New Year, New Knee!

I got to try out my new knee fishing with Jack and Tim on Jack's Whaler last Monday. It was great to get back on the water - I almost felt normal and the knee performed well. We departed about 9 am and the weather was cool but sunny but it quickly clouded up and became cold - at least it was cold to me (I've only regained 5 of the 15 pounds I lost during my knee replacement adventure).

We picked up some beautiful, well cured anchovies at the receiver and decided to make a pass across the pipeline before heading north. I fished light - 15# test with half ounce sliding sinker and a 1/0 92677 Mustad hook. After a couple drifts, I connected with a nice 18 inch sand bass which I released.

Shortly after, Jack caught another sand bass, also released. We made a move north of the headlands and tried our luck there. My luck was a lizard fish but Jack caught a short halibut and Tim caught a sand bass – both released.

We tried a few passes around the headlands before heading back to dock. By then, I was chilled to the bone and ready to call it a day. Our bait was still in excellent condition - in fact there were no dead baits in the bottom of the tank and the tank was still full. We saved the anchovies and put them in Tim's receiver for another day.

I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to get back out on the water. I think the excitement of getting back out and the chilling weather was a little much for my recovering system as my surgery was only 2.5 months ago. My body decided I needed to rest the next couple days to recover.

For those that don't know, I had my right knee replaced November 22, 2012. My intestinal system couldn't take all the medications especially pain medications, so in addition to intense stomach pain, I was unable to eat therefore the 15 pound loss. The knee surgery though was a big success. Before surgery, my knee was in constant pain and I was unable to walk without a cane and brace on the knee. Now the knee pain is minimal and I walk normally but I'm still working through the intestinal issues (it appears the medications killed all the good bacteria in my system and it takes time to replace them). I have finished physical therapy (my knee will bend 135 degrees and stretch out flat), I am back working out at the club and I am enjoying some of my other passions - cooking and quilting. I seem to have acquired another passion, afternoon naps! I guess I'm doing what my surgeon suggested when he said: "Why not act your age?"

My knee before & after surgery – and my knee today.  Did I mention that I love my new knee?