The best lake in the county...lil Okeechobee

When I was a kid, there was a lake that I had permission to fish that had the reputation in my thirteen year old circle of being the best lake around. Many youngsters caught their biggest bass in this lake and I'm sure there were true giants lurking in it, much bigger than those we had seen caught.

The lake was about 8-15 acres and covered in lily pads which made it very hard to land a fish. I didn't have a boat so once they wrapped in the pads it was over. The most effective way that I knew to fish it was to wade but wading meant getting leeches on you and as much as I hate leeches I still waded that lake.

With the local popularity of this lake it was guaranteed that friends would want to tag along. All I had to do was call my sunday school teacher and he usually was ok with it but he always added that they weren't allowed to fish there without being with me. I had an easy fix for this and I used the tactic several times...I'd get mom to drive a screwy route when she'd take me and a friend  over and once I could drive...I blindfolded them. They didn't want to be blindfolded but that was the only way they could go. It was a top secret spot and I was so honored to have permission to fish there.

It's been 30 years since I fished the lake that me and a few of my buddies called lil Okeechobee and today...I will fish it again out of my kayak. Who knows what the lake holds today but fish or no fish I will definitely be flooded with memories of wading that jewel and catching my first 5 pound bass and she will forever remain top secret.

"Grinding"

 We watch TV and see people daily that are great at what they do…Serena Williams, LeBron James and the likes. We either love or hate the great ones but does anyone ever really strive to be great, do you honestly believe that you could grind like the great athletes or musicians and achieve that grand goal. I'm not talking about being a great father, mother, husband, wife or friend. I’m talking about something that could be construed to be selfish, a personal goal… I’m talking about being great at what you love doing, being great at what you’re most passionate about. It doesn’t matter what it is but it is possible to be great at it.

I kayak fish and I love being on the water, the scenery, the challenge of man versus beast but I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t want to be great at it. I fish every chance I get regardless of conditions, I compete when I can, I read about fishing, talk about fishing…I eat, sleep and breathe my passion and yes I strive to be great. I’m not there yet, I may not ever get there but it won’t be because of the lack of effort.

I have friends that have the same mind set. They’re on the water every chance they can get. We share information and even fish the same water because on this water is not where greatness is achieved, greatness is achieved in March on Kentucky Lake at the Kayak Bass Fishing National Championship. That is where some of the best fishermen converge to see who is the best of the best. To see who is the greatest.

My friend Jim Clark said it best…”I wanna be great one time per year…everything else is just practice.” So we’ll fish when ever we can. Try new tactics and tackle, run our phone data out the roof researching techniques, water and equipment and we’ll show up at Paris Tennesse in March to fish for our dreams. Until then...we will grind.