind picked up some. I had the baseball game on the radio and it was broken up with static from distant lightning strikes. Arriving at the landing I found a big hole dug out in the center and had to back the trailer around to get to the actually landing. As soon as I turn the key to the Dodge off it started raining. Since I was there I was going to wait the rain out. I went back to listening to the baseball game and blew some smoke rings with my cigar.

After a delay the rain stopped and I backed the Puddle Humper into the water. Parking the Dodge I made my way back to the boat and shoved off. Drifting away from the shore is when I first noticed my first skeeter. Bug spray was back in the truck and I was already on my way so I just figured I would do with out. Bought a new reel over the winter for my buzz baits. I had already put some of that 30# braided line on it and I made a few casts to see how it works. I liked it right away. Hardly any effort to keep the buzz bait on the surface and that is when I had my first snarl. Well It took me a few minutes to pick the backlash apart and I went back to casting only to do it again. After the third time I cut the line and decide I had over filled the spool. I had about fifty feet of line out and like I always to I just wrapped it around the palm of my hand and worked the buzz bait back in. That is when I noticed that with that new braided line it does not just slip off your hands when wrapped around. As a matter of fact it does not stretch any either. My finger tips were turning color while I looked for the dropped scissors. Do you know it is hard cutting with your left hand line that is wrapped around your right hand?

Well I got the line off and then cut the buzz bait off the end. Of course it fell hitting the gunnel and bounced into the water. I fished that back out of the lake and then retied it to the now shorten line on the reel. Having drifted back towards the shore line I took out my push pole and leaning into it to moved the boat out into deeper water. But not before I broke the end of the pole off and almost took a swim. Yup, this was going to be a good night I thought to myself. I tossed a spinner bait for awhile while I was waiting for the guys who had still not shown up and I got one bite or perhaps it was a weed. Then with the storm still moving off to the North I found myself in a small cove with some slack water. I had a devil horse on a spinning rod and I flicked it towards shore. The first ring from the splash had made it out but a few feet when it was blasted by a small bass. In the boat he came and I was right back out with the devil horse. A few casts later and I had boated four small bass. All tight up next to the old bull rushes. Well you don't have to hit me twice to figure out that I had already found fish, they were up tight to shore.

They were small ones and a few sunfish also got into the act and went after the devil horse. I move to the next cove over and caught a few more, these were good healthy pounders who hit like junior high school linebackers. You could see them coming from a long ways away as they would smash the lure and all I had to do was set and grin to myself as I reeled them in. Well so much for being a judge I was fishing. The number ten fish was a two and half pounder and made the drag talk, one of my favorite sounds. I took a picture and slipped her back in the water. Ten fish in just over an hour this was getting to be a good evening. No more mishaps the rest of the evening, I kept catching fish and as the night went on they seem to get bigger. Most were right around two pounds and all of them had a chip on there shoulder when they hit the lure. I got back into water that I had not fished for several years as the lake level is up and with the late spring the green of weeds is way behind schedule. If I had not broken the end of the push pole off I saw some water that looked real good to go back into. Will have to save it for another day. I did have one regret and that was the forgotten bug spray. Fishing close to shore I sure did attract the skeeters. And I got buzzed a few times by some red winged black birds who thought I was getting to close to there property. But the end of the night I had boated twenty one bass and three small northerns. The devil horse had caught them all and was showing the wear. Some of the paint had been knocked off right to the primer and the hooks were all bent out of shape. With the sun setting in the tree tops I decide to call it a night and get off the water before the sketters got really bad. I motored to the landing and a saw a few splashes and could not resist tossing the devil horse out for just one more bass, maybe. I had already decide I was going to retire this lure after tonight.

Drifting in to shore I saw a swirl up ahead and lofted a perfect cast right on top of the widening ring. I gave the lure a twitch and had a solid smack, a set and the zing of broken line coming back at me. Pushed my luck and some northern just made lunch of my lure. I put the rod down and tossed the buzz bait in a half hearted attempt to get the northern to hit again. Decided to call it a night and turn to head to the landing when I heard a fish jump behind me and the tell tale noise of the props on the devil horse. I turn and there floating on the calm waters was the battered lure. I made a circle and plucked the lure from the water. It was still going to get retired after all. From Lake Iwanttobethere (41246)

[Bobby Bass]

Just getting quiet here at the Lodge. Sun went down a few hours ago and that half hour just as the sun starts to hit the trees it is down right noisy out. Baseball game was over with and all the chairs out on the deck here had someone in them. Few fires in the fire pits down at the access and a few campers were calling it a night and lights were blinking out. Been another day where you might have thought it was late September. The bass thermometer never got up much pass fifty or so and the wind was a constant visitor. Few boats were out on the lake, mostly tourist I think as the locals tended to just fish from their docks on a day like this. A few rain showers came and went just dropping enough water to get ya damp and to make small puddles on your chairs. With sundown the peepers started to sound off and a few geese kept doing a circle over the top of the Lodge. After making some controlled crash landings a pair of loons were just off Root Beer island and their lonely calls echoed back across the water. Gulls have already come through early in the evening working there way across the softball field, picking and cleaning. Spending a lot of time around the dug outs checking cracks between the cider blocks for French fries that the softball team hides and pulling off gum stuck to benches.

Couple of guys came in an old red lund and loaded up on their trailer. They then pulled over to the converted ice shanty now fish house cleaning station and we could hear them talking loudly all the way up here on the Lodges deck. Sounds like they might have caught a few and fish for dinner was a likely event. They turned off the lights and drove away leaving a trail of water behind them from their trailer. About then the lake went calm as it always tends to do with the sun setting over the trees. Lights from cabins came on and the occasional kush of a can being open can be heard across the water. Some low laughter and a few barking dogs and then just quiet and the humm of skeeters in the background is all that can be heard. After a while even the humm is gone and you just hear night sounds. Bull frogs and maybe the last bird flying by heading to roost. Next sound of summer will be crickets and more often then not some will be inside the Lodge driving Elmer crazy while he tries to watch the evening news. Bats will soon follow and then with any luck them warm nights of summer. So hot you have to open all the windows and hope for a breeze to move some air around. The ten o'clock freight will weave it's way around the far side of the lake and with the windows all open in the cabin the sound will carry it's way through. You will sit still or lay quiet in your bed straining to hear the last of the train and then the quiet will fill in behind it.

