January 3, 2011
Visiting with Kevin Chaumont aka “Chambo” and his dad here the last couple of days here at The Lodge. I’ve guided them from here to Mexico over the last 5 years. They are from Louisiana and always a pleasure to hunt with. I’ll never forget hunting with them in a nearly dry creek bed outside Cuahtemoc, Mexico hammering Mexican Mallards. The scenery was just unbelievable and I never would have imagined the birds being so desperate to hit the small pools in the creek bed.

Capt. James managed their limits on an unusual number of Teal on the Island yesterday along with a token Wigeon and Pintail. The group pulled off the birds and began working on Redfish managing a quick bite in deeper swales in the back lakes. I’ve been very impressed with the number of fish holding tight in the back country and the recent rise in water levels should keep that holding tight for awhile.

Coming up off the Island this morning, Capt. James just called to let me know that they managed their limits on ducks this morning and had an unusual visit from a Northern Mallard drake that they let slip away. James said “I just kind of stared at the Drake Mallard and when I realized it was a shootable bird, it was too late”. I’ve been there and seen that before myself!

It looks like we’re heading for a lot of slick water this week with mild winds and a chance of rain through mid-week. Speaking of “slick-offs”, on one such morning a week or so ago we had a pod of about 30 Redfish tailing just outside the blocks, what a sight to see!

Killin N Grillin
Direct TV Channel 608
(Pursuit Channel)
http://killinngrillin.com
(Under Construction)

The show just aired the first episode featuring an alligator hunt here at The Lodge. The second episode will feature an airboat redfishing trip with “grilled Redfish on the half shell” on the menu. Stay tuned.
Capt. Kris Kelley 1-888-618-4868 http://www.seadriftbayfishing.com/

Could he ‘cuss’? Yep, likely the most colorful style which almost definitely was intended to lift my mother’s eyebrows. After all, she being the daughter of a Methodist minister would most certainly wash her son’s mouth with soap if he repeated one word of it.

Things I remember most was his infinite sense of humor and his love for nature, particularly in the line of outdoor sports such as hunting and fishing. He was a fantastic trainer of his bird dogs and beamed with pride when he talked about them finding the elusive quail.

Uncle Pete Bruner came to spend the weekend and stayed thirteen years about the time I was three years old. The depression years kept my dad’s (W. T. Jamison) nose to the grind stone, so to speak, while raising five children; I was the youngest. He also loved the outdoors but was mostly limited in his off time to care for his cattle. He was a real cowboy at heart.

Uncle Pete took this rambling tow head boy under his wing and I loved every minute trodding behind him and his bird dogs. I would help digging worms, seining ditches for minnows, or crawfish for bait. Fishing was also a priority my great uncle’s relentless quest for the biggest fish no matter what species.

During World War II, this area had few if any plumbers. Uncle Pete was a retired plumber and took on minor jobs as long as it didn’t interfere with his hunting and fishing activities with his skinny little partner. The gas company gave him the job of turning on or off gas meters when folks built a new home or moved. This paid him a whopping $4.00 each, as I recall. Of course, that helped out for shells and tackle.

The Liberty County Fair Grounds no longer held the county fairs during WWII. In fact, it was a prisoner of war camp for German soldiers, most of which were captured in North Africa. A call came from some authorities there asking Uncle Pete if he would direct the installation of showers for the prisoners incarcerated in the camp. They assured him he would not have to do any labor, only direct the prisoners assigned to him with an interpreter. He agreed as long as he could bring his own side kick helper (me). That turned out to be an experience I’ll never forget.

I was a young teenager by then and some of the younger Germans were not a lot older. They were eager to learn English but mostly limited to naughty words of which Uncle Pete was proficient. They were very polite and extremely helpful in proper measurement of the galvanized piping.

The effort was momentarily interrupted by a German army major who briskly approached a U.S. 2nd Lieutenant and saluted the American. “Sir, may I speak (in perfect English)?

