WHEN NATURE CALLS : Combining hunting, fishing a great way to say goodbye to summer
Posted on Sunday, September 7, 2008
Labor Day is generally thought of as the bridge from summer to fall and I took advantage last weekend by dabbling in both seasons. Bidding a bittersweet adieu to one while welcoming the other certainly has its benefits. Heck, anytime a person can fish one day and prepare for hunting season the next is, well, a time worth having.
My master plan involved a trip to Clinton to visit Greers Ferry Lake and then I was going to rethink my deer stand situation at Mom and Dad’s place near Morrilton. With a three-day weekend in front of me — and plenty of grandparents wanting to babysit — I readied for a good time in the outdoors of Arkansas.
After being over 20-feet high, Greers Ferry finally settled back in her banks a few weeks back. Her slick-as-glass surface looked inviting as Dad and I launched our 19-year-old Spectrum boat into the clear waters.
Dang, the boat wouldn’t start and dang, what’s that smell ?
We had a switch problem but after a few fuse changes and a few not-so-subtle threats, the old Force engine fired up and belched a black puff of smoke. It felt good to once again motor across the lake of my youth. As I flew past Peter Rock Point and eased into Harper’s Cove, I had to ask again: What’s that smell ?
Something putrid was under the console but I couldn’t really tell from all the leaves that gathered after a year of no use. And folks, the less you use a boat, the worse off it’ll be. They need to be used frequently to stay in good running condition.
Anyway, we fished some but our main purpose was to run the snot out of that boat. When we did fish, I tied on a big Bomber Fat A crankbait and tossed into deep, rocky water. I caught a pair of nice bass although they were a bit short on the keeper scale. Dad and I also found a few wads of willing schools and nabbed a quick half-dozen on a Rattle Trap. The fish weren’t big but watching them bust shad on the surface was a hoot.
By Sunday afternoon, my family and I were in Morrilton but my outdoorsy work went on as planned. The boat continued to get my attention as the need for a new switch replaced thoughts of repair. But while trying to dig it out of the console, that old stench found my olfactory senses. That did it ! Finding the smell quickly became my focus.
I carefully sifted through the rotting leaves but found out how quick I could move when I unearthed hair and tiny skeletal remains. My stomach is stout but I almost hurled. It might’ve been a kitten. It might’ve been a rat. I really didn’t care. I just wanted it out of my boat.
Holding my breath and armed with only a garden implement, I pulled all the gunk out and used a plastic ice cream tub for the critter’s final resting place. Hopefully, over time, the smell will dissipate. Man, that was nasty.
Monday morning’s task was a fun one: moving my deer stand. Last year I did the same thing and almost had a heat stroke but I paced myself better this time. Actually, my brotherin-law Roger and I moved it just 20 yards from last year’s perch overlooking a small clearing. Watching a field is fine but I’m a woods man. I like being amongst the oaks and hickories.
Roger and I took turns shinnying up the two-man metal stand and we each shouted out instructions to the other about which limbs to cut and which limbs to leave alone. I’m happy with its location but the true test will come in October. A neighbor told me of a bachelor group with five bucks, including two dandies. I can only hope we’ll meet soon.
I left my weapons at home but Roger brought his bow and muzzleloader for a little fine-tuning. He left happy with the results... I think. Again, the true test comes later.
I went home happy, as well. Anytime an outdoorsman can cram fishing and hunting into one weekend is, well, a rare time worth savoring. Here’s to fall !!!
Bobby Hill is the outdoors columnist for the Times and lives in Fayetteville.
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