Welcome, I would like to thank everyone that is fishing South Pasco this year. We now have 13 teams and 3 Alternates and only lost one team from last year so I hope that is an indication that we are going in the right direction.

     Looks like we are off to a good start, at least as far as the weather goes. It was a little breezy but at least we didn't have to dress like we were going ice fishing like we had to the past couple of years. We did have a problem with a boat frozen to the trailer but came to find out that it was just one of the tie downs that didn't get released. I'm sure nobody has done that before!!!

     With high expectations of starting anew we headed out. Some headed towards the Rainbow River and others to play bumper pool with their boats and stumps in the lake.

     Let's see…the water was clear…THAT'S IT! The water was clear everywhere we fished, that's the excuse!!!!! You could see your lures all the way back to the boat as you fished them. That must mean the fish could see you or something like that…it sounds good to me.

     I guess some of you guys were using fish camouflage or were fishing in a handicap zone for blind fish as I was told…and I'm sure no fishermen would exaggerate about this…they were catching fish all day. Some even had a limit before their coffee got cold and there were only 2 that had a limit.

     The fish were bedding and many wouldn't cooperate. Many of us saw empty beds had to change our plan of attack…if we had one. Most of the fish were caught on worms of chartreuse, junebug, watermelon red… for colors. Curl tail, jiggle tail, stick, and paddle tail that were both weighted and unweighted. Even have reports of one caught on a trap.

     It seems team Albert and Jack have the in on this lake/river as they were the only team last year to catch a limit here. This year they limited again but it was only good enough for fourth place with 4.53 pounds, earning them the first suck spot of the year.

     Coming back to fish with our club was Chris Neatherly and his teammate Steve Gallette to capture third place with four fish the weighed in at 6.56 pounds.

     Back for another year of abuse but without his better half that I'm told put him on his fish is Mark DeCaro and managed to pull a rabbit out of his hat by getting Tim Grimes to hold down the back of the boat. I understand that they didn't have any fish until they got to the ramp and poooofffffff four fish in the livewell. Mark and Tim only had enough magic to pull off second place with 9.44 pounds and a 4.06 kicker.

     Carrying on the tradition is a second and third generation of Hoedts teaming up to fish South Pasco. Randy and son Sean weighed in five fish at 12.83 pounds for a first place finish and the big bass weighing 6.28 pounds.

     I'm glad to see everyone made it back to the ramp safe and on time. I hope you appreciated the country band we had flown in from Nashville to entertain us at the ramp but sorry to see it end abruptly when Mark and Derek did their duet of "Stand by Your Man". It was accompanied by solo rendition of "Blazing Saddles" with Derek on the baked beans. I hope to see you guys again in February.

     One more thing, Several have asked about livewell inspections and starting next month Allie has volunteered to take on that responsibility.

    Looking forward to doing this again next month with better results.

John Medvid