Are you planning on fishing Sunday? It is the first day of open water fishing season in Maine. If you are, send your photographs to yofishead@gmail.com. If I receive enough photographs, I will post an article detailing the days events.

Have fun fishing and remember fisherman don't lie, they embellish.

On opening day, April 1st, I usually come across Paulette Bunyan, the great great great grand daughter of Paul. There she is, standing at the water's edge, glancing slightly as I approach from the left. Her gaze is firm; it is upon the ice and water. As the approaching sun illuminates her face, I grab my fly and flicker the Marabou in her direction. Her hair shines like the fine hairs of a buck's tail; it makes me feel strong.

Paulette's body is strong and firm; it does not waver in the grip of winter. She walks at her own pace turning her back to me. I am excited as I wait in anticipation. Then slightly, ever so slightly, she turns to greet me. I am beckoned by her shimmering light. I am rejuvenated by her warmth. She smiles, I am afraid to look at her diectly in the face. She is persistent, and I can not ignore her. Her presence has a strong and lasting affect on me. I grab my fly; my line and rod yearn for excitement.

Paulette is my friend. I can trust in her greeting me at stream's edge year after year. She is as dependable as the rising sun. She is a friend that will slowly disappear at summer's end, and her fertility is great.

Her bees fertilize the plants as I lazily lay in the hammock enjoying her embrace. She warms me like no other. Her hair is like the fine wisp of a foxes winter coat. She takes it from the fox to bury in her bosom. I nestle my nose in the warmth she has gathered for me. Oh, how I miss her when she makes her annual trip south. She is my desire, my temptress and my confidant, the rearer of my child, the embodiment of life.

Winter's grip has no hold on Paulette, it melts away in the presence of her grace. She is all in me that I want to be. She is women, she is man.

Welcome Paulette! I look forward to our future escapades. Escapades that will take us out into the garden, escapades that will fill my rod and line with the excitement of a five pound Landlocked. You are my bride Paulette and it is time for us to.....

Welcome Spring!

I've done some of the research for you and tried a few spots. I know I may get stoned for telling you this, but Maine Northern Pike fishing can be a great sport for those who give it a try.

Like most fisherman, I stumbled on Maine Northern Pike. I wasn’t really targeting Maine Northern Pike, but I was catching them. After a while, I wanted to up the ante and began targeting large Maine Northern Pike. If you want to be successful at Northern Pike fishing in Maine, think about what it is like to be a hunter. If you think like a hunter, you will be thinking like a Maine Pike.

Big Maine Pike are the best ambush hunters around; by laying in wait and move slowly, Pike stalk their prey; Maine Pike are able to conserve energy and stay safe this way. Large Maine Pike are territorial and have been known to attack each other. The hunter becomes the hunted.

When Maine Northern Pike become mature enough to spawn, they will hang in the shallows just before or after ice out; they are waiting for the spawn. They are not interested in food. But, like most spawning fish, they can be antagonised into biting. After the spawn, which varies widely, they are tired, hungry and cold. Fishing opportunities may be best with bait. As the temperature reaches 55*, the action improves.

If fishing in early spring, try dead bait on a floating rig. Many Mainers have luck with dead sea run smelt, suckers and duck legs. If they are not available from your bait dealer, try your bait of choice instead. Hang the bait two feet or less below the float in shallow waters and watch out. This type of early fishing can be boring, but it beats getting skunked.

Maine Northern Pike move to deeper areas as the water begins to warm. They can also stach up in shallow water around spring holes as the temperature warms. Vaguely resembling an alligator, you would think this cold blooded creature would like warm water. Their preferred water temperature is between 55* and 60* with high oxygen levels. Even though Maine Pike like it cool, they will move into warmer water to feed. I find the shallows productive on cool summer mornings.

Maine Northern Pike are ambush hunters that also like a chase once the water temperatures rise. While sitting in wait for prey, they are at times more likely to chase a steady lure presentation then a stop and go. Keep this in mind when bass fishing. Bass are more likely to hit a crippled bait, stop and go, presentation than Northern Pike. But I have caught my fair share of Pike on a stop and go presentation too!

Maine Pike also love bling…..they are attracted to the flash. And, if you fall in the water with a lot of heavy metal on, God help you. But seriously, they love flashy spoons or spinners dressed with flo-orange. I like to cut the tail off a brightly colored tube and slip it over the treble hook to increase the size of the presentation. Maine Pike seem to love it.

