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Under Reconstruction
7510 hits
Professional Angler Karen Rae Elkins
Events on the Lake
Fished Local Boys 5/20 w/ Shelia Lansdell 4th place finish
Logan Martin
MITCHELL LAKE
5/12 Fished local boys with Jeff Jowers finished in 5th
NEELY HENRY
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MOON PHASE
Best days for fishing ALL OF THEM:
Some fish by the moon phase. Article to be added soon
MAY DAYS
Interested in learning the sport of fishing or just perfecting your skills? Spend a day on the lake with Professional Angler Karen Elkins. Price includes photographs of your day on the local waters of Alabama. Contact Karen at kareninthemountains@yahoo.com
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Sometimes the anticipation of an event that is worse than the actual event, Eight empty pages put me in a state of dread. They laid on the floor next to me, starring back at me in black and white. The Evidentiary Will and Abuse Affidavit seemed like a curse, a black cloud hanging over my life. Did I really want to mull over a past with knowledge that the document before me could be used in the future? Not only no, but Hell-O'-No! The only silver lining in this black cloud would be that someone hell bent on ending my life in one way or another would spend time in jail for his actions. If he was going to plot and carry out the end of my life, I'm going to have my say, "the last word" if you want to put it that way.
I thought the Will would damage my life. As a former abused women, I'm all about damage control. I've come so far down the road from abuse to re-visit the past. My schedule was full. I was in the middle of preparing for my first fishing event that would be 189 men and me. I didn't have time to be bothered with recovery time that I was sure to need after recalling the abuse on film. After all, the truth sometimes hurts.
Violence is a hard pill to swallow. I rationalized every reason to not complete the affidavit. I contemplated just dropping out, giving up, just walking out the door and never coming back. I wanted to run, runaway. I was not safe. The worst choice I could make would be to I minimized the present danger. I did that too. I told myself I could get out of any situation. I just needed to be more aware of my surroundings, right? Wrong. This is the fatal mistake those who end up on CNN or FOX News make or worse, the ones who don't make the news.
Angry does not begin to touch the fire and pure disgust I felt. To my surprise I felt embarrassed and uncomfortable asking for help. I am a confident woman, and yet the uneasy feelings crept up on me. Abuse never ceases to amaze me. Just when you think you have it all going on, you discover yet another battle to be won.
I had to gather my evidence for the Will and Abuse Affidavit. I pulled the documents from past offenses from the folder. Most keep their documents in a safe place. I keep my evidence of abuse under my bed for easy access. I had not added to the folder since February of 2010. I had Sixteen precious weeks of peace.
I double clicked to open the DV folder on my computer. It stores a mixture of my life and articles written by others, It stores media evidence, photographs, written words, and sometimes my deepest thoughts. I needed a picture of the potential suspect. I went through hours of family photo's to finally find one photo of him that I had not deleted.
Next I went to my journals. Most fishermen keep records of the lakes they visit. True to that nature, I have some great documentation mixed with the battles I've faced off the water. I had to put to pen several examples of abuse for the affidavit. The journal made it easy to recall dates and events. I decided to tear out three pages from my journal to add to the evidence and present them in Will. These three pages probably hurt more than any fist. I couldn't get past the first paragraph, so I just stopped. Sure, it was an important day to remember. However, the memories were tearing me apart word by word.
I just didn't want to start filling in the blanks from the Affidavit. It was a calling I wasn't ready to answer, a major test. I could ace the test or fail to complete. I wanted to erase my past. I blamed myself. I had made bad decisions. What about my family? Once I started writing I took breaks to talk with friends. Anything to distract me from the task at hand was a welcome. The first couple of pages were the legals. I being of sound mind sign this document and initial each page in front of two witnesses and a notary. I would complete this section upon filling out the following pages.
The next page was pretty standard, our names, our social security numbers, the date of our marriage, our children. Our place of employment.
The meat and potatoes of the Affidavit was next. I have prepared this document in the event something happens to me. I am ..... a victim of domestic violence. I used my journals to recall the dates. I briefly stated examples of the violence I've taken from him starting with the day he fractured my face and ending with the latest event. I included violence he dealt to others. I ended the statement with the most recent event.
