While spending much time working on the house, there has been some pond related business and travels. After a noon bible study last Thursday, I climbed into the manly Dodge pickup truck and headed eastward from Whitesboro, arriving midnight in Decatur, Alabama for the SEOPA conference (outdoor writer's group). I was there at Ray Scott's request, to assist with technical support about a new product he is launching. Good friend Barry Smith, from American Sportfish Hatchery, was also there to support Ray. Barry had some news, too. He and partner Don Keller, publishers of Southern Ponds and Wildlife, decided to stop producing their magazine. I hate that...competition is a good thing, and I will miss seeing what they have to say each issue. Pond Boss has offered our good friends a slot in the magazine, if and when they are ready to write again. We also offered to fulfill their unfulfilled subscriptions. Texas Outdoor Writer's Association executive director, Keith Stelter, flew in ahead of time, and rode back to Texas with me. We stayed at Ray Scott's house Saturday and Sunday, just hanging out with the BASS legend. Shot a few photos of his new lake, a 14 acre creature which has all kinds of bells and whistles.
Monday, we headed westward again. Stopped in Jackson, Mississippi and met up with Eric West, ewest on the website. Spent several hours in his office, culling and selecting photos for him for a slide show at the conference. He took us to lunch at one of his favorite spots, the Elite Restaurant, for a veal cutlet meal. Eric is truly a southern gentleman.
On the drive, I received several interesting phone calls. Client Bob Congel, owner of Savannah Dhu in upstate New York, wants me there as soon as possible to begin writing a book about the history of the region and his wildlife preserve. Plane lands Friday.
Another call was asking about traveling to Pennsylvania for a fisheries consultation. And another is a client asking about a stream in Wyoming.
Layout guru Jim Stroud tells me the Nov/Dec issue of Pond Boss will be ready for proofreading late today or tomorrow. If I can get it back to him by Monday, it will be printed on time. That doesn't mean D.I.E.D will get it on time.
So, on to New York Friday, then to North Carolina Sunday, to meet up with Greg Grimes next Wednesday to electrofish Richmond Mill Lake and see how the fish population is progressing. Home Wednesday night.
Safe travels to all of you, my friends.
Fish on.
Lusk

Teach a man to grow fish...
He can teach to catch fish...