Time for the 2016 thread for Lynn's Catfish Calendar (LCC).

For those just now finding or hearing about my Catfish Calendar, you can review previous years as I have links listed below. The initial "brief" on the LCC is found in the 2010 thread. More input has been added over the years concerning my Catfish Calendar. As I've said, "I didn't create it, I just discovered it". My Calendar works on YellowCats (YC), BlueCats (BC), and Gator Gars (use the YC days for GG). I have found that ChannelCats (CC) seem to bite more for me on BFT days. Another fisherman said they hit best on ZIP days for him. I did not research Channels (CC), Bullheads (MudCats or MC), or WhiteCats (WC), so I can't really say anything certain, as to my research.

Preliminary results from one Crappie fishermen indicates they bite rather good on BC days & best when near a New Moon (dark nights). He fishes at night after dark into the mid twilight hours (say about to 3 AM or 4 AM). He notes if it is a light rain, they will bite constantly.

Previously ...
2010 <http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/5176857/1>
2011 <http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/5657988/1>
2012 <http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/7059981/1>
2013 <http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/8477517/1>
2014 <http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/9620277/1>
2015 <http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/10541276/1>
2016 <http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/11325915/1>

From time to time, I receive feedback concerning the Calendar, which helps tremendously in further research. I always appreciate input, regardless of positive or negative. Remember that the Catfish Calendar is only one tool among many out there. It is an extremely helpful tool, especially concerning what we call "set lines", which includes trotlines, juglines, set hooks, and even jug lines.


As some of you know, my wife (Elena) & stepdaughter (Helen, just turned 21) are in Ukraine. They were in Lugansk (eastern portion) & the family there had to flee in June 2014, as the rebels started shooting from the tops of their apartments & the Ukrainian army was returning fire. I am happy to say they have relocated to Kiev this past year (2015), and as of this past Fall, back together in one apartment. Elena was also able to visit Crimea & experience the Black Sea at Yalta in the summer of 2013, just before Russia took over Crimea in March 2014. As to history, it was here that US, UK, and USSR presidents gathered after World War 2, to map out the lines of Europe.


Here's your first Calendar for 2016:

Lynn�s Catfish Calendar [LCC]- JANUARY 2016
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sunday / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday / Saturday
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
XX / XX / XX / XX / XX | 1 ZIP | 2 ZIP
3 BFT | 4 BFT | 5 BFT | 6 ZIP | 7 ZIP | 8 ZIP | 9 ZIP
10 BC | 11 BC | 12 YC | 13 YC | 14 ZIP | 15 ZIP | 16 ZIP
17 BC | 18 BC | 19 ZIP | 20 BC | 21 YC | 22 YC | 23 BC
24 BC | 25 BFT | 26 BFT | 27 BC | 28 ZIP | 29 ZIP | 30 BFT
31 BFT
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++



Lynn's Catfish Calendar [LCC]- January 2016 Moon Phases-
2nd- Last Qtr
9th- New Moon
16th- 1st Qtr
23rd- Full Moon
31st- Last Qtr


Lynn's Catfish Calendar [LCC]- January 2016 Lynn's PYC (Prime YellowCat) Days-
3/4 Sun/Mon
12/13 Tues/Wed
21/22/23 Thurs/Fri/Sat
31/(1) Sun/(Mon)


Lynn's Catfish Calendar [LCC]- 2016 KEY:
+++++++++++++++++++++++
YC = YellowCat // BC = BlueCat // BFT = Buffet (assorted) // ZIP = Zip (not very good)
Tip- Always bait out lines the night before a YC or BC day.
Tip- Gator Gars (GG) run ahead of YellowCats, so bait out late (between 11 PM to 1 AM).
Tip- BlueCats also bite good on YC days, but you can rack 'em up on BC days.
Tip- Some variations or alterations are due to weather or other external influences.
Tip- For Rod-n-Reelers, use Solunar Tables (etc.) also for best times with my calendar.
Tip- Near Full Moon, Gator Gars & YellowCats seem to feed a few hours later.
Tip- Your biggest YellowCats may hit best towards beginning & end of YC days.
Tip- My PYC Days keys in on the YellowCat's Feed/Roam Days Underlying Pattern.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


May the Catfish Force Be With You Always!!!
Be Safe & Courteous!!!

Since I'm up, I forget if I ever shared any of some of the testimonies I receive as to the Catfish Calendar. Here are just a few, as I have many more scattered here & there. I have edited them down, due to some that had other comments & also to protect everyone's privacy. But I want you to know, I really respect your privacy, and I appreciate any & all feedback. Thank you ALL!!!