I was happy to be back to the legal evidence. I filled the blanks of Police Reports, Protection Orders, Divorce Decree, and weapons he is known to own. Then it gets pretty personal concerning my abuser. Does he take medications. Is he in treatment for any reason. Does he use illegal drugs or have a drinking problem. I would have never thought to include such important information. I met two witnesses in front of a notary, everyone signed the legal document and I was off to the church the final requirement to be included in the affidavit.
When you are on the firing line, just shoot. So it was lights, camera, action, shoot. One of the local churches agreed to film my testimony. Standing in front of the camera, I held the Affidavit up. I stated that the document had been witnessed and singed by a notary. Then I went page by page, just reading my statement. From start to finish it was a mere 6 minutes. I didn't miss a beat. I thanked the church and headed to work. The release I felt was wonderful. The dread I felt was my battle. What he meant for evil, I have used for good. I've given copies of my Will to two trusted friends and it will be added to a library of the affidavits of women who have championed the task of completing there story of abuse.
You see, before I prepared the affidavit, I had a bad fishing tournament. I tried to focus on fish, but it just didn't happen. It was that dark cloud... It seemed like everything that could go wrong, did. I ripped the trolling motor off the boat, weathered a bad storm and only caught one fish, be it a big fish, but just couldn't connect a hook with a fish. Even so, I held my head high because nothing stopped me from breaking new ground in the area of abuse and in fishing. I'm in the league of fishermen, literally. I say with confidence that I wouldn't change a thing even if I could. Why? After it was all said and done, affidavit complete, I went back to the lake again to fish yet another tournament. I caught my share of fish and more big fish! My hand literally looked like a brillo pad from bite marks. I could do no wrong. It was amazing. I caught all of my fish on one rod, the purple and white rod dedicated to victims of abuse. It's inscribed with the words fish steady. I got rid of the black cloud.
Abuse is complicated, demanding, and often leads to more questions than answers until you complete the affidavit. It's a strategy to be included in your fight. Not only is is documentation should anything potentially happen to you, It is, "Six minutes to freedom".
Until next time, fish steady my friends, and I will do the same. much love your way. karen
I thought the Will would damage my life. As a former abused women, I'm all about damage control. I've come so far down the road from abuse to re-visit the past. My schedule was full. I was in the middle of preparing for my first fishing event that would be 189 men and me. I didn't have time to be bothered with recovery time that I was sure to need after recalling the abuse on film. After all, the truth sometimes hurts.
Violence is a hard pill to swallow. I rationalized every reason to not complete the affidavit. I contemplated just dropping out, giving up, just walking out the door and never coming back. I wanted to run, runaway. I was not safe. The worst choice I could make would be to I minimized the present danger. I did that too. I told myself I could get out of any situation. I just needed to be more aware of my surroundings, right? Wrong. This is the fatal mistake those who end up on CNN or FOX News make or worse, the ones who don't make the news.
Angry does not begin to touch the fire and pure disgust I felt. To my surprise I felt embarrassed and uncomfortable asking for help. I am a confident woman, and yet the uneasy feelings crept up on me. Abuse never ceases to amaze me. Just when you think you have it all going on, you discover yet another battle to be won.
I had to gather my evidence for the Will and Abuse Affidavit. I pulled the documents from past offenses from the folder. Most keep their documents in a safe place. I keep my evidence of abuse under my bed for easy access. I had not added to the folder since February of 2010. I had Sixteen precious weeks of peace.
I double clicked to open the DV folder on my computer. It stores a mixture of my life and articles written by others, It stores media evidence, photographs, written words, and sometimes my deepest thoughts. I needed a picture of the potential suspect. I went through hours of family photo's to finally find one photo of him that I had not deleted.
Next I went to my journals. Most fishermen keep records of the lakes they visit. True to that nature, I have some great documentation mixed with the battles I've faced off the water. I had to put to pen several examples of abuse for the affidavit. The journal made it easy to recall dates and events. I decided to tear out three pages from my journal to add to the evidence and present them in Will. These three pages probably hurt more than any fist. I couldn't get past the first paragraph, so I just stopped. Sure, it was an important day to remember. However, the memories were tearing me apart word by word.
