Newsletter July 18, 2005

 

My glass is once again ‘filled’ with an abundance of optimism and positive thoughts after just returning from Minnesota attending my 47^th high school class reunion (2 days and nights of festivities!) in which I stayed at my brother’s wonderful lake home near Alexandria, Minnesota; a two day 4^th of July celebration at my son Chad’s home in Prior Lake, Minnesota together with my other son Ryan, their wives and 4 grandchildren (during which I helped my 6 year old granddaughter win the large fish category in a fishing contest!); the baptism of my newest granddaughter and subsequent reception; and most importantly, 6 days of fishing in Canada catching numerous Smallmouth Bass (all males, larger females were still on beds) averaging 2 – 3 1/2 pounds, Northern Pike, and exceptionally large Walleye Pike (mostly 5 to 8 plus pounds!).  My boys secured enough groceries in the event we stayed for a year, and a stop at the duty free store on the border for bargain beverages assured me of a good time, which we had in spades!

 

It was also a time for much nostalgia seeing old classmates and spending an afternoon strolling through the cemetery with an ongoing movie playing in my mind of the many faces and memories of the names now on tombstones.  The old cliché how time flies is so very true and I wondered how many of the faces in my movie achieved all they could get out their life.  My class reunion, the first I have attended in about 30 years, was an eye opener not the least of which was when a large woman with broad shoulders and huge feet with painted toenails and a purse to match, began conversing with me as though we were long lost buddies . . . . . ‘she’ seemed vaguely familiar and after a few minutes listening to ‘her’ I realized ‘she’ used to be Albert, our class mathematics’ whiz kid!  Ah, well . . . . . .

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As I write this email hurricane Emily has moved ashore at Cancun and I can’t help but wonder if Costa De Cocos, located about 150 miles South of Cancun, and the site of our upcoming Caribe fishing trip was undamaged.  For those of you planning on going on the October 15^th and October 20^th trips, I will get a report from Costa a.s.a.p.  I expect it would have been only a close call as they are well protected by the reef 300 yards offshore.  There still remains a few openings for both trips and if anyone wants to join us let me know pronto – I expect the remaining spots to fill in the next 30 days or so.

 

I haven’t been to our coast for some time now but have heard the Redfish have been on a tear!  Herb Mossman tells me of several 30 plus fish days, on fly in the shallow waters!  I heard also of a 230 pound Tarpon being caught on conventional gear just outside the Port A jetties – if so, I believe it would be a new Texas state record!  This should be peak season for offshore fishing as well – call Kevin or Jeff at 361-758-0350 to book a trip with ‘Team Navy’ if interested – best deal around, best equipment and the fastest boat I have seen, and don’t forget to bring fly gear if you have it – if you don’t have it, talk to me! . . . . .I can get you ‘rigged’ and also maintain a large selection of flies from H2O for offshore, flies for Redfish/Trout, flies for freshwater trout /salmon from Umpqua and East Cut, a great selection of leaders and tippet.

 

Shortly I expect to enter my ‘slow’ time of the year and am available to design the perfect rod and do the repairs on the rods that didn’t quite make it through the current season. 

 

As always, I thank you for your patronage and I look forward to seeing you again.

Dennis O. Freeman

RODMAKERS

13457 Blanco Road

San Antonio, TX. 78216

210-479-3477

rodmaker@rod-makers.com