Remember; keep thinking like a hunter if you want to think like a Pike. Pike are attracted to cover such as banks, rock piles, grass and mooring anchors. Anywhere they can hang out with a good view and not be noticed, that’s prime Maine Pike territory. With this in mind, cast your lure around the inside curves of grass lines or banks. Maine Pike like to nestle into a comfortable spot and hunt. But they also do enjoy a good chase.

While one dear fisherman tried fishing for them with a fly rod, he asked his friend, who was gearing up on the bank, “Why do you like to fish for Pike with a fly rod?” The fisherman in the water was at the end of his retrieve and just beginning to lift his fly out of the water to recast. At that very moment a bruiser Pike jumped out of the water scaring the fisherman to death. As he ran up the bank, he looked at his friend and said “What the hell was that?!!!” “A Pike!” the friend answered. “That’s why I like fishing for them on a fly rod!”

So if you’re on your boat and a pike lunges out of the water at your lure, don’t be afraid. It usually happens once or twice on every outing after temperatures reach 60*. I haven’t heard of a Pike ending up in the boat, but I’m sure it has happened.

Remember, steady flashy retrieves around cover will provide the best results. Don’t forget that water depth will be used by Pike as cover also, so let your presentation acquire some depth if fishing deep areas like channels. Some of the biggest Pike I’ve caught in Maine were sitting on the bottom, around some sort of cover, before they hit my lure. Channel edges are great for holding large Pike. Depending on the time of year, they will hug the channel edges or abutting grasses to stalk prey.

Another important thing to know is that Pike love to smash large lures from the side in an attempt to stun their prey. I have hooked several Maine Pike right between the eyes because of this. The force of their hit was so hard it drove my treble hook right into its snout. And if you know anything about Maine Pike, that’s a hard snout. They are truly an amazingly strong fish.

What about gear? Well, if you do not use a steel leader, you will loose half or more of your fish. Pike have teeth. Do not put any part of your hand in its mouth. They will draw blood if you do! I use a Boga Grip to handle mine.

As far as line weight, that is up to you. I once landed a twelve and a half pound fish on ten pound test. It’s all in how you play the fish and how lucky you are. If they manage to get into the weeds, light line will be a problem. When targeting pike, a heavy line doesn’t hurt. And remember, the more bling the better.

Now that you are armed with some relevant techniques and gear information, let me give you a few places to try some fishing. If this is your first time Pike fishing, try Sabattus Pond. I have caught Bass and Pike from one end to the other. I like the far channel in early spring and the eastern shore as the year progresses. Hey, don’t fish it out……OK!

Another nice Pond is Great Pond in the Belgrade area. It has receives a lot of pressure, but the Pike fishing is still Great. No pun intended. John Blaise picked up a nine pounder there this spring, so I know the place is still happening. You can’t always believe me, but you should believe this post; I’m turning you on to some real fun fishing!

OK let’s see. I heard the pike fishing in Long Pond is good too, but I haven’t fished it myself. Messalonskee is a good lake but slow for pike. You might do better Bass fishing in this lake. All of the Belgrade chain has Pike.

If you would like to read a little more on Pike, check out these two links. The State of Maine Strategic Management Plan can be a little dry as far as the reading goes, but it is filled with great information. And In-Fisherman is always a great resource.

Happy Piking

Be careful of all the Stones out there!

I took advantage of today's low tide to stalk up on the meat of the surf clam. The -1.7 low tide was at 7:10AM and the temperature was 14*F when I left the house at 6:05AM. The temperature discouraged me, but I had to go.

When I arrived at Bay View, five other clammers had hit the beach ahead of me. The wind was blowing between 5 and 10mph, but it felt stronger than that. I walked a short distance and poked around looking for the delectable treats. I walked some more, and I ended up at my usual spot. The sun rise was beautiful as I worked the beach. The wind seemed to die off after I worked up a little heat. It most likely was just my perception because I started to feel colder and colder as I poked and dug.

After a while, I called it quits as did the other hearty soles that had come to see the sun and gather a few clams. I unloaded my catch, stripped off my waders, and retreated to my truck's cab. As I proceeded to drive home, I got the idea of a nice hot cup of coffee. I made my way to Dunkins.

