The recent frigid nights bring back vivid memories of my father taking me fishing at night on Lake Travis. We would frequent several public docks that had enclosed fishing wells with wood burning stoves for heat.

Often we would fish all night long in pursuit of crappie, white bass, and catfish.  Live minnows, stink bait, and small white jigs usually produced very good stringers of fish that sizzled nicely in the frying pan. My father was very patient with my brother Ron and myself, and hooked us on fishing very deeply. Our mother often fished with us.

My mother passed away several years ago and my father joined her on Nov. 30 at the age of 87. He will be in my heart forever, especially when I am on the water fishing.

He was a bomber pilot in World War II but never flew on a plane after the war. He claimed he needed to be the pilot.

My mother never flew on any plane in her whole life, but now I can imagine my father and her finally flying together forever.

The deep-water fishing on Lake Travis has been enhanced by our recent cold weather.  My sonar screen lights up like a Christmas tree when I ease my boat over various points and ledges. The most productive depth has been between 30 and 45 feet.

Many lure choices will entice these deep fish. My favorites are white jigging spoons, drop shot plastics with a very short leader, and live minnows. Be sure to maintain bottom contact and fish slowly for fast action.

There are still some quality bass to be caught in shallow water on crankbaits and weightless Senkos. A green pumpkin Senko and a chartreuse shad Bandit 200 has worked well for my morning clients. I prefer to fish deep in the afternoons.

For updated information or a holiday gift certificate, call Lakeway Marina at 261-7511 or me at 441-6682 or email achristenson1@austin.rr.com.