TIME:  9:00 AM TO 11:00 AM

WEATHER: High 70s, partly cloudy, wind

WATER CONDITIONS:  Clear

LOCATIONS FISHED:  Hot Springs Village, Lake Estrella

FLIES USED:  #6 Gray Arkansas Slider

ROD USED: FlexTec CDX 66, 10’ 6/7 wt

HATCHES: None

OTHER:  Fishing was much the same as the previous two days, except the fish were biting exceptionally well along the bank, and particularly along the riprap-lined dam.  Each time we were able to get out of the wind, the gray slider produced a fish, bringing back great memories of times many years ago.  Warmwater fishing is obviously one of my many passions.

TIME:  9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

WEATHER: High 70s, partly cloudy, breezy

WATER CONDITIONS:  Clear

LOCATIONS FISHED:  Hot Springs Village, Lake Estrella

FLIES USED:  #6 Gray Arkansas Slider

ROD USED: FlexTec CDX 66, 10’ 6/7 wt

HATCHES: None

OTHER:  Tim Sikora fished a 4-inch Zoom Lizard hard, both trolling behind the canoe, and casting toward the bank, catching fish each way for a day’s total of almost 2 dozen.  I threw the gray slider, and was rewarded with several fish, both bluegill and bass.  It proved to be a great day for fishing.

We switched gears—into a faster one—and hosted Ridge and Aker on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  It’s entirely possible we’re getting too old for this pace!  The grandkids were good, though, eating and behaving well.  The cool/cold temperatures didn’t allow outside play much, though Kay did them to a neighbor’s play area on Friday afternoon.  Otherwise, we watched Scooby-Doo, Batman, and Power Rangers to the point that I know all the characters in each!

So what else did we do this week?  Let’s see.  I played golf 3 times and Kay played once.  We attended a great concert by the Swingles; they were a fantastic a cappella group from London, UK.  I attended an HSV Audubon Society bird walk, Kay attended a PEO program planning committee meeting, a Duffers’ (ladies’ golf group) luncheon, and a culinary arts dinner (too much wine, or maybe too much sugar).

And, of course, we walked through the neighborhood a few times.  We also saw several FOY (first of year) butterflies, including a Tiger Swallowtail, Pipevine Swallowtail, several species of Sulphurs, a few Skippers, etc.  There are also Pine Siskins at the thistle sock feeder everyday.  No hummingbirds yet!  Otherwise, it was a pretty dull week—yeah, sure!