**Been following the forum [TFF]. Seems like some are having a tough time getting fish in the boat, and want to debunk the catfish calendar. To that I am thinking, no one is 100% all the time! Let them live and learn! I can say for myself, that my catches have increased 3-4 times since following your calendar. If you need any help or info from me, feel free to ask.

**Hi Lynn, I can't wait to get the calendar. I did a little research with the e-calendar [RTF version] you emailed me and my past fishing trips, and I also keep notes on the fish I catch and when I don't. I've concluded you are 100% on. I fish mainly for Alligator Gar for photos only- catch and release. I went fishing on a YC day, and did some good. You noted [Gator] Gar run before Yellows. So true and here's proof. Thanx again.

**Well I told you I would give you some feedback on your calendar, so here it is. I've fished trotlines the last 2 weekends and your predictions from on your calendar have been dead on. I fished the Brazos 6th-8th [YC days] and caught LOTS of Yellas up to 42 lbs, a few Channels and no Blues. I fished the same lines in the same locations this past weekend 13th-15th [BC days] and caught the heck outa Blues, along with some Yellas, but not near as many or the size from last weekend [as to YCs]. This is my first time setting lines since I started using your calendar, and you can bet it's already making a believer out of me. I'm gonna try to set a couple lines on Belton Lake 22nd-26th. Hopefully I will have some more good feedback for you then.

**This weekend we had an annual [MD] trip to the Little River with lots of family and friends. Every year Memorial Day weekend we all head down there. This year was by far the worst fishing we have ever had. Between 4 different boats running lines for several days we had a total of 4 small Yellas. We didn't get to set lines until Saturday before dark due to a drowning just upriver from us Friday afternoon. When I got back I checked your calendar and it couldn't have been more right. There was ZIP biting all weekend.

**How do I get a calender? I'm always having to search back through your old posts to find what I need. I've only been juglining for YellowCats the past 2 months in the Colorado River, and I've found as far as Yellows go, it's pretty accurate. I still catch them on ZIP and BC days, but I always tend to catch more on YC days.

**Hello Lynn, I really enjoy reading your posts and stories. I live near Lake Lavon. Your calendar has rang true on Lavon for the days I fished that said BC--- I caught BlueCats on my jugs. Also went to Lake Travis for a family vacation July 18-21 and caught several good Ops [YCs] and 1 good BC on the YC days.

**Good one GOOD WORD BRO. Works! For sure this we know. Let me know how I can help. I am totaly available and love research.

**Thank You Lynn for posting this.

**For a great post and awesome calendar. I purchased this last year and proved to be absolutely outstanding!!! The results were spot on providing average weather patterns. I live in the Dallas area for those that were asking what areas this works in. Worked in mine.

**I live in Houston area. Calendar works here and at Lake Livingston ! Thanks Lynn !!!

**I really appreciate your calender. I use it all the time.

**I love the calender. I still owe you a complete report. Been too busy cleaning and bagging fish!

**I caught 4 yesterday on trotline [in the lake]. 1-2#ers. It being a ZIP day, acccording to the catfish calendar. On BlueCat [BC] days, I've noted my catches are much more in weight and numbers.

**Hey Lynn, Can you post the March Calendar. I will admit that I thought your calendar was a bunch of BS. The last few months I have been comparing my catches to your calendar and I'm starting to see a pattern. I have done best on BC or YC days compared to ZIP days. You're starting to make me a believer. LOL.

**I use this calender to plan almost all my trips unless they are last minute trips. I have noticed a big difference on ZIP days and [in comparison to] BC or YC days.

**I'll let you know how we do. Thanks again for the Calender, I'm going to get one of the printed ones from you when you have them ready.

**Take care of yourself and keep in touch. Let me know when you have the calender ready. I want one.

**I would have loved to have some live perch since these were all BFT days. I'm going to start working on that. We ended up catching about 140 pounds of fish which produced 42 pounds of filets. I don't know why I would want to do any better than that (but I do) it's just too much fish. The calender didn't lie to me, we caught some really nice fish and most of them on about 12 jugs.

**Hey Lynn Let me say I live by your calendar and have never taken the the time to thank you. I have a trip to Somerville planned this Saturday and my wife keeps asking me what your calendar says, which goes to show she believes in it too. She's really going to be skeptical when i tell her it says "zip" now. Oh well it's still time on the water. Thanks for all you do.

