Did I Just Ruin My MOJO?

Jeff Reardon

Jeff Reardon

Well-known member
Supporter
Before Todd starts loading up both the actual and the rhetorical shotguns, I am not talking about robot ducks. This is "mojo" in the older sense--as in, "I got my mojo working."

In a rare fit of spring cleaning energy, I decided last night that the old camo backpack that totes my fishing and hunting gear needed a wash. Pulled in from the barn, cleaned it out--looks like I have 2 dozen BOSS bismuth shells in 3" 3/5 for next season, and found my missing duck call and my missing thermos!

But then I decided it needed a wash, so I tossed in the bath tub with some detergent and let it soak. After a scrub, and three rounds of rinsing, it came out looking and smelling like new, and left a pretty serious ring around the tub. Really, it had been a while.

Here's my worry. Hunting and fishing gear acquires mojo through long use. I've never washed a fishing vest for fear of washing out the mojo, and I'm afraid my duck mojo may have gone down the drain with the salt marsh mud, wads of spruce gum, and the stink.

Thoughts?

If the MOJO is lost, it might be time for a new backpack. Recommendations?

My needs: Camo, fits someone with both a long torso and 54" chest, big enough for heavy load day trip or a short overnight hike--say 35 liters/40 pounds. I like a single large main compartment that can hold large items, and a few other pockets that hold water bottles and other gear I want quick access to.
 

Prior to anything else you must listen to GOT MY MOJO WORKING (Preston Foster) as much as possible, and preformed by as many Blues artists as you can find.

I highly recommend the version by Etta James on BLUES TO THE BONE. As good as it gets.

After you can no longer get that song out yer head, proceed with what may be the best way to restore the Mojo you did loose.


One washing can, and does release the Mojo that takes many years to "ferment & bond" with fishing & hunting gear. There are ways back from that loss but they take time and work.

A second washing is unforgivable. Better to start over with new gear and pray you live a long life.


my 2 cents
 
I don't know, perhaps a touch of mojo went down, but just a likely some juju. Mojo good, juju bad. Those forgettable days, when no ducks were to be seen, or the gear got tangled, or the engine crapped out, or you got stuck in the mud at low tide. Bad juju was to blame every time. So I'd suggest that you washed the juju away, and give the gear another chance. Only after letting a trusted bird or duck dog sleep on it, however, while you lounge in front of the fire with a fine scotch.
 
Jeff~


Sad to say, I'm pretty sure you've gone and done it....


Might as well sell off all of your outdoor gear - and focus your energies on shopping malls and video games!


All the best,


SJS

 
SJ Fairbank said:
I don't know, perhaps a touch of mojo went down, but just a likely some juju. Mojo good, juju bad. Those forgettable days, when no ducks were to be seen, or the gear got tangled, or the engine crapped out, or you got stuck in the mud at low tide. Bad juju was to blame every time. So I'd suggest that you washed the juju away, and give the gear another chance. Only after letting a trusted bird or duck dog sleep on it, however, while you lounge in front of the fire with a fine scotch.
Click to expand...

Last early season was all mojo. The ducks always flew, there was never a crowd, and I hit just about everything I pointed a stick at.

Late season was all bad juju--ducks not flying, me missing when they did, and to cap it off, a 3 mile paddle/pole in my tin boat back to a carry in launch where a buddy could drop me off a kicker motor to get home after losing my prop on a rock in the dark. For the record, Lowe 14' tin boats are not well designed to be propelled by canoe pole or paddle.

If washing that pack knocked out the juju, things are looking up.

And re: working that mojo, nobody beats Muddy Waters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hEYwk0bypY

Best live version I ever saw live was Taj Mahal, who played for about 100 people in the Whitingham, VT, town hall when I was a college student.
 
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Taj Mahal kicks it like no one else. His work never gets old, can't imagine not listening him. Muddy Waters is Got My Mojo Working.

Give the Etta James version a listen and then decide, plus the rest of the CD is a killer.


I got away with hand washing my very old Orvis Tacklepack once, and it took awhile to get it back to where it was. Thankfully it was not a deep cleaning and most of the stains and Gawd knows what still remain but I should have left well enough alone.

Duck season is short, fly fishing season is very long and better suited for this Geezer. Hunting outerwear never gets washed, most likely would not survive such abuse as washing.

Had to toss a fishing shirt and the fishing packable raincoat recently cuz they fell apart. UV rays do some serious damage over lotta years. Never easy tossing out such old friends that fit so well. Ya keep em thinking ya can reuse em for something then they gotta go. Sad.

The 2006 Honda Pilot has a 5 storage CD player well filled with traveling music. Carving and painting without music? Hell no.
 
Champagne, don't make me lazy,
Cocaine, don't make be crazy,
ain't nobody's business but my own.

I say candy is dandy but the liquor is quicker,
you can drink all the liquor down in costa rica,
ain't nobody's business but my own.

Mojo comes and goes, juju can stick if you do bad stuff. Don't do bad stuff.
 
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