[FFF 2015 - Post ALL Carp Entries/Captures Here!]

Well done to all!

[Setting the Standard]

Kind words guys. We try to keep things in perspective.

[Setting the Standard]

Setting the Standard

I have shared in previous posts that one of my goals for 2015 is to rebuild and revive the adventures, camaraderie and friendships that many of us shared for years at the “Hooch” (Chattahoochee River) Boat Ramp. This particular ramp is located just inside Fulton County on Campbellton Road and directly under our beloved Sycamore Trees.

As I look back I can remember the silly contests that we once had such as “The Hawg of the Log”. And who could possibly forget the year that Tim “Cool Dad” Gill was crowned the “Sultan of the Sycamores!” Yes, my friends. Those were the days.

After some thought I believe it is time once again to gather and share bank talk. It is time once again to pursue Proper Pull Downs and to start afresh with a brand new contest under the Sycamores for 2015! But before we begin a standard must be set.

Regardless of the level of competition, contests often bring out a different side of some folks. For instance, I might say that I caught a Carp under the Sycamores that was a foot long……

My friend might enter his fish saying the very same thing but without a standard anything can happen…….

In order for it to be a true foot, the standard has to be defined.

We have standards for almost everything we do. We have standardized tests for measuring progress. We measure time, weight and distance based on predetermined standards. I even have a standard that I follow that shows me how to run the race and how to stay on course.

With that being said and without further adieu, I would like to unveil our contest for the New Year with a simple list of rules or standards that we will follow. May I present to you the…..(drum roll please)………

Our contest will begin in January and will end at midnight November 30, 2015. There will be only one angler to receive this year’s coveted Ruler of the Ramp award. He/she will be the person who has caught the largest Carp at the Hooch Boat Ramp while fishing under the following conditions:

Fish must be caught in the presence of the Ol Captain.

Fish must be weighed by the Ol Captain using the same scales and same weigh sling for every fish entered. (Your foot may be bigger that my foot).

The Ol Captain will photograph and document each entry and report each change to the thousands (dare I say millions) of readers who will be sitting on the edge of their PC.

I will give a day or so notice on FB, the GON Freshwater Fishing Forum and the CAG (Carp Anglers Group) forum letting the world know when they can come to see us. Once again, if it is crowded please refrain from using more than one pole. Also, if you take this too seriously then you are missing the total point of it all and counselors will be available on site. If there is a decision to be made the judge’s decision is final and I am the judge.

Historically the fish caught at the Hooch Boat Ramp are relatively small compared to many venues but the competition will be consistent in that everyone will be fishing from equal ground (so to speak). For those of you who like to up the odds a bit I understand that there will be some serious bookmaking done in Vegas, Atlantic City and even a small establishment located right outside Chimney Rock, NC once this news goes viral.

I am really looking forward to making new friends and writing tales about our adventures under the Sycamores this year. I have also spoken to my assistant who has agreed to give every fish caught his patented seal of approval!!!

Come see us in 2015! At the Hooch Boat Ramp!!

[Pondering post Christmas Pull-Downs!]

Three years ago on 12/22/11 Bigbird and I had a most unusual day at Overlook Park http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=664053&highlight=

With high temps in the upper 50's and very little wind predicted for tomorrow the Crew and I are returning to Overlook.While many of you will be returning to the mall we will be in hot pursuit of a post Christmas Proper Pull Down! Because of the Christmas weekend I think the driving traffic as well as the foot traffic in the park may be less than normal which will also be good. Max and I will be leaving here around 9:00 AM so we should be set up by 10:30 or so. If you find yourself near Roswell rd in Sandy Springs tomorrow come see us!

[A Real Beauty]

A Beauty for sure! Merry Christmas to you!

[My first Carp]

Well done!

[A Holiday on the Hooch!]

Looks like it don't take you long to gather a crew. It's good to have some friends to share the bank with when the fish aren't bothering you.

Hooray for the " Hooch'

I may not be the best angler on the bank but I can "gather a crew" with the best of them

[A Holiday on the Hooch!]

