Hoppers

Yes it's that time of year again when the hopper fishing should be on and we all get disappointed when it's not. Well, it has been on and then it was off and then it was on again. The problem is the weather. We've had some pretty stellar storms all summer--even in August--and with them, cold temps and the hoppers don't really like that. However, if you're willing to take a chance and go down low, you might get rewarded with a couple pigs.

I took a dad and his son out last week and managed to put 4 in the boat that were all in the 21 to 23 inch range. It was pretty cool since neither had any experience fly fishing, so to take fish like that on top was especially rewarding.

Ok, so those that know me know I'm a big Packer fan and I'm excited for football season to final start. You also should know that I hate the Vikings but I'm a huge Favre fan. So the absolute worst thing that could happen has now come to fruition; Favre is a Viking and I have tickets to the Monday night game in Minneapolis--Packers vs. Vikings.

My take on this hole thing is Favre had trouble making a decision a few years ago that could have definitely been made easier by Ted Thompson, the GM. We've all had those days when you wake up and question whether or not you can take another day. Favre had just brought them to a 13 and 3 season and was a play away from the Superbowl. Thompson had shown in the past he didn't care about Favre's opinions. When he suggested interviewing Mariucci for head coach Thompson ignored him and didn't really extend a hand out when Favre had to decide whether or not to come back. I lived in Milwaukee when Thompson took the position of GM and it was clear, almost immediately, that he wanted everyone to know it was his show and that he really didn't care if Favre was there or not. One might even say Thompson was pushing Favre out.

Last year Thompson blew Favre off and basically told him he was no longer wanted by the organization so Favre moved on. He wanted to play for a contender and was unfortunately handcuffed by the Packers because they owned his rights so he went to the Jets; a completely different system in a market were he would have many challenges standing in his way. And, he wouldn't have the chance to make Thompson look like a fool by playing them. Thompson didn't want Favre to play for him because of Thompson's own ego but recognized that playing against Favre in a division rivalry game would be very bad. There were plenty of teams out there looking at Favre last year but the Jets were the only team that couldn't hurt the Packers so that's were he was dealt.

This year Favre has the opportunity to play for a team that is a legitimate contender in a system he is familiar with. He has a team that has shown a huge interest in him and recognizes his ability to win games. I understand his waffling because of the work, the injuries, and the risks he's taking. But I also understand how this year, playing for the Vikings, would be attractive. He gets a legitimate shot at another ring, he'll play for a team that wants him when he knows he has something to offer, and honestly; he gets the chance to throw it back in Thompson's face.

Favre did what many of us have done and to criticize him for that is hypocritical. Ted Thompson should be blamed for Favre not retiring as a Packer. In 50 years from now I guarantee we will all remember what Favre did for the Packers but I doubt we will even remember what the guy's name is that ran him out of town. I hope Thompson's time in Green Bay is short lived and as far as October the 5th goes; I still haven't decided who I'll be rooting for.

Keep 'em where they live y'all.