The officer said, “Certainly major, what’s on your mind”? “Sir, we would like your permission to bring some of those small stones from the road way to use as a walk in wet areas here”? The young lieutenant couldn’t figure out the “small stones” part but soon realized he was talking about the Highway Department pile of gravel. “Nope, we can’t do that. It belongs to the State of Texas.” He replied, “But sir, we are the army!” The lieutenant smiled and politely said, “That doesn’t work here”.

Uncle Pete lived to a ripe old age. The last picture I have of him showed him sitting on the ground with his agile legs folded under him Indian style and a bird dog in his lap. After all, he claimed to be quarter Cherokee Indian which my mother disputed as another of his tales. Anyhow, the keen eyed outdoorsman was a good sport and much fun to be with even if he did ‘cuss’ a bit.

Bob Jamison is a free lance writer. His stories are on Jamison Wildlife.com

AA meets each Saturday night at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Port O’Connor. AA Meetings are held each Monday at 7:30 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 4th & Cleveland, in Seadrift.

Fellowship begins at 7:00.

Friday Night Youth meets each Friday, except the first Friday of the month, at Fisherman’s Chapel in Port O’Connor from 7:00 until 10:00 p.m.

POC Sports Association meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at POC Community Center.

POC Lions Club meets the second Wednesday of each month, 12 Noon, at Cathy’s Restaurant

Commissioner’s Court meets the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at 10 a.m., 1st Floor of the Court House, Port Lavaca.

Crossroads Astronomy Club meets at 7:00 p.m., third Mondays, at U of H, Victoria, Room 223 info: wes81461@yahoo.com 361-935-2016
See page 2 for Seniors’ Lunch.

See page 6 for area Churches.

Thurs., Jan. 19 Port O’Connor Service Club

10:00 a.m. Port O’Connor Community Center

Jan. 21 & 22 Roll-off bin for POC MUD Customers

8:00 – 5:00 16th & Harrison

Barney
Meet Barney the beagle, a beautifully marked tricolor, and note that tail with its distinctive white tip, wagging furiously. Barney is about a year old, very high energy, stays busy doing his “beagle thing” of sniffing the ground and LOVES to play fetch – a great family dog.

Binkley
Here’s Binkley, relaxing in his comfy bed. He’s an elegant fella, slate gray with white feet, blaze AND whiskers! Binkley is about 4-5 months old, cuddly and soft. He’s hefty for his size and may be a big guy when he’s grown. He LOVES attention.

Gracie
Gracie is a fox terrier, white, nicely marked with black and tan accents. She is about 7 years old, and has many good years ahead of her. An active lady, she gets along well with other dogs and is ready for you to welcome her into your home and heart.

Come see Gracie, Binkley, Barney, and all the other animals at the Port Lavaca Animal Shelter, 201 Stringham Drive (across from the rodeo arena), Monday through Saturday, 10 to 2, or call the Calhoun County Humane Society, 553-8916.

You can also view them and other animals ready for adoption on line at:
www.calhouncountyhumanesociety.org
Thanks and we’ll be waiting for you!

Chocolate Covered Peanuts
This sweet treat was a hit at recent holiday parties.
Melt together until smooth over low heat:
 1-1/2- pkgs.  white bark
 1- 12 oz.  pkg. chocolate chips
 1- 12 oz.  pkg. milk chocolate chips
Add a large jar of salted dry roasted peanuts (as many as you want). Stir. Drop by tablespoons on wax paper. Makes a large amount of candy. This recipe is much better than just using chocolate bark and peanuts. It is very creamy.


Cheese Spread
This recipe makes a lot. Use as a sandwich spread, dip or stuff large cooked pasta shells with the spread.
 1 lb. mild cheddar cheese, grated
 1 lb. sharp cheddar cheese, grated
 1 lb.  mozzarella cheese, grated
 1- bunch green onions, finely chopped
 3 to 5 jalapeños, chopped
 1 cup celery, finely chopped
 2 lg. jars diced pimentos (drained)
 2 sm. cans ripe olives (drained)
Mix all ingredients together, adding as much mayonnaise as you like. Keeps well.