I grew up fishing for crappie and catfish with my late grandfather on the Elk River arm of Grand Lake at Ice Box Bluff about 25 years ago. Looking back, some of my fondest fishing memories come from fishing down there with my grandfather. He is the one directly responsible for my addiction to fishing. This addiction was further fueled when I first picked up a fly rod. When I was 14 I begged my parents to buy me a fly rod. My first fly rod was an Eagle Claw fiberglass 8 weight from Wal-Mart and an old, beat up Pflueger fly reel my grandfather had picked up at a flea market. I remember renting a video at the local video store called "The Essence of Fly Casting" by Mel Krieger. The next day I bought some fly line, put it on the dilapidated reel with no backing and like a duck to water, I was casting like a pro. The rest is history. From that day forward I haven't fished any other way.
I am a returning member and I am happy to be back in my hometown of Carthage again after residing in Fort Worth for 15 years. I was lucky enough to have fished with the late Joe Butler and Foster Whitten at various club outings in my early teens when MAKO was young. I will forever be grateful for their mentorship and graciousness by taking me under their wings and nourishing my love for this great sport. I am looking forward to meeting all the members who share the same passion, love and eagerness that I have for fly-fishing.
Regards,
Corey Dodson