This past week I took a second trip down to AEP (American electric Power
Recreation Lands), a reclaimed strip mine area for some fishing.

I went to join the MVFF (Miami Valley Fly Fishers) who were having a
campout/fish fry. I went on Tuesday to join the other early birds but left
on Friday Morning (due to family commitments) just as the main crowd was
starting to roll in. Looked like they were going to have 20-30 folks before
it was all said and done.

I had only been to one meeting (about fifty attendees) and had my
reservations. I'm not a real skilled talker or socially accomplished, not
particularly gregarious but found the more intimate setting to be more
relaxing, and the other early birds who showed up were great ice breakers.

I'd set up a few sites away from everyone else just to be on the safe side
and after retiring early the first night, one of the fellows wives asked if
I was an introverted anti-social kind of guy so I thought I would just level
with her.

I explained that I did not like to stay up into the wee hours drinking beer,
sometimes preferring to jump down inside a bottle of bourbon and thought
that should best be done in solitude. There was much laughter and I was
roundly assured that I would no doubt fit in quite well, and the second
night I did. Immensely enjoyable conversation with wives and children
present and good behavior by all, no doubt, a well needed influence.

Large numbers of bluegill were caught, myself mostly bassing to the most
educated bass I have ever met. 15 to 20 foot clear waters made for bass so
spooky that the sight of the line or rod tip sent them running. These were
also the biggest bass I have ever seen in my life.

I met some fine people and except for the torrential downpour the morning I
had to leave had a great time. Pics in the binaries....

john