Camel Thorn Trees in Early Morning Sun, Nambia (Frans Lanting & Nat Geo)
Lanting’s photo, non-tweaked, is an early morning view of the rugged trees, desert floor in shadows and the glowing sand dune in back. Lanting’s Work
Posts Tagged ‘beauty
Check out this site's work....beautiful in deed
01
Oct
11
Just a Week’s Ending Eye Catcher
Perhaps beyond exclamations to describe?
My Behaviour is Jocular & The Honed Peachiex
The sources of beauty are often in places we would not normally visit….yes? Back to bugs, tying, presentation, fish and the like.
Like this:
ASHLEY STRIPS YOUR GLOCK & MORE EYE HANDY TIPS
I had previously promised a quarterly tease, but less graphic than in the past. I do believe I am a good two quarters behind, so to speak. So, here is the link re field stripping your Glock and other Eye Handy D.I.Y. tips. The info just happens to be demonstrated by young ladies and great graphics. If you are anti-firearms or anti-sexy women then do not open the links. Do not venture forth. Pretty tame stuff…just interesting concept.
“Starting this summer, bull trout of different life stages will be reintroduced into historic bull trout habitat in the upper Clackamas River above the confluence with the Collawash River, within the Mt. Hood National Forest. Donor stock comes from a healthy bull trout population in the Metolius River. The project is expected to include additional fish transfers annually for at least seven and possibly up to 15 years. The goal is to reestablish a self-sustaining population of 300-500 spawning adult bull trout within 20 years.”
Metolius R. Bull Trout to Travel to Upper Clackamas River
One of the laments of fly fishers, or fishers in general, is the decline of a fish population or body of water. On a global scale we talk the theoretical, impersonal when it comes to declining fish population in the oceans. But, when it is a piece of water we have a history with it becomes personal. When the decline comes, when it is realized, the memories become nostalgic to the point of bittersweet. There is nothing there to renew the memory, to reconnect to the past. This happens in much of life, of course, but fly fishing was and is my escape from life and when it is altered things can get askew. There are enough reckonings in life.
In 1960, Lenny and I were driven up the Clackamas River by his dad in an old DeSoto. When we reached the North Fork Reservoir the pavement ended and a narrow dirt road commenced, winding upward into the wilderness. Lenny’s dad took us to a place far beyond where the pavement ended. Lenny and I caught many large (to us) trout that day and yes we killed them all. I have been drawn to the upper reaches of this drainage ever sense…in particular the Collawash River and the Bull of the Woods Wilderness area. In the years that have passed, the fishing has progressively diminished.
Typical Little Aggressor
I long ago stopped killing fish. I see few other fishers. Wild trout seem almost non-existent. The hatches seem adequate or at least equal to other watersheds that support trout. Yet, in these wild, upper reaches the reality has changed. There are few fish. What a shame. Perhaps the Bull Trout project will brighten someone else’s future. If they allow fishing. Many waters are closed to trout fishing to protect the Bull Trout that remain. Great. So, the reality is more people focus on put and take stretches of rivers or lakes and/or the truly remarkable waters draw ever more attention.
Clackamas-Collawash R. PP
Clackamas R. Bull Trout tagging 2011 Poster, old Ripplebrook R.S. (SwittersB)
31
Jul
11
Ernest Schwiebert
PP Dragon Fly's Beauty & Magic Qualities (SwittersB)
“I fish because of beauty” Ernest Schwiebert
I recently received an early edition of Ernest Schwiebert’s Nymphs, published in 1973. The artwork is extraordinary and the information requires study by today’s spoon fed standards. But, in studying Schwiebert, I discovered he was so gifted in expressing his recollections. I like that. As a rule, I am drawn to the visual for inspiration. But, I also am drawn to simple recollections that provide a glimpse of early inspirations and good times. I must confess that beyond techniques, I have not studied the fly fishing legends. I have a propensity to not idolize much these days, because it eventually leads to disappointment. But, Schwiebert seems to have been a bit of a Renaissance man with regard to fly fishing: science, art, literature, persona.
17
Jun
11
Stop and smell the roses…….