When I arrived, the drive thru line was long. Others had the same idea as I. I finally reached the kiosk to order my hot cup of coffee. "Hello, would you like a free cup of iced coffee?" I was asked. I laughed and responded "Not today". "But, today is the only day!" the voice responded. "I don't think so!"

I ordered and made my way to the window laughing the entire time about the question I was asked. I was still freezing! When I approached the window, the girl smiled and stated "two-sixty-eight please." I couldn't help it and asked "Did you sell many free coffees today?" But she looked at me in a quandary. "Two-sixty-eight please." It was then that I realized she couldn't understand what I was saying because of her limited command of the English language. I smiled back and pondered if the "Buristas" at Starbucks would of understood my question.

Would you like a free iced coffee?

Have you ever wished for something and then, once you've opened it, wonder why you wished for it in the first place? I have......I do it all the time. Remember the Sears' Wishbook? I would spend months dreaming of things to come just by thumbing through that book. Oh....the dreams that book created; they were actually more fun than what I recieved.

Today, I have a different Wishbook. It's called the Cabela's Master Catalog. It's in the same format as the Sears' Wishbook, and I look at it several times a week. This time of year the book gets more usage due to the fact that I have more time to dream. To dream about fishing that is. And the dreams that come out of the Cabela's Wishbook are far better than any found during an average night's sleep.

I like to look, and I like to dream. I like to dream of the way a fish will inhale a particular lure; I mark the page with a Post It if the dream is enticing enough. Frequently, I will go back, change my mind, and reindex the pages with different items hi-lighted for future consideration. It's more fun than actually purchasing the items. Oh, how I love my Wishbook.

I did find a reason to order some items the other day. And the best part of it is, the items are not for me, they are for my nephew. That way, I won't be dissapointed when they arrive. And I'm sure my nephew will be thrilled! My nephew would become a fishing fanatic if his father enabled him. Well, guess what? I'm the Enabler! "OH How Sweet It Is!" to quote the late Jackie Gleason. And, that is also how I feel when I open the Wishbook....I mean Cabela's Master Catalog.

I keep looking through my Wishbook for floating plastic worms. They are a sure killer when hooked to a jig. The worm's bouency keeps it up and the jig head keeps it down. The equation equals a diagonal presentation with the worm popping off the bottom looking like a feeding baitfish when retrieved. Killer....killer....killer presentation for all types of fish.

So, I had to order something for his birthday! Hey, he is my God Child, and I am The Enabler. That's right! It's my job. Too bad I'm not Sicilian.

Well, to make a long order short, I forgot to place the order in time. It wouldn't show up in time for his birthday. I could use express shipment, but then I wouldn't have to go to Dick's Sporting Goods to pick out something else. You see where I'm going with this? It's really not about the purchase, it is about the picking and searching that really intriques and delights me. I can't disappoint my God Child can I?

I'm off to Dick's! Or was that the Sports Authority?

Shalom.

Sometimes....I like to dream. I may pretend to be the wind or imagine I can be anything I want. One day, I may dream of being a seagull like the great Livingston. Another day, I may find myself dreaming of being a squirrel, like Rocky, as I rummage through the collection of articles stashed away for future use.

Yesterday, I wished to be a fish. A fish? I'm a fisherman for God sake. Why would I wish to be a fish?

Once, while fishing Cook Inlet in Alaska, I heard a very peculiar statement. "He thinks like a fish you know..." the Captain's girlfriend explained. "He really does!" she exclaimed again, looking at me with a broad smile and reassuring me that he would put us on fish. The memory is burned in my mind like a branding that won't wash off.

We had been stalking large Halibut that day, but the ledge we were fishing was infested with sea lice. As the captain looked out over the water, I noticed he had a nervous twitch. It really wasn't a twitch, it was more of a movement. As he pondered the water, his mouth would open and close. It would quickly open and slowly close. The motion kept repeating itself as his thoughts wandered deeper into the underwater world.

I looked at him and thought "My, that looks familiar." Again, his mouth opened quickly and slowly closed, opened and closed, opened and closed. I thought "I've got it! He looks like a fish!" As he pondered his next move, he became engrossed with figuring out where the fish would be. The more engrossed he became, the more the action persisted.

We moved positions shortly there after, and we were on fish. Not the large Halibut we had originally set out for, but the adequate 20-30 pounders that were available that day. I have always remembered that captain for his ability to consider the current dilemma, regroup, and put us on fish. And, I have always remembered that captain for his uncanny resemblance to a fish. A fish opening and closing its mouth.

