Weekly Recap; 7/7/25-7/13/25

Action packed week but mostly indoors. The heat also had part to do with that. 

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Making lures has been the name of the game. Stocking up for the Canal Fest Art Show is this upcoming weekend, July 19th & 20th! JD Outdoors Co. will be at booth 289! Right next to Mark Tollner Art! Please stop by and check out our work. 

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Lures really are pieces of artwork. Especially when we are talking about hair jigs or any tying pattern. You as the lure maker have full control over color selection and material choices. 

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With this in mind, your imagination is the only limitation. You can go for a very life like appearance or go way off the wall like nothing you have ever seen. The end results will both catch fish. That is where it all ties together. 

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Having a deeper connection to life is what gives it meaning. Not everyone who fishes needs to make their own lures, but I can say that it is a very rewarding feeling. Similar to catching a fish and cooking it for friends and family to eat. Even just catching a fish is a closer connection to Nature. 

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It isn’t about having a firm grasp on all that happens, but it is about awareness. As your awareness grows, you enter more of the flow state of life. This is where you are aligned with your actions and things feel almost effortless. 

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Most of Nature relies on different cues in order for certain processes to occur. Temperature, Rain, Wind, Time of Year all play a roll. Animals who live in this year round, they have a deeper sense than those removed. They know where to go to meet their needs; food, shelter, water. They know where to go based on time of year and weather; hibernation, relocation, mating/spawning, etc…

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The modern human has lost so much of this sense. It does not mean though that we cannot gain that back. Even in our day to day lives, putting the phone down and absorbing what is around you brings connection. 

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You will notice behaviors of birds, squirrels, the leaves, flowers, mushrooms, and so much more. Maybe it does not change your life completely, but the more we notice and honor what and who is around us, I feel the more content we can be. 

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On a fishing note…

Here is the recap for my only day on the water.

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7/12/25

Lake Erie 

Fun fishing with Dad 

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Air temp: 72°-90°

Water temp: 77°

Wind: S 5MPH-> SW 9MPH

Conditions: Cloudy-> Sunny

Depth fished: 17’-35’ 

Time fished: 7am-12:30pm 

Water clarity: 5’ + 

Pattern: Summer

Total caught: 6 Bass, 2 Sheepshead, 1 Rock Bass, 1 Goby

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All of the fish were caught on a drop shot besides one bass and the goby. My Dad was having a great day with the drop shot, while I struggled to make contact with a bass. 

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The biggest difference between our two setups was the length from hook to weight, my Dads being another 7” or so away from the weight. Thus keeping the bait up higher. 

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I ended up living and dying by the tube. There comes a time each year where I just get sick of using the drop shot. So I go back to the roots and throw a tube. 

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I was using a Strike King Coffee Tube in KVD Magic with a 3/8oz JDO Football Head. It had great bottom contact in the chop and breeze. 

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Another smallmouth was lost by me on the tube before I finally caught mine. The size was mixed between four plus pounders and two or less pounders. 

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Cannot complain at all, overall a great day on the water. The two Sheepshead I caught were big and fought hard until the end. Both ate a drop shot with a Berkley Flatworm GP. 

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My Dad decided to keep the drop shot in his hands all day long, and it paid off. We decided to move from our first spot where we caught a Sheep, Rock Bass, and two Smallmouth. 

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The first fish on the next spot was, of course, a sheepshead! I caught it so I was pretty stoked. My Dad is not a big fan of touching them but he loves the fight, as do I. 

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My Dad then hooked into a fish. I was convinced that it was a Sheep based on how it was dogging/peeling drag. As it got closer to the boat it became apparent that this was no Sheep but a Biggie Smalls. 

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We netted it and lost it with joy! Shouting and hooting and howling! We weighed it in at 5.59 pounds, got some photos and released the beautiful beast into the depths. 

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That is one of the top five biggest smallmouth my Dad has ever caught! And it was awesome to see him catch it on a tactic he does not love fishing; the drop shot. 

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Another observation, the bug life. The surface of Lake Erie was covered in dead Mayflies and Caddis husks. The ground has gotten warm enough for the hatches. Another cue as to the season. 

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I’m looking forward to the Art Show and meeting new people. It is always nice to be surrounded by like minded individuals. 

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Song of the week; 

Highway Girl by The Tragically Hip

This song has been in heavy rotation. One of my favorite lyrics from the song, “Go out and see that world and bring it home to me”

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Have an amazing week everyone and enjoy this wonderful weather while it lasts. Not to seem rushed, but before you know it we will be at seasons change again. 

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Thank you for reading, enjoy the photos! As always, tight lines and I’ll catch you soon! 

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Jordan H. DiVirgilio