The lake is really warm. This is the first time in years I have been swimming before July in a long time. I'm a big woosie until the water gets to my comfort level -- 85 degrees and up. Any colder and you can hear me yodeling as I wade around if a wave comes in a little high.

The hot water isn't bothering the fish, evidently. Last Friday I went out early to beat the heat. For a change I put in on the Highport side. It was pleasant as I idled out to the no wake buoys. I marked fish and bait big time in Highport but I'm sure they were stripers so I went on. My records I keep said this time of year, and with the water level where it is, go where the birds are. I made the run, pulled in and picked up a Booyah Counter Strike Buzz bait and started making long casts using a medium retrieve. Just like in times past, the fish were right on the bank. If there were any brush or weeds in the water, most times you would catch a fish or have one blow up as the bait came over, by or through the cover. These were good fish all between two and three pounds. I'd make a long cast trying to hit where the bank and water joined. Most of my strikes came about three or four feet off the bank. If there was cover close by, that's where I would get the blow up. A thing I've noticed -- and maybe some of you have too -- is that the better fish just suck the lure down. It's generally the smaller fish that wham the heck out of the bait.

As I fished down the bank, it was fun because I could almost call where I would find a fish. I was the only boat there and the fish were mine. A couple of times after missing a fish if I quickly picked up my Shaky head Rod and threw it into the area where I missed the fish but then catch one. The four-inch Watermelon seed Houdini worm on a 1/8 oz. Booyah Big show Jig head worked. As I was fishing shallow water I used the lighter head, in deep water I use the 3/16 oz head.

About 9 a.m. the shallow bite shut off and with the sun getting hotter I headed for some shade. Having learned something after a trip last week I picked up a 3/16 oz. Baby Booyah Jig put a white #18 pork frog on it and went to pitching boat stalls. It worked. I had two fish on I couldn't handle and they wrapped me around the brace and broke off. I caught seven more off two boathouses before I got warm and headed in. You have to remember I'm using eight and 10-pound line. Most of the time these lines will get most fish out into open water. Go early and get off the lake before noon. High SPF 30-60 sunscreen, a big straw hat, good sunglasses (not the cheapies), a long sleeve shirt and plenty of water will protect you from the sun and make your outing more enjoyable.

Attention boat and PWC water craft operators. Oklahoma has a new boating law going into effect. Boat and PWC operators 12 years old up to 16 years of age must complete an approved Boat Safety Course six hours long before running a boat in Oklahoma waters. Anyone 16 years or older must have in his possession a photo ID when operating the water craft. To learn more about this or sign up for a safety course go to www.okboated.com.

More Oklahoma regulations taking effect this month: If you are guiding anyone in your boat you must have an Oklahoma Guides license by July 31. I know you must show proof of $500,000 liability insurance plus complete a first aid course, including CPR, to obtain this license. I hear this new Oklahoma license will cost $135 after you prove you have all of the requirements above. I have heard Dave's Ski and Tackle has the new licenses. But I'd call before I go to make sure or contact them at the email address above to make sure of what you will need.

The Fort Worth Cabela's store off I-35 past Texas Motor Speedway is hosting a 3D Archery Shoot for kids at the Cinnamon Creek Ranch, which is 2.5 miles from the Cabela's store.

The event is free. Pre-registration is required and will be taken until 3 p.m. on Friday, July 10. The age groups are 10 and under, 11-14 and 15-18.

All shooters will get a goodie bag and free hot dog lunch after the matches on July 12. Shooters can bring their own gear or it will be furnished if requested in advance.