Could it be? Could it just possibly be that the Captain had been a fish in his previous life? Hey, wait I second! I was raised as a good Catholic boy. Reincarnation? I don't know?!!!

I do know one thing. That Captain put us on fish. And maybe...just maybe...he did so because he thought like a fish. And what better way to think like a fish than to be one?

I wish to be a fish!

This weekend's extremely high and low tides are wreaking havoc as crews from York to Camp Ellis try to make sure that the roads are not washed out. As of Saturday morning at 7:00 AM, Camp Ellis was still in good shape. But the extremely high tide at 10:30 AM this morning may change that.

The lows, on the other hand, are a good thing for us fisherman who use clams for bait. The extreme low tides of this weekend, combined with the rough surf, will surely bring in a few surf clams. Clams that can be used for bait this summer. But the rough seas of today may make it too dangerous to harvest them.

There is a bright side to all this! Extremely low tides are fore-casted for the rest of the week. There will be an opportunities to harvest clams if the flats remain open. During heavy rains, many treatment plants have to open their flood gates to let water flow through. This equals poor water quality. And the flats are usually closed at this point. It really depends on how much rain we get. Be sure to check the Maine's Shellfish Hot Line before you proceed with any harvesting of Maine surf clams or any other clams for that matter!

Vexilar

So….this is the weekend to look at boats, no matter what part of the state you are in. The Bangor and Portland Civic Centers will be hosting their respective boat shows this weekend. It’s a good time to get out and sit on the boats, wipe the cobwebs off your winter blood, and start thinking summer. Sitting on boats, daydreaming of the summer sunsets, what better way to spend a weekend? I’m a fishing and boating enthusiast, so I may be bias! If you’re dreaming of owning your own little piece of pleasure, there is no better place to daydream than at a boat show.

Boat shows are a great time to kick tires, sit on various models, and get a real feel for the product. Web sites just don’t compare to sitting in the real thing. In fact, I met a guy at the Augusta show that had his mind made up on a Triumph 17 foot center console before the show. He had his mind made up! But when he brought his four children and had them sit in the various models, he ended up buying a Polar Kraft 16 foot single console. There is a big difference between the two boats. But he couldn’t see what he really needed until spending time on a multitude of boats. There is nothing like giving boats a dry sea trial before you buy. In fact, some dealers, like Hamlin’s Marine, will take you out for sea trials on most in stock models once the weather permits. There are benefits to making an early purchase decision though.

Both Honda and Yamaha are offering warranty extensions with motors purchased before March 31st. Honda is also offering 6.5% financing for up to fifteen years to qualified customers to help finance rigs outfitted with their motors. E-Tec is also offering a 3+4 year warranty on their motors. What I like about the Honda warranty offer is the way it is written. Their warranty extends the original warranty for two years. E-Tec and Yamaha offer are "extended warranties". Be sure to check the fine print to see if there are any exclusions in the "extended warranty".

Here are some of the things I saw at the Augusta Boat Show that are worth noting:

• Most E Z Loader trailers are being shipped with a oil bath bearing system. Instead of packing your bearings with grease and using Bearing Buddies to add lubricant, the oil bath system encases the bearings in oil. What’s so good about it? Let’s say you are trailering your boat to Florida or Ohio. A quick glance at the wheel hub lets you know the bearing has adequate lubricant. Have you ever seen a trailer loose its wheel due to a bearing failure? I have! It is not a pretty sight. And oil doesn’t have to be repacked.
• MinnKota has a new model, theTerrova, that allows the wireless co-pilot to turn the auto pilot on and off from your wrist. I like the option because previous models would keep making navigational corrections even when the motor was off. You had to turn the auto pilot on and off at the unit. First, it was annoying. Second, it would spook fish. And third, it used up precious battery power. The Terrova also has a quick full speed option that resumes to the previous speed setting when turned off.
• Polar Kraft introduced a new model. The Outlander. The Polar Kraft web site doesn’t do this model justice. Its streamline hull design with deep V bow enables the craft to be used in big water or shallow inlets. Good job Polar Kraft! This model is going to take off like a wild banshee. It is a horny looking little thing when dressed in full camouflage. Well, that’s if you call 18’6” little! Stop by the Hamlin’s Marine booth, at the Bangor show on Sunday, to talk with Capt. Keith Hall. He’s going to be giving out pointers on Striper fishing, boat handling and the finer points of camo when dressed on the Outlander.
• Lund is now owned by Mercury. I only saw three Lunds at the Augusta show and they all had Mercury outboards on them. What’s up with that?