If Spring took her sweet time in getting here Summer is in no hurry either. Lilacs are just now filling out here and corn is just starting to pop up in my garden. Grass is growing thick and tall and if it stops raining I might even get a chance to mow it. Puddle Humper has her batteries all charged and rods and tackle boxes are onboard and ready. Been helping Hammering Hank on a deck job for a new resident of the lake the past few days. Looking to retire here on the lake he wants to connect everything with wood. From the cabin to the garage and and around to both porches. Be able to walk in his stocking feet and not get his toes wet. When it is done I think there will be enough room for his grand kids to have big wheel races on it. Come morning we will have to head to the lumber yard and pick up another load of decking. Bright and early we will of course stop at Amy's for some hot rolls right out of the oven. Since I am working so hard and it has been so cool I think I'll get two of the hot cinnamon buns. I'll work them off during the day I am sure.

Sunshine Ray has rain in the forecast everyday for the next week. Means things will stay cool and fishing might be tough. Tuff on the guys who are here on vacation. They will still be out on the water fishing because if you go on vacation to fish you take what every the weather gives ya. Lunch hour may get a little longer and you might even take an afternoon nap. Maybe give up on that early morning fishing till after breakfast. Let the sun come up a little higher in the sky and if you are lucky it will get through the clouds. Still if you are on vacation and fishing you will make the best of it. But you can't catch fish if ya don't go fishing and to many fish have been caught on them rainy days because someone was at the right place at the right time. Somewhere right now, someone is catching fish here at Lake Iwanttobethere (42477)

[Bobby Bass]

It is a small world. Work day was cut a little short as Hammering Hank and I spent time on the deck we are building. We had to bring in yet another load of wood from the mill and for some reason this one felt pretty heavy. Maybe because we are getting a day older everyday but them boards don't seem to be any lighter. Anyway late in the afternoon it started to drip some after threating for the past few days. We should have known it was going to happen as the sound of lawnmowers running echoed around the lake most of the day. People were getting their cutting in before the rains fell. Smell of BBQ was also in the air and more then a few locals had a rod resting in a holder and a red and white bobber drifting out front of their docks. Hammering Hank left with the first drop of rain as he was to pick up chicken and make supper for his wife Tess. I spent some time in the garage with the doors open and exchanged some stories with Rich the owner of the cabin. Rich it turns out is a good listener which is a good thing with me as I am a good talker. After a few hours of stories I invited him to come on down to the Lodge and have a Hamms, he jumped at the chance I must say as soon as I told him we had Hamms on tap.

A few minutes later he was perched at the end of the bar and I poured a cool beer from the land of sky blue waters, Hamms.... me being on the other side of the bar Rich started talking and I started listening. Half way through his first story I interrupted him and waved at the Johnson brothers, Barley and Hopps who were just coming in the Lodges door. I introduced them to Rich and told them both that Rich here used to work In St. Paul... At the Hamms brewery there! Taking the chairs next to Rich the questions started flying from the boys, Another man of beer. I left to answer the phone as they were discussing copper kettles and Friday the cleaning day and all you can drink lunches.

Afternoon baseball game was already over and Elmer was in the wicker couch dozing, the TV tuned to the weather channel. That satellite TV we got and the wireless Internet connection for the two lap tops is working out nicely. Some people are complaining a little about the chain from the lap tops to the cinderblocks but we were told that we should do that so they don't get misplaced. The cinder blocks were Skinny's idea as we did the same with the key to the women's washroom. Not many ladies use the Lodges washroom after we added the cinder blocks. Works real well down at the Gas N- Go where Skinny got the idea. Coney sauce was still hot in the crock pot so I grabbed some buns and hot dogs and made myself a few for supper. I headed back towards the brothers and Rich and as I ate the Conies I listen to guys talking the trade of beer. Guess there is a lot of taste testing in the world of beer and it is like a requirement of the job. From time to time I moved down the bar to pour a beer or open up the jar of pickled pigs feet and eggs. Few Lodges members were complaining about the weather and looking over the map of Lake Iwanttobethere on the hall wall. Not a lot of grease pencil marks on it and the fishing board is not as full as it usually is this time of year.

Wind has picked up and Gus came out from the kitchen with his apron on and was calling it a night. He went over to the fireplace and stirred the coals some and added a few chucks of birch from the wood box. The flames crackled and a few guys moved closer to the fire and stretched out in it heat. Been a strange cool Spring and there was still a chill in the air even with the first week of June already coming to an end. More then a few coughs were heard as already some summer colds are here or late spring ones are still hanging on. Looks like the Lodge is going to be quiet tonight. Most of the guys should be closing up shop and coming in for a night cap but looks like they are headed home instead. Guess a little rain is going to keep them away. One lonely trailer is parked at the access and I think that is the same one that was there last night. More then likely someone trailer a boat into use at one of the resorts. Well looks like more rain in store for us here at the lake. Even here we get days that are just not made for fishing. Elmer is up from his couch and now he to has joined the conversation with Gus and Rich and the Johnson brothers. Beer, who would think it could bring so many guys together! From Lake Iwanttobethere.. 43814

[Bobby Bass]

Hiya from the Lake, well Friday night here and there is some blue sky overhead. Pretty windy though and you can see some more clouds on the far side of the lake heading this way. I don't think the rain is quite done with us yet. Barney spent the night in my bed as the thunderstorms rolled through the lake for most of the night. Rain gage on the deck said just under three inches fell. Made an attempt to walk out in one of the gardens and by the way I was sinking I would say the three inches of rain is just about right. Went down to pick up the morning paper and watch

one of them big blue deck umbrellas going floating by. It was of course upside down with the handle sticking up in the air. Kind of looked like a really big bobber. I stood and watch it for awhile, didn't see anyone chasing it or anything . Maybe later I'll take the row boat out and see if I can find it.