Captain, you always have interesting stories and outstanding photos to complement the stories. I plan on taking some $$$ from my wife's allowance next spring and renewing my GA license to fish with the Crew and needmotime2fish and his friends. I always look forward to those times on the bank. I also like the times in the bank when I'm putting $$ in it!

Oddly enough, we were talking licenses yesterday as well. Most of us will have a Ga, Fla, Al, and possibly a Tenn for 2015

[A Holiday on the Hooch!]

History was made today as the Ol Captain and the Crew returned to the Hooch for the Holidays. It has been quite a while since we gathered under the Sycamores and it was great to be home once again! While others had Sugar Plums dancing in their heads the Ol Captain and the Ultimate Carp Hound (Maximus Relaximus) had other visions of delight swimming circles in their cerebellum.

After receiving conformation that others would show, Max and I ran an errand or two and then made our way to the Sycamores. We pulled up and began to unload shortly before 11:00 AM. Just seeing the large leaves along the pathway again and reflecting on the Ghosts of Sycamores past, I knew the decision to return to our roots on the Hooch was a good move.

I believe that the Hooch will be our Go-to venue through February and probably into early March. Fishing is slowest during these months and the Sycamores provide a good centrally located place to gather when and if the weather permits. We appreciate the “Journey” more than most and it is nice to have a place to go and get out of the house and share some “Bank Talk” when conditions are right.

Joining me today were Jim “Hatman” Hatter, Bobby “Carp Chaser” Cochran and James “Daddy” Holley. While James wasn’t able to fish today, he did come by to say hello to us and pay his respects to “The Hound.”

Not long after arriving the Ol Captain had his baitrunner out and Bobby & Jim had their “Poly Pods” pointed in the direction of the Dick Lane bridge.

We fished from around 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM with no runs, no hits and no errors. Oddly enough to some, those five hours seemed like five minutes to this group of Carpio seekers.

Carpin with the Captain is kinda like Christmas. It’s not always about the presents or fish caught. More times than not, the joy comes in time spent with those folks that are dear to your heart. When you get an afternoon when you can sit with your face in the sun during December with good friends, you need to take advantage of the opportunity.

It was a great afternoon and it was great to be back home for the holidays. Stick with us folks because there are lots of fish to be caught ‘neath the Sycamores. We have some ideas brewing to add to the interest and we will be more than happy to meet and great you there on the muddy banks of the Chattahoochee River. All you have to do is…..come see us!

[Returning to the Sycamores!]

If I can persuade “you know who” to get out of his fancy new “you know what” long enough to get back in business we just might try once again to catch the ever elusive Christmas Carp.

As I shared earlier we are hitting the Hooch again in the upcoming season but with low wind and temps in the upper 50’s predicted for tomorrow I need to get bank on the bank for a while.

As a reminder our spot is along the Chattahoochee River adjacent to the Metro Softball Complex on Campbellton Rd in Atlanta. Coming from Fulton Industrial it is right past Manheim Georgia Auto Auction on your right before to get to the bridge. Coming from Douglasville you will pass the no longer in business Log Cabin Restaurant, cross the Dick Lane Bridge and take an immediate left. Once you turn in you will follow the road and look to your left for a white Dodge Ram truck. Park there, descend the Pathway to Proper Pull Downs and there you will find a tall happy man with a short, very content, Carp Hound.

If I can get some takers we will meet around 11:00 AM and fish until we get bored or the sun goes down in our face. I will not fish this spot alone so call before you come to be sure that we are there. The Ol Captain’s Carp Hotline is 404-405-3523. Come see us tomorrow under the Sycamores!!

