Daily weather update for tropical island destination Koh Samui in Thailand by long term resident Camille Lemmens

Koh Samui and Koh Tao in Thailand, flood update, March 2011 by long term resident Camille Lemmens

I am really looking forward to the 2011 fishing season opening in a couple of weeks. This year I am focusing on besting my own personal best chain pickerel of 25 inches from 2010.

2010 Personal Best Pickerel @ 25″

Yeah, it’s still an inch shy of Rolands first pickerel of 26 inches, which was the same day I caught my previous PB at 24 inches but some day I’ll even beat that 26 inch pickerel.

The guy in the picture to the right, I believe his name is Jim, has a pickerel just shy of 6 pounds, that’s just about the size I plan to land in 2011, so look out boys.

I waited about 20 years to land a bigger pickerel and I’m willing to keep trying for the next 20 to best my new PB of 25 inches.

Today I would like to share some facts about pickerel I found surfing around the net.

Some of it I have already said so you likely know the pickerel is part of the pike family. No surprise that they are extremely aggressive. That’ll work from me. I love having them smacking my baits, artificial flies included.

I have used a lot of baits to attract pickerel but by far baits and flies with red in them, blood red actually seem to be the most productive in just about any conditions.

When a pickerel sees red they see red, so be ready.

I have used plastic baits and landed pickerel that didn’t even have a hook in them. They just won’t let go of the bait.

I have also caught pickerel that had a fish in their mouth they couldn’t even swallow but still attacked my bait. Very aggressive fish.

The days the pickerel are on, which is most days, I don’t even like putting my hands in the water to clean them. I do it real quick like.

I have visions of a pack of these pickerel hanging out under the boat just waiting from me to dangle my fingers in the water.

One of their nicknames is the lightening fish, with good reason. They go from one spot to the next in a flash.

A Pickerel By Any Other Name

Here in New Brunswick we call the pickerel by the name Chain pickerel, well maybe not everyone, but I do. I ‘ve heard them called Jacks as well but today I was browsing around online and found a few more names.

• Eastern pickerel
• Mud pickerel
• Grass pickerel
• Lake pickerel

Those a just a few, there are other names as well, my favourite being the Reticulated pickerel.

“Hey buddy what you fishin’ for today?” Reticulated Pickerel “What??”

Where Do Pickerel Live

I have only ever fished for pickerel here in New Brunswick Canada and thought it was about as far west as they go. However, I have heard that 2 pickerel have been landed around 1000 Islands in the St. Lawrence River. That was in 2010 by the way.

They follow the east coast all the way to Florida and as far west as Alabama.

Wouldn’t that make for a great road trip? I’m packed and waiting.

Pickerel Characteristics

The Chain pickerel, err I mean Reticulated pickerel has the following characteristics:

They have a long narrow body, covered with a chain-link pattern that runs down both sides of their body, which is where it gets the name Chain Pickerel

The pickerel, starting with it’s back is usually black. When you look down on them in the water the black makes them almost invisible against the bottom.

Going the sides toward the belly, which is white, it changes from dark green chain link pattern gradually getting lighter as it reaches it’s white belly. Great camouflage as they can sit just inches under the water and you can’t see them.

The average length seems to be about 15 to 20 inches (38.1 to 50.8 cm) and can reach about 30 inches (76.2 cm). That 30 inches is now my new goal and then I’ll have to move away or start fishing for musky.

The Chain Pickerel Spawn

Chain Pickerel spawn early spring usually at ice out as the water temperature get close to 50 F (10 C). They tend to look for back water bays that are about 3 feet deep as they warm up faster than deeper water areas.

The female lays in the area of 50 thousand eggs or so and then just leaves them to fend for themselves. Bad Mother!!

Their young take about 3 years to reach fourteen inches long and may not become sexually mature until their in their fourth year. So set those little guys free so they get the chance to experience the joy of sex, at least once.

I’ve heard that the pickerel is not classified as a sport fish however I do and have great fun competing with my fishing buddies. Loser buys the ice cream on the trip home.

I practice catch and release, seldoming keeping any fish, unless I hurt them and know they won’t survive. The chain pickerel has very tasty white flesh.

Here in New Brunswick I usually find them in water that tends to have a muddy bottom and lots of grass and weeds. They can taste a bit weedy or swampy when the water gets to warm so if I plan to have a feed of pickerel I prefer to have it in the early spring while the water is still cold.

Oh yeah, they also have been called chain lightening as they dart out so fast to snatch food that you can hardly see them. Their lightening speed and aggressive nature and of course the fight is why I’m addicted to pickerel fishing, sport fish or not.

The name Gil Brandt is very familiar to Cowboys fans. Brandt was the Cowboys' head scout for their first 29 years in existence. Since he left the organization Brandt has since become an analyst for the NFL. There are few people who have Brandt's level of knowledge when it comes the draft and college players. Naturally, when Brandt says something, the Cowboys typically take notice.

A few weeks ago, Brandt made his thoughts known about Nebraska CB Prince Amukamara. Saying that he didn't believe he was an "elite prospect" and the Cowboys should move in another direction with the ninth overall pick in April's draft. Until Brandt's comments came out Amukamara was slotted in many mock drafts as the Cowboys selection in the first round.

Well, Brandt was speaking again and he thinks the Cowboys shouldn't take a defensive back at no. 9, they should be taking someone at a crucial position of need. Brandt believes that should be along the offensive line or defensive line.

