survival straps belt
Archive for September, 2010
Cough Sounds Cough Sounds Adults get vaccine. Adults with persistent cough get checked out. Adult cough sounds different. Infants can die from complications bordering on suffocation. Just listened to Orange County (Cal.) Public Health Coordinator expressing concern for growing nationwide re-emergence of this illness. Highest since late 50′s.
Clinical Examples of Pertussis, posted with vodpod
Chilliman's Fly Pattern @ Pixalo
One thing often leads to another. I was researching the comparative hooking capabilities of up eye, straight eye & down eye hooks (just passing time). I came upon this attractive fly pattern. It was at a site actually discussing macro lens and the Sigma 70-300 lens. The fly was simply entitled ‘fly hook’ hence the lap over of subject matter. The simple and only point here is I thought this to be a unique and nice looking wet fly pattern. No details on the pattern, but the visual explains a lot. I believe the dubbed body appears to be ribbed by a darker material. The lighting, the lens, the angle add to the richness of the shot. Nice fly.
October Caddis Like Small Birds I Swear…..
Morrish October Caddis (OFFB)
“At a recent visit to The Caddis Fly Shop in Eugene, Oregon, I had sought out some current info on where I might venture to fish. The shop was, as always, most helpful with what to use, October Caddis, October Caddis, (did I say October Caddis?) and where to go. Armed with the where (they drew me map…Ok, I looked confused) and the what, I set forth with a variety of large Caddis dries and some sizeable Copper John patterns in the appropriate Caddis Pupa colors.
So, yesterday I headed out up the McKenzie River, into a new area. I had packed fresh fruit, PBJ sandwiches and water. After a bit of orienteering malfunctions, and fishing some much too heavy water for me, I arrived at a different stretch of water that looked just right. The scenery was beautiful. I decided to grab a late lunch while I could, so as to not take away from fishing the early evening hatch. The spot was shaded, soft and beautiful. The light filtered through the trees with the lowering sun. The exposed river rock created a unique landscape and there were even some nearby wild flowers stream side.
As I took in the beauty, I was shortly joined by this little girl and her four younger siblings. She was seven and very curious about me. She asked me about my car, my fishpond bag, my whistle, and she shared with me about her family. They appeared to be camping in the woods and possibly down on their luck. As I was slowly eating my goodies, I noticed her intently watching me. I asked her if she wanted some.
She gladly accepted and soon her siblings were close by. Well I had enough to eat and had lots left, so I offered the rest to the girl, but told her to ask her parents first. She ran quickly back and happily took the remaining food I had left.
It was time to fish in earnest now. I eagerly went down to the river. I tuned up my leader. I ran into an elderly homeless man. He shared his woes with me. I listened as I rigged up and tied on a Caddis pupa. I left the old man and waded out into the river. And then, I started to notice the most amazing thing. I thought they were small birds being attacked by bigger birds, but upon looking closer, I realized the birds were eating October Caddis.
Crazy! I had only heard about their size. Or, read about them, seeing a few pictures, but this was the first time I had seen them first hand. It was just as I had learned, but even more fascinating. I was watching that more than fishing. I wisely decided to tie on an OC, one of the foam bodied patterns the shop had recommended.
I cast into the hatch, and fish came to my fly. Birds swooping, fish rising, alone in this spot. The most connected, to nature and the trout I have ever been. This is what it is about. Not always reached, but recognizable and special for me. The sun was setting and I thought it wise to make my way back to the car with the last light. The good fishing would have continued, I am certain. And, ok, maybe the Caddis weren’t as big as birds. But, I was so happy!!
I got back to my car and saw some paper on my windshield. It was a thank you note from the little girl, with lots of wilted flowers. She must have picked me a bunch and scrunched them together with the note. So touching. The family was gone. My day was full…very full.”
