This first group of pictures came from my very last fishing trip in Utah. It was at Sportsman's Paradise in Paradise, UT. My friend Cameron, my dad, and I got together and spent an afternoon out there with our fly rods. It ended up being a really fun day, but also kind of tough. Had to say goodbye to the best friend I've ever had. We were leaving Utah in the rear view mirror a couple of days later.
Just one of the many fat rainbows we all caught that day.
Dad with one of his catches.
When we all landed one at the same time. That little one was probably Cameron's. 😜
Dad just fishing away.
I wasn't able to get any fishing in while I was in Arkansas. There was simply too much going on with the move and everything. If I remember correctly, I believe I logged right around 8000 miles in just under 3 weeks. Needless to say, I was exhausted. And dad was with me for about 6500 miles of that.
I did get a little fishing in during my first year in Tennessee. But I really didn't take a lot of pictures, and the ones I did take I lost. Except for this one. I'm quite proud of this catch. It was the result of my very first cast in Tennessee. Obviously not a very big smallmouth, but it was definitely fun hauling it in on the first cast.
The next pictures I am posting were all from the Buffalo National River in between Rush and Buffalo City in Arkansas. It is a trip that I take annually with my dad and a few other friends. It's always a lot of fun, regardless of the size or number of fish we catch. This trip was in May 2014.
As you can see, we were loaded down and ready for fun.
At the launch with Patrick, Todd, Landon, Steve, and Josh. Dad is somewhere out of the picture.
First catch of the trip for me.
Just some of the scenery.
A little rain won't hurt us!
Stop for the first night.
Patrick, the cook.
Our little camp site.
The next morning at breakfast. Thanks to Patrick for the excellent food.
We never go hungry on these trips.
Little guy.
Dad with another shot of some of the scenery.
It's always nice out on the water.
One of my better catches from the trip.
This one was a little fatter.
This one fooled me with his fight.
Just some perspective for size. These smallies sure can fight.
Last morning on this trip.
Take out in Buffalo City.
The next pictures are from Tennessee. Both locations were fished with the same friend. The first six pictures were on the Elk River below Tims Ford Dam. We were fishing for trout. The other five are also from the Elk River, but in between Woods Reservoir and Tims Ford Lake. It's a favorite spot of mine here.
Beautiful morning. The fog on the water is one of my favorite things.
Jesse is behind me there.
Just thought this was a pretty cool shot.
Smoke on the water.
Pretty little brook trout that Jesse caught.
Had to get a shot as we were leaving.
Now on to the Elk above Tims Ford, below Woods reservoir. Bass fishing this morning.
Love the view.
Heading out.
My catch of the day.
Quiet little place.
Not much makes me happier than being out on the water enjoying what God gave us.
Dinner.
In April of 2015, I decided to go out and get a little bigger boat so that I would be able to take the kiddos out with me and be a little more on the safer side. The little crawdad just wasn't made for the kids to come out with me. So I found a nice 1648 War Eagle Boat and got a 9.9 hp outboard to put on the back of it. It ended up being a nice little rig.
This is what it looked like when I got it home.
I got a used trolling motor to put on the front end and a couple of seats.
Inaugural voyage with the kiddos.
They love the water.
Off to Arkansas.
Another shot.
Off to Arkansas again. This time to sell the boat after a year of having it. Other priorities came up, and I wasn't able to get out on the boat as much as I would have liked to.
The next pictures are from October 2015 when I went down the Buffalo National River with Dad. Needless to say, it was a great trip.
All loaded up and ready to go.
Dad and I just before we took off.
Downstream from launch.
Upstream from launch.
Packed and ready to launch.
First catch of the trip.
Biggest catch of the trip.
She ended up being dinner.
I could live out here.
So peaceful.
So glad God put this here for our enjoyment.
A little nicer catch than my first one.
Camp site #1.
Dad getting stuff ready for supper.
Our little spot.
Another view of the campsite.
Cooking away.
Quick snapshot.
Smallmouth for supper.
Morning #2.
We couldn't have asked for better weather.
So beautiful.
Scenery shot.
More scenery.
More. And this was the maiden voyage for my new kayak.
Taking a break.
I love the color of the water in the background.
There's dad.
More scenery.
Not a cloud around.
Little largemouth. It was part of supper.
Another smallie.
Night #2.
Camp site #2.
The fire was nice. It got pretty cool this night.
Hanging out with dad by the fire.
Morning #3. It was a chilly morning.
More scenery.
It turned out to be a nice day.
Some insects are not pests.
Almost to the end.
Takeout point. It was a great trip and just what I needed at the time.
These next few pics were from December 2015 and February 2016 on the White River with Dad. Just a couple of quick outings on the water, but much enjoyed.
Here are some pictures from April -- June 2016 at my favorite small fishing hole here in Tennessee on the Elk River. The white bass were going crazy in April. It was a lot of fun to catch them.
Ready to go hit the water.
Launch.
First of many white bass.
Such a pretty day.
Gotta have the bow handy. Never know what you may find.
The gar always make a good supper.
My little setup in the kayak.
Little smallmouth.
These next pictures are from the first week of October 2016. I took a much needed trip back to Arkansas to see a couple of friends and spend some time with them. We had planned another Buffalo River trip, but dad had some intense pain in his left arm that landed him in the emergency room less than 36 hours from when we were supposed to head out. So instead, Brett, Brent, and myself decided to venture out on Crooked Creek and the White River over the first part of the week. It ended up being a really fun few days. Later that week, I got a chance to get out on the White River with Dad and Patrick for half a day. I hadn't been able to spend any time with Patrick in a while, so it was nice to get to do so.
Packed and ready.
Launch point on Crooked Creek.
So peaceful.
The scenery.
Little smallmouth.
More scenery.
Brett paddling away.
Pit stop.
Biggest fish of the day for me.
Chilling on the White River.
Little brook trout.
Relaxing.
That water is cold.
Brett got lazy and bummed a tow from me.
Cotter Bridge.
What my idea of fun looks like.
The White with Dad and Patrick.
Ready for launch.
Relaxing.
Nice evening.
Dad, Patrick, and me.
Never. Gets. Old.
Pretty sunset near the mouth of Crooked Creek from the White River.
One more shot.
So I made another quick trip to Arkansas the Friday after Thanksgiving of 2016. I was able to get out on the White River with dad that Saturday. It was definitely a chilly morning, but as you can tell, it turned out to be a very nice day.
Ranchette.
Launch.
Off we go.
Staying warm.
I'll fish in any weather.
Where did all the clouds go?
Beautiful day.
My happy place.
And these last pictures are just some that I came across that I forgot I had. As you can tell, fishing has always, and will always, be a part of my life. It's my stress reliever. It's my reset button. I don't care if I don't even get a bite. I am just grateful to be able to get out and enjoy the beautiful things that Heavenly Father has given me the opportunity to enjoy. It helps me reflect on me. It helps me become a better person.
It's always been a love of mine.
I wish I could say I caught those.
We had a lot of fun.
Fishing. Definitely a family affair.
Til next time, enjoy. And I hope y'all catch a lot of fish as well! Happy fishing!
