Crappie Day

Ok, it wasn't a crappy day, it was a crappie day.  Since it is Saturday and cold calls and marketing wasn't an option and since it Being the first fully warm and night cycle in some time I took the kids to Reba Lake today. Originally I was going to take Wesley and Kyle as well but we had one stop prior to the fishing trip.  Cynthia had called and said that a package had arrived at her college PO box (she is our mail drop ere in KY.)  When we got there surprise, surprise Miles showed up out of nowhere and announced he was heading off to play ultimate frisbee, a very physical, very fast past, very crazy sport.  Both Wesley and Kyle opted to do that over fishing. So off they went.  
Th package, by the way, was filled with the custom made costumes for the girls that we had ordered four months ago. The company we use are top of the line when it comes to quality but they have never gotten a costume to us on time. At least we only missed 2 days worth of shows with them.   Budget being tight we didn't get as dramatic with the designs as we did in the past. But they are pretty nice looking. Each line cut specific to their size. God help them if any of them have a growth spirt this summer.

Before I get back to my fish story let me get you caught up on a few things. First Jim is working like crazy not only doing the household helps that he does on tour (he has become our laundry man), but with social media marketing, phone calls and he is working on a new website design.  He and the boys also set up the trapeze and tightrope for training but also for us to offer locals a chance to learn some circus arts, great exercise too. We will charge folks a few bucks and that will help compensate our expenses during this swiss cheese hole called March in our schedule.   Also in a desperate moment I asked folks if they are willing to help keep our show on the road to make a donation on our paypal account (victor@victorkent.com) we got very kind responses from fans and friends.  It was never our wish to make a request like that. In fact, it is very humbling. But we want to keep the show on the road especially for those small towns and events that have been raped by the economy we all find ourselves in.  We didn't want to turn to government bailouts.  We wanted to be able to do through hard work and the grace and kindness of those who love us and our show. And yes every dime of it will go onto the ledgers and Unc Sam will surely take his share at tax time.  As the joke goes, "I live in a free country and I have the permits to prove it."

Back to the Crappie story.  Well, we went to our favorite spot on Lake Reba. Last year the girls caught rock bass, sunfish and blue gill....they love having their mom clean then deep fry them into a fish cracker of sorts.  Once deep fried the fins, head, eyes, bones, etc (guts removed) turn super crispy and just like a cracker.   Well, no bites.  The man directly behind us was having the day of his life.  His name was TY and unlike everyone else on the lake he found the honeyhole. He pulled in 7 crappie ranging in size from 8 or so inches to nearly 1.7lbs.  And he was only doing it for the sport. He was going to release them.  He asked if we wanted them and low and behold we had dinner.  

Now Ty took the time to show me how he was rigging up and where to cast and I was by his side for over 90 minutes and didn't get so much as a nibble.  While he just kept pulling them in. It was amazing.  He also gave me tips on local bait shops and we shared stories that only fishermen can appreciate Meanwhile I was spending a lot of time helping Amelia getting her rigging unstuck from trees and whatever it was that ate her tackle in the water.   Victor was a bit more ambitious going after Bass with his new Bait Caster style reel and hand made rod (made b my god brother, Steve.)  Bait casters take care and practice. SO Victor had a few tangles on the reel to seal with.  I was a coward and used my spin reel to be safe.  It was Steve's personal rod he made for himself but gave to me and man is it spectacular. I am blessed with a great god brother.
And we were blessed with Ty.

Here are the fish and Ty: