Ohio FFF at the Great Miami River, in Hamilton Options

[chakram]

I'm rather tardy with this report, but various travel-related items needed attention before I could sit down and write. Apologies, Ohio crew!

Several Ohio CAG members gathered together on Dec. 31, 2009 to kick off the new year in fine First Fish Folly style. Special guest Bigbird from Georgia was also present, holding court and keeping the stories flowing. I tagged along with my father, Larry, to witness the fishing revelry and try to pull an FFF carp. The air temps dipped below freezing, with single digit windchills. I believe the water temps were in the low forties (someone correct me if I'm wrong on that one). Here is the gathering of crazy frozen carpers:

(Larry, Rob, Rachel, Bigbird, Rod, Vic, Phil, Rick, Vince)

Bigbird arrived on the morning of the 31st and started fishing right away. Word is, he pulled a couple of carp in the morning. Various other folks showed up at staggered intervals, but my father and I didn't get there until almost 7pm. It was already dark and the blue moon was on the rise. Our arrival was greeted enthusiastically, since we were the only ones who brought firewood. A fire was started in short order and chairs were immediately circled around. Vic had his feet so close to the flames I feared he would melt the rubber on his shoes. River Rick had a big bucket of hot chocolate, Rodman served up sloppy joes, with coleslaw and chips, and Dad brought out chili, with banana bread for dessert.


The venue was pretty friendly (with one important exception) for the fishing, with a wide paved surface allowing us to back right up to the shoreline and fish out of our vehicles. The exception was the layer of mud present on the last several feet to the water, the result of high water the previous week. It was very slippery and odds were laid as to who would be the first to slide into the water.


The stories and fellowship were in full swing, but the fishing was pretty slow. Occasionly a single beep would draw someone's attention, only to follow with silence. Finally Bigbird's alarm started to bleat steadily and he hooked up with an Ohio carp. After a brief fight, the fish was brought to the net.


Unfortunately, it wasn't midnight yet, so this fish didn't count for the FFF. But Bigbird seemed pretty excited anyway.


Not long after, another alarm wailed. This time it was Vince's hook that found a stray carp's mouth. Here brother Rob nets the fish. Note the giant mudslick they are standing in.


Another pre-midnight fish, but a big smile to go with it anyway. Any fish in the dark and chill seemed like a victory.


The minutes to midnight clicked away, and everyone pulled their rods in preparation for recasting at midnight. River Rick popped a bottle of champagne and poured the cheer into some disposable cups for a midnight toast. When the new year rolled over, we toasted the champagne, casted out the rods and then called loved ones to wish them a happy new year (one must have their priorities right). We then proceeded to sit around, telling more stories, feeding the fire and calling around to other crazies in the cold. The bite was slow (non-existent!) and it wasn't looking promising. We had a few visitors including Bigbird's wife, River Rick's daughter and her husband (who kindly took the group photo), and several members of Rod's family (who absconded with the remains of the sloppy joes ).

It wasn't until nearly 2am before an alarm sounded. Once again it came from the end pegs, Vince's rod. After some calling out and fumbling around, someone dashed over to pick it up. Vince was in the process of changing his socks (I think?) and couldn't get his boots on fast enough, so Rob kindly stepped in to help. Vince managed to get his boots on in time to net the fish. The net had to be pried from the ground to which it was frozen.


Rob had caught a fish prior to 6am on Jan. 1, in sub-50F waters. The only thing that would make it better? If that fish was a lovely little mirror.


The appropriate measurements were made, pictures were taken and the fish was promptly returned to the river.


Dad and I left not long after that, pleased that we at least got to see an FFF fish caught. I remembered wondering about how adeptly Rob and Vince seemed to handle the mud in their swim during that last catch, and realized when I pulled up my pod that the mud had frozen, making the footing much more managable.


After I left, River Rick managed to bank a small common for his FFF fish. I'll let him pick up the story from here. Please fill in anything I missed, Ohio crew!



(I had a great time this year, gents! It was nice meeting new friends, seeing old ones and dipping a line. The score now stands at Rachel 1 and Bigbird 1. I sense a grudge match is in the offing.)

[Brid]

Looks bloody cold - Brrrrrr. Nice story Rachel - thanks!!
Brid.

[Justin]

Nice job everyone!! Great writeup Rachel!!

[Vinsanity]

Awesome writeup!

Here is a picture of Rick's FFF carp

[anyonethere]

Great write-up and the pictures also told a story, it was too dark to see the ugly ones? well done lads & lassies, i am glad at times like this that I live too far away to attend
Keith

This post has been edited by anyonethere: Jan 4 2010, 05:57 AM

[pmk00001]

Great stuff, thanks Rachel!

[carpaddict82]

Great story!

[Rodman]

Rick brought me an autographed pic yest. lololol

thanks Rachel had a great time all.

[Ol Captain]

Rachel: You are the best!

[Jerome]

Love the pics with the big clock and the huge thermometer!

Thanks a lot for the write-up, Rachel, this really gave a great flavor of the friendly spirit out there. Always so nice to see that a CAG event can make people get new friends across states and share a new experience. Two new entrants for the FFF Hall of Fame will come from Ohio, impressive in such freezing weather. Oh, and this small mirror is way cool.

[Zoomie]

Great write up ! A few fish knocked down in spite of the horrific weather ! Hats off to all of the folks that had really nasty weather.

I can tell that the pic of Big Bird is in fact authentic by the pound of grits in his hair and smeared on clothing. Any imposter would miss this type of attention to detail !

This post has been edited by Zoomie: Jan 4 2010, 08:44 AM

[cool dad]

Fantastic Rachel. Most excellent job and a great write up. You are the bomb.

[possum]

Very nice story! Great to see you folks had a super good time!

[bigbird]

I HAD A GREAT TIME!!!
i caught an OHIO fish a few times and got to meet great people and got to hold court and even a "disscussion" with the local police. it was so cold that i had MANY layers of clothes on and around 5am the local cop (young kid) came down to the parking lot. now i am standing by the fire with my hands deep into my pockets. the cop asked me what i had under there (looking at me when he asked that) so i said......"the only thing under here is FAT!" he cracked a smile and said......"no ....what is under the fire?"

"the pavement! " i said

"who lit the fire? he said

i dont know but i am glad they did. I said

well put it out NOW!! he said

so river rick came and defused the situation and we packed up and left to the warmth of rodman's home. A GREAT PLACE!!
now some may ask where was rodman during this ordeal? he was laying motionless in the front of his van with a BIG spot light from the cops car shining on his face. he never moved. it was his only defense. LOL LOL

police seem to follow me where ever i go. i think there is a pattern here.

people i have said it before but i will say it again. everyone needs to fish with these OHIOIANS!!! awesome people!!

i will return and even if i have to kidnap my own GA CREW members they will be with me.

[hairwig]

Cool, literally lol. Great write up!