Summer 2013 Days 1 & 2

Left home around 11:00 am Monday morning, (7-22-13) and met a friend (Dick Eckman) at the turnpike in Bedford. We headed west towards Cranberry, PA. to check in at our motel and then to Rochester, PA. to do some fishing with our good friend Arian on and around the Ohio River.
   Arian always does his best to make sure we have a good time, and he didn't fail us this time either. We had a new destination for fishing on the river this time (thanks Brice) and it was also a new experience for me going through a "lock".

Nothing I hate more than Dam Danger :)

Montgomery Locks and Dam

Anchored in at our new spot, the fishing began. 

It wasn't long before I landed my first catch..... a decent sized Smallmouth Bass. 

This was decent sized to me, as my Bass catching has been limited.

Next, Dick came up with another first by letting me see a Garr (Gar) up close and personal.

After that it was back to catching Smallmouths, and I had another first. My first over 3 lbs.

Actually, my first over 2 lb.

3lb. 4 oz.

Then it's little brother.......

Then Dick changed things up with a catfish.

I figured if he could change things, so could I.

My first Garr!! (I'm pretty sure it was bigger than the one Dick caught lol)

Day two showed more of the same. It seemed like there was a fish on every 10 minutes.

We didn't get a picture of them all, but here are a few.

We stayed in the same spot, getting chased ashore by a nasty storm for around half an hour, and pulled anchor about 8:45 and headed to a new spot for night fishing and hopefully some big Flathead Catfish.

Around 10:30 something hit and after taking out about 150 feet of line Arian told me to set the hook. For a 

few minutes it was a good fight with undoubtedly the biggest fish I have ever had hooked. Unfortunately, this is the story of the one that got away...... I may not have landed the fish (it broke the line) but I had a heart pumping experience that was almost the perfect ending to a great fishing trip.

Thanks to Dick for introducing me to Arian, and thanks to Arian for once again doing a great job.

Arian is a bit camera shy, but I did manage to sneak one of him and Brice (sp??) at night with out the flash.

I'm headed out shortly and the next "planned" stop is Pokagon State Park in the northeastern part of Indiana.  I reserve the right to linger anywhere in between that catches my attention. Later all, have a great day!!