I'm looking for some help. I'm wanting to take my oldest son (age 13) and possibly my youngest (age10) fishing. They live in Texas and I live in Iowa. I would like to take them fishing for something different that what they can catch back home. It would have to be in June or July since that is the only time we are together. My oldest loves to fish but he is at that age when all he dreams about is catching them big ol' fish. He tore his ACL this past football season and the Dr. suggests we wait until he is at least 15 to have the surgery because he has so much growing to do. Anyway we have noticed that his attitude has changed alot since getting this information. He loves football and not being able to play seems to have sucked some of the life out of him. I would love to take him on a trip for some big pike, walleye or something that he doesn't catch back home. The problem with taking him on a guided trip is pure financial. Whether I fly them here or drive down and get them it just limits me financially. I know there are alot of opportunities around this area I just don't have the experience fishing for these species. Back home it was bass and catfish all the time. If the opportunity comes up I would also like to take my youngest with. He's not much into fishing unless we are catching alot of fish. In taking him with would be hopes of getting him more interested in fishing and hopefully get my oldest something to look forward to and hopefully pick his spirits up. I could go on forever but I'll shorten this up.

I've been I life member since 1994 and was on the site alot before it changed. Hunting season came along and that is what I've been geared torwards. Hunting is pretty much over except for the spring turkey season then it's all fish. God  willing I know there is someone out there that can help me with this situation. If not God smarter than me and he knows what's best.

I live in Mechanicsville, Iowa. It's about 30 miles east of Cedar Rapids. Thanks for your time and any help.

Good fishing and God bless.    

  John  

Hello there fellow Iowin.  I live in Oskaloosa, Iowa and I hope I'm not to late to answer your e-mail but then again, you might be able to use this infor the next time you are in TX.  I use to be station at Lackland AFB, TX for 5 years and was a memeber of the local bass club.  However, I had a lot of fun catching the big red fish at two nearby lakes.  Lake Calevars and Lake Balwin which are about 10 miles apart and about 15-20 miles from the base.  I have caught up to 9 lbs reds at Lake Calevars and if you want bigger ones up to 20-30 lbs, go to Lake Balwin.  At Lake Calevars, there are Corvina fish there.  My wife caught a nice 4 lb.  Also if you want to fish for Hybrid strippers, go to Lake Calevars.  I have caught 10 that weighed over 52 lbs total weight.

If you are ever in Osky area, give me a call.  My number is in the yellow pages, Bassn' Al Taxidermy.  My e-mail is:  bassnal@kdsi.net.

If you go to Lake Calevars, I have a map of the lake and I even wrote a book about it.  

I too gearing up for turkey hunting.  Just started three years ago.  Got two out of three years.  I love the sport and it is very challenging.

God Bless.

Allen Chilcote (Bassn' Al)

Retired Air Force

Life Member since 1993