Having Lake Travis all to myself is a big side benefit of guiding for a living these past thirty years.  Experiencing the beautiful serenity of the lake with no other boat traffic is a therapeutic sensation that most boaters and anglers never have the opportunity to enjoy.
I love to share this experience with clients, but I also savor every opportunity to venture out on my own and renew my personal zest for fishing.  At 65 years of age I believe I still possess the fishing gusto that hooked me as a child.
A recent afternoon solo outing on Jan. 12 allowed me to enjoy sunny skies, moderate temperatures and calm water.  Every winter we have numerous days like this, especially on the weekdays when I have my own private lake.
Make that semi-private, as a robust osprey hawk landed on a boat dock near me.  The great bird became very chatty and we chirped back and forth for about an hour as I hovered over a school of deep bass hungry for spoons.
I have felt a deep kinship with these fish hawks for so long.  We both make our living locating and catching fish.  They enjoy watching my boat catch fish and I really love their kamikaze plunging into the lake to snare unsuspecting fish.
I passed by very close to my feathered friend as I left for another spot.  The hawk did not fly away as I waved and chirped adieu.
After almost a mile run I stopped and fished another point.  A green pumpkin worm produced three fast bass from a submerged rock pile.  I then heard a series of shrill chips overhead.  That sociable osprey was circling above congratulating me on my catch.
I arrived home at sunset and enjoyed a fresh fish dinner with my wife, Benita.  It just doesn’t get any better than that!
For updated info or a guided excursion, call 261-3644, or e-mail achristenson1@austin.rr.com.