**Other Note: (not a fish story) No one asked if I caught any fish. It was an unbelievable trip. had the jugs in by 3:30 pm or so. By 5 pm caught and released a 30 and a 24. kept a 12 and a few others. The next morning caught and released a 19, 17 , two 15s and a bunch of others. Pulled all the jugs at 1 PM. Couldn't fit anymore fish in my 162 QT igloo marine. Ended up with about 35 fish which resulted in 50 pounds of fillets. A whole bunch of 7-10 pound fish and another whole bunch of 4-6 pounders. An amazing amount of big fish. We were releasing 2 pounders... All in all in less than 24 hours we probably caught over 350 pounds. When I got home we had to use my ramps to slide the cooler out of the truck. Couldn't lift it. I normally yield somewhere between 25-28% of weight in fillets. Based on that I brought home 180-200 pounds of fish.
All jug fish were caught on turkey breast soaked in dead red... Started on a zip day (sunday, 27th) followed by a BC day. I don't mind telling you, it was at Fort Phantom Hill in Abilene.... Take Care Lynn, and thanks for always sharing your wisdom ...


The Catfish Calendar is a Tool to get the most out of your Catfishing. As you know, gas prices may be down, but other things are definitely not. While just going fishing is great regardless, isn't it much better when you catch a fair amount. So you deserve to get your bucks worth.

Have a Great Catfish year!!!

thanx lynn for posting your calendar! i really appreciate it! its another tool in my fishing arsenal

Thanks Lynn for posting 2016 calendar thread. I hope you don't mind because I'm going to pick your brain on this, especially on YC, as you know pretty tough on RnR from the bank. I know I need to get off the bank, and I will,... eventually. Lol. That reminds of aluminum boat, flat bottom, thank you so much for advices on this subject and for sharing your experiences and thoughts... I have spoken to a few fishermen who had fished rivers multiple generations and the flat bottom aluminum boats come highly recommended, in addition to stability as you mentioned it is also easier to jump logs in the river and relatively easy to fix if you dent it. Or so I was told, lol.

OK, first serious q, so it is generally bad or zip on days of 3rd quarter moon, especially if moon rises in the AM hours and setting around mid day or early afternoon? Thanks in advance for your reply.

I'll reply back Thursday late night. Long night, just swinging by TFF for a minute.

Sorry for the delay. I had a night of tango with Verizon Wednesday into the later hours of the early morning. Thursday night I crashed after getting on TFF. If I don't hurry, I might just be headed for a dive into the keyboard this Friday night. So I best hurray. OOPS! Well, seems I did the same for Friday night, but an all-nighter. It's now Saturday AM, so here goes (3 days late).


Hey there "gar1970",
Hope the family is all well there. Finally got Elena & Helen in Kiev. Much safer there than in Russia or eastern Ukraine. January 7th was their Christmas Day in Ukraine (religious holiday only).


BankAngler50,
Yes, a sturdy flat bottom. There are some flimsy ones, so be aware. I wish Elgin still made the 12' one, as I'd buy a new one. It was sturdier & had a deeper hull including the front end. Lot of memories, as a kid, teenager, 1st marriage, and a little of 2nd marriage just before it was stolen in summer 1999 at the river about 1.5 miles from the house here. I had it parked with a new chain & lock at the 2nd bridge on TX 21. But somebody decided to take my family heirloom. It had aluminum welded patches, and lots of silcone, but was the sturdiest 12' out there. Super stable. One time I hit a stump on Lake Livingston & I was airborn for awhile as I was running about 20+ MPH. We hit one stump in a creek off the Trinity River at about 15 MPH. Me & a co-worker & my little nephew. It hit between the middle & back seats. The boat stopped abruptly with it under the gas tank behind the back seat. Simply put, about a 4 foot stop from 15 MPH to 0 MPH. That is very abrupt. But all were still in the boat, amazing as my nephew almost always was leaning over to put his hand in the water & it did not flip, nor did he get thrown out. I might add that it still will work OK, even with a few dents. I added a 1" PVC drain, so if I somehow gained any water, as it leaked between patchwork times, all you needed to do, is cruise on, open drain & it empties out until almost all gone, then put the plug back in (before you stop or slow down). It worked great!

Your question:
++++++++++++
OK, first serious q, so it is generally bad or zip on days of 3rd quarter moon, especially if moon rises in the AM hours and setting around mid day or early afternoon?
++++++++++++

There may be several times a year that a ZIP day falls on the day of the Last Quarter or 3rd Quarter. But I would say that it is not generally bad. Looking back at 2015 Calendar, here is what those Days listed as, to give you an idea ...

2015 LCC Retrospect- Last Qtr (3rd Qtr) Days:
Jan 13th- BFT
Feb 11th- BFT
Mar 13th- ZIP
Apr 11th- BC
May 11th- YC
Jun 9th- YC
Jul 8th- ZIP
Aug 6th- BC
Sep 5th- ZIP
Oct 4th- YC
Nov 3rd- ZIP
Dec 3rd- BC

As you can see, there were only 4 ZIPs last year as to falling on the Last Qtr (3rd Qtr) days.