[The Silence of the Sycamores]

The Silence of the Sycamores

As we approach the New Year my mind drifts back to a special place and time. To some it might be just a muddy old nasty boat ramp just south of Atlanta along the Chattahoochee River. But to those of us who experienced it during those days it was a very unique and wonder filled setting. Many of you have played softball in the complex right next to the river there and some of us have worked at the auto auction for many years just above the softball fields. Those of you who have been around awhile have eaten many a meal at the Log Cabin Restaurant which is on the right as you begin your approach to the Dick Lane Bridge. The “Cabin” closed its doors a good while back but by my pallet still longs for some Pork Chops and fried Cauliflower almost every time I roll by. Many of you have never eaten your Cauliflower fried but here in the South, if we can get batter to stick to it, we will fry it.

Over a decade ago men would meet on Thursdays for lunch at the Log Cabin and then proceed to a little sandy knoll under the Sycamore trees by the boat ramp. It was there that many friendships were made and the “Crew” began to form.

There wasn’t room for many to fish there but that was never a problem. No matter how many showed up or what color or country they hailed from there was always room for one more. There were fish caught. There were stories about Monkeys, Midgets and a Carnival man told and at the same time, a small rescued Dog Pound pup named Max slipped onto everyone’s lap and into everyone’s heart.

Guitars were brought on occasion and played and when the wind was right you could almost hear Richard Harris singing “Camelot” through the plate sized leaves of the Sycamores.

Year in and year out we saw the Sycamore leaves come and go. We saw the Swallows building their mud nests under the bridge in the springtime and saw them go dormant again as winter arrived. We saw geese raise their offspring and bring them down the ramp to test drive their new found paddling feet. Later in the afternoon we witnessed Mom parading her young back up the ramp for the evening to come. We began to refer to our spot as the “Hooch” (short for Chattahoochee) or just the Sycamores. There are 4-5 large Sycamores there and they provided wonderful shade in the summer and it was a very special place for a very special time in our lives.

But (change of direction) something happened and over time the Sycamores became silent. Some of us got an itch to travel a bit and began fishing other places perhaps chasing larger fish. We still had a blast but in dong so it seemed at times that we had forgotten about our roots. Some say we left the Sycamores because of the litter. Many times we had to pick up several bags of trash just so we could be half way comfortable sitting there. Others cite the fact that the entrance to the parking lot had changed and the area was even more isolated than before. Being in this area of Atlanta it isn’t wise to be “isolated.” Others claim that it was just so hard to net fish off the muddy bank that many times is 7-8 feet off the water.

I returned to the old boat ramp the other day and took the following pictures. The area was clean, the changes in the river had made almost a terraced effect which will make it much easier to net and the memories made there over the last 10-12 years almost overwhelmed me.

As I said earlier as we approach the New Year to come my mind drifts back to this special place in time. It was a place where people could drive up and drop by even for just a little while. It was a place where a boy could become a man and a man could be a boy again (if only for an afternoon.) It was a place to gather and make friendships that would in some cases, last a lifetime.

As the New Year approaches I plan to return to the Sycamores. I’ll be retiring again in a few weeks and my calendar will reveal “Six Saturdays and a Sunday” so I should have ample time to fit an afternoon at the Hooch in from time to time. I want to extend an open invitation to you to join me there if you are interested. You may not hear Richard Harris singing in the wind but you will see an Ol Captain, a precious Hound and an extra chair there waiting patiently for you to come see us under the Sycamores.

[When Opportunity Knocks]

Thanks to all for the reading & comments!

[When Opportunity Knocks]

I retired five years ago this past October. I have never been without something to do. I have a friend who retired from Maytag (now Whirlpool) four years ago. With all his fishing, kids, grandkids, great-grand kids, church, website design and management, he told me couldn't figure out when he had time to work! The worst thing is to retire and do nothing- you are, in reality, dead and all that is left is to bury you.

If you get bored, send me a PM and we'll wet a line while spoiling Max (if he can be spoiled any more).

Will do!

[When Opportunity Knocks]

cool story captain. Hey I meant to ask you. whatever happened to the original swim you guys used to fish? The hooch?

We got tired of cleaning up everyone else's trash

[When Opportunity Knocks]

Thanks for the story capt.

Not only do we see great pics but also the importance of friendship, enjoying life and Wisdom which i enjoy most.

Kind words. Thanks so much!

