I won the LOTTERY!

Not really...well maybe the fish lottery.  The month of February was one to remember!  The weather was exceptional and the BIG fish were biting.  The GoPro has been really handy.  Not necessarily in the cool edits stuff (one more thing I have no talent for).  Rather, I’ve used it like a golfer would to analyze their swing.  I’ve been able to look back at the footage and see exactly what I did, where, how long I let a bait rest and what side a tree a bass came off.  Or in most cases why I suck as a fisherman.  Funny how I’ll remember something completely different than what actually happened and WHERE it happened!  Old age....

When I haven’t been fishing I have been writing fishy tales.  The latest was in Kayak Bass Fishing Magazine, https://issuu.com/chrispayne94/docs/spring_2016_kbfmag, pg 24 “Force of Nature.”  If you review the contributors, you’ll probably recognize some familiar names from the JK team and others that I have a lot of respect for.  Great info in this FREE magazine!

The other story was in the February issue of The Fisherman’s Journal, http://www.joomag.com/magazine/the-fishermans-journal-february-2016-kayak-edition/0642190001455768899, pg 70 “Gifts of Winter.”  Again, the list of contributors is very recognizable and the content they provide is great.  

Between fishing and writing, I’ve been preparing for a trip to the Florida Keys in March.  To me the Keys means fly fishing and I’m pumped!  Knowing I’ll probably only spook everything in sight, I decided to tie up a bunch of salty patterns.  That way I can blame my lack of talent on the tying and not the actual fishing.  The reality is I’m not that talented at either.  Maybe I’ll snag a bone with a poorly presented fly as it’s fleeing from the sight of my ridiculous crab pattern!

The month of February ended great.  Got to spend a weekend with Ouachita Outdoor Outfitters in Hot Springs, AR representing Jackson Kayak at the largest boat show in Arkansas.  Had an awesome time talking to the public about kayak fishing and the outdoors in general.  Plus, getting to hang out all weekend with like-minded individuals is always fun.

Ending this post with a, "was that a gator getting in the water" short clip I made!