When you are contemplating a career change, many things come to light. It may be your desire to fish more. Did that! It may be your desire to get control of your life. Working on that! It may be a readjustment that takes you down paths that you could have never imagined.

My process has encompassed all and more. While running a twenty-four hour service business, I realized that it takes more than good service to be successful. It takes good communication, good trouble shooting and good questions.

While fishing Sabattus Pond this year, on a particularly hot day, hot for fishing that it is, I ran into another fisherman that gave me a few insights into the management of fishing and the management of life. I’ll call him Jacque to protect the innocent.

Jacque and I had been fishing the far end of Sabattus when the clouds began barking at us. Jacque was in his boat and I in mine; we did not know each other. And, we were catching fish in record numbers, mostly Pike, but a few good Bass. The approaching storm made the bite particularly good. There had been no predictions of thunderstorms for that day, but the sky and clouds begged to differ with us. As we all headed for the dock, a small pile-up of boats lined up waiting to load.

When my turn came up, I pulled up and noticed Jacque waiting behind me. I grabbed his boat and tied him off on the end of the dock and was off to retrieve my truck and trailer so that I could load the boat. Life can be so competitive at times; it is one of the reasons I do not fish competitively. I find that between my work, and other obligations, my cup is full in this area.

As I approached the dock, Jacque insisted on giving me a hand loading. I’m fairly independent and wanted to do the job myself, I hate to impose on an other's time. But then I thought to myself, “What am I doing?” I am always ready to lend a helping hand when the need presents itself, but I rarely accept the offer when it is presented to me. I looked at Jacque, and said “Sure, just hold on to the boat and I’ll back up the trailer." Jacque helped me load it and I, in turn, helped him.

After the boats where on their respective trailers, we started up a conversation that ended up being very enlightening for me. Jacque had been self employed for most of his life and had worked through slow and busy times. When he worked, he worked hard; and, when his business slowed, he played hard. I found the concept interesting. My business had never presented itself with a slow time, so I had to make it happen.

Jacque looked at me and asked a question I had never considered before. I grew up in family business, and the business always came first. When I took it over, it was the same. Other friends would go to Florida, take mid-winter vacations and structure their time around various desires and expectations. I tended to my customer's needs, turning back from a night of leisure activities or a day of fishing/hunting to tend to their needs.

Jacque's question was an eye opener for me. “How much do you need to work?” Jacque asked me. I had never asked myself the question before and took everything that walked through the door for business. It is a very interesting question.

Several years ago, I hired an apprentice that had been living in his mother’s basement for most of his life. He was forty-two at the time. I believe he had asked himself the question before. He made time for himself and was comfortable with his lifestyle. So what does this have to do with fishing? It has a great deal to do with fishing. It’s called programming quality time into your schedule. My quality time includes the outdoors.

Many of my friends have good intentions when it comes to fishing. They intend to go; they really want to go; but I have a sneaking suspicion that they, like me, have never really asked the question that Jacque proposed.

If you are the type of person that has always put his job first, it may be time to ask yourself “How much do I need to work?” Be Frank with the answer, because Frank is a very pragmatic and objective person. If you can find the Frank in yourself, you may be surprised at what the answer is.

Be safe and make time to fish!

PS Many lakes and rivers in Maine are open to fishing with artificials until the end of November!

Ya Ya Ya…I know, I’m a fisherman not a sports writer. But, when Colleen Stone originally invited me to write this blog, I was told that I could write about anything involving my fishing experiences. It could be about the man that cut me off while waiting in line for bait; it could be about my driving experiences while traveling to my favorite spot; or it could be about what I’m listening to while On The Water. So be it! Lately, I’ve been Fishing With the Red Sox.

Believe and You Will Receive! I believe in the power of positive thinking for myself. While in line at a local convenience store this week, I happened to mentioned the previous night’s game against Toronto; “Ya…what a game" the cashier replied. I agreed replying “It kept me on the edge of my seat.” But the cashier didn’t feel the game was that great. The Red Sox had lost. I still thought it was a great game; I wanted the Red Sox to win; but they didn’t. There is always tomorrow night.

The Red Sox have been struggling lately. Some fans are upset. Why? I guess the game would be more interesting if the Red Sox won by ten or twenty runs every night. I don’t think so! Good games keep you on the edge of your seat and those games are usually close games. Some are wins and some are losses.