I just didn't want to start filling in the blanks from the Affidavit. It was a calling I wasn't ready to answer, a major test. I could ace the test or fail to complete. I wanted to erase my past. I blamed myself. I had made bad decisions. What about my family? Once I started writing I took breaks to talk with friends. Anything to distract me from the task at hand was a welcome. The first couple of pages were the legals. I being of sound mind sign this document and initial each page in front of two witnesses and a notary. I would complete this section upon filling out the following pages.
The next page was pretty standard, our names, our social security numbers, the date of our marriage, our children. Our place of employment.
The meat and potatoes of the Affidavit was next. I have prepared this document in the event something happens to me. I am ..... a victim of domestic violence. I used my journals to recall the dates. I briefly stated examples of the violence I've taken from him starting with the day he fractured my face and ending with the latest event. I included violence he dealt to others. I ended the statement with the most recent event.
I was happy to be back to the legal evidence. I filled the blanks of Police Reports, Protection Orders, Divorce Decree, and weapons he is known to own. Then it gets pretty personal concerning my abuser. Does he take medications. Is he in treatment for any reason. Does he use illegal drugs or have a drinking problem. I would have never thought to include such important information. I met two witnesses in front of a notary, everyone signed the legal document and I was off to the church the final requirement to be included in the affidavit.
When you are on the firing line, just shoot. So it was lights, camera, action, shoot. One of the local churches agreed to film my testimony. Standing in front of the camera, I held the Affidavit up. I stated that the document had been witnessed and singed by a notary. Then I went page by page, just reading my statement. From start to finish it was a mere 6 minutes. I didn't miss a beat. I thanked the church and headed to work. The release I felt was wonderful. The dread I felt was my battle. What he meant for evil, I have used for good. I've given copies of my Will to two trusted friends and it will be added to a library of the affidavits of women who have championed the task of completing there story of abuse.
You see, before I prepared the affidavit, I had a bad fishing tournament. I tried to focus on fish, but it just didn't happen. It was that dark cloud... It seemed like everything that could go wrong, did. I ripped the trolling motor off the boat, weathered a bad storm and only caught one fish, be it a big fish, but just couldn't connect a hook with a fish. Even so, I held my head high because nothing stopped me from breaking new ground in the area of abuse and in fishing. I'm in the league of fishermen, literally. I say with confidence that I wouldn't change a thing even if I could. Why? After it was all said and done, affidavit complete, I went back to the lake again to fish yet another tournament. I caught my share of fish and more big fish! My hand literally looked like a brillo pad from bite marks. I could do no wrong. It was amazing. I caught all of my fish on one rod, the purple and white rod dedicated to victims of abuse. It's inscribed with the words fish steady. I got rid of the black cloud.
Abuse is complicated, demanding, and often leads to more questions than answers until you complete the affidavit. It's a strategy to be included in your fight. Not only is is documentation should anything potentially happen to you, It is, "Six minutes to freedom".
Until next time, fish steady my friends, and I will do the same. much love your way. karen
Bo's Jigs. Positively the top jig on any water. These jigs are handmade in Alabama by Randy Bobo. Special attention is given to every jig. The fall this jig makes is just right for the big bite. If you are looking for that special jig to give you leverage over other anglers, Bo's Jig is a must in your boat. The jigs consistently catch fish anywhere. I caught all of the fish above on a Bo's Jigs. Of course, Karen's Jig is a favorite for any water. Combine it with the Sweet Beaver in a Watermelon red tip looks like dinner in Choccolocco Creek, on Logan Martin Lake, Alabama. (Photo of the bass in the middle.) I caught the fish to the far right on Lewisville Lake, TX. She bit the Coosa Craw with a Small Zoom Chunk in green pumpkin. The fish to the far left came from Lake Fork, TX. Sweet fish. I found this bass in habitat I'm use to seeing on many Alabama Lakes. She took a Black and Blue Holligram Bo's Jig with the Junebug Sweet Beaver smallie and didn't let go. If you'd like to order jigs, leave me a message on my Guestbook. The link can be found under My Pages at the top of the page. I won money on the Holligram jig on Bull Shoals. I hooked the bass in 47ft. of water. The jig produces amazing fish on any water. Randy can help you with the colors.
