I've never been too crazy about this time of year, the Dog Days. It started when I was very young, all kids go through it and grow up to hate it. It's just naturally in our genes, it's called school and all the things that go with it. School supplies, but the paste never tasted good, and the note books made lousy bases. A new backpack was nice but it took a whole year to find enough mudpuddles and slush to drag it through until it's good and broke in. Mid-August was the time you got tied down trying on new clothes and shoes, and just tied down for school shots, oh my God, how could I forget. The fact is, August sucks and it apparently always has.

Though now that I think about it I've caught some of my biggest fish in August. I once caught a 38 inch, 20 pound northern in August. I was using a Mepps Giant Killer with a bronze colored spinner and a rubber blue gill. There are usually not too many mosquitoes in August. It's too hot for the little blood suckers. August is for sweet corn dripping in butter and sprinkled liberally with salt. Okay, so food, good food is available this time of year. Melons, tomatoes, cucumbers, I love them, they hate me. It doesn't matter how much sour cream and sweet onions I mix with them. But they're so good going down.

Okay so I'll admit there are a few good things about August. I'll take them. But all and all August still sucks. I mean, I can't forgive or forget that one of the worse things about August. It was the shots.