Poppy & Honey Bee (SwittersB)
Well, in this instance, I wouldn’t put my nose down toward that Poppy. Snapped with a cell phone outside my aunt’s home. Busy bee amidst the beauty of a Poppy. It was a moment of beauty while removing my aunt from her home and placing her in an adult foster home.
03
May
11
Fly Fishing’s Hottest New Trend
Early Morning Friend (SwittersB)
Centered Self (not self absorbed). No outward persona to play the foolish ‘bum’. No seeking the secret anything. It doesn’t exist or last more than a short time anyway. Shallow pals, self abuse, dead ends, same old newness. Get back to what you always come back to anyway…the basics. Bored too soon with that? Then probably the rest of you life is boring too (save all that drama you get into).
Slow down. Truly take it in. Re-center yourself. Spend this Summer truly enjoying the simple to the complex without a hint of competition (even the self imposed fish count). Don’t brag about where you have been or where you are headed. Just do it and smile that you are fortunate enough to do it at this stage of your life. If you are teaching someone new to the sport then it tasks you with sharing the essence of the sport. Ego, trappings, next fix? Or, something simpler and more pure.
Well, ok, it’s my attention grabbing lead in. But, you know I am right.
Morning of Possibilities (SwittersB)
Spring has sprung indeed. Despite some tumultuous weather in the midwest and South, finally there seems to be some opportunity to get out and wet a line. If you were a winter steelheader or salmon chaser, then you have been out all winter long, save the blow outs or frozen guides, and then maybe you were still out there. But, the trout/grayling fisher or pike fisherman have been limited by seasonal closures or frozen landscapes.
All the tying and fiddling with gear now culminates in season openers or ice off or time off. New possibilities. New seasons. The doldrums and/stir crazy days of winter are behind. Time to enjoy life a little more now.
I have had the pleasure, while writing a blog, to see the broad appeal of fly fishing around the world. Some parts of this world seem harder to explore than others, to gather a sense of fly fishing. One of these places was Iran. Iran is often overshadowed by ranting, fist waving leaders. In fact, Iran is an immensely beautiful country, full of expansive history, sophisticated culture and beautiful people.
Recently, SwittersB was fortunate to make the acquaintance of Amir Salehi, via Maryam Peigahi on Facebook. Currently, Amir lives in Sweden. However, he was so kind to provide information about his early fly fishing in Iran.
-
- Mountain Stream by Amir Salehi (SwittersB)
Amir writes: “I worked as journalist for more than 6 years in Iran on a hunting and fishing magazine : “Nature Funds Courier” and wrote mostly articles on fly fishing and catch and release fishing to teach the culture to Iranian for being ethical while they fish.
The book “Mahigiri dar Iran ” which means “fishing in Iran ” is an encyclopedia of fishing in Iran and I wrote the fly fishing part of the book. Some pictures from Lar my favorite place in Iran is attached.”
Further Amir writes: “In north of Iran there is a chain of maintains called “Alborz”. These mountains contain plenty of springs and rivers that support the water of cities as well.
Brown Trout is the purely native specie of Alborz Mountains, with its own specie type. The Lar area was one of the most important ones, which recently became national park. These mountain have variety of wildlife species such as Alborz Mouflon, Persian ibex, Persian leopard, wolf, Persian partridge, etc. It was Iran kings hunting area and fishing area as well.
In 1860s sport fishing was brought to the country by diplomats from French, USA and Britain. Britain, and USA diplomats also had a special summer camp in Lar area. After the starting the Dam project in Lar, it became even more popular where Italian engineers, who were working there started to catch brown trout from Lar. Other rivers in Alborz also had the native Brown Trout. The record for a Brown Trout in Iran is for Karadj river, which was hooked and landed by an American diplomat in late 70s (The brownie more than 1 meter long).”
A special note, within the week comes the Persian New Year, Nowrūz, which transpires upon the vernal equinox. Read the attached link to learn the ancient heritage of this special event. I hope to learn more about Iran’s fly fishing from Amir. However, he may be too busy catching Atlantic Salmon and other species in Sweden.
