Elephant Butte Resservoir

 This is Elephant Butte Lake....Ain't she pretty! She's all dressed up in her best frame and ready tyo meet her new lake house.....two feet by 4 feet and stunning.

Here's a photo of the Elephant Butte that the lake is named for. I think that it looks like the top of the elephant's head and it's body is submurged. 

I always add the local waterfowl flying over and a few fish jumping in the water. If you look chosely, you may find a tiny hidden mermaid swimming around. They say the children really enjoy hunting for her and are thrilled when they spot her in the waters. Oh yeah, some folks tell me that she moves, but I'm not sure that I believe that. LeoLakes.com

 

Most folks add a star to a special place on the lake such as a lake house or where they caught that big fish. I've been doing lake, river and bay maps for over ten years. Over the years, I have experimented with different elements of map art in order to provide the best and most unique map on the market. Folks will be drawn to the map like a crackling fire on a cold winter night.  I try very hard to make my maps special by adding interest to the maps. Paddle over to my website for more information: LeoLakes.com

If fishing bobbers went to a 2022 New Year's Eve costume party...

My mind went outrageous this time. I mean, my mind wandered over into the unthinkable, a bobber costume party. When that happens it splatters on to the Baitrageous Blog. Check it out........Name that trio! Will you score 4 out of 4?

NAME THAT TRIO....

EASY

A little harder

Hard

Really hard

Email me if you need to know the correct answers. Oh yeah... I do maps, lake, river and bay maps. Believe or not for the last eight years. Over the years, I have experimented with different elements of map art in order to provide the best and most unique map on the market. Folks will be drawn to the map like a crackling fire on a cold winter night.  I try very hard to make my maps special by adding interest to the maps. LeoLakes.com

Also, each framed map or map over 16x32, comes with a certificate of authenticity, lake poem, and interesting facts abut the map. 

I have hundreds of maps on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalized vintage style lake maps, too. Lake maps will add beauty to your Lake House Decor! Find out more interesting facts about my treasured maps by going to LeoLakes.com

Christmas fishing Poem

 It's time for my annual Christmas fishing Poem. A few years ago near Christmas time, I went to one of my favorite lakes to fish and kayak. This particular lake was stocked with "Rainbow Trout" the day before. My goal was to catch a few. Here's a poem that lets you know, just how well the fishing trip went.

Not a fish was stirring not even a carp!

T’was the night after the "rainbows" had been stocked in the lake, I went fishing to see what I might take,

The flys were hung in the tackle box with care, in hopes that a big rainbow would soon be near.

As I paddled out on the lake, there arose such a clatter, I sprang up in my kayak to see what was the matter.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, a just fallen tree near a old whitetail deer.

I found not a fish was stirring, not even a carp, so I paddled my Kayak back to the park.

When I arrived home, fun was had by all, as my wife had just arrived from the mall.

That pretty much sums up my fishing trip. Apparently the trout, being new to the lake, had pissed off everyone and nothing was biting.

Visit my website to see more. I have over two hundred lake, river and bay maps on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalized lake, river or bay maps, too. If you would like to see more and read about my treasured maps go to LeoLakes.com. 

As you can see, my maps make a great gift. To see more of my work, click here www.LeoLakes.com. 

Remember, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!

Large Lake House Map

Large Lake House Map, I did this big map of  the Lake of the Ozarks for a customer that has a lake house overlooking the lake. I like the photo of the Canadian Goose flying over the lake! I do maps as large maps, 2 feet x 4 feet and even a map that was 6 feet by 15 feet! If you don't see your lake, no problem. I do custom Lake Maps, too. They make a great Christmas gift for the lake house. Paddle over to my website: LeoLakes.com

20"x40" Map larger sizes available

 I do beautiful canvas lake, river and bay decor maps. 

Folks are discovering that these decor maps are wonderfully unique gifts that become family heirlooms. Oh yeah, I hide things in the lake waters, such as a tiny mermaid/fish. Folks love to search for them. I call my maps, treasured maps because most folks have that special body of water that they treasure. My treasured maps make the best Christmas gifts for the fisherman, lake lover, or Lake house. 

As you can see, my maps make a great gift.  Orders are picking up during the holidays, so order soon. Click here www.LeoLakes.com for more information.

Just remember: "Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream".

