It will be an abbreviated report for this week. Monday, of course, was Labor Day, and I was on the road. Tuesday, I was supposed to do a trip with Bobby Sanders, for Capt. Tom Stephens, who I had originally referred Bobby to. I'm not sure what got screwed up, but best I can figure Tom forgot to give Bobby my contact numbers, or if he did, Bobby just never called. I knew Bobby wanted me to pick him up somewhere on Roosevelt Cut, but I didn't know where. That did not fit with my plans for the day, as I was headed in the opposite direction, and needed Bobby to meet me at the ramp. I finally got Bobby's number from Tom late Monday night, and called numerous times, without an answer. I also sent several emails. I was at the ramp the next day hoping Bobby had gotten my emails, but I never saw him. To date, I haven't heard from him, either.

Thursday, Dave Bruening and his buddy Phil, of Lehigh Acres, and I were finally able to get out after having to cancel two times the week before because of weather. The weather was once again threatening to ruin our day, but we went for it. By the time we had caught our 5 ladyfish for bait and 3 trout and headed up the Sound to the flats, the weather had moved onshore, and we were in the rain.

This was a teaching trip, and we had a high tide first thing in the morning. I knew it would be tough to catch redfish once the tide started falling, so we went for catching a few fish first, and making that the first lesson. Teaching Dave what to look for and where to fish would come later in the trip. We fished until I noticed that the static electricity was so severe that our lines wouldn't lay down on the water. We hauled butt for cover. Once the threat passed we were back at it, and Dave and Phil landed 4 of 12 redfish they had on. Once the bite subsided, I began teaching Dave the finer points of fishing in the Sound. I think I showed him more redfish and big snook that he had ever imagined he'd see. We had a great time, and Dave felt like he was finally going to be able to go out and catch some fish when his brother came down the following week.

Of course, I had to introduce Dave and Phil to the Waterfront Restaurant, and I suspect he will make it a regular part of his fishing trips.

As a footnote, I just received an email testimonial from Dave telling me of his success on the trip with his brother. Seems he did his teacher proud.

That was it for the week. A short week, indeed!