The Magic Lure

I took a faded rainbow trout color Rebel Floating Minnow from my Uncle's tackle box when I was probably 16 years old. I took it because it was magic on bass, pike, and walleye; It made them appear out of nowhere consistently. I caught dozens of fish on it and some really nice one's. One day when I was probably around 19 I got a hammer handle pike on it. As I swung it into our old Alumacraft boat it came off and the lure hit off the side of the fishing boat and broke the back inch and a half off clean. I was devastated and pissed off for about 15 minutes. I decided to cast it out and it still had the wild action to it and two remaining trebles, so I decided to try and modify it. I glued a paperclip into the body and then put a cut up Sassy Shad Tail on it, so it was kind of like an AC Plug thing. The bait was as good as new with the tails on it. I continued to catch dozen's of more fish on it. 

Then when I was 26, I was shore fishing with it on a small 5 acre lake in Canby MN where I was a Youth Pastor at the time. I had a decent size pike bite it off. About a week and a half later I was fishing from shore again and there it was sitting up against the shore. I couldn't believe it, I got it back. Then that Fall it got stolen out of out of my car along with the tackle box it was in and about 3 rods. My magic lure was gone for good.

That was my favorite jerkbait. I bought several more Rebel Floating Minnows but they were all dud's.

Whitefish Tournament Quick Report

16.75"

Caught fish and had fun. I think I was a within 2 pounds of the lead.  Nobody really sacked 'em today and Lunker was just over 3lbs.

Bass Snatchers Last Tournament of the Year Tomorrow

Well this year has gone a lot like last year for me in the fishing department of my life.  I got preoccupied with other things and I haven't done any fishing in the month of September.  That will change on Sunday morning when I will be fishing at the Whitefish Chain for the last Bass Snatcher Tournament of the season.  Obviously I didn't get to pre-fish with my boater, long time club member Herman W..  I fished my very first tournament in the Snatchers Club with Herman back in 2008 at Farm Island Lake.  He is quite a character and I'm sure I will have a good time whether or not we catch fish.

I need a motivation shot, because right now I could care less about doing well in the tournament.  I just want to catch a few fish, whether they be bass or pike it doesn't matter to me I'll be happy.

Update: I found my motivation.  This fish crushed it.

16.5" Jumpin Bullhead.

Skol Vikes!!!

I applaud them on the decision they have come to:

STATEMENT FROM VIKINGS OWNERSHIP 

REGARDING ADRIAN PETERSON

Eden Prairie, MN (September 17, 2014) – This has been an ongoing and deliberate process since last Friday's news. In conversations with the NFL over the last two days, the Vikings advised the League of the team's decision to revisit the situation regarding Adrian Peterson. In response, the League informed the team of the option to place Adrian on the Exempt/Commissioner's Permission list, which will require that Adrian remain away from all team activities while allowing him to take care of his personal situation until the legal proceedings are resolved. After giving the situation additional thought, we have decided this is the appropriate course of action for the organization and for Adrian.

We are always focused on trying to make the right decision as an organization. We embrace our role - and the responsibilities that go with it – as a leader in the community, as a business partner and as an organization that can build bridges with our fans and positively impact this great region. We appreciate and value the input we have received from our fans, our partners and the community. 

While we were trying to make a balanced decision yesterday, after further reflection we have concluded that this resolution is best for the Vikings and for Adrian. We want to be clear: we have a strong stance regarding the protection and welfare of children, and we want to be sure we get this right. At the same time we want to express our support for Adrian and acknowledge his seven-plus years of outstanding commitment to this organization and this community. Adrian emphasized his desire to avoid further distraction to his teammates and coaches while focusing on his current situation; this resolution accomplishes these objectives as well.

We will support Adrian during this legal and personal process, but we firmly believe and realize this is the right decision. We hope that all of our fans can respect the process that we have gone through to reach this final decision. – Zygi Wilf and Mark Wilf

AP, I'm Disappointed!

Disappointment:  That is how I feel about how Adrian Peterson chose to discipline his 4 year old child.  He apparently was totally oblivious to the fact that he crossed a line into what is clearly unacceptable corporal discipline, especially for a child that young.  However, I am not appalled by his actions precisely because I don't believe he knew what he was doing was in fact abusive.  I think Adrian is now in the process of discovering that what he did was wrong.  I have little doubt that Adrian will "Get It."

Update: When I wrote this blog I was unsure of what the Vikings would choose to do with Adrian.  I was really hoping the rumors that he might be released were not true.  I was of the opinion that whatever the team chose to do in this situation I would just have to be OK with that.  I was frankly a little surprised/stunned that they chose to let him play this week.  After thinking about it for a day, I have grudgingly come to the opinion that the Vikings have made a mistake.  I really really want to give Adrian the benefit of the doubt, but in this case there isn't much there for anyone to doubt.  He clearly did abuse his kid.  That is not acceptable and making him sit only 1 game at this point isn't enough. I believe the right thing to do would have been to deactivate him for the next 3 games, which was within the teams power to do .  I say this with with great sadness.

As far as how the team did this week vs the Pats:  In light of how things went down I'm not that surprised at the result.  I do think the D played OK, well enough to give us a shot.  It was obviously the Special Teams and O that let us down this week.   Unfortunately I don't see us winning next week in New Orleans regardless of whether or not Adrian is back.



   

Holmer Is On the Board And Andy Culls

Check My Derby Blog to find out the weights on these fish and to find out who's where in the standings.

SKOL Vikings 2014!!!

Last year in my Skol Vikings post I listed 3 questions that needed to be answered for us to have a good season.  Needless to say they were all answered in a negative fashion.

1. AP didn't stay healthy.
2. Ponder wasn't the answer.
3. Our secondary was really really bad

At the end of last season I thought Frazier should have been given another year just like AP did. The way things have worked out with us getting Zimmer and Turner I am glad now that we didn't. I am really hopeful that Zimmer is going to turn things around.

Here are my 3 questions for this year for the Vikings to have a good year.

1.  Can Zimmer bring the defense back to respectability?  With the way our season starts with games against New England, Saints, Packers, and Atlanta we our going to need it and need it fast.  If we can force turnovers like we did this preseason then our D should be good to go.

2.  Can our O Line keep Cassel upright and give AP room to roam?  Last year O Line play was highly inconsistent.  We need Kalil to return to Pro Bowl form.

3. Can AP stay healthy and win another rushing title?  I know Norv wants to spread the ball around and get AP involved in the passing game, so maybe a rushing title is asking for a bit much;  But you can't put anything past what AP can do if he's healthy.   Whatever happens as long as AP is getting the rock a lot, I'm OK with it.

Prediction for the year:  I think we win at least 7 games minimum and possibly 11 if everything falls our way. If we can start 2-0 then everybody in our division better be on notice.

MN Pro Seth Feider Qualifies for the Elite Series

His 32nd Place finish at Lake St.Clair Bassmaster Northern Open should be more than enough to get him the Tour invitation for next year.

Congratulations Seth!!!

Here is the Final Standings:

He's Loose!!!

AP's 82 Yard Touchdown vs. the Rams (Facebook)

I'll be giving my thoughts on the Vikes this season on Sunday.