This has been the coldest driest winter I can remember in the past five years. The September 2017 forecast that I read had me convinced with El Nino that our winter in the middle Texas coast was to be warmer and wetter than normal. I guess that’s why it’s called a forecast instead of ‘what’s really gonna happen’ because to me, that was way off!

I have almost gone broke in my petty cash fund this winter buying enough hot hands warmers to put in my pockets to withstand these days where the temperatures have not moved the mercury past the low 40s. The thing about being a guide in these parts is you know most of the year you will be in shorts and flip flops with a nicer fishing shirt which is what customers expect you to be wearing. Duck season rolls around and we switch costumes wearing more gear which consists of breathable waders and layers upon layers of base wear and jackets. More for show usually than necessity, we proudly wear these garments because we bought them and can’t fail to use them once in a while. However this year it’s been one of those times where you cannot put on enough gear. My toes are frozen most of the day and I usually lose feeling in my fingers around nine.

We are earning our money for sure right now when duck hunting and fishing out on the salt water. The ducks have been somewhat consistent in flight patterns but the fish have been more predicable. A positive effect of these cold blasts has been the timely movements of the fish as they attempt to stay alive and move to warmer waters. It’s been years since I have been so successful at finding good numbers of solid redfish and black drum but also speckled trout. Whether I’m working the bottom of a deeper gut with dead shrimp in water temps near 48 degrees or working a soft plastic under a popping cork in 56 degrees it’s been all good with customers boxing limits to near limits for multiple species during a four hour trip!

The key to surviving and prospering during these cold dips is preparedness. I have said it before that I not only have layers on my body but backup layers of clothing in tightly secured plastic bags just in case the water seeps in and freezes my program. Kudos to these fish which can adjust to swings in water temperatures by moving around to find slight warming trends from the depths. When we bring a redfish to the top and it feels frozen to me but had a robust fight to the top bowing up our rods it makes you think these guys are superior to the human race. Give me layers upon layers and I can hang with them but you won’t find me proving any kind of toughness joining the polar bear club of those Northerers. Heck I can’t feel my fingers to remove any gear any how!

Capt Stephen Boriskie
Bay Flats Lodge
Seadrift, Texas
888-677-4868

During the holidays T&A RV REPAIR, owned by Thom and Alice Sloan, moved from Port Lavaca to the Port O’Connor, Seadrift area. T&A RV Repair is located at 1660 Lane Road, one mile off Hwy. 185. Lane Road is approximately half-way between Seadrift and Port O’ Connor. A large shop building and an RV Parts, Supplies & Accessory Store is in progress at the1660 Lane Road location. The RV Store is in response to the many customer requests over the past couple of years.

T&A RV Repair will continue to serve customers throughout Calhoun County, offering on-site repair as well.

A bit of history about Thom’s RV knowledge and training: Thom has 29 years experience as a certified RV Technician. Thom obtained Senior Master Technician RVIDA certification in 1999, and IRV Service Association Senior Master Technician certification in 2001. He is registered with manufacturers and suppliers to perform warranty service on appliances, including A/Cs, furnaces, refrigerators and water heaters.

Having owned and managed RV Repair Businesses, RV parks and RV Dealerships gives him a broad knowledge of the RV industry. As RV’s continue to evolve in size, amenities, and electronic devices, “schooling” is still an ongoing priority in order to meet the needs of RV owners.

Alice has owned and managed RV parks and has 25 years experience in customer service, event organization and business management. Alice will likely be your first contact at T&A RV Repair. She schedules customer appointments and will manage the Parts and Supply Store.

Thom and Alice look forward to continuing to serve our area R.V. customers.

Business Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 8am to 5pm. All Work is by appointment. 361-524-8708

On February 5, the Intercoastal 4H Club had its monthly meeting. We had Mr. Eric Taylor come to talk to us about grab bag skits. Everyone participated and the skits were very funny!

On March 5 at 5:00 in the Calhoun County Extension Office, Calhoun County 4H is having their annual Round Up which includeds a fashion show, photography judging, and skits. This year the Intercoastal Club will be doing a skit at the Round Up.

Our next meeting will be April 2nd at 6;30 in the POC Elementary Library. Everyone is welcome to join.

In case you don’t know, the Mission of the Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce and what it stands for:

Our Mission is to promote businesses, enhance economic and  community development and serve as a means for improving the overall quality of life in the community.
So many people love it here because of the laid back life style, If you are in a big rush all the time, this is probably not where you would like to be. This is a giving community. If someone has a disaster or medical issue, for instance, the community will come together to support our neighbors in any way they can be helpful. There are so many newcomers in POC, you are sincerely invited to join the Chamber and become involved in the community and it’s Mission.

March 1st, 2018 membership applications will go into the mail. All the 2017 members will receive an application. If you are not a renewing member, please contact 361-983-2898 to receive an application in mail or go to:

www.portoconnorchamber.com and join and pay online.

The Chamber promotes all it’s members. If you miss one customer, you probably could have paid membership for a year. We are here for you!!!
361poc@gmail.com

Clara Stryker and Ethan Taylor were among the many who put their creative caps on to “Invent with Straws & Connectors” hosted by the Friends of the Port O’Connor Library on January 27th at the POC Community Center. This creative session was lead by Shaney Bradford who donated all materials for use at the new POC Library where there will be plenty of space in the new multipurpose room for future inventing programs. Many thanks to Ms. Bradford, the parents and Friends of the POC Library volunteers for this fun and inventive program!