[When Opportunity Knocks]

Cool Dad looks like he is standing on one leg in this pic.Sorta reminds me of a duck from a few sessions past.Sorry but I coulden't help myself! LOL

You got him pegged. He's a duck alright

[When Opportunity Knocks]

The way I see it is when opportunity knocks you have two choices. You can rise and meet it at the door or you can sit on your laurels until the opportunity gets tired of knocking and goes away. Next week I will celebrate my 62nd birthday. That is a landmark in the good ol U.S of A because under certain circumstances when you turn 62 you are eligible for Social Security. That, my friends, is an opportunity. Sure I could wait and get more. I could “run the numbers” and when I am 106 years old I could retire with a bit more income but that isn’t the door I am choosing. Mary Poppins once said that “enough is as good as a feast” and I agree with her 100%. I have worked a PT job now for 12 years after teaching school for 29. I have friends who have “6 Saturdays and a Sunday” each week and I’m ready to join their rank and file.

Those of you who know that you must teach school in Georgia for 30 years before retiring may be asking…”Why did you teach 29 and quit”? Well folks, when I was 50 an opportunity knocked. The Teacher Retirement System told me that I had 29 actual years and that because of my attendance I had earned enough sick days to cover several months OVER the required 30 years for retirement. Opportunity knocked and at 50 I skipped out the front door of the school house before the TRS changed their mind.

I hope it is evident that I have a several passions. I have a passion for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I have a passion for my family. I have a passion for photography and I have a passion for fishing and writing tales about all of the above. In the almost twelve years since my teacher retirement I have fished almost 500 times and I have probably written at least 300 fish tales and taken several thousand photographs. I have been privileged to chase Carp in Texas, Kansas, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, New York, Alabama, Georgia and Florida and in doing so I have met some very wonderful people. I acquired a certain four legged friend from the Pound six years ago and a fine classic canoe two years ago and since then we have raised the bar of adventure, tail wagging, and tale spinning to a whole new level.

We have had the joy of meeting many fine people from our country as well as hosted quite a few from abroad. If I had stayed in education I may have made more money and had a larger retirement but when I look back and see what I would have missed I wouldn’t change a thing!

I plan on working through January before beginning the next phase of my life. Some say I’ll get bored and won’t know what to do with the extra time. If that happens I’ll pick up another PT gig or do some volunteer work of some kind. But I have a feeling that I will adjust fairly well.

When people first hear about the Ol Captain and the Crew they probably think that these guys are professionals! What they don’t realize is that we do indeed like to catch one on occasion but that isn’t required for us to have an enjoyable outing. For instance, Maximus Relaximus and I could have stayed home today but we would have missed breakfast with Tim “Cool Dad” Gill at Audry’s in Dallas, Ga!

Not only did we seize the opportunity for some scrambled eggs and grits but we also made a trip back to Rome today to spend some time on the Coosa River. I could have been at work somewhere today but in so doing I would have missed seeing sites such as Collard Valley Road! Folks, you know you are not in Kansas anymore when you live on Collard Valley Road.

Opportunity knocked today and Cool Dad and the Hound scouted around a bit and finally decided to fish VERY near a rain drain directly across from the Coosa Country Club!

I just know in my heart that there were guys over there drinking whiskey and playing gin (or vice versa) just looking out the window wishing they were fishing with us!

Now we didn’t catch a blame thing today but we made a knew friend or two, took some out of the ordinary phone calls, had a great cup of coffee on the way home and arrived safely in the process.

There is so much more to life than making big money or even catching big fish. You don’t understand this when your young and some never even get it when they get old. If you would like to receive advice on how to embrace these concepts I’d like to recommend for starters a fine breakfast at Audry’s followed by a drive down Collard Valley Road.

Remember when opportunity knocks you have two choices. You can rise and meet it at the door or you can sit on your laurels until the opportunity gets tired of knocking and goes away. It is all up to you.

Come see us for more info on living the good life! You may not catch a thing but you’ll be certain to go home wearing a smile!

