The operative word for this whole week has been "bad weather". We've had several days of rain, and it's generally been ugly and cold.

My good friend John Hitt and I were to fish Monday and Tuesday. We were rained out Monday and rescheduled for Wednesday. We managed to get a trip in Tuesday, but it was your basic stinker. The fish just did not want to eat, other than ladyfish. We caught plenty of them up the river on DOA Terroreyez. We went in search of trout, which are now back in season, and couldn't even catch a keeper or two for John's dinner. We only managed half dozen fish, or so. It was an awful day. We fished hard pulling out all the stops, and fished vast areas without so much as a look.

Wednesday, John and I were rained out, again.

Thursday, I was to fish with my old friend Bob Rose, who had been force to quit fishing with me because the old BarHopp'R was just too rough on his very bad back. Bob was ready for his first trip on the Talon, and I couldn't wait to get him out there and demonstrate the airshock ride of the F-16. I know he would have found it very much to his liking. But, Bob woke up Thursday morning with a case of the flu, and was throwing up sick. I was very disappointed that I didn't get to see him.

Friday was the charm. It was my first trip with Malcom Chatham, over from Houston, Texas. Malcom is getting back into fishing. It was God-awful cold Friday morning, but Malcom said he was not going to be denied.

We went up the river to catch ladyfish both for fun, to get warmed up, and for redfish bait if we decided to go after reds, later. I observed that there was no traffic on the river because of the cold. I suggested we fish the steep banks of the river for snook, but made no guarantees we would get any snook to eat. Well, it didn't take Malcom long to hook a beautiful snook, and after a great fight and some coaching, we put her in the boat. She was nearly 8 pounds, and a nice reward for going out on such a miserable day. We fished the river for a while, waiting on the incoming tide to put some water in the Sound. It was one of the lowest tides I have ever seen. There was land everywhere!

Like I said, it was a week lost to weather, and it doesn't look much better for next week.

Once the action slowed we headed to the Waterfront Restaurant for a great lunch. They are masters at putting the perfect finishing touch on a fishing trip with great food, great service, and great atmosphere.

I'm beginning the New Year with a full week on the books. But, I don't trust this weather. We'll se what happens.

The downturn in business because of the slow economy, and now further because of the attrocities of September 11, has had me and some of my friends brainstorming how we can generate trips, generate cash flow, and therefore stay in business through the tough times we have ahead of us. Here are the first two ideas I will put forward. First, since December and January are normally my only slow months of the year, I am fearful of just how slow they could be this year. I am going to roll back the cost of my half day trip to last year's rate of $325 for anyone booking in December and January. Further, if you would like to prepay your trip, no matter when you have it booked, either in lump sum, or in three or four installments, I will discount the trip by $25. Your trip must be paid at least a month in advance to earn the discount. With the market in such a slump and interest rates still declining, that's a much better return on your trip fee than leaving it in the bank until trip time.

So, come on folks. It's time to get out and enjoy your favorite pastime, in your favorite vacation destination. Let's show Osama Bin Lunatic that he can't beat us with economic terrorism, either.

I have now posted the final thumbnailed pictures on the Talon Page of this website, for those interested in seeing how one of these jewels goes together.

If you want to be able to continue to fish Florida waters please follow this link, "Manatee Zones: How You Can Help" and please take the time to become involved, even if you don't live in Florida. Let the politicians know WHY you come to Florida on vacation!

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Gamefish Diaries! You'll love these great fishing stories from my good friend Chic McSherry.

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