Happy St. Patrick’s Day….

I couldn't resist. She just seemed so festive and I love green.

Considered one of the more popular patron saints of Ireland, St. Patrick appears to have had a sacrificial life to say the least. Hardship and service. So, for all of you that find the occasion a celebratory excursion of pub crawls take a moment to study up on the more stoic life of Pádraig. And for goodness sakes be careful out there with the Jameson’s, Old Bushmills and the brews!!! Slán go fóill   LOTGK (a little freaky/sexist I would say; no offense to Pádraig and his devoted followers)

Yes, a more reverential, less sexist sort would have used this rendition of St. Patrick from St. Benin’s Church.

BloodKnot Magazine, Blogger 2 Out and…….

BloodKnot Magazine, Blogger 2 Addition 

May I promote SwittersB a bit? Inside this addition, amidst all the visually, creatively stimulating materials is a humble little piece called Lost Opportunity by SwittersB. As you receive your visual fix, maybe drop by my little way station for a nostalgia fix? Thanks!

Bird’s of a Feather Tattoo (Trisha’s Version)

Trisha came upon the Bird’s of a Feather tattoo I posted. She did further research and came up with her own unique variation of the feather tattoo to honor her family and a departed friend of her son. I am showing the B&W version because it  provides more clarity. In some variations of this tattoo design, one sees the birds are flying away from the feather and in others, the birds are flying into the feather to comprise the whole. 

Trisha's beautiful variation of the Bird's of a Feather Tattoo by Pierce Godbay, P's Tattoo Studio, Endicott, NY

Trisha writes about the inspiration and symbolism of the feather tattoo: ”The inspiration for the tat came from the sudden loss of my son’s best friend, in a car accident, along with the representation of my relationship with my brothers! My relationship with one brother has been all of that and more. When no one else is there, he has been, he is my best friend.

Feathers are often viewed as messages from the spirit world and is said that seeing feathers in our path is a direct message from a loved one who has transitioned… Feathers also represent honor, faith, limitlessness, freedom, uplifting… I am including both black and white and also color photo of the tat!” 

Thank you Trisha for sharing your inspiration and the unique tattoo. 

Fishing Journals & Keeping Memories, Not Just Intell

I am a strong proponent of keeping a fishing  journal. There are several out there and find one that suits your style (free flowing writing or entries prompts that seek specifics and a little space to write. Many of us gather intell on the front end via friends, shops, on line etc. but afterwards we don’t write it down. Starting a journal requires self discipline to maintain, especially if your outings don’t yield results. 

SwittersB's & Tony's Fly Fishing Journals

The journals provide plenty of intell for future outings and you will soon write to not only provide data for future trips but to capture special moments and emotions. Going back and reading the entries 20 years or more later about yourself or your fishing partners is quite satisfying. Here are some entries that while not overly unique, show the excitement and pleasure I felt and still provided prompts for future outings.

I remember this day, a water boatman return to the lake with pronounced plops hitting the lake and me. Fascinating.

The journal can even be the repository for old cards and pictures. Here I found a card from my mom, who obviously knew how to select a Christmas card I would enjoy.

Tony's entry showed his transition to a 2 hander and expensive tastes.

Consider a journal that fits your writing style, temperment and invest the time (takes maybe 10 minutes or so) to make the entries and reap the rewards in the near future and many years later. Oh, that Little Gray Nymph….I will throw it at you again.

Merry Christmas to the Naughty & Nice!!!

St. Nick’s History

Happy Thanksgiving & Blessings to All

Give thanks for all you have. It may be a lot and you take it for granted, or it may seem like you have nothing and pass on the finding something to be thankful for self quiz. Yesterday, I overheard three men talking. They were considering this year and what Thanksgiving Day meant for them.

One remarked that he had lost his wife after four, seemingly continuous, years of fighting cancer. He dreaded the holidays this years. He didn’t want to deal with his older kids that were attempting to draw him into their celebrations to ease his loss and loneliness. But, he said he was going to go to ‘keep his daughter happy. She was having a rough time this year’.

A second man said it was just his wife and himself. He was looking forward to just enjoying a quiet Thanksgiving because he had spent the last three years in prison. He had lost the support of his family. His wife had stood by him. He was thankful this year to feel normal and ‘taken care of’.

The third man complained about the gathering being at his home this year and all the kids that would make racket and the cleanup. He wasn’t looking forward to all the noise and being around people he didn’t really ‘have patience for’ . He didn’t comment about the other two men’s conditions.

The conversation wound down and the men turned away from each other. The facial expressions on the first two men revealed much to me. They were a mix of emotions that fanned across their faces in seconds to disappear. I think they were thankful. The third man seemed oblivious to his blessings. This brief snippet of eavesdropping made me reflect upon my blessing this year. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Kitchen Science Bacon & Turkey Prep

KITCHEN SCIENCE THANKSGIVING FEAST PREP….INTERESTING

WFN Tat & Passion Ad

                                   PREP FOR THE AD           THE WFN AD  

I have a soft spot for tat work and fishing. I would like to think, some would disagree, that I helped highlight this growing trend back in 2008 with my own limited work. Of course, some will disapprove and that is fine. I see Mariko Izumi has added some ink along the way. My only concern is as I get older my trout does not develop wrinkles!

John Gierach and Tom Chandler Interview

Gierach & Chandler: I really liked reading this interview. Often you read a blog post and take away one or two enjoyable nuggets of information or inspiration…the nature of blog posts/time restraints, life!, I think. But, this interview was enjoyable on several levels, for me..  TU Gierach-Chandler    Revealing, honest, clarifying. 

Fly Fishing: Posing the Fish & You

Deneki Outdoors (Photography-Hero Shot) has some real life, useful tips on setting up and taking that trophy shot. Often there is a glitch in the presentation or the taking and the opportunity is lost for others to see and for you to refresh your memory. In addition, Deneki Outdoors (The Best of Deneki) has compiled a sizable list of immensely useful information about various aspects of fly fishing and fly tying.  

The rush, the feel of the pull, 'the moment'. The fish is played and brought to hand, or net, or somewhere in between. You played it quickly, so as to not overplay and stress the fish. So, now it is thrashing about, still pivoting about on the tension of a tight leader. The photographer is attempting to get closer. The camera is being readied, the angle of sun considered. Words of encouragement are offered. The angler makes the attempt to control the fish....and it all ends in a thrashing, splashing plunge. Captured from too far away, but still a glimpse of thickness and beauty. Thank goodness there are often opportunities to repeat this fire drill, and yes, they will often end the same way. (PP/SM)

Bibios, Sweden & Old Crow Medicine Show

A little foot tapping music and some nice fish in the S. Lappland region of Sweden. Short & Sweet

Bibio Tribute