My wife and I traveled south a couple of weeks ago to attend the PBS convention. Had an absolutely great time in Nashville, and there have already been plenty of reports of what a wonderful gathering that was.
We had the time, so as long as we were there we decided to spend an extra week wandering the south. First up were the Smoky Mountains where we ended up renting a cool little log cabin right on a beautiful river. Spent one afternoon with Alex Roche (Bear) at his hunting spot checking for turkey and hog activity and doing a little stump shooting.
From there we ended up in northeastern Alabama. While in Nashville Don Wilson was kind enough to invite me down for a day of bowfishing near his home. I sure am glad I made the trip!
We were joined by Don's son Skyler, and Rob Peel (Robtatto) First up was a visit to a local wildlife area which contained a flooded cornfield adjacent to Lake Guntersville. Don had scouted the area a few days earlier and the carp had been working it heavily. The water level had dropped, but there was still plenty left in spots, and it was loaded with fish.
Skyler drawing down
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Alabama%20Bowfishing/AlabamaBowfishing-2033.jpg)
Rob on the prowl
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Alabama%20Bowfishing/AlabamaBowfishing-2031.jpg)
The fish weren't quite in full spawning mode yet, and were a little spooky. And the water was just deep and murky enough to keep them hidden. What seemed to work best was a stealthy approach and let the fish work to us.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Alabama%20Bowfishing/AlabamaBowfishing-2029.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Alabama%20Bowfishing/AlabamaBowfishing-2027.jpg)
Nice!!
I am not a big bowfisherman by any means, and I think this was only about the third time I had even tried this sport. But once I got into it I kind of forgot all about the camera. Fortunately Don did a much better job, and should be along shortly to help tell the story.
I can sure see how this bowfishing stuff can be so addicting! The fish were everywhere, and some big ones too!
We waded and fished until it started getting dark. Then it was time to head out for a rendezvous at a boat landing to team up with some others for a night on the water on a bowfishing boat. This was a completely new experience for me, and was I ever in for a treat!
:thumbsup: :coffee:
Wish we had stuff like that in S.Jersey. It looks like ton's of fun
We had a wonderful time and Joe really caught on Quick! AND Joe and Dad stopped in at McDondalds to get in the mood...They both ate Filet-of-Fish Sandwiches and we know what they are made from :biglaugh: We had a lot of Fun before it got dark.....Here are a few Pics..... (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010002.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010004.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010005.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010007.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010010.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010012.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010009.jpg)
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: I love shooting carp. Awsome pics!!
(http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010011.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010017.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010016.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010008.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010020.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010022.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010024.jpg)
(http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010029.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010028.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010026.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010035.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010033.jpg)
Shooting in a flooded cornfield, is that considered baiting? Can't wait for our season to start here. Time to clean up the boat and fix up new arrows. Good shooting guys.
Much more to come. After Dark the action really heated up :)
Neat photos. Thank you for sharing.
Sounds and looks like a great time!
Great time!
Thanks for the pics, good fun!
My lake is froze over yet, and is snowing again. I can't wait until June!
As Sklyer said, the flooded cornfield was really just a prelude to the main event. As darkness settled in over the water we arrived at a boat landing to meet one of Don's co-workers who owns a boat set up for bowfishing. I've got to tell you - these boys take their bowfishing seriously! Large platforms up front with railings and halogen lamps to illuminate everything around us turned night back into day.
The first landing we went to already had three boats ahead of us putting in, so plan B was in order. As we waited while Don figured out the alternate arrangements we could see the other boats getting into fish immediately.
We eventually met at a different landing and the boats were quickly in the water. As we cruised slowly along the shoreline fish were scattering everywhere. Bass, shad, bluegills all scattered in front of the lights. I was becoming a little concerned that I might mess up and shoot the wrong fish. But then we started to see the objects of our search. Carp and gar!!
The action was as fast and furious as anything I have ever experienced! Now the problem was figuring out which one to shoot at, and then when I missed (as I did frequently) reeling in the line and getting set to shoot again. I was going as fast as I could go trying to reload between shots. I have never in my life seen anything like this before!!
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Alabama%20Bowfishing/AlabamaBowfishing-2018.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Alabama%20Bowfishing/AlabamaBowfishing-2019.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Alabama%20Bowfishing/AlabamaBowfishing-2020.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Alabama%20Bowfishing/AlabamaBowfishing-2011.jpg)
Looks like alot of fun!!
thanks for sharing!
Anyone else notice Rob's High-Rent Bowfishing Rig???? That's an ILF Morrison :scared:
Don't let Joe fool you,,,He was shooting very good. It was fast and furious shooting. About good as it gets.
We've got a ton of Pics and it's hard decide which to post....Don't know how many fish we boated but it was a bunch....a Big Bunch! (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010040.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010039.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010046.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010053.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010050.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010051.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010059.jpg)
(http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010062.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010061.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010063.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010067.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010068.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010069.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010075.jpg)
Nice job guys
ChuckC
Awesome! Looks like a great time!