Lake Maps

A beautiful lake map will make a great Christmas gift for the lake house or lake lover. It is unique because you can add a star to the location of your lake house and add a few words like " Johnson's Lake House". LeoLakes.com

Watts Bar Lake Decor Map

Interestingly, I often get comments about the tiny mermaid hidden in the waters of all my maps. Folks love to tell me about the search for the mermaid. They say the children really enjoy hunting for her and are thrilled when they spot her in the waters. Oh yeah, some folks tell me that she moves, but I'm not sure that I believe that. LeoLakes.com

I've been doing lake, river and bay maps for approximately eleven years. Over the years, I have experimented with different elements of map art in order to provide the best and most unique map on the market. Folks will be drawn to the map like a crackling fire on a cold winter night.  I try very hard to make my maps special by adding interest to the maps. LeoLakes.com

Also, each framed map or map over 16x32, comes with a certificate of authenticity, lake poem, and interesting facts abut the map. 

I have hundreds of maps on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalized vintage style lake maps, too. Lake maps will add beauty to your Lake House Decor! Find out more interesting facts about my treasured maps by going to LeoLakes.com. 

Blind Love, Leo Lakes Story

Blind Love.....

For 11 years, I've done Lake, River and Bay decor maps. It is such a great business and the customers are wonderful folks. Over the years, I have collected a lot of interesting storys. This story, I call "Blind Love". You will understand after you read this post.

Lake Conroe Map

Interestingly, a few weeks ago, I got an order for a lake map from a nice lady. It was an anniversary gift for her husband. Two days later, I recieved an order from a nice man for the same Lake. however the shipping address was to the same address as as the nice lady's map. 

Was this a double order? Nooo, it was  a "blind Love" order. You see, both were giving each other one of my maps as an anniversary gift. I called to let them know and they were so surpised that each were ordering the same gift. They did cancel one of the orders and the lady said that it made the anniversary more special. The only thing that I didn't tell them is, they both named their lake house with a different name. Anyway, I got a kick out of this and think of it as Blind Love".

Eleven years ago, I got to follow my dream, a dream of having my own studio and creating the art that I love. After some wandering around on exactly what I wanted to produce, then putting all my creative and artistic ability in to it, I can now say that I have found it, "producing creative decor maps of places that folks love." I think this email below, from one of my customers pretty much sums it up, I have found my calling!" 

Here's an email from one of my customers, I received my custom, Hammock Lake decor map yesterday and was like a kid opening it on Christmas Day.  I could not wait to see it, and it definitely did not disappoint! It it stunning!!  Thank you so much for working with me to create this amazing focal point of my home. Your work is gorgeous and is just what I had been looking for!! I absolutely love the barn wood frame!! Thank you also for your promptness on answering your emails and for the super quick delivery.  Your business is more than 5 star and is so much appreciated!!! Thank you. Makes a great Christmas gift for the lake lover. Check-out my website: LeoLakes.com

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

Lake Junaluska

Let me tell you about this great little gem that I stubbled upon called Lake Junaluska. This lake has a little humor, but more about that later. Anyway, we were looking for a middle point to meet our daughter for a mini-vacation. We live in Nashville and she is in Richmond.  For us, this was about a five hour drive and a six hour drive for her. You have probably have never heard of Lake Junaluska. It sounds like it is located in Alaska, however it is not. It is located in North Carolina, near the Great Smokey Mountains. It is a beautiful small, man made lake, about 200 acres. It's ringed with well maintained homes, mostly built in the 30s, 40s, and 50s. It's almost like you have stepped back to an earlier time.

There are a few bed & breakfasts, inns and hotels around the lake that are reasonablely priced. The lake is a conference and spritual center. You can just feel the serenity and calmness in these photo. 

I saw a lot of folks canoing, and kayaking, which you can rent. While I was on one of the small walkways, I saw a couple fishing and asked "how is the fishing going?" They said they had already caught two small fish in about a half an hour. Looks like a great place for kids to fish.   

When you walk around the lake there are some interesting stops. One neat stop was the gift shop, which was better than average. 

This is a view of North Eaglenest Mountain. The mountain is 5,075 ft high and use to be named Mount Junaluska after a chief that lived in the area. I actually like Mount Junaluska as a better name.

Early mornings are spectaculer! There is a 3.5 mile trail that goes around the lake and has some beautiful views of the lake and mountains. On a few mornings, I got up and jogged around the lake. A wonderful time to run. Early mornings and evenings are called the golden hour by photographers because the lighting is perfect. Mornings and evenings did not disappiont.

