I guess I'll tell a story on myself

[peternap]

I was beat after fighting those concrete Culvert Pipes yesterday, then driving back and then taking my wife and daughter to the coast for Valentines Dinner.

So I didn't go back to the farm. This morning, Zeus, Jane and I went for a 4 mile walk in the Civil War (properly known as the war of northern aggression) parks.

Then we came home, dropped Zeus off and went out to lunch.

When we came back, I decided to go fly fishing with my new rod. The closest place is the Chickahomny swamp. It's good fishing, especially for Chain Pickerel, but the devil to fish.

I got all gussied up in my chest waders, Orvis vest, new rod and a dozen fly's I just tied.

In addition to the brush in the swamp, the bottom is quick mud. Like quick sand just dirtier.
Also....I have lost a little weight since I found out I had diabetes and my pants which I usually buy a little big anyway, don't fit anymore. I've lost about 2 inches around my waist and that makes some of them 4" to big. I have put two new holes in my belt and need another.

The stage is now set.

I walked about a mile downstream in the swamp, fishing as I go. Love the rod. I lost two flies.
I had a yellow Deceiver I had just tied on and got a hit by a big fish. Seemed like it anyway. This is an ultralight rod and I was having a fight and was nearly to my chest in water. As I moved around trying to keep him out of the brush, my pants started falling down....inside my waders. That made me stop walking and standing still instead.

I finally got the Pickerel in the net and he was about 3 pounds. I wanted to take a picture before I released him, but I had to go to shore to get my camera. No remember, a Chain Pickeral is a VERY TOOTHY fish and they are slippery as an eel.

There I was, standing in chest deep water, with my pants down inside  my waders, with a rod in one hand and a squirmy bitey critter in the other and two feet in ....quick mud.

After a few minutes, I was able to get one food loose, lost my balance, fell in, lost the fish, filled my waders with my pants down inside....with water, and crawled to shore.

The rest amounted to getting back to the truck and going home in shame.

[MountainDon]

oh crap, or words to that effect, huh! 

[Redoverfarm]

Peter sounds like you had a great day.

[glenn kangiser]

Sorry, Peter.  I couldn't help it.

[Don_P]

Well its a forum so somebody's gotta ask...Which parks?

[peternap]

Well its a forum so somebody's gotta ask...Which parks?

Gains Mill battlefield and Cold Harbor Battlefield.

[glenn kangiser]

Damn Yankees...

[Dog]

Peter...you are soooooooooo funny. I love your humor!

[Sassy]

  sorry, can't help it    I was sitting in the triage room, didn't have a patient, reading your story, Peter...  I was laughing out loud, picturing your every step - the psych doc is in the next room - she's probably going to admit me for hearing voices or something   

[Redoverfarm]

When I try to visualize your story I too have to laugh.  I wish someone else would have been there.  If for nothing else to capture it for prosperity.

[peternap]

I forgot to mention the worst part.
Chain Pickerel spawn when the water temperature is 51 degrees

They ain't spawning yet!

[Squirl]

I am glad to hear that you are alright.  I have heard of people drowning in such situations.  My father even had to revive a person whose waders filled with water and went under.

[peternap]

I am glad to hear that you are alright.  I have heard of people drowning in such situations.  My father even had to revive a person whose waders filled with water and went under.

Your right Squirl. There was little danger of the waders dragging me under though. Water has the same properties wither in or out of your waders and my fly vest has enough flotation to even out the weight of the waders. People drown because they panic in that situation. Hypothermia is a much bigger danger.

I've always disliked people who whined when they do something stupid.  I always laugh at myself...or brag. Whichever seems appropriate for that particular faux pas

[Ernest T. Bass]

Too funny! Nice attitude though.. Better to have people laughing with you rather than at you...

[Homegrown Tomatoes]

    I laughed so hard I almost snorted.  Too bad there wasn't someone around videotaping!  (If there had been, you could be sure it would already be on UTube.)

[Don_P]

I have heard of people drowning in such situations

The thought of how this would play out after the story in the local paper is one reason to keep a cool head in desperate situations 

"It was Febuary and a pickerel bit you where?"

I would like to spend some time down that way. Ancestors from both sides of my family were at Cold Harbor.

[ScottA]

The best part of doin stuff like this, even when it turns out bad, is you got a story to tell after. Like the midnight swamp hike with the kids...or the camping in a thunderstorm in november...you get the idea.

[Redoverfarm]

Birthday idea?

[peternap]

  Just bought a pair of Carharts.