Thanks for sharing!
Check out the Concentration! Everyone who knows Whip, knows that he is always smiling and happy...But this looks like the Face of a Killer :) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010076.jpg)
(http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010071.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010073.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010079.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010083.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010086.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010085.jpg)
(http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010101.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010092.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010113.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1000737.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010107.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010105.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/P1010110.jpg)
Now that is cool.Thanks for the pics :bigsmyl: :bigsmyl: :bigsmyl:
That's a HUGE BUFF! Good times for sure, Guys! :thumbsup:
You need to cape out a few of those!
wow what fun
gotta try that too now
Jer Bear
I sure killed a bunch of ducks in the 70s right where you guys were stalking carp during the day. I recognize the bridge across the river at Stevenson.
I was great meeting up with the guys again. I get to see Joe usually once a year for our Texas pig pilgrimage, so getting him 3 times in 2 months was a real treat (It was also gratifying to see that I didn't have the whitest legs in Alabama that weekend! :D )
The buffalo that Sky shot was monster! I'm not too good on guessing weight, but I'm used to carrying 40# sacks of dog-food around all day & that was a heckuva lot more than a bag of kibbles & snouts!
That is awesome. Looks like you all had a great time.
Nice, thanks for sharing all those pictures. Makes me want to get shooting those carp. I love it.
Congrats on a great time :thumbsup: I love bowfishing :jumper:
Awesome story and pictures!
Way cool! For some reason the two pictures of the three amigos - Skyler, Rob & Joe - just crack me up. You look like you were having a ball. Great photo story - one for the archives.
Thanks for sharing, guys. Nothing funner than bowfishing with friends.
Ah man there has to be a law against having so much fun! Awesome stuff guys really looks like a blast congrats on all the fish :campfire:
Wow! Looks like you all had a very good time. We are a few weeks off ofchading carp yet in our country.
that looks like alot of fun, and lotsa big fish too. whats also impressive is , skyler and his dad always manage to take alot of pics. very cool stuff, thanks for takin us along :thumbsup:
Joe I am sure Don and Skyler showed you.The big blue ones cut the ribcage off slice between ribs and fry the the bone will stick out after cooking and make a handle to hold while dipping and eating.Goggle up "retirement fun" and a pic of Joe will appear. :thumbsup: :clapper: Kip
Nice pictures, it would be a little cold around here to be wading with shorts on, you guy's must be pretty tuff :notworthy:
Well done brothers!
Awesome! I'm now addicted, and I've never even done it.
This excursion sure was a special treat for me.
Don went way above and beyond to put this together while I was in the area. He arranged with his co-worker Conan to captain the boat for us that evening, and than rather than shoot himself spent the majority of the trip behind the camera lens.
For all of us who have been around Trad Gang for awhile, we have literally witnessed Skyler grow up before our eyes. I finally had the pleasure of meeting both he and Don for the first time this year in Texas, and sure enjoyed seeing them both again. Skyler is one of the finest young men I've ever had the pleasure to be around. And he can shoot a bow!!
Conan (I hope I have his name right) was a gracious host as the capitan of our ship and even gave me his bow to use for the evening so I wouldn't have to subject my own to the punishment that a fishing trip can provide. Thank you!!
And Rob, I sure am glad you were able to join in on the fun! We've shared camps before, and I hope there are many more to come. It is always such a pleasure to be around your wit and wisdom! And thanks again for the "peaches
and preservative" you brought me ;)
This bowfishing trip kind of opened my eyes to a side of traditional archery that I hope to enjoy far more often. I'm already on the lookout for a dedicated bowfishing bow for myself :thumbsup:
Awesome pics and shooting...they were some nice fish.
What a crew, what a blast! Thanks for the story and pics guys...
Great party !!!! looks like a BLAST :)
Great pictures guys !!!!
Thanks
Awesome Guys!! One of the few things I miss from the land of heat and humidity ;)
It looks like that was great fun. Great photos - thanks for sharing with us! :thumbsup:
Awesome fellas, looks like too much fun.
Great group of guys and a lot of fun.
My dad has a 15 acr lake with some giant carp in it, i think i will go up there and give this a try, man you guys look like you were having a blast.
Looks like fun guys,thanks for the pics.
Dang guys! Are you sure that much fun is even legal??
Congrats on a fun outing!!
Skyler,keep showin em how,they will catch on sometime!!
Yeehaw! Looks like a great time!
That was a great hunting story, thanks for sharing :thumbsup:
Jerry
THANKS FOR SHARING
great pics and nice shooting
Awesome! Looks like youi fellas had one heck of a good time!
You guys had a blast,thats cool.Thanks for the stories & great pics.
Hey those are some nice guppies you got there. Way to wack 'em.