"I think that the Cowboys should take an offensive or defensive lineman," Brandt said. "You get better value in second and third rounds with defensive backs. Prince is talented but get a lineman. In the 2nd round you can get a corner with more value."

Click HERE to read the rest

As the owners continue to insist that there will be NFL football in 2011, I'm forced to take their word for it and move on. I have absolutely no influence on what the NFL and NFLPA are doing. For that reason, I want to concentrate on some other topics through this "dead zone" we've entered. Today's focus will be on the key to success for the Jaguars. Defense.

With Gene Smith leading the personnel department, the Jaguars have built their best offensive unit since the late 90s. The Jaguars' special teams unit is one of the best in the league. The last piece of the puzzle is the defense. The Jaguars were unable to pull out a division clinching win in Indianapolis in 2010, but I'm optimistic that the Jaguars will begin competing on a yearly basis for the AFC South title from here on out.

Click HERE to read the rest

A judge has denied bond for troubled Packers defensive lineman Johnny Jolly after his latest arrest on a drug charge in Houston according to the Associated Press.

Jolly did not appear in court during a brief hearing on Wednesday. His next hearing is set for April 20th. Jolly was charged with possession of a controlled substance after being arrested early Friday morning.

Police say officers found a bottle containing 600 grams of codeine and another containing an unidentified substance under the front seats of Jolly’s car. Carl Moore, Jolly’s attorney, says his client is innocent.

John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reported Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak is still in the midst of putting together next season's Texans defense.  This offseason, we've seen Zach Diles, Eugene Wilson and Bernard Pollard go nontendered or unsigned.  Glover Quin may move to free safety and Troy Nolan and Dominique Barber could compete at strong safety. In addition, returning former defensive end Connor Barwin will change positions to linebacker, but which side?  Moving Brian Cushing another time shouldn't be a problem if he's put in the right place to succeed, something defensive coordinator Wade Phillips is known to do for his players. On Barwin, Kubiak said no matter what, he's in the plans at linebacker:

"The question is, does Connor play the strong side or weak side?  We were counting on him huge last year. We've put in packages for him. We're looking forward to him coming back and seeing what he does with Wade."

For Quin, some spectators are licking their chops at the opportunity for the Texans to draft Nebraska's young cornerback Prince Amukamara to fill Quin's void at cornerback.  That would cement a possible change to free safety for Glover Quin, who has exceptional jumping ability with average speed.  Kubiak said the possibility of a shift to free safety:

Click HERE to read the rest

Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post reports Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith took an official visit to the Ravens’ training complex.

The enigmatic 6-foot-2, 211-pounder has been linked to the Ravens’ 26th overall pick in mock drafts. Smith has a history of failed drug tests and an underage possession of alcohol arrest.

“If Jimmy Smith’s there,you’re getting a top 10 to 15 talent,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said. “Let’s put it that way, in the later portion of round one. “He’s a kid with great physical ability. They wanted to see what his workout numbers would be and certainly verified that.”

The Miami Herald reports that the Dolphins are now looking to possibly trade down in April’s draft from the number 15th overall pick.

There’s been much speculation that the Dolphins will pick Alabama running back Mark Ingram with the No. 15 overall selection. Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reiterates “for the hundreth time” since he was told as much by a source: Miami wants to trade down in the coming draft. The Fins believe the value of a pick later in the draft with the addition of a late secod-round pick would be higher (depending on who is actually available at No. 15 on draft day) compared to simply picking at their scheduled spot. Having said that, the team is considering highly talented players that come with some major flags. Ingram? Doesn’t have prototype size and his speed is a source of interest, depending on whom you’re talking to.

Genesis v2 is the second volume of the acclaimed cardistry training series by Andrei Jikh.
With instruction on over 18 cardistry moves, flourishes, and a special appearance by card manipulation icon Jeff McBride.

- Andrei Jikh

You might also enjoy these posts...

• Andrei Jikh and Michael Herp need your vote
• Vote for the best cardistry video of 2009
• Garry A – Moneyz R Us
• Andrei Jikh – Imposyble
• Ineski – Uncut Cuts Routine
• Ineski – Return
• Andrei Jikh – Shapeshifter sequence
• Andrei Jikh – Underground Original Creations
• Andrei Jikh – The’me

We decide to pay homage to the “BLACKPOOL 2010″ video, recreating the atmosphere allan hagen put into it, in our very own city of Bruxelles.
Even though the meet up was planned before we herd of the contest, we all agreed that the “homage” idea was a great theme, so we took this opportunity and invited our favorite cameraman to join us.
So if you ever stop by Bruxelles and want to have a Card Jam, this is what you can expect. (well, it usually takes a whole different turn somewhere after midnight, but this is another story :p:p )
So here’s a glimpse of what we experienced that day, captured by Francois Dubois, and edited by Ladislas T.

- Ladislas

You might also enjoy these posts...

• WTF ?! – Dimitri & Ladislas :: AMAZING SKILLZ 2011
• Dimitri interviews Ryuji
• Ladislas Toubart – Still In
• Luka – Trisiksti
• Spencer Clark – Watchman
• Vote for the best cardistry video of 2009
• Dimitri Arleri – Opera
• Queen Heart – Bluff 001 Teaser
• Wilson Ku – Clips

Daily weather update for tropical island destination Koh Samui in Thailand by long term resident Camille Lemmens

The flood situation on Koh Tao in Thailand, March 2011 by long term resident Camille Lemmens

Tropical island destination Koh Samui in Thailand update, more pictures of the flooding around the island by long term resident Camille Lemmens