Hanging with my b-day buddy.

The weather for mid October today was great. Mid 60's and sunny. With the Hawkeyes winning the game and plus for the wife driving me out of the house so she could clean I dropped off Shea, my son, to grandma and picked up my nephew. My birthday sharing buddy, Mason.

He was quick to get out and fish! Thank God for that. I thought maybe after the last trip he went with me on that took all day, 250 miles and no fish to show that he would never go with me again.

We decided to fish close to home. We stopped at Fontana Wildlife Exhibit and Park in Hazleton, IA.

Back about 25 years ago my father used to take my brother and I here and we would catch Smallies all day long. Times have changed for this fishing hole. Being over run by carp really hurt it bad. But in the past few years I have seen some come back in more desirable fish. IE: Smallies, Crappie, and today Rock Bass. A fisherman's tale told to me "If you have rock bass in your waters that it is a sign of those waters are doing well and will prosper."

I hope that is true. I appreciate having fishing holes close to home that provide quality fish for all to enjoy. I was so excited for Mason for catching some fish today. It's great to have the children catch fish and not just see us old dogs pull them in. It keeps their heart in what should be cherished most beside family, the love for the outdoors. The excitement in their faces is priceless.
Until next time, keep you drag set right!
Sean

Here Kitty Kitty Kitty!

Like I said. I am not giving up on fall fishing! The boy and I just watched my wife and daughter try their luck at sunset last night.

I had minnows left over and temps were still pretty nice. The winds died out for about an hour or two. But by the time we made it down to the local fishing hole they started to come back. I hung out with Shea on the sidelines. I like to see if Terri and Carlye actually listen to what I try and teach them about fishing. And I have to be honest they are getting angler savvy!! It took Carlye about 5 minutes to land this chunky 7.5 lb. 25" channel cat.  Carlye's Personal Best ever. Daddy's so proud.

Fall time fishing

Hey all! Sorry. It's been a couple of months since my last post. It's been busy here in the Harn household. Work, work, work. Family gatherings. Baptism of my son, Shea. And let us not forget, work.
With that done and gone I have had a few chances to get and wet my waders.
The rivers here in northeast Iowa have stayed late season low. No more than 1 ft. deep in my proper tactical casting spots. We have gone through a cold spell also. Which I thought would turn on fish.
Tis' the season for walleyes and northern to start biting more aggressively. I haven't had any luck in that department. I have caught 2 smallies under 8" and 1 brook trout at 6". and that's all.
I still haven't replaced the family camera yet, so no pics of what I've landed or what's been happening around me with seasons change. I am not giving up on what could be a great fall season of fishing.
If favors are granted to me I am hoping to make a trip to southern Iowa and fish Saylorville reservoir near Des Moines, IA. Also make a stop at Red Rock Reservoir. And hopefully Rathbun Reservoir and fish the spillways for stripers. That always makes for a fun day.
I am looking to those that are following my blog to help me on something that is pulling me both ways. I am not an ice fisherman. But I do not want to sit idle during winter. I hated it when I was a kid. But that was with no gear to stay out of the cold. Well times have changed and I have my own money now to buy gear. What are your opinions on ice fishing? Please help.

 Here are some old pics of when I fished a small lake last year with a buddy of mine. First perch I've caught since I was a kid.

 A long day of weeding through bullheads to catch these yummies.

Until next time keep your drag set right! Sean.

What makes you smile and feel like the richest person on earth?

Like I said at the beginning of this blog. It is mostly about fishing. But at this moment it's about what makes me live, laugh and, love. I present to you, my family. Terri, my wife. Shea, my son. And let us not forget my first born, my baby girl, Carlye Paige. That Green sunfish she caught noodling during a flood last year here at home.  Man, am I smiling! Until next time. Keep your drag set right!! Sean.

Dealing with heat and high waters

When I did my first post I quickly mentioned that we had finally broken a heat wave here in Iowa. Since then we have had two more. One which we are going through right now. In between we have had some heavy rains which have raised water levels very high and dirty.
I am a river fisherman. Born and raised. When the water is turbid, I am pretty much guaranteed the fish aren't biting at my favorite fishing holes. With that in mind, the wife and I decided to go to the Big Marsh in Parkersburg. When the waters are high there usually water leaving a spillway into the West Fork. After a one hour ride and road work delaying us we got to the marsh to find no water. What a bust. We battled road construction on the way back and stopped at a golf course that sets along side what is called Beaver Creek. I have caught nice smallies here and have seen my fathers pole bend 90 degrees in the center before the line snapped with a whip like crack. Wish I could have seen what was on the end of his line.

But today the wife and I casted out minnows 12-15" under a bobber. The result was very satisfying. I landed two 16" smallies at 2lb. each. My wife struck out. But she told me she really enjoys watching me getting all worked up at the fun I have fishing. Feels good to have a groupie roadie!!

I worked the calm spot on the other side of the white water you see directly behind my right shoulder. I kept my rod tip very high to keep my line out of the swift water from taking me away from where I thought the fish would be. And it paid off well. These pics were taken on 7-25-11. Praying for lower waters and cooler temps.

I would like show a beauty of a bronze back my wife caught last year. A 17 incher. I was envious of this fish and very happy for my wife on this catch.
Until next time keep your Drag set right.

Reason for my blog

I'm sure there is no super life changing or eye opeing event that will be posted here. I am trying this blog mainly to share my outings and thoughts of what I think works and doesn't work in certain situations on the water.
I'm also kind of looking forward to talking to other people even if no one talks back.
I was going to give you a short detailed background of me but, I figured why bore you with that. Let's just leave this at that I am a family man with a love for the outdoors. An angel for a wife (Terri) and two beautiful children (Carlye a teenage daughter and Shea a four month old boy).
I work hard for my living and haven't many friends around here. So I am hoping this blog helps me make some along the way.

Since my last post it has been scorching hot here in Iowa. When that ended Friday we had Rains form heaven to drown the plants! So nothing new to share for recent outings. Here are some pics of old to share.
The top is my wife Terri with her personal best a 5lb northern. Yeah she's afraid to handle it. "IT HAS TEETH"!! And below Carlye with a monster hybrid caught at a private farm pond.
Until next time. Keep your drag set right.

Evening fishing

After supper my wife and I decided to go back to our local fishing hole. My wife Terri chose to sit on the bank and fish a minnow. She had no luck.

I like to swim with the fishes. the water level is no more than knee deep this time of year. I have been using a 3" Rapala Perch top floater. This bait has proved itself time and again for me on smallmouth bass. Needless to say upside of live bait this is my go to bait. I only put one fish on the line at the dam and he was a beautiful 17" smallie.
With fishing being slow we decided to go to campground that lies on the bank of the Wapsi River. Again I jumped into the murky shallows to fish a hole with bramble and stumps. I hooked up right away. A very strong fish pulled my lure right off. Broke my line! ARRRGH! Three times at this spot a dandy of a fish has gotten the best of me. which brings me to the point of bait you like to use. If you love it, then buy at least three! That was my only perch. I will go back and I will conquer. I hope.

The wife at the dam. She loves this spot. She has caught her personal best fish here. A 5lb. northern.

The next time I post I hope to have more of a purpose for you of why I am doing this and introduce you to my family. Until then, keep your Drag set right.