With the wind blowing and some rain following I was back to wearing the winter coat this morning. Knew it was a good idea not to put it in the back of the closet just yet. Then we had another little down pour and ever since then the red needle on the bass thermometer has been rising. A little over sixty five here and the coat is back on the peg and I am back to just wearing a tee shirt. Grass has gotten deep the past few days, I might regret not mowing when I had the chance. Was a good morning to be at work, inside if you could be. Windy, cold and rain coming at ya straight on. So windy as a matter of fact the rain came up from under my coat to get me wet. Had to go down and roll the garbage can back up from the road just as Frank the plow driver was coming by. On his way to fix washouts and he told me Mystery creek was running high. The water wheel on the brewery was spinning pretty quick and was even flinging water skywards to land almost at the road edge.

The wife said it rained pretty hard but I slept right through it. The only thing I heard was the blinds smacking against the window sill from the wind. The wife closed the window and that took care of that. Had to run errands and do some shopping today. Was at the Masterbaiters shop and it was quiet. Bought a deep plastic tackle box so I can store my oversized top water lures that I made. One can never have enough tackle boxes and when they fill up you should buy another. Also you should never cram your tackle in a tackle box but you should let your lures breath. I learned that from a friend who is in therapy. The smell of woods is heavy in the air as everything is wet and trees are dripping even though it has not rained for awhile. No one at the car wash it stands empty with the doors open on both ends. Banner outside of the General Store flapping. One of the ropes had come undone and it was making it hard to make out the lettering. Fathers Day sale I finally figured out. Just about that time Big Earl came out with some white twine and redid the flapping banner.

Got stopped and ask for directions to Tinkers fly in service. They had missed the turn and I sent them off in the right direction. Almost on cue Tinker buzzed the town and I told the tourist to just follow the white smoke coming from the engine of the plane. They did a u turn right there and went down the access road. They took off in such a hurry I didn't get a chance to tell them about the hole in the dirt road that Frank had not gotten to yet. A moment later I could hear them when the found the hole. Just terrible to do that to a city SUV

Well with nothing to do at the cabin but work so I headed over to the Lodge. Few more guys here tonight and there was an evening baseball game on so the popcorn popper was popping. Already there was a cloud bank of cigar smoke at about the six foot level in the Lodge. Skinny does not smoke but says he does not have to. He just stands up and takes in the air at that six foot mark and then sits back down again to get out of it. Elmer is on the wicker couch and holds the remote in his left hand, a Hamms in his right and an ash tray with his cigar perched on the edge of arm of the couch. The sound is up as Elmer is getting a little hard of hearing but that makes it loud enough for everyone to hear the TV Rich is back and he is sitting over in a booth with the Johnson brothers. I glance over his shoulder and he has a stack of pictures showing what I am guessing is a younger him working at the Hamms brewery. I see he is testing a Needabeer and it looks like it is going down pretty good. Well time for me to grab a Hamms, Lite a cigar and get some of the fresh popcorn that is just now spinning out of the popper. You have a good weekend and if it stops raining and you see the Puddle Humper on the water give me a wave. Just make sure you use all of your fingers! From Lake Iwanttobethere (44461)

[Bobby Bass]

Well sooner or later it was going to happen, Sunshine Ray was so far off in his forecast that I think he was hiding out in the upstairs office of the KCUM radio station. Not a bad forecast, it just never rained like he said it was going to. I am sure people made plans or changed plans with Ray calling for a 50% chance of thunderstorms but all we saw was blue sky and an occasional gust of wind. The bass thermometer teased the ninety degree mark and the humidity felt like it was almost the same. With all of the rain the day before the ground is soaked and with the sun beating down on it got humid real quick and stayed that way all day. Of course on my way over to Rich's cabin I saw one of our weekend resident watering the lawn. I just shook my head and continued the drive. Hammering Hank and I lost a work day yesterday with the bad weather and we promised to come over today and work till it rained. Well it never rained and we ended up putting in a full day. No work on Sunday as that is all ready penciled in for fishing. Am going to go back to the bay where I got all of them bass last weekend. With any luck they will still be there. I already fixed the push pole and I will be able to get back into that slack water way in the back.. Bug spray is in the Puddle Humper so I don't forget this time.

By late afternoon I was done for the day and with a promise to let Rich buy me a beer at the Lodge I headed back to the cabin. As soon as I parked the Dodge I walked straight to the lake and fell in.. The water was just what I needed. I floated on my back and looked back at the dock. Barney sitting there gave me the look that only a fishing dog can give when someone has interrupted his fishing. Bud seeing me in the water flew down the hill and did his best imitation of a dock jumping dog, only to flop in the water well short of me. He then swam out to me and gave me a wet tongue and a hello. Barney shaking his head turned and walked off the dock. A moment later he was over at Elmers dock and was back in his fishing position. Head down looking for blue gills. The surface water was not all that bad but when I stood up the water around my feet was noticeably cooler. I waded back to shore and climbing up on the dock I eased down in the wood chase lounge. I had gone out this morning and recovered the blue umbrella, it fits in one of the pole holders on the dock. Sitting in the shade I thought if anyone comes to claim it I will have to go down to Earl's and buy a replacement. Hiding under the shade and drip drying I was in no rush to go up to the cabin.