Emma Peel
This attached piece by David Cammiss @ LearnFlyTying has quite a few lessons within re the fly fishing culture: mentoring, fly design, peer pressure, culture pressure, upgrading gear, personal adaptation and success. In this one short article, there are several realities within the sport. I particularly like ‘the local taking pity’ part. Long ago, I had several episodes, streamside, where gentlemen, in their senior years, imparted subtle, significant information to me that increased my success and enjoyment for years to come. I, to this day, derive great satisfaction in passing on that tradition.
“After trying to match their casting distance with my 10ft. Hardy Palakona split cane rod and a badly cracked level fly line I was absolutely shattered and demoralised. The following day I tried again and initially had no success. One of the locals took pity on me and asked to have a look at my tackle and flies. He had a look in my fly box and picked out a size 10 Teal and Red wet fly. He took out his scissors and cut off the teal wing. He handed me my mutilated fly and told me to give it a try on the point.” Intro to Buzzers
Bertie Judd at the Pinnacle of her Career (SwittersB)
Once again, Berdie Judd, the renowned UK (Ravenglass, Cumbria) fly fisher has inserted herself amidst a cultural calamity and in her favorite haunt, of late, France. In April, I wrote of Berdie’s involvement in protests in France. This time she is caught up in the nudists v. libertines dispute in Cap d’Agde, reputedly the largest nudist colony in Europe. Press accounts are sketchy as to whether Berdie is on the side of the nudists or the libertines.
” At this week’s Cap d’Agde council meeting, the protests took a more peaceful form. Old-fashioned nudists complained that they, and their children, were being confronted with “voyeurist” and “exhibitionist” behaviour, including sexual acts in public. Worse, they suggested, the “deviant” newcomers sometimes walked about in their clothes and mocked the “real” nudists.“ … “We didn’t invent partner-swapping or libertine behaviour in Cap d’Agde. This has been a social trend for 10 years,” the centre-right mayor and parliamentary deputy said. “I refuse to make value judgements on the sexual habits of other people. I can’t put a policeman behind all 40,000 nudists.” (more)
Knowing Berdie’s penchant for nudity, I would say she has sided with the nudists. Her deviation from international fly fishing competition has left a void for women fly fishers everywhere.
I have recently dabbled with reversing the tying direction of fly patterns. This experimentation resulted in a response from Roy Christie. He offered his site and it is definitely worth the visit: small stream oriented, just starting (although Roy’s cred’s are well established prior to starting his blog) and you just know it will continue to provide innovation and a fresh look at small streams and fly design.
Tiny J by Roy Christie
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Keep It Zipped!
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Naked Don & The Salton Sea
I have posted a few times about the Salton Sea in Southern, California. I have been there a couple of times, but never fully explored the area. So, the comings and goings of developments, towns and quirky types intrigues me. Hence Naked Don (Don Scheidler)…..
“Determined to spread his gospel of love and nudity, Donald began making daily trips south to a vehicle turnoff at the western entrance of the Imperial Valley. He would stand naked, wave at passing motorists, and discuss the virtues of a nudist life with anyone that would listen. Some would give him “the finger,” but Donald just considered it an “L” for love. After being reported to the sheriff several times, Donald was eventually forced to wear shorts.” More at SaltonSeaDoc
Salton Sea Sunset by Brian Auer @ Fine Art Photography
Fine Art Photoblog
Like this:
Midge Man (Midge Man’s Fly Box) makes an interesting point about the Miracle Midge’s subtle changes that occur when the correct materials are used for the fly. Once in the water, the fly will appear translucent with the underlying thread wraps providing a subtle color cast beneath the white floss. This could be an interesting experiment…but, as Midge Man indicates, don’t go to far afield or you get away from the productive original. Truly small midges don’t require a lot of working parts. Don’t over think the simplicity that produces fish. It is a common trait of fly tiers to tinker out of a creative bent. But, remember what you are trying to match.
Miracle Midge at Midge Man's Fly Box (SB)
