“Never put yourself in a position to have to apologize for someone else’s behavior”, a quote from my grandfather many years ago.

Unfortunately I find myself in this position now and feel I must apologize…as many are aware I have had an ongoing case with the Federal Government for 2 years…much has been discussed and on several occasions the prosecutor’s office has offered to drop all charges if I sign an agreement not to sue them. Yea right, like that’s ever going to happen. To make a rather long story longer …we have entered the time in this dispute were games are being played to wear down the opposition…we were scheduled to go to trial on July 6^th, (postponed) until July 13^th, then (postponed) again until July 21^st, next came August 4^th…and finally yesterday we now are scheduled for Aug. 11^th.

Do you see where I’m going with this…it is August the month where I (your friendly, except to lawyers, fearless leader) was scheduled to: #1 host the monthly outing to the upper Sacramento river area and #2 be the featured speaker at our monthly meeting on the 11^th.

The Judge, (Oliver Wanger) the same one who dealt the Delta a slap in the face last month over a technicality is allowing the Prosecutors office one last chance to come to grips with reality…drop all charges or get into court…in the mean time I have to quietly (hahahaha, me quiet) sit by and have my schedule screwed up…Sorry for any and all inconvenience this causes, I know how much the membership looks forward to listing to my half assed witty sense of humor at these meetings.

So my apologies for disappointing my friends or is it friend…lost count.

On a more interesting note…water is warming up and the carp in local waters are hungry, Kate and I have been cruising the shorelines of Woodard and Modesto Reservoirs in the evenings and doing quite nicely…several in the 10lb range. A couple of day trips to the Sierras to check out the “little fellas” (brookies) in the 6” to 10” range and my new 3 weight is no longer a virgin.

Kate is not a happy camper right now…only reading going on is legal papers and court documents.

Hopefully this will be the end to all the madness and I can get back to tending my flock like a proper shepherd… until then, thanks for the understanding and the beer is on me as soon as I get through kicking the Federal Governments ass.

The sad eyed mutt and Steve