ON THEW WATER FOR NOVEMBER (2009)

ON THE WATER FOR NOVEMBER         ( 2009 )

 

Hi Pard >< Let’s see what “Bit’s & Pieces” we have collected in the Tackle Box this month >><< Can you believe that It’s Halloween again & on the same day that our DUCKS host USC ……. Boo on the Goblins & GO DUCKS !!!!  How bout this years World Series  >< The Phillies & Yankees have each won a game, but if history is any indication, the team that has won the 1^st game has always gone on to win the Series …. My Dad would be tickled to hear that, because he was a Really Big Phillies Fan.   Dog Gone It > Sunday <  Daylight Savings Time is upon us again. I know we gain an hour, but it takes longer than that to reset all of our clocks !!!  Have you heard about the SF Bay Bridge Closure ??? What a mess, I just heard that they expect to reopen today >< I used to make that commute & for those who still do, reopening the Bridge is a very Big Deal. It seems that the South Beach Surfers are reporting a 10ft Great White Shark has made an appearance again >< Boys Howdy, If I were a Surfer that would be enough for me to begin looking into Snow / Skate Boarding !!! On a brighter note, Significant COHO Catches are being reported by ODFW & the really Good News is that the Coastal Fish Hatcheries have agreed to process the excess 2000 fish per day for the Oregon Food Bank, which in turn redistributes these fish to all of the other Food Banks. This is fun Bear Story >><< Park Rangers are reporting that the Bears have determined it’s much more cost effective to break into Mini Vans than waste their time on Trash Bins >< Wonders never cease !!!  It is sad to report that we are again experiencing Red Tides, which seem to be doing the most harm to Sea Birds. The birds get in the foam along the shore, which causes the Birds Feathers to loose their Water Repellency, which in turn causes the Birds to drown. On a brighter note, let me mention the wonderful letter I recently received from James Ray. He was most appreciative of our “Send Off” & wanted me to extend his “Very Best Wishes” to all of the Club Members. Now, let’s lurch on & take a quick look at October >>>>>>>>

 

What a Month OCTOBER turned out to be >><< On the 1^st of the month (The Day after my Birthday) yours truly went into surgery for some Serious Low Back Spine Problems >< How this all turned out I’ll save for later in the column. Allow me to Thank All of you terrific Volunteer Drivers for helping Brother Bob Abbott accomplish his weekly shopping & errands.  In addition, there were Several Club Members who also accomplished a wonderful Humanitarian Gesture by helping Linda Reed relocate her husband Lou to Skilled Nursing facility in Florence. There will be a Special Place in Heaven for You Fine Folks. Moving on >< We are beginning to gear up for our Winter Trap Operations. To that end, Wayde Dudley, working with our ODFW Pal Casey Deckard, organized a Terrific Crew who cleared the Entrance Road to Schooner Creek Trap. He & Hank Bryson went back later & did some logging by clearing a substantial chunk of tree that was beginning to encroach onto the road. Just a word here about the terrific PIX Barb has been doing covering these types of Club Activities. (Hope you all saw the wonderful PIX she did of the Pelicans on the Jetty)  Speaking of PIX, I hope you have seen the 2 Mexican Cruise Albums provided by The Hills. Then there was the “Stream Team Event” album, which involved introducing 40 4^th/5^TH graders to Schooner Creek at the Fish Trap. Thanks to Brian, Frank & The Dudley’s who were supporting one of Virginia Tardaeweather’s youth projects. Onward >< Good Information was exchanged as a result of the recent Water Plant Tour, which was provided to us by the Plant Supervisor, Steve Stewart. Just in from Casey Deckard (ODFW) >< It looks like we may not have to provide “Trapper Power” to support the November Siletz River Trap Operations >< Stay Tuned !!  Lot’s of Good Fishing PIX being sent in recently by Tom Simpson, Frank, Brian, Bernie & Phil Reed >< Keep up the Good Work guys, because we really do enjoy BLASTING your successful catches out to our members. (It’s too bad that we cannot hear the stories about the ones that got away!)  Onward & Upward to November >>

 

NOVEMBER is a Busy Month for the CLUB. As you have seen from the Monthly Schedule >< It involves determining who our 2009 Joe Longo Award Winner will be & the Election of Club Officers for 2010. It’s really important that you all try and attend our 2 Club Meetings this month. In addition, allow me to mention a couple of special days this month >< Veterans Day, please take a moment to thank the Military Veterans you know for their Service to this fine Country of ours >&< Thanksgiving Day, Allow me to wish all of you a most enjoyable Turkey Day.

 

Now here is the straight scoop on The Hook’s Spinal Surgery Adventure. It all began on my Birthday with visit to a Neuro Surgeon. After a CT Scan, Mylagram & a Bunch of X Rays were done & evaluated >< The Surgeon said I don’t want you to go back to Newport this afternoon. I want to see you in surgery tomorrow about 6AM >< It appears that I had a tear in the Sheathing of my Spinal Cord & a Disk that had completely Blown Out. If not addressed “Pronto” >< They were putting me at risk of losing the function of my legs. >< So Mary & I stayed in Eugene & at 6 AM the next morning, I went into surgery & came our about 5 hours later. Here is what happened >> Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (L3 – L4) with an Illiac Crest Graft >+< Laminotomy (L25 & L45) >>> That’s My Story & I am Sticking to it !!!  

 

In closing, as I write this, 4 weeks Post Op, I have been given the “Gift” of a Sound Back that is Pain Free. This has been a humbling experience that has resulted in seeing life with fresh eyes & a sound ”Pain Free” Back. Believe me; Thanksgiving will be Very Special for me this year. I am still not fully up to speed, but my goal is to attend our November Breakfast Meeting. I could not have accomplish my recovery, thus far, without the loving care provided by my wonderful wife Mary & all of the Prayers & Well Wishes provided by my many Wonderful Fishing Club Friends >< It seems inadequate, but please accept my most sincere THANK YOU for all you have done to facilitate my recovery & being there when you were needed most >>>>>>>>>

 

Well that’s the Top on the News as it Looks from Here …….. Hope to See You On The Water >>>>>   THE HOOK