Another configuration that I was really drawn to, in the aluminum boat arena, was the Polar Kraft Kodiak 178 FS.

The rear bench, pictured above, folds down into an extended rear fishing platform with plenty of room.

And the front console area folds down to become the base for the front fishing chair position. This model is a truly versatile family fun and serious fishing boat for Maine's big water. Equipped with its full curtain package, this boat becomes the ultimate landlocked salmon fishing machine.

The Bangor show is going to have a full line of boats including Stingray, Polar Kraft, AquaPatio, Sweetwater, Hurricane, Rinker and Polar. For those of you based close to Portland, The Portland Show will include brands such as Hunter, MacGregor, Larson, Starcraft, Godfrey, Polar, Glastron and ProLine. Not to mention the array of electronics and accessories at both shows.

If you are a boating enthusiast, this is a good weekend to get out and jump on a few boats! If you are not, give it a try. You may be surprised at what it feels like!

Maine Largemouth Bass fishing in can be fun. You’ll have better luck when the water is over 60*. Maine Largemouth Bass fishing is popular through out the State with hundreds of well established ponds to support the sport. When thinking about Maine Largemouth Bass, think of shade; Maine Largemouth Bass prefer shady conditions. They are most active between 60*f and 80*f. They like to hide in grasses, submerged tree limbs. under docks and position themselves next to underwater structure.

Underwater structure is defined as a change in the bottom conditions. A large flat may not have changes in the lake bottom. But the flat will have structure. Some areas may have bulrush, lily pads, or boulders. They all are considered underwater structure. And Maine Largemouth Bass like to hang next to them. Maybe is makes them feel safe. The hunters can always become the hunted.

While fishing for Maine Largemouth Bass, remember that Maine law bans the use of live bait from April 1st to June 20t; only artificial lures are allowed during this time. There are more Largemouth Bass fishing techniques than I can go over in this article. So, I’m going to review a four Maine Largemouth bass fishing techniques that have worked for me; tubes, spinner baits, wacky worms and the Dawg.

I want to remind you that I’m not the definitive answer to bass fishing. I do not fish in tournaments, and I do not fish exclusively for bass. But I do catch and release my fair share of Maine Largemouth Bass, and I know of a few Maine Bass fishing techniques that have worked for my friends and me in the past.

In case you are not familiar withMaine Largemouth Bass, let’s first review what they look like and the difference between a Largemouth Bass and a Smallmouth Bass.

First, a Maine Largemouth Bass has a strong stripe on its lateral line; the line that runs along the center of the bass’s side. A Maine Smallie (Smallmouth Bass) does not have this marking. Also, the Largemouth’s smile extends beyond an imaginary vertical line that passes through its eye. Take a look at the links above; the differences are pretty easy to figure out.

Now, let’s take a look at Tube Fishing, Spinner Bait Fishing, The Wacky Worm and Walking the Dawg.

Tube Fishing for Maine Largemouths : Tube fishing is most productive when fish are off the bite and sluggish. This might be right after a cold front moves in or while the water is in the lower sixties or below. My most productive tube is made by Canyon Plastic and it comes pre-rigged with a plastic weed guard and a 1/8 oz weight. Canyon Plastics is the company that was originated by Gary Garland and his brother. They invented tube fishing. But that is not why I like it, I like it because it works. Make sure you slide the weed gaurd forward letting it dangle for better hook sets. I fish it in the color of electric blue until mid June if water is clear, and then move on to black with a chartreuse tail. I don’t use these colors exclusively, they are my starting colors. I then work my way to Pumpkin, Purple, Chartreuse, and Motor Oil. You won’t find this pre-rigged version on the Canyon Plastics web site but give them a call; you can order directly from them if you wish. If you don’t have time for that, stop in to the Kittery Trading Post. They usually have the first two colors in stock.

