Matt and I Plan on Hybrids

Dow's shop is closed, but they're selling bait by placing it curbside.

Laurie says she'll rent me a boat, but has to fill out paperwork. I have the boater's certificate. She knows that. She also knows me and I don't know if she can rent to just anyone. Don't even ask if you don't have the certificate. Since Matt and I do plan on going, and there will be a blog post that shows one of Laurie's boats in a photo, I see no harm in announcing this.

Dow's is hurting, but it's good thing they have some business. 

Sourlands Hiking

I fish in Neshanic, though I've never hiked in the Sourlands. I've read about them, and there are some interesting spots among the rocks. I have a desire to do it sometime, but it seems my wife and I always end up elsewhere. A coming destination is the Lake Hopatcong Trail. I give it priority for obvious reasons, all the fishing I do there, and also because I'm collecting photos of the lake to create a book of the best in 10 or 15 years.


Sourlands

A Call for Reopening

I wouldn't go, because it's too weird as yet, but there we have the call. I'll stick to my squareback and possibly a rental from Dow's. Noticed there are hours available there, at least by what's online. I sent Laurie an email to be certain. Will let you know.

Charter Boat/Head Boat Call for Reopening

Tried Round Valley for Largemouths

Went to Round Valley this evening to do a photo shoot, and naturally I brought a rod along, since May is my favorite time to catch largemouths there. I usually do catch some. I went to a corner of the pond, and found a big deadfall blocking the path of my Senko. The path that has resulted in my losing three or four big bass over the years, only then, nothing in the water was responsible. My bad hook sets, and once a bad knot, were responsible. I tried to get a shot of that deadfall, but you can only make it out if you click on the photo for an enlargement.

Tall phragmites get in the way of casting anywhere along this bank I fished, but here there's an opening. I placed casts aside of the wood, and then went to the left and managed more casts, although I doubt I would have got a big bass to my hand on six-pound test, dragging it across the yards of stuff out in front of me. I didn't think of it then, but inevitably, I would have soaked my Dockers and pants. As I cast and retrieved, one of the planets was very bright overhead, even though a lot of light remained in the sky. And I heard peeper frogs. I've heard them in early March, but I don't recall hearing them this late in the spring. Nothing hit, and I returned to the deadfall and cast over it a few times, anyhow.

As I retrieved after my intended last cast, I got snagged on it and broke off my Senko.