We be Jammin'! :rofl:

[mudpuppy]

Me and my hunting partner are searching feverishly for some underwater pay dirt before ice up, this am he went one way and I the other...

I wadered up and hit some old water and commenced to pull...got 4 wheats and all this mishmash of junk. Whilst hunting, I noticed there was a huge population of Muskrats in this area, holes up under the bank all over the place! I estimate a fellow could get 50 of them in a few days, along with a couple of Mink, and a raccoon or two, there was some fox tracks at the waters edge as well...I will have to check on fur prices...I have not trapped or fished or hunted since I got bit by this detecting bug just a few years ago, but after 40yrs as a trapper, I still dream about it, especially this time of the year...I'll do some math and maybe get a trapping license this year and catch these rats if it will pay, (which it wont after a guy figures in everything)... plus, Dgruff has recently got me all weeweed up about trapping again!...Anyway, I spent 3hrs working the Pro...no silver or rings, lots of low base old shotgun shells, a pair of '250' cases...must have been pre 22-250 vintage?

So home I go, and Missus Mud, after asking 'wheredahellaYOUbeen?' sent me down to the KayRoger to buy her some vittles...now, since I got all metaldetectory, I ALWAYS park as far from the supermarket door as possible and eye hunt for money and rings along the way....This drives Mrs Mud crazy to no end, but it has actually been a good thing to do...Well, evidently the cartcowboy was slacking, for there was 20 abandoned shopping carts roaming wildly all over the parking lot!...So for the hell of it, I started to round them all up and make them into a train to push them inside, I dont know why, I guess I just like a tidy parking lot is all...inside one of the carts was this brand new jar of Apricot Jam! So I scored again! I love how this sport dictates a fellow to pay attention to the habits and travels patterns of people...Just like trapping! Except a guy dont need no permit, and the season is open year round! My partner got some new waders, and we are gonna hit it hard Thurs/Fri...his were leaking bad on his stompfoot, all the way up to his knee, mine leak in the crotch, which can be embarrassing when a fellow stops on the way home to buy a beer...if the clerk is attentive, they wont sell me any! They figure me stumbling in with a soaked crotch, I have had plenty already!.....full disclosure: I am not sure if its my waders leaking in the crotch or its just me...either way, the appearances are the same...
Mud

 

[tabman]

Mud those apricots look delicious. From the picture it looks like you did great finding a bunch of clad coins. What's that slingshot looking thing?

tabman

 

[mudpuppy]

That there Tab, is an 'oarlock'... back before outboard motors were invented, folks used to have to row boats to get from one place to the other...a guy can still buy them, and I do, when I build a rowboat, except the ones I buy are brass...this one is some sort of aluminum or pot metal...Its super easy to lose an oarlock if a fellow aint careful...all it takes is to hit shallow water and pop that oar up and the lock follows it right over the side..thats why theres a hole in the bottom of them, so a guy can affix a wire or chain so as to not lose one..evidently, the guy who lost this one was not attentive, so I hunted that area for maybe gold he dropped too! Without two oarlocks, all a guy can do is row in circles...or stand up and paddle with one oar, or something...a fine well made rowboat is really something, a fellow can really fly...at one point in time thats how a guy got someplace....now theres 300hp outboards...a fellow cant really appreciate big HP or water unless he rows a long way...
Mud

 

[John-Edmonton]

Nice haul, however, that jam jar is the best! Funny thing.....I too park far from the grocery store for the same reasons..... found a "TWENTY" earlier this year.

 

[mudpuppy]

Yeah John, I thought so too! If I was a homeless bum, (which may yet be in the cards), that jar of jam woulda made my day! I'd be living large tonight under the overpass by golly! There is nothing that sounds about as sweet as the subtle squeak of a brass oarlock on a balanced boat propelled by a handmade set of oars..unless its the sound of old deep silver on the Pro...each give a guy a good feeling...I can not get enough of either...If a guy can build a boat and oars, there's no place a guy cant go...Some lady from Seattle bought my 'fast dory' a few years back...maybe I'll build another someday....
Mud

 

[Wandering Yoda]

Jammin', rowin', diggin', and eye-balling finds, great post Mud. Hmm, wonder how some "delicately roasted" 'Rat would taste with some of that apricot jam glazed on it?

 

[jim tn]

Good haul Mud. Those preserves are a mighty SWEET find. Good save on that one. One thing about our hobby, it does teach us to be observant. HH jim tn

 

[dgruff]

HAHA, your posts are always awesome, Mud! And it looks like the fruit of your labor, really is sweet! Good job!

 

[ralph]

muskrat hams are good fare.

 

[senda]

Mud, you're an incredibly funny and witty guy. I would like to know more about that hunt muskrat, and of course I would like to try their food, even with apricot jam.
I enjoy their stories.
Thank you for sharing

 

[Ytcoinshooter]

Hardcore - nose always to the ground! Very funny mud! Hope your weather cooperates in you finding another old water spot.
HH - Bruce

 

[upnorth]

Apricot jam................. Interesting assorted water bits there.