We had a fairly busy weekend here. There were a lot of rentals. Scott Schomburg and his family were here. Scott and I did some fishing and work. We picked up 1000 pounds of asphalt at Lowe’s Saturday morning to work on the entrance road. Fortunately, we had barely started when Tom and Justin joined in to help. We could have used another 1000 pounds, but what we did helps a lot.

I talked to Sheriff’s officer Newsom today. He said about two weeks ago a guest in 103 had used a fishing guide and later that same evening things were stolen from his truck. When officer Newsome caught the thieves they turned out to be the guide’s sons! Justin said they have contacted Richard, who used to work here, at Sandollar Security. For about $10,000 we can get security cameras to cover the entire complex. Previous bids have been about $50,000. The difference in savings received would be from using a landline shared with Phase II rather than wireless on our own. The board will probably discuss this at their meeting later in the week.

I talked to Jim Jacobus(208) yesterday. He has developed a really nice web site to promote his condo rentals. It can be found at www.kontikidream.com.

A crew is working on the beach lights. They are replacing the old 12-volt system with a 110-volt system that will use 150-watt fixtures placed behind the skirting. The wiring is being placed in electrical conduit this time.

Skirting work is being completed on 608 and work has begun on the north end of the 100 building.

Yesterday was pretty windy, but I did manage to pick up a 20-inch trout at Jaybird Point.

Otis came back from the Land Cut with only 9 trout this time. He said it really wasn’t worth it. His brother, Jim, said he picked up 8 really nice trout on the St. Joe shoreline between Jaybird and Long Reef.

Marv and three others went with a guide to Rattlesnake Point on Saturday and picked up 38 trout.

Gus(203) and his family are here for a few days. Their twins will be four on Wednesday.

Fishing finally seems to be on the up swing. Marv and I went out Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday we tried Scotch Tom Reef and the "pipe". We caught about a dozen with only one keeper at the "pipe". Most were not much bigger than the 1/2 oz. DOA shrimp we were using. Thursday the wind was up, but we again left out about 4:30 p.m. This time we went to Spaulding and Jay Bird. We picked up five solid trout and two Gafftop. Only one trout wanted live shrimp the others preferred the DOA variety.
Otis(604) had a great day at the land cut last week and he is there today to try again. He said they released two trout that were over 29 inches. Otis has a new boat. We all admired his yellow Ranger. He traded it in for a 24 foot red Ranger with a 250 hp Evinrude. It also has an eight foot power pole anchor. It is really classy.
Pat(602) went to the Ranch House area yesterday and loaded up on big trout. He used live shrimp and said the action was hot and heavy.
Gas prices went up about 17 cents in two days. I filled my boat today for $162 and it was only 3/4 empty! The wind is up today and we had a thunderstorm this morning. Tomorrow is supposed to be great with light winds.

The wind continues to howl. A crawler on the TV just said Aransas County in under a wind advisory alert, whatever that means. The waves are crashing over the bulkhead and flooding the beach.

I did go on the pier last evening and not a fish was to be had. I don’t know what has happened to the fishery. I talked to Lyle Reynolds(304) this afternoon and he said he has had the same pier results as I have. He said maybe the breakwater has something to do with the lack of fish. I don’t see how this can be, but I have no better explanation.

Marv and a guest went with a guide last Friday and got their limit of trout in no time. He said they went to Estes Flats and Red Fish Bay. Jerry told me he had heard that South Bay was holding a lot of fish. The forecast is better for Thursday. I may get to go out then and see what happens.

Alan has replaced many light bulbs around the complex, even the piers. It looks much better. New lamps were installed on the crossbridge. The primary security light west of the 700 building is still not working.

Skirting work continues on the 600 building. Upper decks on the 700 building have been replaced. A new roof is being installed on the motel.

I haven’t heard a confirmation yet, but I believe a board meeting has been called for the first Saturday in May.

This morning I met the newly hired maintenance man, Alan. He and Tom worked on the sprinkler system. They replaced and repaired the sprinklers between 108 and 201. This is probably the first time in several years that they all work at the same time. Now I can grow some serious grass again! I had been using the hose and a single sprinkler for years.
I talked to Otis this evening and he said he found many small trout near Spaulding reef, but only one keeper. Pat(602) said he picked up one keeper South of Paul's Mott yesterday.
Early this afternoon, an oyster boat, near Goose Island, was swarmed with bees. A call went out and Parks and Wildlife put in a boat at our ramp, EMS went along and the Sheriff showed up. No one was stung and all ended well.
I ran across an old friend, Kevin Jemison, who used to own the Photo and Video World store on Hwy. 35 in Fulton. He now works as an appraiser for Aransas County. He said that last year they were late with the appraisal notices, but this year they are on time and they will mail the notices on May 1. They will have the process finalized next Tuesday.

Fishing is still not where it should be this time of year. Yesterday Jerry and I went out for four hours. The water temperature was down to 60 and the water was very fresh and had that ice tea color. I caught three undersized trout and he had one too small red. All were caught on DOA shrimp. Today the water was five degrees warmer and I boated four undersized trout. Two took DOA and two took Gulp. The entrance to St. Charles bay had warmer water and seemed to be holding more fish. Very few boats were out. Tomorrow’s forecast is for high winds to return. Otis(604) went out today, but I don’t know if he found any fish.

Rob and a crew finished the decks and stairs of the 400 building yesterday. Work started on the upper deck of 205 today. Skirting is being replaced on the 500 and 600 building.

Marv and Rita Kreuter will be here for their semi annual monthly stay on the 15^th. They plan to stay in 108.

I talked to Barbara Schultz today. She said she still has not been given a budget for 2007 to work off of. I will take mine to her tomorrow. I have the one that was approved at the annual meeting and there have been no board meetings, so I presume the copy that I have is accurate. I see no point in her preparing a monthly statement using last year’s budget.

Scott Schomburg tells me that Allegro North is doing some major upgrade work. Their roof work will cost about $875,000. They are also spending about $400,000 to revamp building exteriors. Individual owners have the option to replace their windows with energy efficient double pane types and new sliding glass doors. I don’t know what type of payment system they have decided to use.

Our entrance road has become even worse since the most recent rains. I have no idea what the board has in mind to take care of it. At some point we will need to resurface, but something needs to be done in the short term.

A local realtor sent some information out that indicates that for 2006, waterfront condo sales were down 100% in number and 59% in total value from the previous year. She feels that some owners have priced their places ahead of the market, but this may be short term and the market will catch up.

This post was written on Wednesday, April 11, 2007.