Two weeks out here from what some people consider to be a big birthday, #55 or # 660 since I keep track of my birthdays by the month. Hitting #660 will now mean when I go to the movies with my buddy Jerry he won't have to pay for the tickets and use his " Senior Discount" I have been told that my wife will be able to say she has married to an older man. With all the extra discounts I am going to get along with the lakes HiYa discount I should be able to save a few extra quarters for the gas tank and fishing. Kids have already been poking around in the garage and wood shop. Fathers day is just a week away and my birthday a week after that. Last year my daughter got me one of them fishing magazine subscriptions. I still make the trip down to barbershop the first week of the month and catch up on my reading but now I have some reading material for the bathroom. I wonder if she will be renewing it.. Hint Hint...

Well skeeters are out so I made the trek up to the cabin, Bud at my side. A shower and a cold Hamms later and I was sitting in my easy chair. Lots of boats out on the water and the pontoons were out making the circle around the lake. I must have dozed off because the wife had taken my empty can and Bud was sleeping up on the couch. Turned on the TV just long enough to see the home baseball team was getting shelled. Went into the den and turn on the old tube radio. Waiting for the relic to warm up I cracked open a window and it was cooler outside. Lighting a cigar I fiddle with knobs until I could find one of them three letter super stations out there. I sat back in the easy chair and watched the sunset and listened to some good old AM music. I will pencil this in as a nice summer evening.. From Lake Iwanttobethere.. (45919)

[Bobby Bass]

Weather, when there is nothing to talk about there always seems to be the weather. Here at Lake Iwanttobethere the weather has been the topic of discussion at the Lodge and at the Dew Drop Inn. Everyone it seems has an opinion on the weather and you will be hard pressed to tell them that there opinion might be wrong. Sunshine Ray has an opinion of the weather but since he gets paid to report it now it becomes a forecast. Nice job there he has, never heard of a weather forecaster being fired for forecasting the wrong weather. They have all of us thinking the weather is so unpredictable that accidents will happen. Now what I need is a part time job predicting sunrise.. I will just phone it in everyday that the sun will rise tomorrow and there is a pretty good chance that I will be 100% correct. The day the sun does not come up, people will have bigger problems to worry about then me being wrong.

It was on the calendar to go fishing yesterday and even though Sunshine Ray was predicting a 50% chance of rain we hooked up the Puddle Humper to the Dodge and went fishing. Sunshine had said the day before it was going to rain and we had a sunshine filled 80 degree day. Was looking for the same today. Arrived at the access on the lake and was greeted with some steady winds but it was in the middle seventies. My youngest daughter when she fishes with me is in charge of launching the boat. This keeps my feet dry and givers her an excuse to get hers wet. Boat was in the water and while she was still getting organized I had already caught two bass. Looks like it was going to be a good day indeed. I was at the same landing as where I was last weekend. A little drive around a Lake Iwanttobethere and we had it all to ourselves. Was going to go to another spot but since I already knew where the bass were here I thought I would bring the daughter here. That's how the weather got involved. The mild winds became a little gusty and the sky darkened soon after we got there. The warm wind did keep the sketters away even though this time I had remembered to bring the bug spray. The water was warm, 72 and the fish were still here. Tight up next to the now wind blown banks.

In the next few hours we boated over twenty fish and although no one was really big they all were fun to catch. A few hit so hard we thought we had on bigguns till we got them to the boat. A few sunnies pecked away skirts on spinner baits and we saw a few crappies right at the boat. A decent northern was on by the daughter till she waiting for me to come down and grab it for her. Either the sight of me or it was just that time but the Northern got off just as I was reaching for it. For the daughter it did not count as a caught fish as it needed to be "touched" The daughter and I always have a fishing contest between us. I usually win but she is getting closer. Last year she did win the contest one afternoon and I had to be the witness to an ugly little victory dance back on shore. We usually bet a dollar that is never paid to the winner. About halfway through the fishing evening the rain started to fall, just some little showers. Enough to go under the seats and dig out the rain gear and on a couple of showers even the big golf umbrella came out. Sitting together under it we ate dinner from the small cooler. When the daughter fishes she packs the lunch and it is always a surprise as to what is inside it.

The first lunches were peanut butter and jelly, sometimes the jelly being forgotten. Bananas and juice boxes. Bags of chips and animal crackers. Then we went through the healthy lunches of yogurt, grapes and bottled water. But now we are back to pudding cups and thick chicken sandwiches, even a real can of pop hidden on the bottom so the wife does not see it. Might even be a candy bar in the side pocket that has to be eaten early before it melts. So under the umbrella we waited for the rain to peter out. We talked about warm summer rains being much better then cold fall rains. We watched mayflies land on the boat and both of us were scolded by red winged black birds when we drifted to close to their section of the bank. We caught some fish, we lost some fish but in the end we shared some time. For a father and his daughter that is the most important thing. From Lake Iwanttobethere (47776)

[Bobby Bass]

Sunshine Ray is out from hiding. Today was just a nice summer day and the evening has been even better. Some clouds in the sky and there was rain falling somewhere but it was not over Lake Iwanttobethere. Hammering Hank and myself got phase one of the big deck completed. It turn out so good that Rich wants to extend it another twenty plus feet. Next week we will return and send the deck out towards the lake for him. After unloading tools back at the work shop I decided that I needed to head down to the Lodge and catch up on current events. The idea of a cold Hamms in my hand also might have had something to do with it. As I got to the Lodge there were not many empty spaces to park. Then I noticed all the activity going on. Towns softball team was holding practice on the main field and there was a tee ball game in action on the small diamond. Looks to be the four and five year olds playing. The team in the field were dressed in black and white uniforms and from where I saw them they actually look like a flock of penguins with a bunch of human handlers, their parents I guess. Someone hit the ball and the entire group as one would waddle towards the ball with the handlers waving and pointing directions.