We stayed at the Lambuth Inn. It was a nice surpise for a hotel that was built in 1921. The room was up-to-date, clean and quite. The view was amazing. The hotel is in the National Register of Historic Places. The landscaping and view points around the hotel were well done. We enjoyed our stay here.

One of the fun things to do is cross the dam to go sightseeing, It's a narrow, one lane bridge. You must look to the other side to ensure that no other car is coimg before you proceed. If a car is coming, you wait until the other car has passed. Traveling across the bridge is an interesting and fun experience because of it's nearness and height. 

I will say that there are very few eating places around the lake, but very near is Waynesville. There are some excellent choices in Waynesville. One evening we ate at "Bogart's", a long proven restaurant, which was established in 1977. A great place to eat, everyone in our party loved their meal. The next night we stop by "The Sweet Onion", another great choice. It's located in downtown Waynesville. The wait time was long at one hour, but the food did not disappoint.  

Interestingly, there's some humor around Lake Junaluska. Take a look at this big puppy dog. His name is Bushy. What a perfect name. Also, while riding around Lake Shore Drive, you will notice a small plaque hanging above the entry of most homes that face the lake. Most folks name their homes. Some of the names are pretty clever.

I would have never stayed at Lake Junaluska if I didn't stubble upon it. I will say, it was a most pleasant experience and will stay here again. Hey, paddle over to website to see my Lake, River, and Bay Maps. I have hundreds of maps on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalizes  maps, too. Lake maps will add beauty to your Lake House Decor! Find out more interesting facts about my treasured maps by going to LeoLakes.com. 

   

Outrageous fishing humor

I've added some new and old "Baitrageous Cartoons" just for my fifteen followers. You have supported Baitrageous over the last ten years. Yes, ten years!  Wow, it's amazing, I'm averaging 1.5 people per year joining as followers. With success like this, I'm not stopping Baitrageous! I must be doing something right....... There is good news, I have between 8 and 10 thousand page views per month, that's not bad. I enjoy posting on this blog. Sooooo, stay tuned for more silly "Baitrageous Cartoons" and other stuff....    

Check-out my vintage style lake maps. Best gift for the, lake lover, fishermen and lake house. I have over three hundred maps on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalizes lake, river or bay maps, too. I have maps of Lake Winnipesaukee, Table Rock Lake, Greers Ferry, Lake Lanier, Gaston Lake, Choctawhatchee Bay, Toledo Bend, Raystown, and many others. Oh yeah, I hide a tiny mermaid in the waters of all my maps that folks love to search for. Find out more interesting facts about my treasured maps by going to LeoLakes.com. 

Oh yeah, this is part of my studio!

Very smart birds

 Last week, I was doing what I love to do, being on a lake, river or bay. Anyway, I learned something. Do you remember the movie “The Birds”? Well, this ain’t it, but it's sort of like it....I was in Florida walking on the Venice pier. I caught this pigeon looking at me with big red eyes. 

I walked over to him and he looked down at the water hose.  Humm….I’m thinking he’s saying “turn on the water you fool, I’m thirsty! 

So I did. Yep, he was thirsty. He drank for about 3-4 minutes and flew off. That's one intelligent bird!

Later that day, I went to Mickey D's for lunch and proceeded through the drive. I got lunch and as I was driving out, there was an unexpected Ibis looking at me on a fence rail at the exit. 

I senced that this bird was there for a reason, begging for food. Check it out, he is looking straight at me....

As I pulled closer, he extended his neck. Obviously, this bird is begging for a hand out, too.

So, I tossed a french fry to him and he munched it down. I'm amazed at how smart birds are becoming. In a few hundred years, birds may be the most intelligent species...

Paddle over to my website, LeoLakes.com. I paint beautiful lake, river and bay decor maps. Folks are discovering that these decor maps are wonderfully unique gifts that become family heirlooms. Oh yeah, I hide things in the lake waters, such as a tiny mermaid/fish. Folks love to search for them. I call my maps, treasured maps because most folks have that special body of water that they treasure. My treasured maps make a great gifts for the fisherman, lake lover, or Lake house. 

As you can see, my maps make a great gift.   Click here www.LeoLakes.com for more information.

Just remember: "Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream".