Day Three with Evers

Edwin Evers spent the whole day catching fish on Lake Decatur.

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<p> A group of duck hunters stand and watch as Edwin Evers fights his way into his fishing area.</p>
A group of duck hunters stand and watch as Edwin Evers fights his way into his fishing area.
<p> Evers looks back at his motor as he begins to churn mud on his trip.</p>
Evers looks back at his motor as he begins to churn mud on his trip.
<p> A quarter mile later and he was blowing mud.</p>
A quarter mile later and he was blowing mud.
<p> As soon as he got into the river he started getting bites.<br />  </p>
As soon as he got into the river he started getting bites.
 
<p> Most of those bites were just under the 14-inch minimum length limit.</p>
Most of those bites were just under the 14-inch minimum length limit.
<p> They were close enough, Evers played all of them like they were giants.</p>
They were close enough, Evers played all of them like they were giants.
<p> Including his first keeper of the day.</p>
Including his first keeper of the day.
<p> This was his first 14-inch fish.</p>
This was his first 14-inch fish.
<p> A moment later, he hooked another keeper, but lost it.</p>
A moment later, he hooked another keeper, but lost it.
<p> Through out the morning he continued to boat short fish after short fish.</p>
Through out the morning he continued to boat short fish after short fish.
<p> Adding to his stringer with a 14-incher…</p>
Adding to his stringer with a 14-incher…
<p> That, he said, barely edged the line.</p>
That, he said, barely edged the line.
<p> It was close enough for him to smile and show the camera.<br />  </p>
It was close enough for him to smile and show the camera.
 
<p> His area was choked with thick laydowns and plenty of cover for largemouth.</p>
His area was choked with thick laydowns and plenty of cover for largemouth.
<p> He was so far removed that for most of the day, his only spectators were two young boys in a canoe.</p>
He was so far removed that for most of the day, his only spectators were two young boys in a canoe.
<p> Evers hooks up with his best fish of the day.</p>
Evers hooks up with his best fish of the day.
<p> It sends him to the back deck of the boat.</p>
It sends him to the back deck of the boat.
<p> Where he gingerly works it to the side.<br />  </p>
Where he gingerly works it to the side.
 
<p> And gets it in the boat.</p>
And gets it in the boat.
<p> Evers shows the fish to the television camera ...</p>
Evers shows the fish to the television camera …
<p> ... then to his spectators.</p>
… then to his spectators.
<p> One of his spectators sits on a log (far left) while Evers fishes by it.</p>
One of his spectators sits on a log (far left) while Evers fishes by it.
<p> At times he got so close to the cover, he had to kneel and push off.</p>
At times he got so close to the cover, he had to kneel and push off.
<p> He spent the day throwing a small spinnerbait and jig around the wood cover.<br />  </p>
He spent the day throwing a small spinnerbait and jig around the wood cover.
 
<p> The tangles of wood offered plenty of hiding places.</p>
The tangles of wood offered plenty of hiding places.
<p> And produced several bites ...</p>
And produced several bites …
<p> This one wrapped him up in a deeper limb.</p>
This one wrapped him up in a deeper limb.
<p> Forcing Evers to undress…</p>
Forcing Evers to undress…
<p> ... so he could lay down and dig out the fish.</p>
… so he could lay down and dig out the fish.
<p> He worked on the fish for several minutes, but was unable to land it.</p>
He worked on the fish for several minutes, but was unable to land it.
<p> During the course of the day, he continually caught fish.<br />  </p>
During the course of the day, he continually caught fish.
 
<p> Like this one that hit a jig ...</p>
Like this one that hit a jig …
<p> ... and was quickly hauled into the boat.</p>
… and was quickly hauled into the boat.
<p> Evers thought this fish would be his fourth keeper of the day.</p>
Evers thought this fish would be his fourth keeper of the day.
<p> And even though it was close, the fish didn’t measure.</p>
And even though it was close, the fish didn’t measure.
<p> Dirty water stains littered Evers console from his muddy ride that morning.</p>
Dirty water stains littered Evers console from his muddy ride that morning.
<p> His spectators, the Tin Brigade, stuck with him most of the day.</p>
His spectators, the Tin Brigade, stuck with him most of the day.
<p> By 2 p.m., he had to start fighting his way out of the area.</p>
By 2 p.m., he had to start fighting his way out of the area.
<p> It was shallow and forced huge sprays of water.</p>
It was shallow and forced huge sprays of water.
<p> A mist of mud and water enveloped Evers as he pushed out of the area.</p>
A mist of mud and water enveloped Evers as he pushed out of the area.
<p> A mud wave rushes from his engine.</p>
A mud wave rushes from his engine.
<p> But Evers made it out in time.</p>
But Evers made it out in time.