CJ Brown - My Semi-comfortable Home Lake

Paddling the north end of CJ Brown can avoid some of the weather some of the time. 

Paddling up Buck Creek from
CJ Brown can be an adventure. 

CJ Brown Reservoir and Buck Creek State Park have to be considered my home lake due to proximity, although I also have to admit that I don't fish it well. And I don't like admitting that. It is considered one of Ohio's best inland walleye lakes.

I have never never caught a walleye there or anywhere. My defense would be that I haven't put it the time to learn that species and have stuck to rivers and smaller ponds for most of my fishing. The deeper, south end isn't really small boat friendly. I think that's where the fish are.

Still, flatwater in the early morning is a common
at CJ, aka "The reservoir" if you're from Springfield. 

The north end however is ideal for small boats. It is very shallow and not conducive to big boats, so there's no excessive wake or waves. Groups of islands surround the mouth where Buck Creek enters the lake and help break up the wind that plagues the bigger sections of the water. However, there isn't much cover for game fish on what are essentially a freshwater flats.

The north end of CJ Brown is very shallow,
demonstrated here by Jurgen von Stillwater. 

On recents days however I have see whitetail deer, a bald eagle, carp, red fox and hosts of shore birds. Our first bird dog pointed her first wild pheasant there years ago, a feat I was unprepared for and didn't believe. I shot a rooster later from the opposite shore when I was prepared. Our new pup is getting a feel for it all there. It all makes for pleasant memories and a pleasant paddle.

Even if I never pull a walleye from her waters, I'm more than comfortable with that.

Leopold Benches @dogfishbeer Inn

Just a quick observation. You might know that I really like Leopold benches for their simplicity of design. And here they are stacked around a hotel. But not just any hotel, a hotel based around beer. But not justany beer,  really good beer. What a glorious combination.

2014 Trout Stocking

98,000 catchable trout will be stocked all over Ohio. In Clark County in Clark Lake (creative naming, around here
huh?) stocking will be March 27. It might not feel like spring all over, but it's time. No ice. Get out.

You can see the complete listing here. http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/fishing/trout-stocking-dates

The most recent radio show/podcast of Buckeye Sportsman had an interview on techniques to catch them. It might be slightly different than you'd expect since these fish are new to the outdoors. They're not Fish Ohio fish, but they're perfect for the table.

Snow Rollers in Ohio

A weather phenomenon that rarely happens, but apparently happend all over Ohio this winter of 2014. I actually watched this take place walking Jurgen that day. It was just bizarre. It starts like a flap of snow then rolls into what you see here. 

Meet Jürgen von Stillwater

Following in the footsteps of Sundance West Eva Diva (you never replace your first birddog) is another Sundance-line dog, Jurgen von Stillwater.

If you're familiar with the teutonic method of naming dogs, you'll recognize and appreciate this as the "J-litter" from Stillwater Kennels.

He came to our house on December 26th. He's growing fast and full of personality, but this has been a miserable winter in Ohio to introduce a pup. That said, he's what I would call nearly house-broken at this point. He whines to go out and has nearly from day one.

Come, sit (stay) and shake were all accomplished in short order. Uses his nose, has pointing tendencies. The only challenge really is the weather, puppy coat, and getting him enough exercise. Oh, and his beginnings as a lap dog, which he hasn't shed yet. He's a people dog, but doesn't think he's a person. I like that about shorthairs.

Stay tuned for rock picture updates, with a little luck.

Another Leopold Bench

Yep. Not very original, but I built another Leopold Bench, from these plans. It's all 2 X 10. Like any other project, when you start with the right materials it's a lot easier. Will say, 20˚ temperatures and snow don't make things easier. Not displeased with the results however.

It will be a gift. I think it accomplishes the ‘welcome, rest, think, repsect’ goal I had in mind.

A Place to Sit Outside - Benches

Slightly off the usual topic of outdoor pursuit but relevant I think. For whatever reason, I seem to make a lot of benches. Benches are great for sitting outside and playing guitar because you have room to maneuver the guitar body and neck away from the arms.

I posted this earlier about the Leopold bench I made from scrap wood because I always wanted to make one. It is a great, simplistic design and I love it for that.

I have made several follow this more traditional design. I've made them in varying lengths, always out of cedar. They seem to hold up well, are comfortable and just "look right."

Another less traditional one is this. Like the Leopold bench, it was made out of scrap wood, 4 X 4's form a swing-set in this case. Another that's in the works is a retaining wall that doubles as a bench. Not quite finished yet. If you see any interesting benches, particularly made out of recycled or reclaimed materials, please share.