When things come together 8-12-08

[gottaflylee]

It is always a great time and when the phone rang a couple of weeks ago and a very familiar voice was on the other end. I had the feeling that this was going to be one of those trips. Our very own Capt_John was on the other end and was coming to town and wanted to go Red Drum fishing with me. We picked out the day when he could do it and said "weather" or not, were going. Now I have known John for at least 13 years but we have never been able to get together and fish, so this was going to be a come what may trip. I really wanted to tell you all that he was coming but at the sane time wanted to keep it a surprise so if our trip went well we would have something good to report. Now it really did not matter to me if we caught something or not, as for me its who you- I get to spend time with on the water more than what we put in the boat and when 2 old friends get together its always a good time.
Called John about 5 AM for his wake up call and went to get him. Off to breakfast we went so that John could get something other than "Island" food, you know, good old fashion southern cooking, country ham and that sort of thing. After breakfast, its down the road and off to the boat ramp, there are Drum that need harassing...
Arriving to the boat ramp we find the wind out of the NE about 10 KTS, not my favorite but still doable so we load the boat with fly and spinning rods and off we go. We pull into the first spot and I hop on my perch to pole, water is a little dirty but its the wind that makes it hard to see the fish. John is on the front with the fly rod but finding them was tuff. I staked us out so we could fan cast an area and look to see if we could find some nervous water from then. Finely I notice a fish or 2 waking right on the shore line. We fire our lines in that direction, John with a soft plastic and me with a top water. John hits the fish on the top of its head and off it goes with both of us laughing at the fish streaking off. We let things settle for a few and cast to other areas with no love. I fire the Top Dog back on the edge again and move it about a foot when a Drum explodes on it but does not find the hook. I fire it back in and this time it finds the mark and shortly the little black and white furry think fly's out of the boat for the swim back to land and this nice little male comes drumming to the boat...



We work that area for a little while longer with no love so we fire up the engine and off we go to try another spot. John knows the area we are fishing in and asks me if I had ever fished the bay on the east side and I said no. We pull up to the mouth of the bay and start to ease in and nice shrimp started jumping all around the boat so I figure dinner must be caught so out comes the cast net. I make a throw and John makes a throw and dinner is in the boat and were back to the hunt. As I pole the boat to the lea side of the bay, we spook a couple of fish out and could not get any of them to eat. We work the rest of that bay but did not fine any that wanted to play so we were in the hunt once again.
I run the boat to the back of the next bay on plane so I could see if I spook any but only see some singles as we come off of plane. Hopping up on my perch to pole we work down the bank seeing a single waking fish here and there but not being able to get close enough to cast to them. Shortly I see a school with 20 or so fish winking in 8" of water at me and I get John zeroed in on them. Very slowly I move the boat into casting distance when out of no ware, down low, an Osprey swoops on top of the school and blows the school off the flat in 3 of 4 directions then precedes to land on a branch right where the school was. I think that John and I were as shocked as much as the Drum were and then we looked at each other and laughed out loud to what just happened...
As we worked toward to end of that bank I see small bunch in the corner fining and shallow enough that there backs were out of the water. We slowly ease the boat toward them and we keep hearing a kwossh sound of a nice Drum feeding but we can't see it. As we ease down to the corner, the fish move deeper and I lose sight of them but we still keep hearing that fish feeding. When we reach the corner we realize that the Drum is up this little creek about 20' wide and we can now see the splash of the Drum feeding on Shrimp. Being distracted by that fish I somehow miss the big school of drum on the other bank. I move the boat so John can cast to the Drum in the creek and the school blows out and on to the Oyster bar. Hum...bird in the hand... into the creek we go. The Drum comes cursing toward us and just before John throws, busts another Shrimp. He fires one in there but the Drum does not find it. I fire one over the top of him and on my 3rd twitch I hook up, but not on a Drum, just a nice 2 & 1/2 pound Flounder... As I hop down to land the Flounder the Drum comes cruising back on top and John makes a perfect cast 2' to the left of the Drum, nose high, he's got it I say and John sets the hook and its on, foot of water and 20' wide. I grab my video camera, turn it on and nothing comes into the view finder, turn it off and try it again and still nothing. Crap I got a big Drum going nuts in a foot of water with no where to go and I cant get the video camera to work. Out comes the still camera for a couple of pictures and soon I'm lifting a nice 36" Red Drum into the boat for John...





We let the Drum go back to do his thing, do a couple of hi 5's and work the boat out of the creek. I scan the water looking for the school we pushed on to the Oyster bar and direct John where to cast. Great shot but it spooks the school and they break up scattering about the area' We make some blind casts with out hooking up and I move the boat a little and see some movement. I get john to cast on one side and I cast on the other. I come tight and its on, soon, our last fish for the day comes to the boat...

The bad boy...



Only mother nature could make color like this...



We work down another bank but soon decide that its time to go find John some fast food and its off to J Michaels for a stake and cheese...a great end to a great morning. John, as always, it is great spending time with you...

[BTH284]

I felt like I was a greenhead fly on the boat with both of you. Pretty neat seeing the Osprey showing both of you how it was done before rod and reel came along. Excellent report Capt Lee, I am sure that Capt John was glad to be back in some home waters. Looks like a good time was had by all.

Thank you for sharing the adventure with us.

[BOTTOM DWELLER]

Nice report and catch Capt's Lee and John. Good job Lee showing Capt John some good ole' Cape Fear Drum fishing.
And thanks to Capt John for sharing his fishing world with us.

[merry marlin]

Another very fine report Capt Lee.
Can't get much better than sight casting at these fish in a beautiful Carolina marsh.
Thanks for sharing.
MM

[gradywhite273]

very pretty capt lee, outstanding work.

[shoefish]

Excellent read and report from two of SFC's finest. Thank you both for sharing your adventures with us all.

[brandon558]

I just love reading your reports Lee..very nice job and glad you and Capt. John had a great time.

The drum seem to be doin their thing for sure..found abunch of fish this morning didnt have the pole and trolling motors acting up which made it very difficult for us. Back at it in the a.m.

[Capt_John]

Lee, I had a blast man. Now it's my turn to return the favor for you. The bonefish are calling your name bud. Thanks for everything and hopefully I'll get up with you when I get back in Wilmington on Sun. before I fly back on Mon.

[HOLWACHAGOT]

Great write up as usual Lee. Your love for those drum comes through loud and clear. By the way, if I were a drum and saw you and Capt John coming, I'd swim up a shallow creek too. Thanks for brightening up a lot of jealous fishermens day with the report. Keep em coming.
Holwachagot

[clt_capt]

Nice day Lee and John.