I catch most of my Maine Largemouth Bass with this tube by casting into two to five feet of water. Try a cast abutting a weed bed, then watch the line as the lure descends. If you see anything irregular in your line path, set the hook. If you don’t hook up, the instant the lure hits bottom start your retrieve, stay in contact with the tube by using a slow steady retrieve. Bump it along the bottom with intermittent quick hops; do this by varying the lift of your rod tip while retrieving. Try to imagine what the lure is running into. If you feel a tap, set the hook. It takes a little practice, but this technique can be very productive when the water is cold or the fishing is slow. The lure action should look something like this.

I also flip the tube into 3 inches of water and begin the retrieve from there. If you are new to this type of fishing and not familiar with your rod’s sensitivity, I recommend you start with this technique in 3 inches of clear water. Get a feel for what the rod is telling you. You want the tube to rise slightly (6” - 18”) off the bottom then bump its way along. Vary the height of its jumps off the bottom as you retrieve the lure. Try different speeds while retrieving, and try to get a feeling for the tube. Pretty soon you will know what the tube is doing without seeing it.

Once you become familiar with tubes, try rigging them with different hooks, weights and patterns. The trick is to rig the tube to descend in a swirling pattern. Many people fish tubes hollow with no weight inside of them. It is not my preferred method, but many people have good luck this way. They believe the bubbles leaving the tube make a big difference in the presentation. I haven’t found this to be the case here in Maine.

Spinner Bait Fishing for Maine Largemouths: When it comes to spinner baits, you either have it or you don’t. It is all in the retrieve. Spinner baits are best fished at a constant rate of speed intermingled with changes of direction and short pauses. I hate to use the word pause because it denotes a pause in action or speed. With a spinner bait neither is true.

When you pause a spinner-bait, the action doesn’t stop. The spinner bait will fall on a pause; the action is really changing not pausing. And if you pause it for a fraction of a second, the pause is hardly noticeable. If you pause it momentarily, the spinner bait falls to the bottom in a helicopter fashion. For Maine Bass Fishing, the spinner bait and the pause go together.

The Bait Fish Pause: This pause will mimic the pause a school of bait fish makes just before changing direction. And that is not a very long pause when bait fish are being pursued by a Largemouth Bass. Try retrieving the spinner bait straight towards you, pause and quickly move your rod tip to the left. Then quickly begin retrieving, pause, retrieve, pause, retrieve, change direction. Mix it up a little! Run it across the top of a weed bed somthing like this.

You have to develop a style of your own. You also have to develop a quick hook set and there is no better a place than to do this than on the water.

I like using a large single Colorado Blade when using this technique. Your rod should be sensitive enough to feel the vibration of the blade. If the vibration stops during a retrieve, set the hook. As with the tube, it is important to stay in contact with the spinner bait by feeling its vibration.

Largemouth Bass will generally attack your spinner bait on the fall, the pause, but it won’t be in its mouth for long. Quick hook sets are essential when it comes to spinner-bait fishing. Largemouth Bass have sensitive mouths and use them to determine what type of bait they have encountered. Once the bass feels the metal, you have to set your hook quickly. Keep your pauses short and stay in contact with your lure. A half second pause is the max and a quarter second pause is more of the norm for this type of retrieve.

The Skipping PauseAnother spinner bait presentation I have found affective during the summer months is the skip. Not many people used it, and I stumbled upon it while trying to skip over a dense weed bed. This presentation works best with a set of willow leaf blades. I like the drag they create and the amount of splash they provide. Cast your spinner bait to the opposite side of a weed bed. With a quick retrieve skip it across the top of the water; keep your rod tip high. Pause the spinner bait slightly when a clearing becomes available and then quickly continue the skip. This method can be affective once the sun moves higher in the sky and bass are hiding in the weeds.

Spring is just twenty days away. You wouldn't know it by looking outside, but it is! This is the time of year when I start going through my gear. I throw out old lures, tie flies and generally twiddle my thumbs thinking about the soft water to come.

Want to shake those winter blues off? A few of us Fish Heads will be hanging out at the Portand Boat Show at the Maine Sports Complex. Stop by the Hamlin's Marine booth and knock Heads with us. We'll be sharing fishing stories, ribbing each other about last year's smallest fish and exchanging a few tales. Feel up to it?

We'll be hanging out at the Hamlin's Booth ready to listen to your stories and decide if they are truth or tale. Test us out! The best stories we hear will be published on this blog. Hey...give it a shot. Weave the best tale or embellish the best true story and test our sense. Our sense of humor that is. It beats shoveling this stuff!

And remember....nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught!