Monday, April 30, 2012

What is the most popular Troutmanizer cartoon?



As you may know, I have been blogging about a cartoon series that I created called, "You're a Trout-ma-nizer if." The full series can be found in the tab above with the same title. Anyway, I have been keeping track of the popularity of each cartoon and I'm ready to publish the results by using the total number of page views for the ten cartoons. Which Troutmanizer cartoon was the most popular?  The most popular cartoon was the Troutmanizer definition (above) with 121 page views. Not bad for a new blog that has only 850 total page views for the life of the blog, in fact I may work on a t-shirt design for Troutmanizer. Stay tuned!



The Second most popular cartoon was, Woolly Bugger at 40 page views on the left. It's my favorite and a lot of folks really liked this cartoon. I think it's because of the uniqueness and only Fly Fisherman understand that a Woolly Bugger is not a hairy booger. 


I think it's interesting that the, "having your wife wear trout pj's to bed" cartoon, with 23 views was number 3 and lots of folks thought it was very funny. You are definitely a Troutmanizer if your wife wears trout PJ's. Right? 




The 4th most popular cartoon was, pierced by your favorite fly, on the left with 15 views. If you have ever fished a lot, you have likely been hung by a hook. From the comments, it seems that this cartoon has hit a nerve. Ha Ha! 


Which cartoon was the least popular? Kiss a trout, with only 5 views. There's just something about kissing a fish that turns off most fisherman. Just don't do it! Hope you enjoyed and stay tuned for more cartoons.

Friday, April 27, 2012

First Spring Fishing Trip


A few weeks ago, I went on my first fishing trip of the year. My buddy Buttermilk and I went to a small lake near my home called Greenbrier Lake. It's only about 100 acres, but it's a great lake for kayak fishing.  Occasionally you may catch a nice bass.

The lake has a few resident beavers that go on their normal routine, even if folks are fishing near.  


Here you can see Buttermilk fishing hard using Trout Magnet as bait. It works for bass and brim, too.

Bang, Buttermilk sets the hook! Could it be a big Bass?

Nope, just a small brim.

Nevertheless, it's a fish.

Not a bad day of fishing for the first time of the year. We did catch a few brim and a couple of small bass. 
Hey, remember to get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!

Friday, April 20, 2012

A Wild Ride

This is not my usual comic about fishing, but one that I will always remember.  It all started when I allowed my sixteen year old to drive home from school. She has her learners permit and has been driving for the last four months, in fact so much that I had gotten comfortable with her driving. 


All was going well until we pulled into our driveway. We slowed to stop at the gate so I could get out and unlock it. As I was unlatching my seatbelt, the vehicle lurched forward into the gate and then crashed through, flinging both gates wide open. My SUV, which I call Goldilocks, hit the gate so hard the master lock bust open and was tossed in the air. 

I didn’t have time to think because as we went through the gate, I could see we were headed straight for a Shag Bark Hickory. Quickly leaning over, I grabbed the steering wheel and turned it toward me while screaming put the brake on. Luckily, we narrowly missed the Shag Bark but now we were headed down a very steep hollow that would easily put Goldilocks in a roll over. 
Again, I pushed the steering wheel to turn Goldilocks back up to the driveway while yelling “put the break on.” Now, we were headed back toward the drive and fast. My last thought was to grab the emergency brake which was in the middle of the console, but before I did, my sixteen year old finally put on the brake and we came to a halt. It took a moment for both of us to realize what just happened. As I looked at her, I could see eyes as big as a saucers welling up with tears. “I’m sorry, sorry, I hit the gas.” I said “We are lucky no one was hurt. This is a learning experience to make you a better driver, always remember it.” 
I got out and surveyed the damage. Goldilocks didn't look too bad, just a few scraps that will need repair, but I will need a new gate.
I got back in, put Goldilocks in 4-wheel drive and drove back in the drive. The sixteen year old hasn’t driven since, but I plan on getting her back behind the wheel soon. I’m not sure how Goldilocks is going the feel about it, but I'll take her to the car wash and give her a sponge bath and she will feel better.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Do You Kiss Your Bait?

This may be my favorite cartoon. I think Bob went a little past kissing. Enjoy!
Get away form the big screen and get on a big stream!

Monday, April 16, 2012

The Troutmanizer cartoons that you didn't see.

For this new blog, the "Top Ten signs you're a Troutmanizer" has been a success as indicated by the number of page views the site has generated. In the next post I will rank the popularity of the top ten signs by the number of page views for each. Which one do you think was the most popular?  


Did you know that  there were actually 12 signs? Here's the others. These didn't make the cut, but are somewhat humorous.  


Remember: Get away from the Big Screen and get on a big stream!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Troutmanizer Number 1, will the trout choose you!

This is the last of the Top Ten signs that you're a Troutmanizer. Enjoy! 
 These cartoons have been a joy. I've learned a lot from the comments and total image views of each. In the near future I will post the most popular and other interesting facts. Also, COMING SOON will be fly evolution cartoons and fishing gear that just didn't catch on.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Troutmanizer Number 2, always tempted !

Here is Troutmanizer Number 2, of the Top Ten Signs that you are a Troutmanizer!

Also from the Troutmanizer no. 3, I have learned that everyone who has fished for a while has a story about being hooked in a body part. So the post below I tell my story from a past fishing trip. 

COMING SOON, Troutmanizer number 10, the last "Top ten signs that you're a Troumanizer. Have a great Easter!



The hook story (My fishing trip to Paris)

Several years back, I was lake fishing near Paris with some of my buddy’s. I caught a good size fish and as I was taking the fish off, he flung the hook out of his mouth and into my hand. Startled, I jerked back setting a hook deep in my palm. My buddy’s looked at it and said “oh that’s going to leave a mark, yank it out and put some worm dirt on it and keep fishing.” I used pliers and a knife to try and remove the hook, but while trying, I almost hooked my other hand. I thought, great if that happens I’ll be handcuffed by bait.  Yep, I was greatly embarrassed, but that’s fishing, right?

I decided it was going to take too much cutting to get it out, so off to Paris we went. When I arrived at the clinic there were other folks there. One had been on his tractor and a branch fell on him and another had been kicked by a cow. Oh yeah, I don’t want you to think that it was in the other Paris. It was Paris, Tennessee and the Henry County Medical Center because I was crappie fishing on Kentucky Lake.  Nevertheless, as I checked-in with the spinner bait hanging from my hand, the check in nurse said “So, you’ve been fishing?” I said “Yep” but thinking, well you know what I was thinking.

Anyway, in the exam room a new, young Doc walked in, looked at my hand and told the nurse to get the scalpel, we’ll cut it out. An older nurse told the young Doc, “around here I’ve never seen it done that way; most Doctors clip the hook to remove the lure. Then push the end of the clipped hook and the barb end will curve right back up and out with almost no scar.”  The young Doc took her advice and sure enough the hook came right out with no scar. Boy I’m thankful for nurses that speak up and young Doc’s that listen. Now, I know how to remove hooks the easier way, clip and push. Believe me; I will never forget that trip to Paris.  

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Troutmanizer Number 3, Pierced by your lucky fly!

This has actually happened to me, not in the ear but in the hand. I could't get the sucker out and ended up going to the emergency clinic in Paris...............That'd be Paris Tennessee. This is a story for another time.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Troutmanizer Number 5, Woolly Bugger



Remember:
 "Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream, or

at least put one on the wall." Check out my maps at!