Turkey Shed Fishing

The trifecta would have only be more complete had we put a bird on the ground. Or seen one. Or heard one within a half mile range...

Nick and I got up early to do some first light river ratting. We loaded the boat up and as soon as it was light enough to not die on our boat ride upstream, we headed for a strut zone/ hopeful roost area. We set our dekes out and watched the woods stretch its weary morning arms. Tons of birds, deer, overall wildlife. None of them however, happened to be turkeys. We got a few responses from birds across the river well over a 1/2 mile away. That was not happening. There was still some residual snow on the ground at our spot.

We knew this was futile but it was nice to get out and at least hear a few birds. We climbed the top of the ridge only to find a tent blind already set up there. Bust. We headed back down to make our way back to the boat. I told Nick we saw nothing because I wasn't wearing my lucky hat:

Sorry Dad! I found it in my supply box, and I figured why not take you out with us. I will return it eventually. A quick swap and through the willows we go. Nick had no more than split off from me and I looked down.
 Deadfall buck from probably a couple of years ago.

 Buried in the mud.

 Nick and I with some bone!!!

At this point we had heard birds, tried our luck at sheds and managed bone in very short time, now on to some cold-water fishing. The snow and weather really cooled things down, but we were hoping that rising water would trump cold. We boated to our sacred spot.

Nick thought a few more bone pics were necessary as well:

We slowly and quietly bumped into our shallow water haven. The water was cold and we were cautiously optimistic anyway. It didn't take long for Nick to find an "Iowa golden bass"

Nick told me he has spent enough time on the river that it was my turn for the honey hole so we switched spots in the boat. Thanks Nick!

Nick figured out the slack pool and was pulling in carp left and right.

Nick having his inner Adam tell him he needed to move, paddled us across the slack pool to try the other side. This lasted all of 9 minutes. The wind was now at our face, and the fish were not there. I told Nick this was absurd to which he responded "why did you let us move in the first place?"......
We moved back to our original spot, only tweaking a little. We put ourselves in a a more open spot. I wanted to slack water carp hole, and Nick wanted the catfish swirling eddy. It was a win win. We proceeded to catch more carp.

We couldn't have planned it better.
Lisa gave us a call at about noon telling us her brother Curt was in town so it was time to call it a day. What a morning!
At the boat ramp I couldn't help but take a picture of Nick doing what he always does...

Stay Tuned