Bo's Jig, #56 "Karen's Jig"
If you watched the ESPN Wheeler Event, Jeremy Starks used Karen's Jig Skirt on his favorite jig-head to win the event. The guys at ESPN featured the jig skirt on the re-cap of his win. That just tickled me. The purse was $100,000.00. Not a bad day at the office. Randy tells me that Karen's Jig is the #1 selling jig. Blake at Mark's Outdoors told me it is the #1 selling jig at the store.
KARENSLAKE.
REEL GRIP ON EVERY POND, LAKE, RIVER:
Lake Fork
Latest product developed by the Ohio Reel Grip guys at www.reelgrip.com. A reel grip for your G Loomis handle. I was hooked by this product the moment I caught that first fish on Hartwell.
This is my first season as a member of the Reel Grip Pro Staff. Every time I look at the shirt, I think, I was meant to wear this shirt. Because my former career was art related, there are times when miss using my creative side. The shirt is like taking art on the boat with me. Sentiments aside, the reel grip and the most recent release, the grip for your rod, are essential tools of the trade.
Get a group of fishermen together and the conversation will often drift to line and line weight. We all have very strong preferences when it comes to line strength. Before using the grips to identify line weights, I'd pick up a reel and think, did I load this with 10 lb? Today, 10 always means the blue grips.
Today, it was a mere 100 humid degrees on the lake. In terms used by the weathermen here in Alabama... normal for August. The grips supply me with a hook-set, regardless. Nothing compares to having a rod/reel slip at the point of hooking a largemouth. No worries. If I don't hook the bass, I can't say, the rod slipped. The value in rainy conditions is total control and comfort.
You can purchase Reel Grip at most major fishing retail stores or contact them on-line at www.reelgrip.com. The cost is about $6.00 per pair, but the pay-off, priceless.
Get a group of fishermen together and the conversation will often drift to line and line weight. We all have very strong preferences when it comes to line strength. Before using the grips to identify line weights, I'd pick up a reel and think, did I load this with 10 lb? Today, 10 always means the blue grips.
Today, it was a mere 100 humid degrees on the lake. In terms used by the weathermen here in Alabama... normal for August. The grips supply me with a hook-set, regardless. Nothing compares to having a rod/reel slip at the point of hooking a largemouth. No worries. If I don't hook the bass, I can't say, the rod slipped. The value in rainy conditions is total control and comfort.
You can purchase Reel Grip at most major fishing retail stores or contact them on-line at www.reelgrip.com. The cost is about $6.00 per pair, but the pay-off, priceless.
There is an art to fishing. Again, I get to use my artistic ability, painting the tails and claws of plastics!
Back in 2000 Dad and I won 2 bottles of JJ's Magic at a tournament on Eufaula Lake in South Alabama. Prior to the complimentary bottles of chartreuse and clear we had always used the spray scent and the another dippin dye. I gave JJ's a shot at the next tournament, and it was fantastic. Every year, afterward, we would look to win JJ's Magic on the couples trail. When we would get low, I'd ask the director if we could have some more of the dippin dye. I treated it like gold, because it meant more bites, more money.
In 05, i quit the couples trail. My father had a stroke. This was the year of the WBT debuted. I noticed JJ's Magic on Crystal Langston's Pro Shirt. I told her I was missing JJ's Magic and could she help another fisherman out. She did. Crystal is like that.
Then it happened.... I was outside the convention center talking to a couple of fella's at the 08 Classic at Lake Hartwell. One of the guys had the JJ's logo on his shirt. I asked them how to get in touch with the company. I Told them I had been using the Magic for years. To my delight, I was talking to the owner of the company and didn't know it. Now, I'm never without the JJ's Magic.
There is nothing on the market that compares to JJ's Magic. Yes, I'm a fisherman, and fishermen sometimes lie, but I don't lie about the products - the good and the bad I've experienced first hand. JJ's Magic wouldn't be on my website or in my boat if I didn't believe in it and use it.. Now, when you buy the Magic you've got to store it in a shady area. Never expose it to direct sunlight. So, I'm sharing the secret with you. Try JJ's Magic, you won't go for the other stuff ever again. I use the entire bottle and then store the empty bottle in my plastics compartment. My boat smells like an Italian feast and the bass come for dinner.Visit their website at jjsmagic.com.