[Buffalo Hole 12/1/14]

Knowing that the weather was going to be 70 degrees in Rome today Maximus Relaximus left the truck loaded from our Saturday trip two days ago. With weather like this a fella and his dog cant just sit around wondering what they are going to do. We just do it!

We contacted our good buddy Tim Cool Dad Gill and we headed back to the Buffalo Hole on the Oostanaula River in downtown Rome, Ga. Although we didnt strike Gold today Tim caught a nice Buff and the Ol Captain brought in Mr. Whiskers.

We hope you enjoy the photos from todays journey!

Note: Post should have been dated 12/1/14 (Come see us)

[Where the buffalo roam]

Thanks guys!

[Where the buffalo roam]

Many of my colleagues and friends were concerned about whether the Tide would rise or fall yesterday but I had other nautical thoughts dancing in my head. While others were living vicariously through yellow jackets, dogs and war eagles I had the Oostanaula River on my mind. Some like being between the hedges on game day but if given a choice, I for one, prefer to be between two muddy riverbanks. I have nothing against team sports and heated competition but I guess I feel more at home where the buffalo roam.

Those of you who are strangers to bumping the bottom may not even know that such a fish as the Smallmouth buffalo even exists. They not only exist but they seem to flourish in the Coosa River system and nearby parts of the Etowah and Oostanaula in downtown Rome, Ga.

Smallmouth buffalo - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smallmouth_buffalo

Although we don’t necessarily target “Buffs” we do pick some up from time to time at this venue.

I can’t really explain the draw that continues to bring me back to my beloved canoe. There is just a feeling that I get once settled in my seat. The first pull of paddle to water takes years off my age and causes my imagination to just run wild. For just a short time each trip I can pretend and let my mind spin free and clear. Like a child I can pretend to be a Native American one minute or Meriwether Lewis the next. There is also something very special about having my Hound in the box and a special guest in the bow.

My guest yesterday was none other than Cartersville’s own Dawson Mion. Dawson is known far and wide for his aluminum fabrication skills. In fact, Dawson and the Picasso of Proper Pull Downs (Billy Walden who painted the Carp Shark) are the two men responsible for the resurrection of my fine antique Carpin’ vessel.

Our plan was clear and solid. We met at the Heritage Park at 9AM. We paddled up the Coosa for a bit and then turned north and up the Oostanaula. We soon settled in our normal honey hole right before the pedestrian bridge.

As we were rigging up we noticed that there were at least two others who were also tying the knot in our area…

I never know what to expect here but in 8-10 trips or more I have only blanked here one time. But it is almost December so you just never know. While our main goal was just to spend some time chatting and catching up I knew that neither Dawson nor this Ol Captain would be disappointed with a fish. As it turned out, neither of us went home with the smell of skunk on our hands.

It was a great day and it was time well spent with a fine young man. Dawson is unusually gifted and loves the simple things in life like most outdoorsmen twice his age. I was privileged to have him on board.

In closing I would like for you to know that regardless of where you hang your hat on game day we always appreciate your taking the time to read our tales.

And if you ever have a hankerin’ to join the Ol Captain and the Ultimate carp Hound on a trip simply drop us a line or just………… Come see us!

[Happy Birthday to "Cool Dad" Gill!]

Today is certainly a day for giving thanks. I am a blessed man and I am thankful today for many things. I am thankful for my faith. I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for my fishing and I am also thankful for my friends.

Today is not only Thanksgiving Day but it is also Tim "Cool Dad" Gill's 67th Birthday! We have been Carpin' together now for at least 8 years almost non stop and I can tell you this morning, no one could have a better friend.

We have made many videos through the years but these three featuring Tim are my all time favorites. Please take the time to view each of the 3 videos.

Once you view them you will see why Tim's sons once said that he is a real cool Dad.

In honor of the Father of Cool Ive reached back into the WKORN Archives this morning to give you just a taste of why my friend is so special to me.

