Holy crap Mikie, I didn't think you were that particular. When we were in the Keys and you were hitting on those "girls" with Adam's apples, I figured you weren't picky:eek:
As far as #5 goes, she's ready to just add water. I had my son come down and put on the back curtain and place a tarp on the back floor because all those damn red maple trees drop those red staining blossoms everywhere.
Batteries might need a charge, but other than that, she's ready to go.
#6) I have reservations to return late Friday night (leave Japan Thursday afternoon). What a long flight. Plus I have a 4 hr layover in Toronto.
#7) thanks for the Kate pic, and no, I haven't seen anyone endowed like that since leaving the States. Thank goodness you cropped the photo and didn't show those horrible legs of hers:rolleyes:

I still have three and a half days here. CBA and TF are the only websights I can access. THT and TTF will not load for some unknown reason.
I will gladly read any information about fishing conditions. I take it the bay is dirty and we may have to trailer south?
Weather forecast for Annapolis shows dry conditions for the next couple of days, so I hope winds are the only thing I need to consider when I get back.

I do have a fence that needs painting, but that gets done when winds are N or S at over 12 mph:D

I can't wait to get back, but my mind will still be over here often. If you're on the boat with me this year, nudge me when you hear the clicker go off:D

Keep the reports coming, I'm walking to two different parks (with ponds) today just to be near the water and hoping to see somebody fishing while my daughter is in school.

5th (Marty)

I sure would like to put some chain pickerel in these ponds:)

Finally, a park pond with fishermen. I hope somebody catches something:)

Boy it's a good thing they have a 3 rod limit in Japan, imagine how many rods would be in the water if they didn't!! :D

Marty- not sure where you got the dry forecast for Annapolis, here's what my radar is showing and the upper Bay is already pretty nasty. :(

Jeff, I will not be home until late Friday night, I did see another big batch of rain for today in Annapolis, but dry after that. That gives me until Sat or Sun before I get out. If I have to trailer to Solomon's for clear water, I will:D
More than likely, I won't hit the bay until next Monday due to jet lag:eek: the debris should be blown to the shoreline by then:rolleyes:

As far as the three rod rule in Japan, I doubt they could afford three rods,
They carry their rods, line (separate, but wrapped around a little spool), hooks, and bobbers all in a case like golfer's or tennis players carry. It's an experience to see "zen" fishing.
You never see (like me in the US), somebody walking down to the pond with three rods clutched tightly in my hand, hooks wrapping around all the rods so it takes me 15 minutes to separate the rods apart:), while trying to avoid hooks flying around in the air just looking for a hand to imbed themselves.
I would look like a "cartoon" over here.
Notice the little contraption they have extending from their stool that the rod rests in. Also notice all their rod tips are in the water, nobody fishes with rod tip out of the pond (I don't know why). The guys fishing for bigger fish in the bay, keep their tips pointed down also, but often they are far enough away from the water that the tip is not submerged.
I did see some fish caught and released. I will post photos of the fish. They look like the size and shape of our white perch. I will also post photos of their bobbers. They are slip bobbers, but look like works of art. My photo shows a case full of beautiful bobbers of assorted sizes.
They must think me strange to ask to photograph their bobber case:D
5th

Speaking of strange:eek:
I returned to my local tackle store tonight. If you remember, he gave me a fishing lure as a gift the last time I was there. It is customary to exchange a gift for a gift, so I told my daughter I wanted to go back and I was going to give him my rockfish hat that I brought with me from home. It's certainly not new, but a good conversation piece (or so I thought). My daughter thought a sweat stained old hat might not be the best gift:D
However, she had something I might be interested in giving him. This is her third time over here, and she has found a gift that she stocks up on when she's back home in Maryland. She brings this item back to Japan and gives it to people who really give her a helping hand. It's an item she has found to be quite popular with everyone who has used it and reported back to her their pleasure.
It is "Old Bay" spice. They haven't got anything like it here. They eat so much seafood (fish, shrimp, crab legs), that when they sprinkle some on their food, they love the taste.
5th (Marty)

I hope you guys are enjoying the thread.

Picture of fish caught in pond

Picture of bobbers in their case

Wow!! I would expect a ninja to carry those bobbers not a fisherman!! They are bad a$$.

Nice call on the Old Bay. Lucky for you your daughter must get her brains from her mom :D

You can bet your sweet a$$ she got her brains from her mom. She's over here finishing up a Blakemore Scholarship and starting a Fullbright Scholarship for her PhD. But that doesn't mean that "$hit don't hit the fan" just because you're smart. I'm very proud of her, but she doesn't have a clue as to the difference between a Tony Acetta and a Cripple Alwive:D

Some people just have their priorities mixed up:eek:
5th

Marty...

Something must be wrong...

I don't see pictures of boobies in a case, just some fishing supplies...

:)

Marty,
My wife and I watched the National Geographic channel this weekend and it was about "River Monsters in Japan". Please do not go wading in the streams or rivers without kevlar protection. They showed some strange creatures with BIG TEETH:eek:. A mummy of one of the dreaded creatures is supposed to be on display at a Saki brewery. Believe me when I say it was UGLY. You need to get back here where we only have to worry about fish that can't eat you;).

bhl (Bruce)

This may be the last of the pics. Home soon and may even fish Saturday:)
This is Japan's idea of a pickup truck. I wonder what the towing capacity is?

Went into Tokyo last night. Just wanted to see what it was like. Not my cup of tea. It reminded me of the opening part of the movie Blade Runner.
Too many people for me.

Thanks for continuing to check out this thread. It has been a great distraction for me to be able to post these stories and pics. By the way, have you noticed I finally figured out how to hold my phone to make the pics normal, not 90* off center:)

Here is a pic of the biggest bird show I have seen in Japan. I expect to see better ones with gannets in the Ches. Bay when I get back.

Thanks for the photo journalism this winter. Being stuck here, it's been fun "tagging" along on your trips. I did notice there aren't many pics of local food. Did you get a chance to try the local sushi or any other traditional dishes?

Have a good trip back.

Mark, I had many local and traditional foods and dishes. My daughter insisted I have mostly traditional dinners with her. I was free to chose my own breakfast and lunch, but dinner was often in a small local Japanese restaurant.

There were only a few things I couldn't get past. Sometimes the consistency of the dish didn't agree with me:D

See you all soon,
5th

Have a safe trip back!! Don't forget to wear your face mask so you fit in. They'll prolly think your just a 6' Japanese guy and it'll be easier to get through security :D