2015 Year in Pictures

Let’s see, the best thing that happened to me in 2015 regarding fishing, was getting the itch to fish again. This only happened the last few months, and was triggered by my boy, Cameron Smith winning at Lake Hartwell. I have been looking at various models of boats that can be stored at my house, but also serve as fresh and salt crossover fishing vessels.

2015 was mostly about my career, and getting myself back in the big leagues of software sales. I started with a new company in March, and it’s been a busy year of travel, new Cities, new Partnerships and new relationships. I have literally been everywhere in the West, including Alaska and Western Canada. It’s not horrible, its just hard to travel a lot and be on top of fishing at home.

Besides software, I spend a lot of time working on surfing. I’ve gone from 9-10′ boards down to 6.5 and 7 foot boards. It’s a quantum leap in effort required to paddle and catch waves. It takes superior strength and agility to get on your feet, make quick pumps and fly thru sections on a shortboard. I love it. It’s been a worthy challenge and I continue each swell to learn and progress.

Here goes:

Corbina happen and most people don't realize they are there. I'm trying to figure out how to catch these buggers on fly rods. — Corbina happen and most people don’t realize they are there. I’m trying to figure out how to catch these buggers on fly rods.

They weigh 2-3 pounds and eat sand crabs at the surf line

My saltwater fly fishing tackle box. Crab eaters and little baitfish clowsers — My saltwater fly fishing tackle box. Crab eaters/sand crab patterns and little baitfish clowser patterns.

I have a 'trout eater' scene in my living room. It keeps my mind in the game — I have a ‘trout eater’ scene in my living room. It keeps my mind in the game

DCIM103GOPRO — Xmas 2015 in Cotter, AR. Staying at my parents’ place: The Rainbow Bridge Lodge in Downtown Cotter, Arkansas. That is my little boat parked under my second story bedroom window. The White River is <1 min drive from here, and Cotter is home to many big brown trout.

Dry Run Creek underwater shot. My nieces and nephews wacked 'em. — Dry Run Creek underwater shot. My nieces and nephews wacked ’em.

My boy Cameron Smith breaking the 'ice' so to speak. We have both banged our heads against the wall with tournament fishing. Cameron has stuck with it, and won the ABA Nationals for the West on Lake Hartwell. The best news is he earned an invitation to the Lake Hartwell in late April 2016. Cameron is going to win again on Lake Hartwell. — My boy Cameron Smith breaking the ‘ice’ so to speak. We have both banged our heads against the wall with tournament fishing. Cameron has stuck with it, and won the ABA Nationals for the West on Lake Hartwell. The best news is he earned an invitation to the Lake Hartwell in late April 2016. Cameron is going to win again on Lake Hartwell.

Mick Fanning and Kelly Slater, after a killer heat at Lower Trestles. I consider Trestles sacred water. When the World Surf League makes a regular tour stop in your backyard, you know you are blessed with good surf.

The 11" Triple Trout in 3 Dot Olive w Pink sides. Whitmer made me this a few years ago now. Wow, what a killer bait. — The 11″ Triple Trout in 3 Dot Olive w Pink sides. Whitmer made me this a few years ago now. Wow, what a killer bait.

I love watching seams, billowing water, vortexes, eddies, etc.

The very corporate Matt Peters. I had a friend shoot some posed photos for my LinkedIn profile.

You care to get a flavor of what I do in the corporate world? Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/southernswimbait

I’m oddly content and pleased about where I am in life. I am not married, I have no kids, which makes me a unicorn in some respects. I continue to enjoy living a normal life that doesn’t revolve around boats and fishing gear. I got into yoga over a year ago, and cannot say how much yoga has helped me. Yoga has opened my body and mind up to all sorts of new and healthy activities, practices, people, and disciplines. I have made many new awesome friends thru yoga. Let me be clear, I suck at yoga, but nobody benefits from it more than a guy like me. I highly encourage those of you who need something physical, spiritual and awesome to do during the week to check out yoga. Vinyasa Power Flow is my favorite. I love energy and positive energy and how contagious it is.

I plan to fish more in 2016 and keep perpetuating this blog. I have Southern Trout Eaters #2 on my plate, and let me just say….it’s complicated. I just don’t have time to do it all. However, as the Jay Z song goes, 40 is the new 20. I have high hopes for a productive, fun and positive 2016. I am only 19 according to Jay Z. There is plenty of time to fish still.

Happy New Year.

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