During the Red Sox 2004 pennant race, I professed to my brother-in-law that I was really a Yankee’s fan. I didn’t go as far as to wear the hat, but I ribbed him, and my God-Son Ryan, through-out the series. I have a sneaking suspicion that John still believes I am a Yankees fan. Truth is, I have to leave the room when the Red Sox start loosing. I can’t bear it. Sometimes I will switch the channel, but I have to go back. I can’t stand missing the game. You be the judge.

I think Frank has been doing a great job at managing the team. I’d like to see Ramirez in the game, but what about that kid Ellsbury. Would he have been given a chance if Ramirez was not injured? Remember Tom Brady? And now we have the Fab-Five. I say “suck it up and stop groaning.” If Red Sox are your team, believe in them. If they fail, there is always tomorrow. Last night’s game was a perfect example. It clinched a spot in the wild card.

We are all so typical. We want it all. “I want the division lead; I want to be world champs!” Which is more important? I miss Manny but Ellsbury has fast feet. Let’s go Youkilis! He can really wear a pitcher down and rally with the best. And, Moss and Hinske are getting their eyes on. What about good old JD? I’ve heard so much muck about him I can’t stand it. His eyes are getting better and his bat positioning is so accurate that he can get on base with a checked swing. JD is strong, wait and see.

So if you are looking to complain about something, start with your little pinky. Or maybe your hip has been giving you a little trouble. And if you really want strikes all day, read my fishing blog; I always have fish striking at something!

Be safe and have fun while Fishing With the Red Sox!

Whether you are fishing for Bass, Salmonids or Pan Fish, this week’s forecasted unstable weather pattern will be a boon for both salt and fresh water fishermen. I’ve had some of my best Striper, Bass and Salmon action on days just like today. So, if you can, embrace this weather and get on the water.

The fall transition pattern is running a little late, but fresh water Bass should be entering their fall feeding frenzy in the coming weeks. As the temperatures cool, Landlocks should become more active finding top areas more attractive. I’m planning a late September trip to Rangeley just to say good bye. Rangeley Lake closes on September 30th and is not open to ice fishing. Whatever species you decide to target, this can be a good week in all areas if it does’t rain too hard.

Another overlooked area on weeks like this is Maine's abundant brook fishing opportunities. Ask around and look for spring brooks that run through predominantly forested areas. The forest’s natural cooling ability helps keep stream temperature low enough to maintain good Brook Trout fisheries. Also, check The Maine IFW Stocking List. It is last year's list but usually stays the same from year to year. This list will identify drainages that the department is investing its resources into and is a good indicator of its habitat.

Be safe and have fun fishing!

I was fishing Ossipee Lake, in Waterboro, yesterday. The boat activity was intense. I was there to try out some Crappie fishing techniques that I had picked up on Lake Kissimmee. Last year, on Ossipee, I was fishing an area of the upper lake and ran into some real nice sized Crappie while fishing for Bass with a Senko. This year I wanted to try a few new techniques.

The boating activity was intense, which made my plunking technique at little difficult. I picked up quiet a few fish, but none of the size I was looking for. Than it came to me, I should be bass fishing right now.

Last year, while fishing a pond with intense boat and wave activity due to a wake board competition, I caught some really nice Bass holding in confined areas. The place was covered with wake boats which take on water to increase the amount water displaced for boarders. They make huge waves as the large wakes are thrown from the boats. As I fished the pond, I noticed that most of my usual spots were dormant. My rock pile was even slow! As I made a bend around a small cove I started hitting Bass left and right. They were hanging in an area adjacent to to the wave activity but sheltered from it. They were hanging right on the line of choppy to calm water.

So, yesterday I repositioned my boat to attack Bass waters that were right on the line of choppy to calm water and again, bang, bang, bang. I find that the Bass will move up to these water to hold in and take advantage of disoriented Bait Fish. I can only imagine that they are trying to hold in calmer water and disoriented feed becomes present as the activity progresses.

Some of my friends curse boat activity when it appears. I like it. First, the activity mask your presence. Secondly, fish will prey on feed that has become disoriented. Try a little prop activity or wave action on a good bed, it usually brings it to life. And if the lake is active look for those cuts that bring together choppy water and calm. Bass also attack when startled, so try to weave this into your technique. Try these tips and I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Be safe and have fun fishing.