My good friend Mike had never caught a fish before nor had he been fishing so this saturday I took him out to some area lakes for trout fishing. Other than winds up to 26 mph and some initial overcast it turned into a fantastic day for November with temps hitting the mid 60's. Even with the wind he learned how to cast proficiently with gear and recover from snags. We first went to Lake Shawnee and had minimal luck. I caught a singular smallish Largemouth Bass and didn't see anyone else having much luck either. Seeing this we decided to head to a smaller lake near Lawrence. Here we both had success. I caught 2 Rainbow Trout and Mike got his first Rainbow and first fish ever. Needless to say I was delighted to have been able to participate in this. I can only hope I was a decent instructor and have inspired a new appreciation for the outdoors and perhaps a new hobby as Mike informs me he is now in the market for a fishing rod. To Mike--well done sir and you are free anytime to fish with me. Truly one of the greatest honors for any angler is the ability to share our passion and knowledge, actively ensuring a continuation of our sport. 

Lake Shawnee, has consistently produced Kansas state record Rainbow Trout. Last year alone it was broken twice. Currently it stands 15.43 lbs, not bad for a plains state. However I just seem to have really poor luck when I have gone. I seemingly can travel all around the world catching not only trout but a multitude of other species. Yet the lake, one of the few in which trout live year round in Kansas, 20 miles from my home still remains out of reach me when it comes to catching trout. Trout season open Nov. 1st and this will be my third year attempting to catch one. Unfortunately this time frame also falls directly when school kicks into high gear, but I still manage around three trips each season. This is the year I am hoping to break the pattern. 

I had two and a half hours to spare Saturday, yet when I arrived the water was heavily clouded with a bad case of cyanobacteria, making visibility quite poor. I tried several coves: yet no trout were caught. I wasn't skunked however and caught three bluegill, still I left frustrated with my Shawnee Trout still beyond my reach. 

I will admit, the first time I tried dove I thought it tasted horrible: an odd texture and a distinctive taste, reminiscent of liver, but after some research I learned I did two things wrong in the preparation of my dove. First, I neither marinated or let it soak overnight. Secondly, I overcooked it--dove tastes best when still slightly pink in the middle. Once I corrected for this I now find it very tasty and cannot wait for the next time I find it within my quarry after a hunt. 

Preparation:

1. Preheat cast iron skillet on stove to a medium temperature.
2. Thinly slice jalapeños, allow 2 slices per breast half. 
3. Remove Dove from marinade, pat dry.
4. Coat one side of breast with cream cheese.
5. Place 2 jalapeños slices atop cream cheese. 
6. Taking one piece of bacon, fully wrap breast, making sure to fully cover underlying dove.
7. Secure with toothpick. 
8. Cook on skillet for 5-6 minutes, be sure to cook on all sides within this time so bacon is fully cooked. 
9. Serve and enjoy, I generally throw on a few extra jalapeño slices for good measure.