It's been a long time since i've been able to get out and do anything. I work seven days a week, months and months at a time. But the wife and I finally got away for the weekend. Thought you fellers might like to check it out. I know it's been a really long while since i've been around here (work work work), but I felt the need to dive back to my ol days and share an adventure. It's been a rough few years and most won't remember me, but just felt like sharing tonight.

This is from this past weekend. We headed out to Lake Spence in the midst of very strong 20-30 mph winds and a temp of 42. We knew Saturday and Sunday were going to be beautiful so we took the chance against the nasty Friday weather. We left the kayaks at home and took my buddy's little v-bottom boat.



Our front porch view. We stayed in the tent for a long time after we got set up just to stay out of that crazy wind.





This was tall grass being laid down by the unrelenting north winds.



The winds finally died down and it was time for some smoked sausage and Boraccho beans.



Once our food settled and the sun went down, it was time to get out the camera and start playing around. It was still cold, upper thirties, but the clear skies made it hard to just sit around.





The lights of San Angelo in the distance.



The morning rose to a gorgeous start of a day.





It was a slow day of fishing, but at least the winds were light. I figured the front that moved through got them a little finicky. But my wife was able to pull a couple in while my lines stayed quiet.





We called it mid afternoon and headed back in. That evening we had pork chops with a side of taters and onions.



Again, the darker it got the more I wanted to grab the camera and go play.











After a decent night's sleep, the Sunday morning sun hit us and I woke up fast. There was so much splashing going on outside. I'm talking white bass spawn kind of splashing. I'm not an early riser, so yes, I sleep in even on camping trips. But it was like an oven in the tent. I tried to go back to sleep but the noise of flopping fish was just too much. At this point I was wishing I hadn't stayed up so late taking photos.
I got up and went outside while my wife was still trying to keep sleeping. I grabbed my fishing rod and started walking the banks. I caught 4 bass within 30 minutes, not even 50 yards from our tent. Once she was up and at 'em from my, not so quiet Rick Flair "woooo's", we hopped in the boat and headed out.



It was a great day on the water. 20 fish caught in just a few hours. All caught on chartreuse and white spinner baits. There were lots of little ones, but some had some heft. The biggest hitting 4.5 lbs. Reminded me of days gone by when I could get out in the yak once or twice a week and the 4 pounders were the little ones. Well, maybe a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the point. lol





Mid-afternoon it was time to head back and start packing up. The worst part of any trip. It may be months before I get another day off. But the weekend was one I will remember for a long time. Great company, great food, and great fishing. I just hope one day life calms down enough to let me get back to more days spent on the water. My daughters a junior in high school, my son is in college, and we have enormous medical bills, so it's going to be far and few between, but there's not a day goes by I don't thank the Lord for the life I was given, even with all the uphill challenges. I can't complain about working two jobs and not having days off. My wife's getting better and i'm still my kids hero...well, at least when my daughter's not being a spoiled little diva. lol



Thanks for coming along,
Scott

Don't tell anybody but fishing at Spence has been great this year. Oh and that light from San Angelo drowning out the stars is probably from the LED bulbs on my back porch my wife made me put in, sorry about that.

Totally AWESOME! Trip of a Lifetime! Thanks for sharing.

Wow. Great pictures and fish. How does it get any better?

Plus #1.

There are some fantastic pics in your post. Thanks for sharing them and your weekend with us.

What a nice weekend and great pictures! Thanks for sharing!!

What a great trip! Thanks for sharing.

Great pics. Thanks for sharing

Great write up and some beautiful pics. Looks like you had a great time.

Enjoyed that. Thanks for sharing.

Grand adventure, great memories and pictures!

Great job with the camera.

You have some serious skills with a camera!

Found your post truly inspirational. God bless you and family.

Very impressive photos! Especially the night shots. I've tried to get Milky Way photos but they never turn out worth a darn. I'd love to know what camera and settings you use to get those great night shots. Do you mess with ISO or just exposure length? Great post!

Glad to see Spence making a comeback. Thanks for sharing!

Very nice!

Thanks for all the kind words fellers.

didja getny - most the photos were in the 20-30 second range. I was using a Nikon D7200 with an 11mm f2.8 and if I remember the iso was around 1600-2000. Thanks!

We did get out one more time for my birthday. Not much fishing, just camping and a lot of doin' nothing! I love those kind of trips. This was at San Angelo State Park a few weeks ago.

Thanks for the great recap and photo's.

Grew up fishing on Lake Spence and Twin Buttes in the 80s. It's been at least 25 years since I've fished either.

Enjoyed the photographs and thank you for taking us along on your adventures.....

DUDE!!! Very nice I also enjoyed this post!

Great shots.. it is beautiful looking out over the lake at the stars. Next time you’re down let me know maybe I can put you in the boat and show you a few spots on Spence.

Great to see your work back on the forum. Had missed it. Always great photos..

Thanks again guys. Really appreciate it!

Scott

Fantastic pics and my prayers are out for you and your family, Happy Holidays!

Great post!!! I felt like I was there with ya

Good job. I especially like the night time pictures. It's been a long tome since I have camped out overnight.

Thanks for sharing, great pictures. We used to fish Spence back in the late 70's and it was fun. Have a couple of stories about my group that are funny from another time. thanks again for refreshing Lake Spence memories.

Strange that I just got back on the forum after a few years away, to find that you just did the same.
Good to hear about Spence. I fished for strippers there the last couple of years before the golden algae devastated the lake.
Might have to try it again, although I no longer have my 22 ft CC boat. I spent the last several years fishing from kayaks. Now my back has put a stop to that and I just bought me an old 15ft Monarch semi V aluminum boat. It’s kind of an old man’s boat..... great fishing boat, but not much for big water.
Loved your story and photos.

Great pictures and brought back memories of fishing Spence in the 70's.