From the 2016 LCC perspective- Last Qtr (3rd Qtr) days:
Jan 2nd- ZIP
Jan 31st- BFT
Feb- There are NONE
Mar 1st- ZIP
Apr 29th- BFT
May 29th- YC
Jun 29th- BC
Jul 26th- BC
Aug 24th- ZIP
Sep 23rd- YC
Oct 22nd- ZIP
Nov 21st- BC
Dec 20th- ZIP


Simply put (just looking at these 2 years), it would appear that there is about an average of 4 ZIPs, ranging from 3 to 5 per year as to falling on Last Qtr (3rd Qtr) days. Now, if others were factored in, it may alter that ratio. But my hunch (intuition) is it will be in that range of 3 to 5 per year.

As I map out the Catfish Calendar each year, I do it in specific stages. In those stages, I do see overlaps or similar transfers from one year to another, but not exactly in comparing the same months, but the number of days in a month as to overlaying the monthly RTF versions. Maybe that is why I seem to feel the need to do it that way first, before the calendar (printed) style version. Maybe I am being pointed to more patterns. Sorry, but that would be very hard to try & explain, except that I realize there must be a sort of bigger "Nature's Inner Guide" that lies behind the scene. Sort of like Einstein explaining that "God does not play dice". Einstein said he could picture or see the clock, but not the clockmaker. In my angle of explanation, I might say that I not only see the calendar, but I somehow also get or see superfast glimpses (or flashes) of the Calendar Maker. It brings an even greater sense of Awe & Respect for the Great Mover. Similar to the sense of Star Wars as to "The Force". It binds us all together in a sort of ONEness & connectivity. It is only realized by Awareness. Another good example is "The Matrix", which also points to awareness being the key to being able to transcend the standard patterns awakening into a grander connection of those patterns. Think of me as the Discoverer, Researcher, and Coordinator of my assignment- The Catfish Calendar. One researcher cannot do everything. But you get your fellow colleagues involved & they to can help in the research. By this assistance, the research findings become amplified. So this connection magnifies much much more than if only one kept it a closed research project. It is called Team effort. That is why I ask for feedback. It is really that Important in research findings.

As those who use & utilize the Catfish Calendar, you come to realize that what might have been thought of as random patterns ruling (chaos as some might refer to it), there is a much grander underlying Order surfacing (starting to become aware of). It is because of this Awareness, you begin to transcend the older assumptions, and start to learn the mechanisms by which to advance & succeed. Sometimes our failures lead to the greatest successes. I always give the example of I used to come back with little catches & sometimes nothing to show for my catfishing. But in my determination, I decided to become aware of more & more. In this process, I learned from two YellowCat teachers. I also learned about how important it was to keep written records. And then I started to discover patterns & successes due to being aware of these patterns. Then I realized there was such a thing as some sort of road map or calendar as to Catfish (Yellows & Blues). But in discovery, I never stopped becoming more aware. I decided to research more & more & refine more & more.

When something is just given to you, most have no respect & if you hit a bump, you may discard it easily. But for those who work for something, you carry a greater respect for it. You hold onto it, never letting it go, but seek out more & more. Only then can it blossom out into something so magnificent, you simply cannot be in anything less than awed by it & its Creator.

Wow, that was a long reply, thanks. I was just curious if moon phases influence flathead movement, and thus feeding habits. I can understand your reluctant to share your working mechanism of your calendar which is understandable.

Sorry for the very long delay.

I started to reply on the previous Sunday (10th), but Elena came on Skype, so I got diverted. Then I had one of those weeks from Hell & now trying to recover & see where I was at before all the disasters hit.

Then as I was about to try again this past Sunday (17th) she got on even earlier. Once again I got diverted. Even though cold, the sun was out later & I decided I better get outside & do some things I was running behind on.


Yes, the Moon phases definitely affect YellowCats. But your question got me curious to compare at least the previous year & current one unfolding to see if there was any kind of possible definitive pattern as to your question.

For instance, I had never thought about, until a few years ago, our Production Manager (now owner & boss of the cabinet company I work for- I am over the door shop division & have 5 people under my supervision) made a comment from his Crappie fishing. He had noticed he had greater catches (they bit much better) around the New Moon than near a Full Moon. It got me to thinking back. And I realized that my catches of YellowCats, as to my past years since starting (recognizing & following) the Catfish Calendar, were more plentiful also during very dark nights (in other words, no light from the moon).

After researching the Catfish Calendar in the second phase of lakes at Lake Limestone out of RB (Running Branch Marina), I came to the conclusion that at or near a Full Moon, as to baiting the lines, the Gator Gars & the YellowCats seem to shift their roam-feeding time slot forward approximately 4 to 8 hours worth. The Gator Gars seem to run the same schedule as to the YellowCats pattern, but they run just ahead by a few hours. So the trick was baiting out (set lines) as late as possible to avoid the loss of bait from the Gator Gars.

