Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Spears

I have been fortunate to try these a couple of times. I bet you can’t eat just one of these little morsels…Bacon Wrapped Asparagus 

Cowboy Caviar & Flanken Cut Ribs

• 1 (11 ounce) can small, white shoepeg corn, drained
• 1 can of black eye peas, drained
• 2 firm-ripe avocados, finely chopped
• 1 large tomatoes, seeded and diced
• 1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• finely minced jalapeno peppers

Hot Summer night at the kid’s house. Cold beer, grilled, marinated Korean, flanken cut ribs, grilled veggies, the cowboy caviar; cold, cubed melons, chicken and burrrp….pie. 

Fly Tying: Cat Infestation?

Well I have written here at length over the woes of infestation in your fly tying materials. Moths and mice have been my nemesis over the years. But recently another critter has weaseled their way into all manner of fly tying materials: Penelope the Cat. You may recall the rescue of Penelope in early June from a tall tree. Never a dull moment sense then.

Imagine my surprise, as I came down this morning, to Penny intoxicatingly tearing through a scattered pile of hen hackle. My ability to leave materials out, whether on the table or in a bag is compromised. Shouldn’t be surprising as I have chased her and done battle (you should see my forearms) to reclaim strips of rabbit, several hen capes, foam, and yes even a Woolly Bugger. In her best interest, and mine, all materials will have to be secured and protected at the conclusion of each session. My days, weeks, months of scattered materials atop the table are gone….if I want to maintain my materials. 

Penelope the Cat & a scattered pile of hen hackle (SwittersB)

Fly Fishing: Fly Shop Gauntlet?

Cigar Box Pleasing to My Eye

Fly Shop Etiquette from Colorado FF Reports

I have posted here, for the beginner, before about how to approach other fly fishers & gear fishermen on streams and lakes. I have written about the attitudes one encounters in fly shops that are both discourteous and not helpful in overcoming the perceptions that fly fishing is an elitist endeavor. These are important considerations for enjoying the mental benefits of the sport. In the above linked post, the author reminds us that how you enter a fly shop and conduct yourself is important too.

A lot of mental, social machinations, it seems, to enjoy a pleasant, sometimes solitary pursuit. Yet, it is the reality in fly shops (hardware stores, the workplace, taverns, gyms, back yard BBQ’s). Ego’s, impatience, innocence combine where men (and some women) gather. Many don’t have a nearby fly shop(s) to visit, support or ignore. Some would say you are lucky, while others would say you are missing out on an enjoyable, social aspect of the whole experience. 

So, consider stream/lake etiquette, shop etiquette and if nothing else recognize the dynamics. Then try to place yourself as far from the maddening crowds as possible to avoid conflicts and receive the sustaining benefits of fly fishing. (The comments banter in the above link are worth a read also as they show the variety of perceptions re etiquette and customer service) (Excellent here to  at  Singlebarbed On Support Your Shops? Always read the comments too)

Wines: Serving Temps…No, Not Warm Room Temps

WINE SERVING TEMPERATURES…ENJOY

A Bright Spot, A Retreat…

Bright Spot (SwittersB)

Why do we/you fly fish? A new challenge, like golf, like skiing? To be with special friend(s), who attaches great significance to the endeavor, so you do too? To fidget and fuss with gear; a love affair with process and preparation? To be near water, wind and the irregular edges of earth? “The moment”? The take, the pulse, the power, the holding on? The  catch/the kill? The catch/ the release? The reverence for a creature described as possessing but a pea brain, but that possesses your mind, heart, some would say your soul? The draw of the group, the associated bonding of the group and memories? Egocentrism, elitism, distinction? Goofball fish porn, bumism, machismo, rebel without a cause? Individuality and solitude?

After the preparation, anticipation, tinkering, tying, technical how to’s, talking, following the contemporary trends (as you may have since middle school)…..why, in your mind, do you fly fish? Strip away all the trappings and I hope you settle upon a renewing force beneath the trappings. It will be a bright spot in your life, drawing you back to rebuild, rejuvenate, re-gain your bearings. 

Birding: Standing Out

Backyard Birding (SwittersB)

If I considered anchored, vertical chironomid fishing a test of my patience, birding is far more a test of my ADD. I have had for the past few weeks these little, colorful gems in my back yard. Dozens flitting about from limb to limb. So, I thought where is that telephoto lens? 

I found myself on the back deck, leaning against a post for stability waiting for a shot at a momentary still bird. Lordy me! Every time I moved my camera the birds zipped away. I was in stealth mode and still they darted. But, this one shot was worth the effort for me. Then I could say….’Ok, enough of this’. And, no I have no idea what this little gem is. I do know they arrive every year and then move on. See comments by John Newbury..nice.

Fly Fishing: Introducing to Kids

Kell & Katie (SwittersB)

I have written here before re my own transgressions in teaching my sons how to fly fish. Just a friendly reminder to make it a relaxed, initially simple outing. Do not bring your own competitive, impatient style to the water. Be patient with the child’s own impatience and competitive streak. Teach them, mentor them with an eye toward the realities of the sport: things do not always go as planned or desired. Tangles, snags, collapsed casts are all to be expected and fixed. Like in life……..

If you are teaching your own acquaintances, then remember they will be watching your style and how you handle all manner of problems and successes. We do tend to be on our good behavior while teaching strangers, but less so around our own family.

Children will bring to the table all manner of emotions they have developed through sports or self -imposed assessments. Don’t add to their load with too much negativity or too much “here let me show you”. Keep it simple and fun. 

Pick a quiet expanse of lawn at a park or school. Starting at the edge of a stream can be ok, but back casts, mending, roll casts etc. will require patience. At the end of a session, you will know if the child is relaxed, happy, excited or handing that rod to you like it is charged with bad ju ju.

Once you think they have a simple grasp of the basics, a casting class or beginner’s class may be in order, but make sure they are up to it and that you have a sense if the instructor is up to teaching kids. Watch for kid’s classes or introduction to fly fishing casting ponds at sportsmen’s shows /expositions.

Above everything, make it something they will want to still be doing for the rest of their life. Check out FlyFishingPhil for a casting technique drill to adapt to teaching young ones:

http://www.ffpc-rods.com/page18.html

Strawberry-Rhubarb Cobbler

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/strawberry_rhubarb_cobbler/

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

 

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.