An excerpt from the Jj's Magic website.
JJ's Magic is a dippin' dye solution that is design for you to customize your soft plastic bait. JJ's magic penetrates your soft plastic bait with color and a garlic scent.
JJ's Magic comes in three colors: Chartreuse, Methylate, and Blue.
Chartreuse is your most versatile. This color may be used in most water conditions. Methylate is basically used in the same manner to give you a red or orange hue on your soft plastic baits. Methylate comes in extra hand when fishing in muddy waters.
Blue is made mainly for crystal clear water, and also as an overall dye.
If you double dip your soft plastic bait in any two of the color dyes; you can create different hues of green, orange, and purple dependent on the color of the soft plastic bait used. This will give you a tactical advantage over your competition.
You can also use all three colors to design soft plastic bait that look like real bait fish.
JJ's Magic also comes in a clear garlic oil dip fish attractant. You can either use as a dip or pour a little in the bag of soft plastic baits.
Dippin' dyes are not a science, but an art. The more you try, the more combinations you will find that will work for you. It works in all water conditions. Water conditions vary by lake, season, and weather.
If you are going to use a dippin' dye, then use JJ's Magic. Remember more bites, more fish.
Back in 2000 Dad and I won 2 bottles of JJ's Magic at a tournament on Eufaula Lake in South Alabama. Prior to the complimentary bottles of chartreuse and clear we had always used the spray scent and the another dippin dye. I gave JJ's a shot at the next tournament, and it was fantastic. Every year, afterward, we would look to win JJ's Magic on the couples trail. When we would get low, I'd ask the director if we could have some more of the dippin dye. I treated it like gold, because it meant more bites, more money.
In 05, i quit the couples trail. My father had a stroke. This was the year of the WBT debuted. I noticed JJ's Magic on Crystal Langston's Pro Shirt. I told her I was missing JJ's Magic and could she help another fisherman out. She did. Crystal is like that.
Then it happened.... I was outside the convention center talking to a couple of fella's at the 08 Classic at Lake Hartwell. One of the guys had the JJ's logo on his shirt. I asked them how to get in touch with the company. I Told them I had been using the Magic for years. To my delight, I was talking to the owner of the company and didn't know it. Now, I'm never without the JJ's Magic.
There is nothing on the market that compares to JJ's Magic. Yes, I'm a fisherman, and fishermen sometimes lie, but I don't lie about the products - the good and the bad I've experienced first hand. JJ's Magic wouldn't be on my website or in my boat if I didn't believe in it and use it.. Now, when you buy the Magic you've got to store it in a shady area. Never expose it to direct sunlight. So, I'm sharing the secret with you. Try JJ's Magic, you won't go for the other stuff ever again. I use the entire bottle and then store the empty bottle in my plastics compartment. My boat smells like an Italian feast and the bass come for dinner.Visit their website at jjsmagic.com.
An excerpt from the Jj's Magic website.
JJ's Magic is a dippin' dye solution that is design for you to customize your soft plastic bait. JJ's magic penetrates your soft plastic bait with color and a garlic scent.
JJ's Magic comes in three colors: Chartreuse, Methylate, and Blue.
Chartreuse is your most versatile. This color may be used in most water conditions. Methylate is basically used in the same manner to give you a red or orange hue on your soft plastic baits. Methylate comes in extra hand when fishing in muddy waters.
Blue is made mainly for crystal clear water, and also as an overall dye.
If you double dip your soft plastic bait in any two of the color dyes; you can create different hues of green, orange, and purple dependent on the color of the soft plastic bait used. This will give you a tactical advantage over your competition.
You can also use all three colors to design soft plastic bait that look like real bait fish.
JJ's Magic also comes in a clear garlic oil dip fish attractant. You can either use as a dip or pour a little in the bag of soft plastic baits.
Dippin' dyes are not a science, but an art. The more you try, the more combinations you will find that will work for you. It works in all water conditions. Water conditions vary by lake, season, and weather.
If you are going to use a dippin' dye, then use JJ's Magic. Remember more bites, more fish.
