11/17/2011 Lon Hagler   Augie, Al and Chester. Recorded separately under memorable reports. Click here to view it.

11/17/2011  Consensus has it that the 2011 season for the newly founded team is completed. A review of the records reveals the following:

# of Official Team Scouting trips = 3

# of Official Team Fishing trips = 15
       Aug = 15
       Al = 11
       Chester = 11
       Mike = 8

# of fish caught = See Al's chart on website

# of underwater excursions = 1

Equipment 'Casualties'
1- Lost rod & Reel (including line, leader and backing)
1- Lost Vintage Wading Staff (Argentine Trout Tango)
1- Lost Fishing Cap
1- Orvis Flyfishing Guide Cover (repaired)
1- Leaking boot footed hip boots
1- Set of car keys (fortunately found)
1- Frog leg (now in rehab)
436- Assorted flies (estimated from tree count)
0- Human casualties

And a good time was had by all. See you in May, 2012!

Aug

11/23/2011 Lon Hagler For what must be the Team BAS season finale (although Thursday 12/29 doesn't look bad) all we could muster was a team of 2. Chester and Trish are down with some mysterious ailment (rumored to be fish fever) and Mike is sequestered at home cooking for Thanksgiving. He apparently follows the old Italian-American tradition and turns his house into the 'Spumoni Gardens' for the Holiday.

Undaunted, Al and Augie rubbed their hands in glee over the weather forecast promising 75 degrees, no wind and coconuts falling from the trees. Both had new gear to evaluate. Al with new waders/boots and sunglass video cam. Augie (who has stimulated the economy enough this year) with a Sooper Dooper and the vow 'not to get into that damned cold water again this year'.

But at 0900 in Berthoud, the 'standing cloud of doom' was once again in place and the temperature barely tickled 40 degrees. Yet at 10:30, the duo blasted off for the lake. Divine providence intervened and upon arrival at the lake the temp was a balmy 52 degrees and the water smooth as glass. Unfortunately the conditions had brought out numerous shore and boat anglers who were already pounding the depths with live bait of every genus and species known to man. Our heros were relegated to a 6 sq. in. section of beach like the family dogs being thrown the Holiday scraps.

Al, surveying the situation and marginal conditions (there was water and gravel and stuff), decided to leave the fly gear in the car and not have to clean it until next year. It did look good. So the two Team bulwarks took up their positions and let the chrome fly.

While the bait-dunkers were having no success, Augie quickly (2 casts) hooked up with a rainbow and announced it with the resounding cry of "SOOPER DOOPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Al asked which kind so, in a gesture of camaraderie, Aug relayed the info---- 1/4 oz., silver with red trailing behind a barrel swivel on 4# test line. Suddenly, tackle boxes were crashing all over the place, people screaming and tripping over their poles (held up with twig 'rod holders') as the entire cadre attempted to re-rig. Unfortunately, he honestly forgot to broadcast that the rig was tied on with a Palomar knot. This small bit of information (or lack thereof) may have been the key.

Minutes later "SOOPER DOOPER" echoed across the lake as another rainbow came to Aug's net. Unsettled murmuring was heard in the area. Then Aug lost a fish-----in silence. But before long "SOOPER DOOPER" was sung out again as another rainbow was beached. More grumbling.

In the spirit of piscatorial brotherhood, Aug insisted that he and Al switch spots. Al resisted but eventually conceded saying there were no fish in 'his' spot. But Aug moved over anyway (probably fearing for his life from the now angry mob). After a while Aug said 'Hey Al, there was at least one here' as he reeled in a nice cutbow to the now familiar strains of "SOOPER DOOPER"!!!!!!!!!

Al then activated the video and the brothers shared in the filming. But, as if by magic, the fish completely stopped biting! Perhaps an hour went by, the film ran out and not a fish in sight.

It was apparent the season had finally come to an end. In a gesture of solace, Aug let Al lead the way to Perkins. And it was free pie day. And it was also learned that soup can be substituted for the fries and no cost. And you can even get the pie to go. This, my friends, is valuable information.

Al went home to finalize the 2011 season records and have the film developed. Aug returned home vowing to never again take advantage of our finny adversaries with such overwhelming, metallic tactics. He is having his SOOPER DOOPER bronzed to hang on the wall. His conclusion is that like flying electric planes, anybody can succeed with a SOOPER DOOPER!

We'll see........................come April.
Thanks to all for a wonderful year!

Continued on next page

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