The horseshoe pits were also in action and you could hear the clanking of shoes hitting the stake. Not to be out done we are into the second week of league play on the Bocce courts. Already two players are standing on the sidelines leaning on crutches. Here at the lake we take our Bocce very serious. The boat landing had a number of trailers parked in it and looking out at the lake several boats were off Root Beer Island. I had heard the crappies were biting out that way and some pontoons are making trolling runs between point #1 and the island. Can also hear the buzz of jets skis in the small bay, guess the water had gotten warm enough for them to be out. Skeeters are out in full force tonight to, step in to the shade and they are there waiting for you. Going to be a summer of smelling like deep woods off I think. But if having skeeters is the price we have to pay for having water levels back up to normal guess I can't complain, to much.

From the sounds of it if you are not down at the park here fishing, playing softball, tossing horse shoes or Bocce ball then you were mowing your grass. Like a big city musical the sounds of mowers from all directions of the lake can be heard. The old putt putt of Lawn boys and them cheap hundred dollar throw away mowers. The deeper sounds of riders and the high buzz of weedwackers. Also the annoying sound of a few electric mowers. They just don't belong in a world of two cycle blue smoke. From time to time the sound of a rock or a stump forgotten being hit. The sudden quiet and then the tentative restarting of a mower and the return to mowing. People would stop what they are doing and wait for the restart, A knowing smile on their face and the been there, done that look.

As the night moves along the tee ball game ends, The kids running across the field head to the min donuts trailer and are rewarded with a bag of their own. Bocce ball court is thick in cigar smoke as there is a lot of standing to do and the skeeters focus in on the guys with the Old Spice and Brute on. Horse shoes are done and the guys make it up the trail to the Lodge. Pitchers of Hamms are drawn for the winners and the losers dig into old well worn wallets to pay. With the sun starting to hang low the last few pizzas are shot from Del's pizza cannon out over the water. The heavy thump of the cannon can almost be felt across the still, calm waters. Boats line up like in a parade waiting their turn to come off the water. Being Minnesota nice they wave each other ahead as it is a nice night just to sit on the water and wait your turn. The red and green bow marking their position as the sun continues to dip lower in the sky. The human sounds are all but gone now. The birds and frogs take over, the buzz of skeeters and a few barking dogs. Geese fly over head and a few half hearted honks can be heard. Of course to end the evening a loon calls and with it's call echoing across the water the sun makes that last flash and then goes out of sight. Not a bad day at all, I am sure Sunshine Ray will take credit for it tomorrow. From Lake Iwanttobethere (48500)

[Bobby Bass]

Hiya from the lake. Well I am not going to mention the weather as it is raining everywhere. Been inside most of the day and have been working in the den. Actually cleaning it and going through boxes and sorting. Even the den which doubles as an office needs to be cleaned from time to time. It acts as a central collection point for dropping tools and parts not needed and as a spot for storing material for jobs down the road. So with rain falling over the lake I thought I would do some cleaning. Working on the desk top I have come across notes that I have left myself and some are tossed in the garbage and others are placed to the side. A few are mentioned here as ideas that I think should be shared with others from around the Lake. From time to time I get e-mail from people asking questions about the lake and also telling me stories about their cabins here on Lake Iwanttobethere. As most of you know I pride myself on being an observer, not a very good one at times but then again I might see things in a different light then others. From time to time I write down these ramblings and post them here. Most of the time they don't make a story by themselves but together they kind of make sense.

School is out, finally at least I am sure that is what the kids are thinking. In a few more weeks we will be seeing more kids up here at the lake as they come up here for summer to be with grandparents or uncles and aunts. I found my way to the lake the first time while staying with my grandmother. A city boy who the local country kids tried to get in trouble. I was of course a perfect angel and knew nothing of tipping cows and moving outhouses. Sling shots? What are those. My own kids were traded away during the summer. I would send my boys to the dairy farm that a friend of ours own and he in turn would send his daughters to us. The boys looked forward to going as there were tractors to drive and pigs to chase. Bailing hay was not so bad after awhile and eating steak every night could never get old. The girls came to our house and met other girls and well, I don't know what they did. I do know they liked to be able to sleep in and not have to milk cows. Not having to wear boots and getting to watch it rain. Doing their hair and talking about Jimmy that boy down the road. At the end of the month the girls went back to the farm and the boys came back home. There were a few changes we had to get used to some good, some bad. The boys taking off their boots before coming in the house was good. The boys wanting gravy over everything they ate was bad.

I did take time to run down to the Lodge for lunch, Norma Jean was working the tables during the lunch hour. Her hair is in a ponytail now and no so much makeup as she had on when she started. Heels are gone and she is wearing tenni shoes but still wearing a short skirt and the guys still are sneaking glances at them long legs which I might note are getting tanned. Guys are going out of there way trying to get Mark the bartender to make mistakes on there drinks. Ordering fancy things like screwdrivers and gin and tonics. They usually try one then go back to a Hamms and a shot of Turkey. People tend to stay with what makes them comfortable. Elmer is peering through the spotting scope over by the deck window. He has it on the new gal that the DNR has here for the summer. Her name is Megan and she is a creel counter. I talked to her for awhile and she is a biology major. Has a summer job with the DNR She hides out behind the fish cleaning house and then dashes out when a boat comes in from the lake. All of the locals know she is there and take turns telling her fish stories. The DNR didn't offer her any shelter to work from so when it rains like today she goes inside the fish house. Lucky for her it has been cool because that place is going to get ripe when ever it does warm up.

Guy from the big city was here the last few days working the lake trying to sell rain barrels. We could have used then last year but water is not a big problem around here this year. I know he had a long conversation with Elmer when he tried to sell him a barrel and Elmer starting asking about breeding sketters in that still standing water of the barrels. The guy left with Elmer following him down his drive still asking questions.

