Just Some Pictures From Life's Other Side......Part 1

While there are certainly a number of things going on in the Pre-Christmas craze to keep us all a little busy, to say the least, this time of year usually sees me sitting at my fly tying vise.  It's time to fill the fly boxes back up with all the ol' regular patterns, plus, a few new ones that you came across that uses that new fly tying material just introduced down at the fly shop.

Yes, we can jump over to Cameron Mortenson at The Fiberglass Manifesto and play along with his terrific Twelve Days of Christmas Giveaways that he has so masterfully put together for all of us fly fishing folk.

There are a number of other fly fishing related companies who are having snazzy Christmas Giveaways also of their own kind.  

What I am really trying to say here is that fly fishing opportunities will be slim and none for awhile in Northern Colorado for me.  So, with that in mind, I have decided to take on another task that I have been meaning to get too for awhile now.  I am taking the time over a period of several weeks to browse back through my old picture library (before digital and computers became so common), and, will be scanning some of these old pictures into the new format.  With that said, I figured I could put together a short series of posts over the next few months talking about my fly fishing journey and some pictures from life's other side.  I hope you will enjoy my posts and some of the pictures that I will share with you during these winter weeks.  So here are a few shots from some time ago.  Please remember this was primarily from the years 1975-1995 or so.

First off, let me start with something that was very close too me during that time.  No, not a fly rod or reel, but, my well worn ol' fishing hat.

Now, this western style straw hat was what I wore for many, many years.  Please note the fleece lined head band on the hat filled with Wooly Buggers, Mohair Leeches, Stayner Ducktails, and a few smaller nymph patterns.  I kept it loaded and ready to fish with.  I was even known to give away a few that I had stuck in my hat if I had the "hot" pattern of the day.  Usually, in my fishing at the time, I could pretty much fish one of the patterns on this hat and could count on being successful for the day.

  The old round float tube.  This one was one of the early dinosaur models back in the day made by a fellow angler out of Nampa, Idaho, Wayne "Tex" Meeks.   One always wondered if we tipped the tube back too far, would it tip over.  You probably could, but, it would have to be a violent jerk backwards for that too happen.  I caught many, many fish over a number of years out of this tube with no problem at all.  It was almost too comfortable on a hot day (taking a nap) once in awhile would be interrupted by the electrifying jerk of a trout on the other end of the line.  Also, please note the hat in place.  I was kind of a Merle Haggard look alike back in the day.............

Here is a picture of yours truly with my fish-mobile of that day and age.  That old Dodge pickup and me put 350,000 miles on each other traveling all over the States of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, etc. etc. chasing stillwater trout.  Oh, the stories I could tell you all.

But, alas, those days are gone and faded pictures is all I have for memories.  I hope to have recaptured some of the moments with this post and a few future posts like this as I get the time.

If I don't get another chance, may you all have a wonderful upcoming Holiday season.......

P.S.  - My friend and long time BlogBuddy, Michael Agneta at Troutrageous, gets a pat on the back and a Colorado handshake for helping me out with some editing on these ol' pictures. 

Thanks, Mike, could not have done it without your support....

The "Bug"

I have been busy with thoughts of fly fishing and a mis-guided trip for Crappie due to weather.  Funny how strong winds and pelting rain seem to come up at the most in-appropriate times for fly fisher folk.  Really, all it did, was stoke me for the next trip on the water.  So, in any event, thought I would tell you about The "Bug".

This is a picture of my Granddaughter, Jozee.  She will be, for the purposes of this post, affectionately referred to as The "Bug".

 Now, this picture of The "Bug" was taken several years ago in a Fly shop and Outfitters store in West Yellowstone.  I think this is about the time Grandpa started calling her The "Bug".  See she followed me around the fly shops of West Yellowstone, bugging me and keeping count of Grandpa's dollars.  She made sure that when I finished purchasing my fly shop goodies that I had enough money left over for an ice cream cone.  She certainly fit right in the shop decor.

One of the great things about The "Bug" is, that as a young girl being around Grandpa and other family members who fished, she took an early interest in fishing.  Now, I don't mean to toot my horn here, but The River Damsel, better be aware that there is another generation of River Damsels on the way.  Here is a fairly recent picture of The "Bug" about to hit the fishing road.

Now, The "Bug", stalks the ponds with Grandpa and other family members these days.  She is still learning the fishing ropes and maybe one day will get after them with a fly rod, too.  She is quite proficient at catching Bluegill, Sunfish, and other Perch type.  Here is a picture from just this weekend of her fish catching skills at a local lake.

Ok, so The "Bug" has caught her fair share of fish lately.  She would like me to post all of her pictures, but, I reminded her I wasn't writing a book here just a blog post.  "Grandpa, she asked, you should be sure and tell them about the fish me and my brother caught at the same time." I told her that I probably shouldn't tell that story, the one where her brother fishing one line and The "Bug" fishing a totally different line both hooked the same fish at the same time.  The one about the fish pulling in different directions and you both finally reeling him in standing side by side.  That one about the dumb look on both of your faces as you looked at that poor trout.  I couldn't tell that story on my fishing blog.  My readers would think that you made that story up.  Even, The "Bug" should know that fly fishing Damsels don't lie........................

As a side note to this post, I wanted to mention that The "Bug" recently graduated from grade school and next fall will be joining her fellow friends in something called Junior High.  As we rode home after picking her up at school, I asked The "Bug" if she wanted an ice cream to celebrate her graduating to Junior High.  She said, surprisingly, "No, I just want you to write about me and put some pictures on your blog".  

Well, The "Bug", consider it done.  What a beautiful young Junior High student and Fishing Damsel you will be.

'Nuff said.