He can sing & he can play!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZadrcNu4Mc?version=3

He can also catch a fish or two from time to time!! (2 videos)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqADQPX1j8s?version=3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-l7C60c0QU?version=3

Tim: The Journey Continues!

[The Cycle of Life]

The Cycle of Life

We lost a good friend in the early evening hours last night here at the Ol Captain’s Quarters. Her name was Kenmore and somewhere in the middle of washing some dark socks and extra long blue jeans she decided to give up the ghost.

I was immediately grieved. Things have been crazy around here as of late and I had promised the Ultimate Carp Hound that he and I would get out today and go Carpin’. I was really in a quandary and I had to make a decision. I could either stand around wringing my hands while getting agitated or I could go with my gut feeling and throw the dog & tackle in the truck!!

There was concern among some that I shouldn’t have left Ramona today with a tub full of wet carpenter’s pants but I explained to the enquirer that when we married over forty one years ago my precious bride taught me how to wash and keep up my own clothes. You might say that she said “You wash urine and I’ll wash mine.”With that thought in mind I knew the clothes would be right there in the tub when we pulled in tonight.

Certainly I could have had it repaired or replaced but if I had I would have missed scenes such as this today…..

When having to choose between clean jeans and a day in the sun with my four legged friend I just knew I was doing the right thing. Not only did we have some good bonding time today but I was also able to continue reading the Sam Clemens biography that I am so currently and completely absorbed in.

We didn’t catch a thing today. In fact we never even got a “pre-bump twitch” but we did spend some time enjoying God’s great outdoors…

Sometimes you just have to get out and rinse your mind of all responsibility. It’s good to get away for awhile. It will keep you happy and healthy. I have found in my almost 62 years on this ol earth that we don’t need to major on the minor things in life. That is why I didn’t let the passing of Kenmore get me down. I somehow knew that it would all eventually come out in the wash.

Folks, you don’t learn this stuff in a classroom. You have to live it to learn it. If you want to find out more about the wisdom of the ages then….

[CarpQuest: Revenge is a dish best served cold !]

I simply love your videos!! Thanks so much for sharing them!!

[Pics from today....]

No commentary tonight. Just a few photos of a wonderful day with da Captain, da Shark and da Hound

[Once Upon a Time.........]

Once upon a time there was a tall gentle man who although in his early sixties, was still a boy at heart. He constantly daydreamed and reminisced about the rivers, creeks, sunrises, and sunsets that he had been so blessed to experience throughout the years. Although he savored the memories he still wanted more. This particular man had a 17 ft long antique aluminum canoe as well as a little dog that he billed as being "half a dog tall and a dog and a half long". Like the man, the boat was long, lean and seasoned by the sun, wind and rain. It had dings and dints and was scratched in several places but was still very sea worthy. The man said the lumps and dents on both he and the canoe were signs of experience, wisdom and character. The man's little dog was his pride and joy. He'd had other dogs through the years for sure but this dog was a thief. This dog had stolen something that the man protected very much. This little dog had stolen the tall man's heart.

The tall man hated winter. Winter limited him. The short days and long nights often depressed him but he made the most of it because he knew that once April arrived, it would be springtime once again. One day in early November the man had a hankering (he liked that word) to load up the boat and the dog for a solo adventure. He knew the leaves, just like the canoe, would be sailing down the Oostanaula River today and although it wasn't going to be terribly warm, it wasn't going to be terribly cold either. To some it would be a bit nippy to embark on a Carp Shark cruise on a day like this but the tall man wanted some time alone to study, reflect and to thank God for recent life lessons learned. If possible, the man (as well as his little dog) also wasn't going to be too disappointed if they both had a close encounter of the Golden kind.

If you stay tuned on this same channel you will see the full pictorial coverage of today's trip featuring the tall man, the canoe and a wonderful Hound that (sometimes) responds when his master says......"Max"!

After reading these introductory comments and viewing the attached photo you might also be able to answer this question of the ages........... If a 6' 7" 62 year old man is as tall as a Georgia Pine could he also be considered a "Realtree"?

Stay tuned…..