Outdoor Travel Chicks

Not sure how I missed this post. Too focused on the day job I suppose. Took this bad boy on my property early this November. He's a strong 10 pointer, with a nub that may too short to keep him from 11-pointer status, and one broke off keeping him from 12-pointer status. Still going on the wall. Proud to have harvested this beauty in my little corner of Wisconny. Sorry, I didn't have to travel far for this one. Perhaps next time.

We're back from Cabo San Lucas and as usual the fishing was great. We fished once again with Minerva's who did an amazing job as always. If you are ever in Cabo, these guys are who you want to fish with hands down.

From Minerva's start in 1976 when Cabo only had dirt roads and a few restaurants, they have grown into a fully operational charter company and tackle store. Bob Smith and his wife Minerva (one amazing lady) always make sure we are taken care of including driving us to Costco to pick up a cooler to bring our fish home. Their little fishing shop is amazing, they have everything you could ever need for sport fishing.

Minerva herself is recognized for her wonderful conservation efforts of the fishery, too, which is a must for me. She has received many kudos including (quoting directly from the Minerva's website) "receiving the IGFA Conservation Award presented to her by IGFA President, Rob Kramer and Guy Harvey, PhD. The award is given annually in recognition of tireless promotion of the conservation of marine resources including billfish conservation. Minerva is often referred to as the "mother of Cabo fishing.""

On this trip our main goal was to target Tuna, but we were told due to tropical storms Norma and Lidia the ocean was a bit churned up. We were a bit apprehensive having been told that one of the fleet's boats was skunked the day before we were to fish (however it was also rainy and overcast that day). The sun broke out for us and it was game on! The Tuna evaded us, but the guys worked hard and got us into perfect eating-size Mahi (10) and our fair share of Wahoo (5). The Wahoo were a first for us. It was an excellent day and once again we were able to bring home dinner.

Here are a few pics of our trip to enjoy. If you have any questions, feel free to message me or visit Minvera's website at: www.minervas.com/index.html

My neighbors had a black bear death match at 2:00 am the other night between a sow with 3 cubs and a boar (ok the boat and sow both survived). I think their spotlight broke up the action. They are thinking a territorial dispute. I am now trading my 9mm in for a 44mag.

Next destination: CABO SAN LUCAS
Target: YELLOWFIN TUNA

OK, OK, I have been absent for awhile. My apologies. I've been busy with a new job..blah blah blah. However, I am happy to announce that back in November I shot my first whitetail ever! In the past, I never took the time to deer hunt because I was focused on upland bird hunting. But, in recent years I decided to spend more time focusing on whitetail since we now own our own land. I really took an interest in compound bow hunting which I have to admit I've struggle with. I've had my mishaps, sights on the animal but passed or missed, whatever the excuse, so the hubby bought me a crossbow. Not my preference, but allowed me to make a clean shot on November 5 (5 is my luck number by the way) and harvest a nice little 7-pointer on my property. I was pretty excited, he came trotting right in and stopped with his nose in the air. I took my shot. For me, the fun part was tracking him alone, finding him alone, walking back to the house to get the 4-wheeler and bringing him back to the house alone. The hubby was gone that morning, and saw my proud harvest when he drove in the driveway! We were both pretty excited. I know most of you guys have bigger deer to brag about and relish the hunt over, but the first deer, as you know, is one you will never forget no matter the size. To top it all off, my hubby took a nice picture which Whitetails Unlimited asked to use in their 2017 flyer publication. I'm proud of that. Most importantly Ia m proud of all that I am learning about hunting whitetail deer, and love to watch them during the rut season...something that any hunter or non-hunter can appreciate. So now it's August and time to get ready for the next upcoming hunting season. Get out those bows an start practicing!

May you all have success in your hunting and fishing adventures in 2016...but most importantly, may you and your family and friends have good health. Cheers to a healthy and prosperous year ahead!
~ Paula & Jill (the gals at OTC)

Got the winter blues? Here's a cure...

Hey peeps, still don't have your 2016 winter trip planned? Todd and I are returning to Great Exuma March 5-11. You're welcome to join us and escape the winter blues by enjoying some incredible flyfishing action while catching rays!

Our guide is available the 6th, and has guide friends that have some dates open too. They are getting booked fast so please contact me if you are interested in joining us.

We are staying at Club Peace & Plenty which has affordable rooms available. It's a sweet, old fly lodge in the heart of town. The lodge has a small pool, bar, and dining room the serves up delicious Bahamain cuisine along with some American favorites. It's within walking distance to grocery stores, liquor stores, island restaurants, and the straw market! Exuma is sleepy with very friendly people, so expect a quiet, laid back experience with incredible blue waters and world-class flats fishing.

~Paula

Hi guys,

I just got back from the Exumas - one of my favorite places. The flats were even more beautiful than the last time we visited. They are such an enchanting sight that touches your soul. Mangrove lined bays open up to the shallow flats and then azure blue ocean that looks as if it will color your hand blue when you dunk it in.

We caught some bones, including a few double digits. Summer is a great time to go flyfishing, especially for permit (still on my quest to catch one). One of these days I'll spend my fishing time targeting them specifically. It's hard to forego bonefishing though, since it's what Exuma is known for.

Todd and I stayed at Peace & Plenty in Georgetown - and old flyfishing lodge from years gone by, now just a nice sleepy place to stay. It's my kind of place, clean, quiet, right on the beautiful water with a view of Stocking Island, great food and a pool with a small outdoor bar tended by Lerman "Doc" Rolle who has worked there for years. Doc makes a mean "Bahama Mama".

While there we noticed these "bat-like" things flying around. I suspected they were some sort of moth. I asked my fishing guide and friend, Drex, what they were and he said they call them "money bats". They are large and flutter around your face. They tell the kids they are "money bats" and if they land on you money will come your way (keeps the kids from being afraid of them). They strange thing is I saw them out in the day as well as the night.
The Bahamas are amazing, full of rich history and the nicest people I have ever met on the planet so far. Todd and I are hoping to plan a return trip next year where I can take friends along, so I'll keep you posted to what transpires.

~Paula

Still working on 2016 trip. Costa Rica tarpon fishing anyone? Rio Parismina Lodge has invited us to come visit them again. Otherwise Alaska (I'm out of halibut), Bahamas, or Cabo San Lucas for tuna/marlin are on my brain...