It was in 1981 thru 1982 that I was working for The Western Company in the cementing division that I had a specific timely days off schedule- 7 on, 2 off, 7 on, 2 off, 7 on, 3 days off, then repeat. But in cement, our 3 day period was different from the Fracturing division. Ours was Saturday, Sunday, & Monday. While theirs was Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It was during this period that I started catching Yellows on my days off, fairly consistent if I was fishing on my days off on the 3 rivers nearby (mainly Brazos & Navasota). I finally decided to map out a plan & see if I was correct, that I had found a consistent pattern to YellowCats & their feeding cycle. So the Calendar was implemented & tested from 1983-1985 as much as possible. Of course, I no longer had those specific days off, but I used the Calendar to best advantage of specific weekends & specific week (for vacation). In other words, I coordinated my weekend trips & my vacation week trips to hit according to the Calendar. I found out that it was no fluke. My hunch had proven itself. One has to wonder if I might have ever found it, had I been given any other days off schedule at Western back in 1981-1982.

For some reason, I map out the Calendar, then I put it down in <RTF> format first before placing it in the Calendar format in a Print Shop program (for the printed version). I usually can map out the calendar for the following year between September & October as to pooling together the information that is needed. But as I transfer the handwritten corresponding days into RTF format, I utilize the previous years RTF LCC calendars according to the amount of days per month. As I do this, sometimes there are many overlaps as to being very similar. So what I am gathering or sensing, is that there is some sort of underlying overall pattern behind the pattern.

As Stan Tenen (Meru Foundation researcher- Pattern Recognizer) has stated, "It is one thing to find patterns, but the trick is to find out if they mean anything." [from "Geometric Metaphors of Life" video & Lecture 1989], which I happened to buy back in 1995. My teenage daughter was in awe of his findings. I am not sure if that is why she got into numbers & decided to pursue accounting & finance partially because of the fascination or not. Stan has caught the attention of the world as he unlocks patterns since 1967, such as the original Hebrew texts, even so much that it is in a specific Code sequence. Each phrase is a 27 letter string & designates the cut off. If you were to lose a letter, by determining the position & the pattern, you can find out what the lost letter actually is. And his finding that the Hebrew letters are actually shadowgrams of hand gestures is fascinating. And that the Hebrew alphabet follows these hand gestures in a motion that unfolds (meaning they are in a precise order). And then he links Geometric figures into the scenario too.

So, as one researcher, I too see patterns within patterns, as to the Catfish Calendar. And therefore, always looking at new angles. So when somebody makes a comment, I have no choice but to investigate.

So Flatheads prefer to feed on darker nights when there is little moon light or heavy cloud cover. That supports the info from biologists I have read online.

How often do Flatheads feed? Based on your January 2016 calendar it looks like every 7 to 8 days.

The reason For my question, I have caught 4 in the last 2 weeks. I will go for about a week and catch two. Then go for another week and catch two more. Each one comes from a different part of the lake.

I have looked at tracking studies biologist have published on the web, but didn't see a clear answer.

Thank you Lynn.

OK, here is a little general info on Yellows & My Catfish Calendar. I was taught by two YellowCat fisherman prior to discovering the YellowCat feed-roam pattern. They were Newt, who taught me at work & on the Brazos River on TX 21 (upstream) & Olen, who had been taught by another YellowCat fishermen & learned from it. Newt passed away either in the late 80s or 90s. Olen passed away in late 2012. We had talked a few times recently over the past 5 years or so. He was tickled pink over my discovery of the Catfish Calendar & the YellowCat pattern & we had high hopes to fish together at Lake Limestone. But life does not always go as we hope.

A few discoveries they taught & some I learned, as to Yellows. Yellows tend to follow the same paths. This was talked about in the Flathead Trails thread. What is interesting, is that some claim Yellows are loners, while others claim they congregate. Actually both stances seem to be correct. I could speculate why or why not for some length. If you set lines & catch one 30# or larger, chances are you are in a designated hole, an apartment, or found their Path (trail). Do not deviate your lines as to the spot you caught it, any more than 10' or you just may get out of range. Yellows are very finnicky. Very cautious sometimes as to what or when they decide to gulp down bait. Yet at other times, it seems all caution is thrown to the wind & they charge to eat making sure they do not miss a possible lunch. Again, it seems they walk two different angles.

On a river, as rises & falls occur, a YellowCat is mindful that their life is in danger if they stay out in fast current be it facing up or downriver. Their gills are too pliable, compared to a Blue or Channel. So to avoid swift water which could spell death, be it clamping their gills shut or holding them open, they run what I refer to as their "escape route". For instance on a rise, if you have a set line on the downriver side of an inside bend (in the "cup"), or sometimes along the side (as long as it is not swift water), you will catch them either escaping to some pre-destined place or returning from it, depending whether the river is rising or falling.

Did you know you can actually put a Yellow to sleep? Enough so, that you can reach out & lift him in your arms & lay him in the boat. Of course when it wakes up, hang on. Olen proved it to a group in April 1979 on Lake Livingston out from White Rock Creek in the Jungle. It was a 30+ pound Yellow. He asked the guy in front & the one in back to hold the line steady. He reached over & rubbed it belly for awhile. Then he slid his arms under & lifted him up, layed him in the boat. It was so peaceful. Of course the rest of the group dropped their jaws, as it was so unreal. Of course reality settled in about 15 minutes later as it woke up & almost tore up the boat. As you rub their belly, watch their eyes & their breathing. If you are keen enough, you will see the difference. Yellows do this to themselves to put themselves to sleep on the bottom. As they squirm back & forth, they are doing the very same thing.

You know the bit about being told to keep quite or be still as you will scare the fish away. For most fish, this is true. However, it is not always the case for a big Yellow. I once had two Yellows tied on both sides of the boat at Running Branch in May 2006 (Mother's Day weekend). One weighed 57# & the other was 13#. One of the kids near my cammpsite wanted to see the smaller one. I tie them off with 1/4 nylon braided rope after putting a slit in their bottom lip, attached to a loop stake (made of 3' of 3/8" rebar, with one end bent around to form a loop- I use a trailer ball hitch hole in the bumper to do this, then spray paint them gray or black). As I pitched the 13# back into the water, instead of the 57 pounder running away, she shot out like lightning headed straight for the splash. It was almost like watching a YellowCat at the drag races. But just short of getting to the 13#, it was like she saw what & how big it was & possibly saying, "Oh, it's just you". The 57# easily headed back to where it had been previously.

If you hear me speak of an apartment & Yellows, it is a sort of analogy or comparison. Many Yellows may not reside in a hole or under a shelf or hollow log, but in an "apartment" usually under or beside an underground tree or stump or log. This is considered their lease. It is their domain or assigned territory. When you catch a big Yellow (30#+), you have removed it from their apartment. Therefore, Nature abhors a vacuum, therefore, the "apartment" is sublet (leased out again) to another Yellow. This is an ongoing process if & when the current tenant is removed. Once you find an "apartment", know that eventually another will come to fill the void. Therefore, from time to time, check & see if you have a new prospect.

Yellows are like giant vacuums. They constantly suck in food, including other cafish, which includes other Yellows. One of the worst enemies of a female YellowCat guarding her nest, is a hungry male YellowCat.

I'll stop there with those tidbits.

With moonlight, like a Full Moon, light does pierce some down under. Obviously this either affects the Yellows or it affects their bait (lunch possibilities.

My Catfish Calendar shows one of the 4 designated type of days that is the strongest for that given day. It does pinpoint exactly when, or be it only one time or multiple times that given day. The pattern for Yellows is reflected most of the time in the Calendar. It took several years to finally conclude if there were two portions or just one in operation. The Calendar & YellowCat feeding patterns. I have finally yielded to both operating alongside or overlaying each other. So in order to compensate the YellowCat feed-roam pattern which is underlying, I started the PYC days. This is My Personal YellowCat days. As I review the calendar (RTF monthly), I choose the 2 day or 3 day feed-roam days for PYC. Sometimes the PYC & Calendar (YC) go hand in hand (identical). After my work beginning with the Calendar since 1982, I have expanded upon many things.

Simply put, the easiest way to grasp it, is to view it as 2 days, 2 days, then 3 days & then repeat the same. There is about 7 days between those "hits". There is & can be some variation, but that is basically it rounded off to make it easiest.

Jeff & James found that they usually caught their biggest Yellow on the 3 day runs, either on the 1st day or the 3rd. This was a Father & Son team that wanted me to share what I was doing, as to Yellows & the Calendar. They had never caught a YellowCat. In less than 30 days, their 4th Yellow (a gray looking Op) they caught, weighed in at 62.4# & after that, they excelled. They also came to realize it helped me improve the Calendar, by giving me feedback. So they shared mental updates.

As to the Catfish Calendar, I explain I did not create it, I simply discovered it. The patterns were always there. I simply learned to recognize it, then utilize it. I have come to refer to it as some sort of roam-feed circuit switch which is turned on, then off again. In other words, it seems to be Nature's way of kicking them out on the streets to go earn their food instead of waiting for it to come their way.

Well, I need to get some Vitamin Zzzzz. Hope that helps a bit more! Be safe in these winter storms!

Thank You Lynn for taking the time to reply!

The water is hovering at the 50 degree mark & I have not caught anymore flatheads. Either they have moved to deeper wintering holes or at least reduced their range for the winter.

Next fall I will try again a little earlier in the year. It is frustrating to learn how to catch them just a couple of weeks before the water really started to get cold.

Good read Lynn and thanks. Could it be that those on and off days just mean opps are very proficient hunters and they would feed their fills than lay dormant for days to digest for days? Then repeat. .. they know the patterns of their food sources and maximize their chances accordingly? Just guessing, don't have much experience with flathead but something I might be interested in if I got a boat.

My apologies, as I got interrupted in response & have not had a chance to get back to finishing it,

A YellowCat is a living, breathing & eating "funnel", simply put, it is a vacuum for food & then some. If you have ever watched a big Yellow open wide, in a sort of gulp, you will see how fast they can swallow something whole. They can swing open their mouths super fast. And just think, if they sense a meal coming, they can lunge out & scoop it right in.

As to digesting, I could not really say if they would just lay around waiting for the next run (roam-feed YC days) or just take a breather to digest their current "intake". There was an article a few years back, that one river catfisherman shared as to going straight to the YellowCat's dinner table. On the river, he would target brush piles. As he cast out, he warned that you have to be ready. Once they grab your bait, you must get them away from the pile ASAP or they will hang up in the brush. He shared one of his experiences. It got tangled. So he decided to try & pull it out of the brush, since it was only a foot or two below the surface. He really had to lean over into the water, so his fishin' buddy had to hold on really good as to his belt, so he would not fall over the boat or get pulled into the water. He eventually got it up & into the boat. If not mistaken it was over 50#.

But I will make a note as to humans, as I have been studying the brain, the Mind, blood, heart functions, fasting, meditation, and such, for the past 30 years or more. My Heart & High Blood Pressure problems in late 2011 & early 2012 have contributed to that understanding. If you sit down & reflect about it, it just makes common sense.

Let me explain. I also had a mentor in 1986 thru 1988 that helped in explaining brain & Mind operations. He would give examples, as well as their technical terms. Be it physical, mental, or spiritual aspects. That included metaphors to compare to such as the sub-conscious as being a house with a housekeeper with a bulldog out front guarding the front entrance into the house. The house is the storage facility for the brain & the Mind (note these are two separate items, but linked in certain ways) Think of the Mind as the Power Substation or even Power Plant, that transfers power to the Transformers on your pole connected to your house. The Transformer is the Brain, as it reduces the input. The Infinite must be compartmented or reduced (in a portion) to Finite in order to use on a physical basis (operation mode) by the brain. If it was allowing a full load, it would be overwhelming. Try connecting your home direct to thousands of volts & see what happens. No more home, as it will burn down due to so much input. The housekeeper (director) of the house stores & keeps every & all input [subconcious]. Nothing is lost, but may be piled or stacked up so much as to not be able to access. This is a necessary function. The only way to remove anything, is to go in & give the housekeeper the directive to find & remove it. But, in order to do that, you must confront the bulldog, who constantly guards & prevents such actions. However, by certain methods, such as subliminals (2 levels of confrontation which distracts the bulldog) or Hypnosis (Hypnotherapy which does it in another way), you can go in and erase something, and if you really know the proper methods, you could add as well.

Now, even though those methods are actually interaction of the non-physical portion- the Mind, the Brain has to be factored in, as to the physical portion (body part) that relays the information (a portion of it). This is the most interesting portion. How can you tweak (or enhance) the brain for optimum access without blowing fuses or burning down your physical house- your body & brain? By blood flow. Have you ever thought about it? After a really big meal, take Thanksgiving for example. You overstuff with food. Well, it tastes great & you enjoy a good tasting meal of eating all sorts of things, right? But after you eat, have you wondered why you are so lethargic or tired & want to rest or nap to digest all that food?

It is because the stomach is the most demanding of your blood supply in the physical body. The stomach requires very much blood to process your food (meal). The more solids, the greater the amount. By overeating, regardless of the reasons, you have set your body to demand (command) a tremendous amount of blood to your stomach. By doing so, the amount going to your brain is reduced. In a sense, you are actually having to minimize the brain functions. Due to this, your mental & awake & alertness operations have been put almost to a point of being incapacitated.

The reason fasting is used, is to divert a major flow of blood to the brain in order to expand your mental & spiritual access into the brain, as well as to the Mind. In other words, you rob your stomach of what it has been robbing from the brain. The operation mode of the physical body is directed at survival of the physical body. In its basic or minimum, the brain is utilized only for survival. Your physical body requires these three things to operate: Oxygen, Water, and Food (processes into energy). When you fast (from food), you are still getting oxygen. And you should from time to time drink water as needed, and fruit juices will draw the least blood, if more than water is needed. After about 2 days, your stomach will realize that you do not intend to heed its cries for food. Eventually hunger pains subside. And you will come to realize something. You become more aware, as to mental & spiritual levels. Your brain is allowing more Mind into it, but it has become enhanced to be able to process the extra input. And the possibility opens of extraordinary things occurring.

