Christmas Reef

[sfurman]

Well the Christmas tree reef I built in the lake near my house is paying off big time. I finally went out yesterday and fished it and the results were excellent. I put the first trees out 2 years ago I think and the lake level dropped due to no rain. I had cut them down to about 5 feet tall but there is a guy on the lake that tows his kids around on a tube and he has an I/O that draws 2’ of water at least so he mowed them down. They were standing upright and he knocked them all over. But that is okay they still work. Last year I added another one and it is still upright since the lake level has recovered some. I have a new tree to add to the reef this year too.

When I first started fishing the reef I trolled out with the trolling motor and just passed over it and BAM. Fish on. I got the fish to the boat and he gets off right at the boat. I troll back over the reef and BAM fish on. I get him up to the boat and he gets off, typical fishing for me. I decided to go back and get the net and I had forgotten my anchor too. I go back and anchor up and make numerous casts at the reef and nothing. I decide to pull my anchor and the crappy rope breaks, there goes my anchor. Fish 2, Steve nothing minus an anchor. So, I decide to do what worked the first time and go back to trolling after several passes I am thinking I am now not going to catch anything. I re-evaluate the situation and decide that I was trolling faster than I had originally been trolling and set the trolling motor to the slowest speed. I started catching fish and on just about every other pass over the reef I caught a fish. I left them biting.

[Uncle Tommy]

Nice catch, Steve.

I've been shoving Christmas trees under my dock for a dozen years. Neighbors think I'm nuts - except those who fish.

Hey, how about a couple pics of the boat?

[sfurman]

That’s my home made canoe.

I added rod holders, I have more things I want to do, just need time.

[Uncle Tommy]

You got some serious self-reliance going on there, brother.

I love it!

[sfurman]

Thanks, I like to cut wood.

[Rik]

Have you figured out yet how to cut it longer? I'd pay for that skill!

[sfurman]

Measure twice cut once. Remember that.
Although sometimes I forget too, but there is always a use for scraps.

That is why they make glue.

[sfurman]

This is pretty cool.
http://www.wimp.com/safestsaw/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[AndrewP]

Steve: Liked the fish and the reef idea; loved the woodie boat (I've built a few and I'm building a skiff now). Nothing like tearing up some wood and making a hull .....

Loved the link. Hope we see more of that technology ............

[Rik]

This is pretty cool.
http://www.wimp.com/safestsaw/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I've seen that before and it is pretty amazing. Question - if the guy trusts it so much, why'd he use a hot dog?

[sfurman]

Good point Rik but it still cuts you even if it is just a little. Besides it is electric and how much faith can you put in electronics?

Well I tried again this weekend and had to work a lot harder for the same basic results except that the fish I caught this time were all small with the biggest one a 13", last weekend they were all 13" or bigger except for 3. The main difference is that last weekend it was overcast and trying to rain, this weekend it was a bluebird sky. I think the bright sun must have put the fish down. But still caught some and they were good. I also planted another tree on the reef.

[bigguy]

This is pretty cool.
http://www.wimp.com/safestsaw/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good tech, i saw a video of the guy using his own finger somewhere.

http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/11 ... lar-finger" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here is something funny/sad/sick that has to do with that saw.

Nice fish, Beautiful boat.