LETTER FROM MATT
Dear Mr. JJ,
On the 26th of September 2008 five divisions of South Africa competed in the nationals with each boy fishing to make the Protea team
The first day was a practice day and I was skippered by Richard Watson. During the day we used "JJ's Magic" chartreuse dip and I found that the bass seemed to hold on to the bait a lot longer .
On the first day of the nationals I started fishing with a fast action bait and then slowed down to a fluke with the tail dipped in "JJ's Magic" and I started getting more bites than before! The bass just didn't want to let the bait go, I managed to catch a fish of about 2.5 kg on the fluke !
During the nationals my opposition on the boat kept re-dipping his bait to help it keep the scent but throughout the day "JJ's Magics"' strong Garlic scent stayed on and stayed just as strong throughout the day.
After the first day I weighed in a limit of 9.18kgs(about 20 pounds)The fishing was very hard and slow and I was lying second at the end of the first day.
On the second day I just rotated my spots and I started off fishing with a senko, again dipped in "JJ's Magic the fishing was even harder on the second day and it was much, much slower than the first day.
I managed to pick up a fish in the morning and then changed to a fluke, again dipping the tail and I managed to pick up a small mouth of 2.87 kgs which won me the biggest fish of the tournament,
The final result was that I won the nationals overall and am now the National Champion, I also won the big fish prize and our division won the Divisional prize!
There were lots of things that impacted on my nationals but one of my secrets that definitely helped was using "JJ's magic" dip.
Matthew Khoury
Dear Mr. JJ,
On the 26th of September 2008 five divisions of South Africa competed in the nationals with each boy fishing to make the Protea team
The first day was a practice day and I was skippered by Richard Watson. During the day we used "JJ's Magic" chartreuse dip and I found that the bass seemed to hold on to the bait a lot longer .
On the first day of the nationals I started fishing with a fast action bait and then slowed down to a fluke with the tail dipped in "JJ's Magic" and I started getting more bites than before! The bass just didn't want to let the bait go, I managed to catch a fish of about 2.5 kg on the fluke !
During the nationals my opposition on the boat kept re-dipping his bait to help it keep the scent but throughout the day "JJ's Magics"' strong Garlic scent stayed on and stayed just as strong throughout the day.
After the first day I weighed in a limit of 9.18kgs(about 20 pounds)The fishing was very hard and slow and I was lying second at the end of the first day.
On the second day I just rotated my spots and I started off fishing with a senko, again dipped in "JJ's Magic the fishing was even harder on the second day and it was much, much slower than the first day.
I managed to pick up a fish in the morning and then changed to a fluke, again dipping the tail and I managed to pick up a small mouth of 2.87 kgs which won me the biggest fish of the tournament,
The final result was that I won the nationals overall and am now the National Champion, I also won the big fish prize and our division won the Divisional prize!
There were lots of things that impacted on my nationals but one of my secrets that definitely helped was using "JJ's magic" dip.
Matthew Khoury
Congratulations to South African angler Matthew Khoury. Matthew uses JJ's Magic to clinch First Place in the National Championship!
205-608-FISH
MADE IN ALABAMA, USA
Almighty and all-loving Father, we fishermen thank Thee for blessings of Thy great outdoors... And we especially thank Thee for Thy Son, Christ, who so loved fishermen. He chose four or more among His 12 apostles. And in the years to come, dear Lord, as each bassin' man comes to Thee, please remember these are a special breed. Their spirits would not be content to walk alabaster streets. Grant them instead clean waters with a quiet chop... with enough honey holes to last an eternity... and a bassin' buddy to share it with. In Christ's name, Amen.
Homer Cline, author
re-print from Bassmaster Magazine,
Sept/Oct. 2007 p.12
Homer Cline, author
re-print from Bassmaster Magazine,
Sept/Oct. 2007 p.12
January brought rain and snow to Coldwater Creek.
Karen in the mountains
THE BIG "G'
My oldest, Brandi LaRae V. and my youngest, Jesse O'Neal Parks R. Two children, 10 years apart. Both think they are only children....I read recently that I am to hold their hands while they grow and as their mom I will hold their hearts forever... True