I am sure you recall in many spiritual disciplines, you have seen or know that some got down on their knees & it is thought of as humility & submission to a Higher power. Remember one of the 3 clues in Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade, as to "kneeling". You probably do not know it, but the prophets, when fasting had not been done, had a process of kneeling with your head between your knees. This produced an onslaught of blood to the brain, just as fasting does.

When I had my problems in early 2012, I thought I had some sort of crud, due to my breathing, as to the gunk inside my lungs which you could hear. I also had a problem that after eating, my stomach would swell, I would feel bloated. And I could literally not bend over as there was no give. Well, it was revealed that I had an enlarged heart. And that pumping capacity was actually only doing 20 to 25% of what it should have been. As I realized later, I did not have any sort of crud. It was actually my lungs operating in the least possible way due to loss of normal blood flow. In order to get rid of the crud, it actually required a full blood supply to eventually get back to normal. After a penicillin shot, I realized that it did not help, so something else was the problem. My stiffness & bloating was also realized as another casualty to loss of blood flow. Since the stomach required so much to operate normally, if my body was only receiving 20 to 25% as compared to a normal & healthy state, it would be starting to process my food & simply get hung. In other words, it would start the process but run out of blood, so then bloating & stiffness would result. Also it affected my throat muscles & felt as if I had something in my throat. I am now sure that some function in my neck related to windpipe & stomack related was being curtailed too, to that result. Once my blood supply was regained, these problems were eradicated. However, I can sense I am not back to 100%, but hover around 80 to 85% in blood capacity.

Exercise (in my case) in recovery, must be slowly regained. Meaning you have to slowly build your body to flow the blood again at a normal rate. This also helps to get your blood pressure rate back down, as well. And yes, losing weight is another advantage. I can ride a bicycle for 3 miles & drop about 25 to 30 off my BP count (big number), after taking it before & then 30 minutes later after the ride.

OK, I told you all that, so you could get a good idea of how eating (digestion) affects blood supply, which can affect our physical, mental, and spiritual capacities. As for us humans.

Back to your note on YellowCats ...

I had never thought of it, but there could be some sort of digestion cycle (or part of the whole). It may or not be. But if catfish are affected in a similar manner like us, it remains one possibility. Or one amongst other possible reasons.

As I have said to others on occasion, if you drop it onto their eating table, what would you do if the situation was the same? Eat if of course, because it is a sure thing.

The roam-feed circuit switch which my Catfish Calendar focuses upon, could be Nature's built in exercise & eat cycle (program) pre-installed. In other words, it may be Nature's way of kicking them out the door & get those other muscles moving other than their mouth & lungs, along with stomach & digestion (getting the blood to flow to do other things).

I will post February calendar tonight.

OK, before I fall asleep, I best get the February 2016 Lynn's Catfish Calendar on the Forum.

Even though the Catfish Calendar is mainly derived from cycles, the last question brought up an interesting angle that may need exploring. It got me to thinking of some of my other research as to eating & the blood flow being diverted, which by processing, turns into energy, but not up front, as it puts us into a lethargic state, especially from larger meals. If it occurs to us, then it may not only apply to humans & other mammals, but fish also.

Lynn�s Catfish Calendar [LCC]- FEBRUARY 2016
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sunday / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday / Saturday
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
XX / | 1 BFT | 2 ZIP | 3 ZIP | 4 BC | 5 BC | 6 ZIP
7 BC | 8 BC | 9 BFT | 10 BFT | 11 ZIP | 12 ZIP | 13 BC
14 BC | 15 ZIP | 16 ZIP | 17 YC | 18 YC | 19 BC | 20 BC
21 BC | 22 BFT | 23 BFT | 24 BC | 25 BC | 26 ZIP | 27 BFT
28 BFT | 29 ZIP
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++



Lynn's Catfish Calendar [LCC]- February 2016 Moon Phases-
8th- New Moon
15th- 1st Qtr
22nd- Full Moon

Lynn's Catfish Calendar [LCC]- February 2016 Lynn's PYC (Prime YellowCat) Days-
(31)/1 (Sun)/Mon
9/10 Tues/Wed
17/18/19 Wed/Thurs/Fri
27/28 Sat/Sun

I see that "Phil" did not see his shadowm, so possibly an early Spring. We shall see. I am thinking there may yet be a big cold blast later this month. We are overdue for one.

Stay Warm!!!
Expect the unexpected!!!
Don't take unneeded risks!!!