By Marty Dixon/Staff Correspondent
It was another eventful week out on the water on old Neely Henry. I hope we all enjoyed the Memorial Day holiday this past weekend and celebrated those that gave all they had so we can enjoy the freedoms we have. We need to honor all the men and women that gave their lives for our freedom.
This past weekend was a fairly busy one on the lake. The traffic was not so bad on Saturday, I suppose mainly due to the cool and cloudy weather. We had the final 5 Alive Tournament on for this season. The turnout was fair and it was a good day to fish. The clouds and cool weather prolonged the topwater bite for many. Brother Butch and I managed a respectable seventh place with a little over 13 pounds. We also had a good kicker fish of 5.39 pounds. We caught the majority of our fish flipping around the grass in various areas mid-river. We just needed one more solid fish to have a shot to win the tournament.
Of course, the day was not without some of my usual Murphy’s Law stuff happening. Around 10 a.m., my new boat decided to start running rough, so we were relegated to fishing around or near the ramp for the rest of the day. It turned out that the fuel pump went out. I would like to thank my neighbor, Alex Moore, for getting me back on the water by Tuesday. Other places said it would be a couple of weeks before they could look at the boat. Alex came to the rescue and had me up and going by Tuesday afternoon. At any rate, Butch and I caught fish off and on all day, just not enough three-pounders to win the tournament. The boat trouble kept me off the water both Sunday and Monday, but I did watch the festivities. The river started filling up Sunday afternoon and carried over to Monday evening.
On Memorial Day on Monday, we celebrated with some friends and grilled some burgers. We entertained the grandkids during the afternoon. Lordy they have endless energy. We fished and played on the swings and in the sandbox. Pops can’t keep up for long anymore. However, the youngest, Finley, has learned to say “Pops,” so I’ve got that going for me.
On Tuesday night, we got out in Brother Butch’s bass machine and mixed it up with all the guys over at Coosa Landing. Butch and I put together a solid stringer of a little over nine pounds for third place and had a Big Fish of 5.79 pounds. We again targeted grass for all of our fish. We caught several fish and culled up, just not quite enough for the win. I’m fishing the blind squirrel pattern right now (you know, a blind squirrel finds an acorn every now and then). I’m trying to ride that wave until said squirrel dies of natural causes or gets smashed by a car. I’d also like to mention that I can’t fish without something squirrely happening (see, I worked the squirrel in there again). I did manage to break another rod in half.
In Tuesday tournament results, first place went to Lynn and Sticks with 9.97 pounds, second place went to Will Kennedy with 9.40 pounds and third place went to yours truly (Marty Dixon) and Butch Dixon with 9.29 pounds and Big Fish of 5.79 pounds.
In Wednesday tournament results, first place went to Brian and Greg with 9.03 pounds and a Big Fish of 3.50 pounds, second place went to Will Kennedy with 8.24 pounds and third place went to Willy and Jamin with 6.80 pounds.
Thanks to Alex Moore, I’m looking forward to getting out on the river the rest of this week. The boat is up and going and I plan to get in a few more days of fishing. Thanks again for tuning in.
If you see me out on the lake or out and about just give me holler. As always, línte daingean agus bádóireacht shábháilte!
Marty Dixon is a 1982 Sardis High School grad-uate and retired high school educator and coach. He was head coach of the Gadsden State women’s basketball team from 2015 to 2019. He and his wife Texann live in Gadsden. He can be contacted at fishn4funin02@yahoo.com and the Neely Henry Bass Fishing page on Facebook.
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