Hello, folks — Tight Line Jr. here, hoping everyone is staying warm and toasty.
One recent Wednesday morning, the water temperature at Gray`s Reef was 54.3 degrees. Once again, I like it to be around 62 to 64 in the creeks and rivers, and my fishy friends — the big spottail bass — like that as well.
Well, folks, with the weather and the water temperature as they are, I thought you might like to try this little recipe I found. I have changed some of the ingredients to fit my taste. Here is what you will need:
2 tablespoons of sesame-ginger dressing
½ tablespoon chopped garlic
3-4 nice spottail or trout filets
3 cups of Asian-style stir-fry vegetables or some roasted Brussels sprouts
Now, preheat oven to 375 F. Combine dressing, garlic and ginger in a shallow bowl. Add in the fish and coat all sides. Set aside in the fridge for about 15 minutes, and then place in foil and bake for about 30 minutes.
There always is the skillet method, which I prefer. Add veggies to a non-stick skillet on one side and the fish to the other. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring the veggies often and turning the fish after about 5 to 8 minutes. Serve this up with a nicely chilled blanc wine, and dinner will be a big hit. It’s a great meal for family and dinner guests. You will be the master of the kitchen.
Hopefully, we will be talking more about fishing in the near future — I can’t wait for that.
At this time, I would like to say a farewell to two old and dear friends of mine.
It has been a few weeks since we lost Big Ken Smiley. He was a man who loved to fish, loved his friends and worshiped his family. Kenny always had a smile for you, and every time I saw him it was always, “What’s happening, Donny B?”
And more recently, I lost my buddy David Lee Bush. He was not only my friend, but my oldest friend. We first met in 1958. From that point on, we spent every Friday night behind the fence watching the Friday-night game at the football field behind his house. All the times we fished together and also worked together at my father`s fishing camp. The list of stories I could share about Bush are much too long to share here. I will really miss both men.
Farewell, Smiley and, with a still-heavy heart, I say goodbye to my oldest friend, David L. Bush. The memories overwhelm me and tears cloud my eyes, but I will now and forever be honored to have known and to have been called their friend.
So long for now, and we will meet again.

Donny Branch
Tight Line Jr.