I launched my non-gas powered boat onto Lake Devereaux at 6:00 AM. Cool and windless as I launched. There was a bass fisherman ahead of me pounding the best part of the summer shoreline. He must live on the lake as no rigs were in the public access when I arrived. Anyway he must have put some sore lips on the bass as I fished for 3 1/2 hours before getting the first strike. That fish was a dandy at 17 1/2 inches. He smacked my black jig. A little later a little fella hit my top water Rapala -- And, lastly I hooked another nice bass on the jig. He was 16 1/2 inches. And, here is the strange part. He had a damaged gill that was trailing out from under his gill plate a couple of inches. The gill actually seemed partly healed. He was a very strong fish and appeared healthy in all respects except for the damaged gill. Had I caught that fish and saw the torn gill I would have thought for sure he was doomed. It truly amazed me. He was released to continue the healing process. Fishing buddy Mike L. finially showed up about 8 o'clock to join me on the lake using his own boat. It was nice to have some one to share the fishing experience with on such a nice day.

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