Town Hall meeting on the fifth Monday of the month which happens here in June. A few slips of paper are in the suggestion box in the Lodge. Last night we took the time to read them as no one had put the lock back on the box. One note was about electric lawn mowers and leaf blowers on the weekends. As you know already no chain saws or mowers are allowed on the weekend as we do like to have a quiet / work free weekend. Several of the guys seeing that added some more comments to the same effect. Also wondering if we were going to use the crop dusting plane to spray for skeeters again this year. Seems the picnickers had a problem with that last year as it was done during a picnic down at the park.

Also congrats to Dan and his dog Grace.. Seems the other night they caught a nice 20" brown trout off the point where Mystery creel empties into Lake Iwanttobethere. A nice fish but we don't have a category for trout here at the lake. Don't want to encourage to many of them fly rodding city folk coming up here with their creels. Wait a minute, maybe that is what Megan is suppose to be counting when she said she was a creel counter. Hmm, I better make a note of that. Of course every time you have a good thing happen fishing something bad happens shortly there after. As Dan was landing the trout some thing else was taking line and then his rod and reel off his shore fishing stake. Dan turned in time to watch the rod and reel making a vee wake out from shore before submerging in the water of the lake. Starting to rain a little harder here now so I think it might be a good idea to turn on the CB and monitor the Lake channel. Looking to shape up into a storm here and the wind has picked up. From Lake Iwanttobethere (49268)

[Bobby Bass]

Flag Day tomorrow and the day after is Fathers Day. Earl down at the General Store has the cart out on the sidewalk and a assortment of flags and holders are in it. The cart with the umbrellas is just inside the door even though today is starting out with a blue sky and calm waters. Mother nature is still playing with us. Yesterday a thick fog bank covered most of the lake and even though it did not rain the fog was not helpful in drying anything out. During the night, it of course rained again. I did manage to take out the tractor and mowed part of the yard that has no slope. The tractor I bought last year from Earl did not have any problem with the high wet grass, but I think I might have spent about the same amount of time cleaning the grass from the deck and mower. This job almost done lead me to another as somehow there was a bend in the outdoor facet. Of course I had to straighten in out and that is when the pipe starting leaking. On today's list to replace the outside pipe. It does make it to the top of the Honey do List.

Yesterday I was with Hammering Hank and we had to go to the city to pick up some things that we could not get at the local lumber yard. We hit the order desk and made our way through the check out. There we were called sir and told to have a nice day. We took the Dodge around through the gate which was manned by a cute gal. She asked if we knew where we were going and then said " You gentlemen have a good day" We drove through and I looked at Hank and said ' That cute little thing called us gentlemen" Hank I do believe we have gotten old! We loaded up our wood and on the return trip through the gate a young guy just thanked us and called us "Guys" that felt a little better but we, or I had been called a gentlemen. The damage had been done. With my 660 birthday a little over a week away I had been called a gentlemen. Just earlier in the week I had been told by a tourist that was sent to me that he was told to look for the "Burley" guy behind the bar at the Lodge. Now I am a "Gentlemen who is Burley" If the women start referring to me as "Portly or Cuddly" I might as well stop flirting with the ladies.

Dropping wood and Hank at Rich's cabin I picked up the daughter who was at a friends. On the way back to the cabin we made a stop to pick up some cement blocks. We only needed a few and they were loaded up on a push cart. The clerk there just said thank you and did not call me sir or a gentlemen. Maybe that was just a fluke earlier in the day. The daughter rushed out of the store with the cart. I asked if she was in a hurry and she told me the weight of the blocks was pulling her along. She then jumped up on the cart and did an impression of a surfer across the parking lot. With the cart still rolling she then changed positions to pose like the gal in that Titanic movie. Riding the bow of the cart hands spread wide heading for the rear end of the Dodge. It was cute, right up to wear she slammed into the bumper of the Dodge and the handle on the cart took out a part of the tail light.... Opps! Is what she said.. Opps... I shook my head and tried to muster up being angry.. Could not do it, Just a tail light and it was just cracked on the side. Tim the Sheriff would never notice it. Besides it's a work truck and work truck are suppose to look like they have been working. I did make her load the blocks in the back of the truck. Driving home she is on her cell phone and I overhear her talking to her sister. " I know what we can get dad for Fathers Day" from Lake Iwanttobethere (50417)

[Bobby Bass]

Signs of Summer... I know we all look forward to Spring and we count the days till we get there. Summer on the other hand kind of sneaks up on us and arrives with out the fanfare. Some small print on the bottom of the calendar will say that summer arrives at such an such a time on June 21st but for most of us, Summer arrives well, when we feel that summer is here. It might be when you have to turn the AC on for the first time. When we get two days of 80 degree weather in a row. It might be that first thunderstorm that you can smell coming. The heavy humid air and them dark clouds moving your way and you just know it is going to rain. Skeeters might be another sure sign summer has arrived and kids home from school is yet another. Used to be when gas went up for the holiday weekend but that is an everyday thing this year. Deer hiding in waist deep grass along the shoulders and skunks waddling down the driveway. Summer does not just come at 4 o'clock, it gets here when it gets here. Here at Lake Iwanttobethere, Summer has arrived !!

Why am I so sure that Summer is here? Because yesterday I saw the ice cream truck down at the park.. Stan and Jean a retired couple, several years ago bought an ice cream truck. It is a special truck as on one side Jean sells ice cream out of it. Sandwiches and dipped cones and things on a stick. All frozen solid for the most part and a welcome sight when there is a hot day and a cone would be just the right thing to hit the spot. On the other side of the truck Stan sells fishing tackle. Yup, fishing tackle. Not a huge selection but the little things that you never seem to have with you when you need them. You know where they are, they are sitting home by the washing machine where you wife emptied your pockets of your fishing pants. Things like stringers and hooks, bobbers and sinkers. Cigarette lighters and bug spray. Line and forceps, disposal cameras and dollar plastic rain ponchos. The guys come to Stan's side of the truck and get the little forgotten things and chat fishing. The ladies and kids go over to Jeans side and get double dipped chocolate cones. When Stan is not busy he helps out Jean, usually forgetting to charge the little ones for their ice cream cones. They haul a camper behind the ice cream truck and they make the rounds of the campgrounds and public access around the lake. Stan gets in his fair share of fishing as people offer to take him out and he will close the sliding window of the truck and be out the back door, rod in hand.

