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Thank you to all who have responded thus far to my New Year's Resolution in last week's column. Many of you took advantage of my offer to take you bass fishing in 2008 but I still have more dates available. Don't be shy -- e-mail your requests to
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Recently, a new friend, Mr. Jim Cross, gave me a call to let me know that his son, Jonathan, had been hammering the white bass in and around the ice on Utah Lake and wondered if I had any interest in accompanying the youth on one of his next excursions.
I immediately accepted the invitation, telephoned the young man and made plans. The trip took place that very afternoon.
"I love to fish," began Jonathan Cross after we met near one of his favorite fishing holes. "I'm leaving on my mission to Argentina in a couple of weeks so I'm trying to get in all the fishing I can before I leave."
Although he didn't ask me to, I promised not to tell the whole world about the spot he chose to fish.
While we fished, I explained to "Elder" Cross that, when I was a youngster, I remembered attending several presentations made by John Cross, Jonathan's grandfather, who traveled the world and explored the Colorado River, Mexico, Brazil and many other exotic places. For me, watching and listening as he told his stories jump-started my own imagination and was perhaps one of the reasons I have devoted much of my life to exploring the outdoors.
John Cross's grandson Jonathan knew his stuff. In just a couple of hours, we caught and released dozens and dozens of white bass.
"These are a little small today," he said. "They're usually a little bigger."
For me, just having the opportunity to catch fish almost every cast in the middle of winter without needing an ice tent and ice-fishing supplies was like a dream come true. Elder Cross was a great guide, and I could tell he loved showing me how he caught fish. His black/blue grub dragged slowly across the 2-to-4 foot bottom proved irresistible to the hungry bass. He avoided the ice and only fished open water.
The afternoon ended with me thanking him for a fantastic time. He was the guide and I the recipient of his knowledge and experience.
And 40 years later, another member of the Cross family had stirred my imagination. I wonder what other areas of the lake might be hot right now?
Do you know anyone who might want to go fishing with me?
• Don Allphin can be reached at
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