Enjoying the Joys of July

Here we are welcoming the arrival of one of my favorite months, the month of July. When we flip the calendar to July, it means the year is half over; we have experienced half a year already with another half to go.

Why do I find joy in this month? Much of what I remember about July has to do with my growing-up years back home in Goldonna. Not only were at the halfway point of the year, but it meant we still had another two months before it was time to head back to school.

July meant the fishing hole down on the creek was a busy spot for country boys like me. There was a spot on Molido Creek that was the focal point of my interest. Just across the L and A railroad tracks, a bend in the creek with a deep hole waited for boys to strip down to nothing and take the plunge for a swim.

Not only was this particular spot important for swimming, but the creek was also home to a variety of fish, including bass, goggle-eyes, and chain pickerel, which we knew as jack fish. Before taking the plunge, we would often cast a Hawaiian wiggler into the depths of the creek, and if we were lucky, a big old goggle-eye or a bass would attack the lure.

However, we were just as likely to tie into a jack fish, a long, mean-looking fish with a bad set of teeth that could easily, and oftentimes did, sever the line, taking the wiggler with him.
July could be and often was known for the heat of a Louisiana summer. Maybe that is why hitting the swimming hole felt so good, especially on a blistering hot day.

We have been blessed this year with the month so far. I don’t remember when we had as much rain as this year has brought us. It seems that every week, the weather man shows us radar of yet another event that has kept the ponds full and caused us to have to keep our lawn mower busier than normal.

This month has also featured cooler-than-normal temperatures, which have been most welcome when we remember how hot July usually is. Of course, we still have two-thirds of a month to go so we could still see temperatures and humidity more typical for July.

Last week, I attended a lunch with friends where one of the pleasures of July was in evidence. Someone had made a freezer of homemade ice cream, which I haven’t enjoyed in years. Sitting down to that bowl of wonderful stuff took me back to my days of growing up when we would, as my grandma used to call it “turn a freezer of cream.”

One of my prized possessions from my growing-up years sits in my office today as a reminder of those special days when homemade ice cream was made. It’s the old ice cream freezer with the handle my dad used to turn to produce ice cream.

Mama would get all the ingredients together and pour them into the freezer, and it was ready to go. Our ice was delivered weekly from the ice plant in Natchitoches when Mr. Monk would bring in a block of ice and place it in our ice box. When it left the plant, it weighed 50 pounds, but by the time it made it to our box, it probably weighed 35 pounds.

Chipping ice from the block to place around the canister and adding salt to aid the freezing process, the work began. After what seemed like eternity, the ice cream was ready, and I can still remember just how good that first bowl tasted.

The month of July may not be your favorite month, but I still have plenty of good thoughts about this special month. This is why I like to talk about the joy of July.

FISHING REPORT

CANEY LAKE – Bass are around the grass early and hitting topwaters. Later they’re around deep drops and channels. Soft plastics and cranks baits are working best. Crappie are around the deeper tops and are hitting jigs and shiners. Bream are slow to fair. For information contact Caney Lake Landing at 259-6649, Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
BUSSEY BRAKE – Crappie are on the flats and are fair on shiners or jigs. Some big bass are being caught early on topwaters and later by flipping the trees and lily pads with plastic frogs and oversized soft plastics. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – The water level is falling again which is not the best for fishing. Bass fishing is best up the river where there is more clear water. Crank baits and soft plastics are picking up some. Crappie fishing is fair. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – Bass are best on topwaters early and crank baits and soft plastics later on secondary points. Crappie are in their summer patterns in deep water in the channel and channel edges and hitting jigs and shiners. The bream have slowed now that the water and air temperature has warmed. Lots of catfish are being caught on red wigglers and night crawlers just off the banks. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – Crappie are around deep brush with jigs and shiners picking up some fish. Bass are in the shallows early hitting topwaters and in deeper water around around the channel edges later. Soft plastics and crank baits are picking up some. Night fishing is best now that the weather is turning hot. Bream are slow. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water level is at a standstill with slow fall expected next week. Catfish are being caught on trotlines and buffalo caught in nets. Crappie and bass are slow. For info call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.