Yesterday I was at the Lodge when I heard the music from the ice cream truck as it pulled into the parking lot off to the side of the softball field. Elmer getting up from his wicker couch walked to the deck and made the comment he needed to pick up some of them little egg sinkers from Stan. He then went out the door and headed down the trail to the park. A few other guys mumbled something about bobbers and hooks and followed him down. I finished up adding some numbers and wrote them down in the ledger. I took a walk over to the deck and looking down at the ice cream truck I didn't see anyone on the tackle side of the truck. Wondering where all the guys had gone to I took the trail down to the park. Coming up on the truck I found all the guys, sitting at the picnic tables with an assortment of sundaes and banana splits out before them. Elmer and Mark were holding their heads in their hands. Deep in the middle of a ice cream brain freeze... Yup summer was here. Grown men were hiding away eating ice cream way to fast and paying the price. I ordered a super size chocolate malt myself.. From Lake Iwanttobethere have a good Fathers Day (51678)

[Bobby Bass]

Woke up stiff and sore this morning. Fishing sore, After a Fathers day lunch at the cabin here on the lake I loaded up the Puddle Humper and set off for a distant landing here on the lake. Before I was out the end of the driveway I had a fathers day cigar burning and with the windows down I headed out fishing. Forecast was calling for ten mph winds and the sky although overcast was only a twenty percent chance of rain. Well you already know how this is going to turn out. An hour later when I got to my little secret spot there were four trailers already in the prime parking . The wind was now gusting in the low twenties and rain drops were falling. Since I had made the drive I was going to get the boat wet no matter what. A few minutes later I was on the water and heading for the wind blown side of the bay. Looking around I could see all four boats from the landing hiding behind an island fishing the protected waters. Ain't going to catch no fish there I thought to myself. About an hour later they start making there way to the landing. Loaded up and were seen leaving. Ok now I am think to myself this wind will die down. When ever I leave the wind always dies down as I am loading the Puddle Humper on the trailer. For some reason these guys all left and the wind continued to blow. It started to sprinkle to. Out came the rain gear and I was as dry as I was going to be. I was catching fish, nothing big but I was catching some bass and occasional northern.

I made a run to a part of the bay that usually is pretty low and weed filled. I was greeted with calm slack deep water. The buzz bait came out and I churned the surface looking for some action. A few more fish came to the boat and then nothing. With my arm about falling off from casting so much I mutter to myself that even them muskie fishermen get a fish every ten thousand casts. No sooner then I said that then with the buzz bait ten feet from the boat a bow wave sprung up and was chasing it down from behind. I slowed the lure down a tad and waited for the wake to catch up. Like a scene from Jaws a big mouth came up out of the water and my white buzz bait disappeared, I felt weight and set the hook only to have it fly over my shoulder and land behind me. The wave and mouth disappeared in a boil and I reeled in and tossed the buzz back out again. I said a few more words but I will keep them to myself.

Did I mention the sketters? How could I have gotten this far with out mentioning them blood sucking vampires. There were with me a soon as I got out of the Dodge. I used the bug spray and kept then away but they never went away. Even in the gusty winds there were always some close. The best way to describe them is they sounded like a piper cub airplane ready to land. That noise was with me all night. Finally after several hours of fighting the wind and with my foot getting sore from riding the trolling motor pedal I decided to call it a night. Still had a good thirty minutes of light left but I thought I would get the Puddle Humper on the trailer and make my escape before the skeeters had time to call in reinforcements at the landing. With a lonely loon calling away on the water and I do mean calling. She or he kept it up for a good twenty minutes. Not that single call that makes you think of the deep woods and a soft summer night but more of the wife calling the husband back into the house call and you had better not have been out in the garage drinking with your drunken buddies kind of call. I decide to take one last cast. Flinging it as far as I could I sent a white and blue spinner bait out past the reed point. I got to turn the handle once before I was slammed. A quick set and I had a bend on the rod and a fish breaking water with the sun setting behind lighting the scene. A few tugs from me and a few tugs from her and I had a three pound Bass at the side of the boat waiting for me to lip her. A moment later I had her picture and she was back in the water swimming away. Rod was put away and I headed to the landing. When you call last cast either alone or with someone it is your last cast.

Surprising there were few bugs at the landing and I was loaded up and heading back home ten minutes later. Window rolled down and the heater on I had a cigar burning and some AM radio station fading in and out. Keeping an eye out for deer I saw a few on the trip back home. Something I did notice and thought was unusual. The total lack of lights on around the lake. For a Sunday night you would think there would be someone at the cabins. Hope the price of gas is not keeping people away from the lake. Some things you have to keep doing, making memories at the lake is one of them. From Lake Iwanttobethere... (52345)

[Bobby Bass]

Midweek here at Lake Iwanttobethere. This means that our visitors staying at the local resorts and B&B's are getting down to the last few days of their vacations. By now they have found there way around the town and have made visits to see Earl at the General Store have tasted Mindy and Mandy's root beer and more then likely have had a stack of flapjacks with Lake Iwanttobethere Maple syrup. They have spent time on the water and with any luck have a few memories made of the lake and are already booking a return trip. For the locals summer is moving right along and after a long cold Spring Summer looks like it is here to stay. All this week Sunshine Ray is forecasting temps in the middle seventies and just a chance of rain in the evening. Farmers are out bailing hay already and you can see the bales out in the fields.

