HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

 

TightLine Fishing has been on a long Vacation!

Favorite Vacation Fishing Pier in Rockport, Texas

 

NOPE! Haven't been there lately - but, we have been staying busy with Little Caesars and finishing up the College Tennis and Tennis Officials School season!

 

While works got in the way...a little too much 

 

Since its Fathers Day - I thought that I would take this opportunity to show off the family...

I am a very proud Dad!!!

 

The USS Sassy has been in the shop at Prikryl's Marine for a ship overhaul!  Gary Prikryl is my Yacht Carpenter and trusted friend.   He and his Dad have been friends of ours since my Dad and I went out to their shop on North Airport Road in Waco and bought the Ship back in the early nineties.  Prikryl Marine is an institution in Waco... Gary and his Dad and Mom have a passion for boating and the Waco Fishing Community.

Calm day on Lake Waco!

 

Getting ready for some Summertime Night fishing.

 

One of the best Saturdays I have ever had was going with my Dad to buy the USS Sassy.  We have had MANY-MANY hours of fishing fun on that KatFish vessel.  We often wonder how many Kat's Sassy has sniffed out of Lake Waco and Belton over the years....

Sniffin Sass

Captaining the Vessel

    

Best ship partner a guy could have...my Dad

 

Crash (Ashley) and Addie - Fish Fry time...

Ali-Cat (Alex) and Harper - Fish Fry at the Lake

Harry - best buddy a Dad could have.

 

Dad and a BlueKat!

Nick (our incredible Son-in Law) and Rick (BFAM: brother from another mother) -

you cannot find two better TightLiners!

 

Wilder (our awesome Son-in Law) Alex and Harpie!

 

Dad - Sass and a smiling BlueKat

 

Dads bring a lot to the table!  Thanks for being their for our family Dad! 

I love you - Kev

 

 

TIGHTLINE FISHING

(the crew member on left is NOT NORMAL)

Although TightLine Fishing is a CATFISHING blog - I do include some Texas tennis matters and a lot of stuff about friends... this BlogSpot is dedicated to a special person and one of my truly best friends...

 

Mrs.Vera Lee

December 27, 1925 - February 23, 2014

Waco lost a great friend and true ambassador to tennis this week in the passing of Mrs. Vera Lee.

She was the ROCK of the Charlie McCleary Tennis Center for close to twenty years.

Anyone that played tennis in Waco – knew of Vera and her beautiful inviting voice.  She NEVER met anyone she did not like and always found a way to get people involved in our programs.  She had a magic about her that made people feel special and always the center of attention.

Vera ran leagues that included players from all over Central Texas.  She helped with organizing activities that included local charity events to professional tournaments.  Players from all over the World knew her voice and kind hospitality.  Vera not only helped with leagues and tournaments she was the “stable” part of the group of people that ran the McCleary Tennis Center.  From tennis instructors to pro shop employees she kept us somewhat level and ALWAYS focused on customer service.

Besides being the “General” of the Tennis Center she set an example of leading a God driven life.  She always put God first and “walked the walk” of a person you would want to be like.  She was also a giver and she gave big from her heart – everyone that met her was touched by her love.

Vera was a great mom to her son Tommy and secondly to all of the McCleary gang.  She was a true living inspiration, teacher, giver and most of all friend - she will be missed.

Mrs. Vera and Ben Leonido -

Ben and his awesome family where a big part of the Tennis Center. 

 

Vera and Leni. 

Vera gave hugs that had meaning - we will miss them...

 

Here is Mike (Ronnie's son) Ronnie, Vera, her son Tommy,

me and Harrison - 16 years ago!!!!

Vera was my partner at the Tennis Center
And my close friend forever!!!

Vera was loved by all. 

Fishing with American Hero's

 

I have guided a lot of catfishing trips in my life and this past weekend I was guided!

Cross Water Outfitters is a group of God Loving Men, mostly Vets,  who "walk the walk" of true Fishermen.

This is a picture of Barney and me at a Cross Water Outfitters weekend retreat.

In less than two days - we all caught over 400 keepers.

Take a minute to see what these guys do as Fishermen - Matt 4:19 - it is nothing less than amazing!

http://www.crosswateroutfitters.com/

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The real meaning of Christmas is the Celebration of the Anointed One!

LOVE is... and HOPE is....

 

Love is...

Spending the evening with Harry and his girlfriend Kesley passing out these stuffed animals to kids that will spend Christmas in the hospital .  Harry and I have done this for the past several years - WOW! it is awesome to see these kiddo's (and the parents) eye's light up - what a great feeling!

LOVE is...

Katfishing with Harry and my nephew Peyton.

What a GREAT KID!  I am so proud of both of them!  Not only are they both smart as a whip - here Peyton out fished me and Rick this particular day - which is hardly EVER done! 

 

LOVE is...

FRIENDS! they add fun, inspiration and meaning to our lives -

like Barney and this monster Kat he pulled in! 

 



LOVE is...

Sassy - only friend I've had that NEVER says anything about my faults!

Although, I am sure by the way she looks at me - she is concerned from time to time.

She has to be the BEST Katfishing sniffing dog EVER  

 

LOVE is...

Watching your son grow into a fine young man!

Here is Harry and his girlfriend Kelsey - before a date night! 

