Tossle topped beauty of the thistle.
It starts small and erupts into ever more beautiful vertical flowers
But does it finish any less beautiful on a cold October day?
Of course, it is a problem plant in Oregon and around the world. 3400th Post at SwittersB & Fly Fishing!
The funeral home was packed today, in honor of a humble, solid as a rock man named John Louis Hagan II, who passed last Friday. It was an honor to know John (JL). He was a gentleman, steady, thoughtful…an unassuming warrior that happened to own a fly shop…Northwest Fly Fishing Outfitters in Portland, Oregon.
Family and close friend stood and extolled John’s virtues. It was evident he was, as I would have thought, a giving, loyal man, who asked little for himself, but was always willing to give of self for others.
I believe the one line from his eulogy that most resonated was this one: “John had a need to be where fish are caught.” Can the line be any more simple yet loaded with so many layers of fulfillment for so many of us.
Thank you John for you kindness, God bless you and your family.
I have worn this pair of Simms Guide Waders for years. In all of fishing, the greatest purchase I have ever made was a pair of Gore-Tex waders that replaced the old grape skin neoprene waders. The second purchase of note was switching to an Intermediate Clear line for lakes….
But anyway, my wife is often sizing up my unkempt appearance while we fish for photo ops. One aggravating site apparently is the pouch on my waders. It is meant to be flipped inward against the chest, but I have always had it outside the waders to access any number of items. And, as a result it shows the wear of time.
I mean it does show some stains from floatants, wet pipe tabacco, sweat, fish slime and water.
I mostly carry pipe tobacco, pipe, lighters, strike indicators, split shot, and other oddities in the pouch. It is just so handy. Some how it gets soiled.
Personally, I think it is part of the charm to wear well worn attire on the water. I mean it doesn’t smell too bad, and I can’t really see it. So, what’s the fuss about.
Ah, how the mind bounces along early in the morning: I had this photograph and had focused down into the axle. I thought how is that wagon wheel axle built? What are the components of an old wagon wheel? How did they lubricate (grease) those old wheels on journeys?
I researched tallow, blackjack grease, block grease, coal tar grease and then I happened upon a greasing piece at Chuck Wagon Recipes and decided the food preparations looked far more interesting than the grease. Aren’t you glad?