Every night there is something going on down in the park as softball and tee ball season are under way and the ringing of horseshoes and the krump, krump of shotguns out behind the Lodge. Come late evening the Lodge has it's share of guys wearing vests. Either a shooting vest or a fishing vest. They keep their distance from each other as it a mess when two guys with flies poking out from their vest brush up against each other and then become tangled. You have to listen close as they are both talking numbers in the high teens. The Fishermen talking about inches and the Shooters talking about hits. I listen to two guys have a half hour conversations while doing shots of wild turkey talking about two completely different sports. I just nodded from behind the bar.

Norma Jean has in the past few weeks been reduced to a casual dress. She has the flip flops on now and is wearing shorts and a tank top. Makeup is gone and she wears her long hair pulled back in a pony tail. She actually looks pretty good and Mark says she has taken an interest in fishing early in the morning with him. In a few days the next group of visitors will drive into town and the evening crowd at the Lodge will change a little as the new folks find there way here. A few HiYA's will be uttered from returning visitors and they will get the full discount. It being midweek here some of the work around town also gets done. Hammering Hank and Skinny have the contract to re strip Main street. Since the county came and picked up all the orange barrels, even the ones hidden behind the Lodge they had to go out and bring in some of the pink flamingoes. They welded some metal plates to the bottom of the feet so they can stand them up on the pavement. On Wednesday mornings they go out and mark of a block of main street with the flamingoes and then using a spray can they repaint the white center line. They then wait one on each end of the block making sure no one takes the flamingoes or walks on the wet paint.

Fishing has been getting better as the water warms. Bass are still tight to the shore and the northerns are reappearing from where ever they disappeared to. Walleyes are going from minnows to leeches and the ever present gills can be caught with worms. Rockbass have invaded the docks and crappies are hanging out around some of the brush piles. Trout are in Mystery creek and some of the fly fishermen are complaining that are still catching smelt when they drift fish. Water is warmer but still not where it should be. This keeps some of the jet ski's off the water which in Elmers view is the way it should be. Come dusk the pontoons make their trolling pass down the shoreline and the new fish cleaning station has the lights on most nights. Evening brings the sound of baseball games on the radio, barking dogs and the honk of geese flying low. Smell of BBQ in the air and mowers running. Lot of walkers using the access road and bikes both pedal and gas are out touring in the evening.

A few more days till my 660 birthday and I am already planning a trip on the water to chase MR. Big. I hope to report that I will have been able to put a tape to him or her and to enter the catch in the Lodge fishing contest. I have been leaving hints for my birthday presents and if all the girls in town give me a hug it will be a very good birthday indeed. So from midweek here at Lake Iwanttobethere (53299)

[Bobby Bass]

Well the nice days are just starting to follow each other here one at a time. A big bowl of potato salad is always in the fridge and the meat bin has polish and hot dogs at the ready. HiYa from Lake Iwanttobethere. Just sitting here enjoying the end to another outstanding day, Got a lot of work done around the cabin and the Honey Do List has been reduced to but a single page. With my 660 birthday coming up on Sunday I am taking advantage and will be fishing Saturday, Sunday and Monday.. "At my advanced age" since 660 will make me a senior citizen, I have declared that my work week should decrease and my fishing weekend increase! Also with the country talking about going to four day work week to save gas I thought that I should be supportive and get ahead of the crowd. My wife asked me how working one less day and fishing one more was going to save gas. I told her I would get back to her on that but a lot of people in the government think it is a good idea.

That time of the year when it is wise when taking a boat ride to keep your mouth closed. Dragon flies, Mayflies. Skeeters and even a few black flies are now out buzzing around on the water and running into them at any speed will leave a mark on your nose. Fire ring has the last red embers glowing in it as I was outside most of the evening. Mowing grass and getting the last of the peppers and tomato plants from the greenhouse out into the gardens. Cucumbers are out and I have pots of everything in the greenhouse to play with. I will try and see which does better, in the greenhouse or in the gardens. Spuds are tall enough to mound them and I got that done today to. Going to be a stretch to have corn knee high by the fourth of July...

Did some fishing off the dock, or should I say I put a sucker out under a bobber and Barney watched it for me. Nothing took it but it kept Barney busy for the afternoon. I did take some time off to go out for some supper. Had a coupon that was good for some burgers at Bernies Burger Barn, home of the bite size buffalo burgers! Nice little place down the road a piece. Open just during the fishing season. Only have three kinds of burgers there, Bite Size, Mama size and Big Prairie size. Me and the misses split a Prairie burger with cheese. But I got my own malt...

Came back to the cabin and was such a nice night we stirred up the fire in the pit and added a few chucks of real wood to it. Wife put a match to all of her candles and it looks like a bonfire. She just had her birthday a few days ago and everyone gave her candles. Skeeters can't make it through all the flame I think. She also got some more of them flaming torches. So now when those are lit you have to watch where you stand. Chuck singe his coat last summer on one of then when he had a few to many Hamms and thought he was hitting on a lady at a little yard party we had. Chuck has a hard time looking a gal in the face so he thought he was just having a good conversation with someone who felt very warm. We all got a good laugh at it especially when he jumped off the dock to put the flames out. Looking back they were not that big and if he had not been running the wind would not have flamed them up so high.

Well some ugly looking black clouds have come in and with it getting dark not till almost ten PM you can still make out the sky. A few rain drops fell today but I would not even call it rain. Just enough to make you head into the garage for a few minutes or take a rest in the swing. I knew no heavy rain was coming as Barney did not move from the end of the dock and was intent with his fishing. Tomorrow looks like another day like today and I hope to get a few more things done on the do list and maybe I might even pencil in Tuesday to go fish to.. I think I will take a personal holiday off from work... Since my Boss is me I think I'll understand. From Lake Iwanttobethere you should be here... (53953)