Online fishing liscenses

I'm not a big fan of buying things online (internet paranoia y'know?), but for those of you who are careful and are fine with it, Pennsylvania offers you the opportunity to buy your fishing license online. Here's the link. Get it before the fee rises again! ;)

International Angler has moved

Consolidated really. If you're a fan/customer of theirs (I am!) you need to know that they've closed the Aspinwall store due to an inability to reach an agreement with the lease-holder, and have moved everything to their Robinson township branch. Great news for any of you who've ever tried to find parking at the Aspinwall store on a busy day!

I always thought that store had more variety of tying materials so it's good for me that they're putting it all in one place! :)

World record Largemouth from Japan!

Technically, Manabu Kurita's Largemouth tied the world record, and it's a monster!

DANIA BEACH, Fla. — The most sought after record in all of fishing has been broken ... almost. Technically, Manabu Kurita's 22-pound, 4.97-ounce largemouth bass from Japan's Lake Biwa is now tied with a bass nearly 1 ounce lighter caught more than 77 years ago in rural Georgia.

The International Game Fish Association has officially certified and approved Kurita's application for record status a little more than six months after the catch. IGFA's regulations require that a record fish weighing less than 25 pounds be surpassed by two ounces or more.

On July 2, 2009, the angling world was stunned to learn of Kurita's catch. Few realized that Japan could produce such large bass, and experts universally considered California to be the most likely location for a new record.

Congratulations Manabu, now make a little room in the boat and meet me at the airport! :)

Hey Mark, where you been?

Wow, I can't believe I let things lapse this long here, but here's an explanation that I posted at my other site.
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Hey y'all.

Just when I try to do a lighthearted post everything crashes in.

My best friend died Wednesday.

He and I have known each other since we were 13, about 1983, and been fast friends since almost day one. He's a Christian who loves God, and was devoted to God long before I was, although I thought I was back then and told people the same.

We loved the same music and he is an amazing singer and very good guitarist. His family, particularly his mom and dad, were like a second family to me. One of the bonds of friendship we shared was that we knew we could ask each other anything under the sun, and get not the happy answer, but the loving and honest answer, no matter what. He loved to cook as much as I do, but was a better cook than me. We even shared a love of aquariums.

He was a guy who people could be around and just sense something beautiful about him. I know that because they told me so on many occasions. Have you ever met one of those Christians who just exudes that loving spirit? That was him. He was also one of my two fishing partners. A fishing partner isn't easy to come by, because a fisherman only meets a few people he really wants with him when he's trying to catch fish. Maybe somebody who really pushes him, maybe somebody who just appreciates the air...whatever.

Both of my fishing partners, one of my brothers and now my best friend, are gone.

I know I'll see him again though, because he is saved. Would you please pray for the widow he leaves behind, and their 5 year old son who is now without his father?

Thanks.