 

LOVE is...

Dad and Mom with Harper - we are so lucky to have such awesome role models... Not only involved in our life - BUT in their grandkids and NOW their GREAT Grandkids life!!!

 

LOVE is...

Having friends that do not mind sharing 'moments' with me! This is my little brother from another mom - Mark - he and his wife Tracie are a gift each day to our family!

LOVE is...

Caits (my incredible niece) getting a sweet kiss from my granddaughter Addie

LOVE is...

Alex (Ali), Ash and Caits... I am soooo lucky to have such great kids...!

I cannot believe that Ali and Ash are Mommy's now!  They are wonderful Moms!

 

LOVE is...

Catching Big Kats with Nick

Both Ash and Ali are blessed to have such great husbands and that makes all of us blessed 

 

LOVE is...

Hanging anywhere and doing anything with Harry!

LOVE is...

Eating dinner with awesome Kids!

LOVE is...

Seeing my beautiful wife laugh!

LOVE is...

Christmas pictures from not long ago!

Nothing better than being with family whenever possible!

Behind us is the chimney that Santa has come down for the past 29 years!

LOVE is...

Friends that give from the heart and expect nothing in return!

Here  -Ed and I are working a Special Olympics tennis event...

 Ed is one of the finest Official I have ever had the pleasure to know - and an even better friend.

 

LOVE is...

Harper, Will and Alex

Love is seeing your daughters happy with their families!

LOVE is...

Our BaBa and Addie  

I have learned that tradition is important to a family. No one knows tradition like BaBa - we are so blessed to have her love, kindness, and incredible values!

HOPE is...

The fact that my parents taught my sister and me - that whatever you put into something you will get back. They taught us to have FAITH.  Hope is knowing that God has made a promise that his son will return.  Hope is knowing that each of us has purpose and responsibility.  I am proud to be a Christian and thankful for each of my family members and friends.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!



Usually, we are just about the ONLY ones on Lake Waco early in the morning or late in the evenings...  So, we don't even look for other fishermen... Rick, Sassy and I were practicing an old  Fisherman Trade (telling stories) while waiting for the next bite when three older guys pulled up next to our vessel.  The only time we have anyone even come close to our ship (USS SASSY) is when the Game Wardens come to socialize... BUT, in this case - these senior fishermen were watching us from a distance and could not figure out what we were doing to be sooo lucky.  We had caught a boat load of 1-3 pounders and they were interested.  I am not a secret keeper - so, I told them about our SUPER SECRET BAIT!  As they were sitting there with us talking - Rick hooked a five pound flat head!  These guys were shocked that such a inexpensive bait would work so well!   It is always good to meet new people and I can honestly say that Fishermen are amongst the most interesting and friendly people you can know.  So, the part of this story that made me think is - I wonder how many times we've been out there having a fishing-good time and people have been watching us from a far...

YOU NEVER KNOW!

 

The USS SASSY cutting through the Waco waters at a cool brisk pace.

 

Here are a few of the BlueKats and Channel Kats we had in the boat when our new senior friends popped by to learn our Secret.

It was not difficult for them to see that we keep our bait a Secret - we even label it a Secret! If you look close at this picture you can see the processed cheap chicken/pork/beef Secret!

 

Here is the five pound flat head that Rick pulled in... I will have to say that Sassy sniffed us right to  this Honey Hole!

 

Some of you may wonder why I would give the Super Secret Bait information away... I am all for making my self a better fisherman and man do I feel better when I know I am helping someone else have a GREAT time on the water!

 

A CHEER AND A CHALLENGE

 

Sometimes you have to STATE THE OBVIOUS...

I HAVE THE MOST INCREDIBLE FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!!

SINCE I MISSED TELL ING YOU....

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE - EVERYDAY!

 

Here is one of our boat (USS SASSY) launching ramps.

Midway Park

 

Thankful for Friends!

Here is one of our awesome TightLine fans...

Bill is holding a 1.5 pound BlueKat

 

Thankful that we can offer up benefit TIGHTLINE FISH FRY'S

Here is Rick and Wes helping out earlier this year!

 

Thankful for the affection we pass out all year!

Here is Rick doing a little KRP... Kiss and Release Program

 

Thank GOODNESS for TIGHTLINES best guide....

SASSY!

 

Another banner day to be Thankful for... today we had 36 Keepers!

57 Total Pounds!!!  Lots of Blues and Channel Kats! 

 

Here is the BIGGEST TIGHTLINE FAN - my Dad!

Thankful for everything he has taught me.

 

THANKFUL for Harry - who keeps me in check

Here is Harry a bunch a years back with two good size Kats...

 

 

AND THEN - you turn around he is 17!

Harry and Kelsey (his awesome girlfriend) at his 17th Birthday party this past week.

 

One of my very favorite pictures - Harry and Leni

 

Thankful for HARPER - the NEXT GENERATION TIGHTLINER! 

 

Thankful for ASH and ADDIE

Here is Ashley getting some quality pizza help from Addie!!!

 

Thankful to hook into this 11 pound BlueKat.

Caught on a cut-shad in 52 degree water - close to Midway Park

Fishing just off the bottom in 14 feet of water.

 

THANKFUL EVERYDAY!