biglakejake

you don't think he is talking about Ben Avery do you? thats just too obvious....................................

my first job was at Jim's Bait in far east Mesa at 79th street and Apache Trail in 1972. my first rifle was a marlin m60 and most if not all of my pay went to those little 100 packs of cci mini-mag .22 hollow points at 99c each. not a bad trade for running a register and dipping waterdogs and minnows at 12yo. Jim sold out to a younger couple in 1974 and they wanted more of a life outside the shop. that got me lots of hours during my sophomore and junior years at Mesa High. they took me out to get proficient with a S&W .357 and i would wear it overnights at 14 to 16 years old. after graduation in 1978 the Tysons were on the run and owner Lee Nice had everybody working there open carry at all times-even his wife and daughter. lee

Chris must be writing a book. we are dying out here for some narrative and pics...................

Mickey Del Re?

i remember great prices on traps and ammo at the Mesa Co-Op circa 1977. it was before my time on the water but they had the biggest reels(senators and mariners) i had ever seen. we bought lots of dove and rabbit loads at Western Auto. i do miss Smitty's! lee

still being the bomb after 2 more years. 2 big tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in warm water or anything you care to try. nearly instant relief. yes-lasix. on a side note drinking lots of water during cramping just made it worse because of diluted electrolyte levels-i discovered that pulling on big tuna-so now i live on propel electrolyte powder packets that go everywhere with me. its all a litttle late now i'll never get back up on montana peak or lake mtn again. lee

every time i drive through the radio VLA on 60 in new mexico i am filled with wonder that all that and more was the Stevens' Place. ranching and roping and chasing griz with one arm and some backbone. he gave up all hunting after his entire hound pack died of coyote poison-the lead died in this arms. great stories. Montague Stevens and Ben Lilly-two men who could not have been more different yet shared the same passions.

try the Elton Jones Ranch a dozen miles north of globe along hiway 60. say between mileposts 250 and 260 either side of the highway. big country few hunters-Roosevelt gets pounded all season. lee

Thank You Sir and big Congrats!!! nice thirds! lee

norma is excellent rifle ammo. my first few whitetails and muleys in the 70's all taken with norma. lee

safe travels and big fish Sir. Alijos Rocks and The Ridge in autumn-nothing like it. luck, lee

mesa luremaker. 'gravel scratcher' spinnerbait among others. he and Bob Whitaker taught me to night bass fish lee ps i think Roy wrote a fishing column for the mesa tribune

Tony i'm with you. hate trolling. whether on a sportboat, bass reservoir or trout lake in the mountains. there is just always something more interesting to be doing. those names are the guys that used to stop in the bait shop and bullsit with the owner for hours. remember Roy West?-my hero! just sayin', lee

i want it-don't need it. i have the full size i bought from a member and love it. maybe but it will be awhile yet. lee

i hope they get you out to Alijos Rocks........its almost totally wahoo and yft but what fishing! almost every bait i threw was eaten. and i was throwing borrowed wahoo bombs with a 7ft stick.......as soon as i got back i had a 9ft jigstik built but never made it back. lee

when do you board-your original post got washed out

wire. take lots of wire. lee

predator hunting before/after work!

1) dan wesson 8".357 magnum. thank you steve rothbard. 2) 1973 marlin m60. thanks mom, dad. 3) 1953 Winchester m70 30/06. thank you father lee

waitin' on you at mag bay

i in and out. always in and out..........

very good

https://www.976-tuna.com/audios/76230 https://www.976-tuna.com/audios/76223 https://www.976-tuna.com/audios/76229 really wish i could still do this, and chase down some apache bulls......legs are gone though....

Gr8