flyangler

We are now into the Cognac Noir bar and WHOA! That's real cognac in there. Again, the chocolate is not quite dark enough for me but the booze bites enough for both!

Case in point. I sent a copy of this to the flyshop in BC where we bought our licenses hoping they would post it along with their "Big Fish" photos. I didn't hear back from them. This was likely angler trash in a fire ring next to the river, though it was on a logging road. Do loggers and miners stop for a cuppa next to the river? I know that sporting goods stores would rather be all about fun and profit, but would it kill 'em to promote responsibility, too? And the fast food places and Timmies- couldn't they do a little better job of coaching people to dispose of trash properly? The reason that I bring this up is that you're preaching to the converted here, I think. We also need to think about how to expand the message of stewardship to that person with miles of wide open space and no trash can in sight, that person who's on the brink and would do the right thing if s/he only knew how (pack it out in the trash bag you carry for that purpose!). Keep in mind that litter attracts litter. Picking up after others, while aggravating, both demonstrates proper behavior to anyone watching, and also may prevent someone from being the next to trash the spot. So keep up the good work!

Glad you're having a good time. Those WiTU guys aren't half bad. Niiiiiiice fish! You gonna go on a week night?

Have a great time! And when you go through Lahaina, tip your hat toward the courthouse, where my honey and I were married.

Another consideration: is diesel fuel commonly available in the places you want to go? I only ask because you've kind of got to hunt for it around here. Out on the highways where there are truckstops, it's everywhere.

I'm definitely going to have to save my pennies if I want to fish for taimen and lenok. Cuz I don't want to travel on yak back to get there. Very cool.

As previously stated, anything that could be construed as a weapon, with the exception of rod tubes, should be checked. We've had no trouble bringing tying materials on the plane or in in the car, though we have no seal, polar bear, swan or bald eagle . I don't know what's hatching where you're going, but in the part of cheeseland where we fish, the little black stoneflies are catching lots of fish. Use a sz 14 or 16 hook and basically tie a black caddis fly pattern with some kind of hi vis spot or post. Grey, pink, tan and olive scuds are also pretty good bets. Shoot Henry a note and ask him what they're biting on and you can narrow down your tying needs.

Watch out for the horses when you're hunting for the mooses! These look to be belgians, a draft horse with dinner plate sized hooves. I love the way the landscape makes them look (and people feel) insignificant.

Tough choice. I opted for this one from the Smithers area over an arty moody nearly black and white shot of the Zymoetz. There were anglers in that one, up to their waists in water, clouds practically down to their ears, catching absolutely nothing. Fishing two handed, no Timmies. But you get the one showing one of the few sunny moments up in the northern rain forest.

Along with keeping the sun off your bod, don't forget the high spf lip balm. Remember though, Consumer Reports says that any product that states spf over 30 is pretty much hype. I prefer clothing to sunscreens anyway. Also, if you wear a ball cap instead of a hat that shades your neck, ears and lower face, remember to put sunscreen on those areas. Rit, the dye company, makes a sunblocking product that you can wash into any fabric, increasing it's spf. You can order it online. You can get burnt through clothing, like a white t-shirt, especially if it's wet. The treatment lasts through quite a few washings, according to the package. So you just wash the favorite fishing shirts and pants that you already have in this stuff and hit the flats. Even shade is relative. I recently got burnt after 90 minutes in the "full" shade of palm trees. Now I have the outline of a book on my belly. Nice!

Maybe they'll spend less time in purgatory for their charitable foundations. Another poster: St Peter says "Give it away or Go Away!" as the pearly gates slam shut on a fat cat.

One of my Wisconsin pals shared this with us and I thought you'd like it too: http://green.yahoo.com/news/nm/20080310/hl...pe_sins_dc.html It brings to mind a few poster ideas for my (Wisconsin) river clean up this April. Sanitation is your salvation! Recycle or Burn! Does this make up for the lying?

We have fully savored the chocolate and kirsch bar and moved on to the one marked Plain Noir, a brand that looks like "Favarger". Very smooth and dark but not bitter or tart. A revelation! Oh, and we gobbled up the truffles in the heart shaped box. Since we've had them before they were just as expected, though a bit too sweet. Alrighty chocolate lovers, here's a 5 minute clip on making a Chocolate Lava Cake. Enjoy! http://sclipo.com/video/how-to-cook-a-chocolate-lava-cake

My brother and I used to beg a ride down to the non trouty part of the Missouri river and fish until one of us got hurt before going home. Maybe that's how I ended up in health care. Our Grandma was an avid outdoorswoman who impressed with her fishing and hunting skills as well as her garden and kitchen arts. Mom left me a canoe and my husband and I drop a line in the city lakes from time to time. A few years into our dating, friends separately took us out flyfishing and it was a done deal. The gear, the flytying stuff, the whining until an open season returned, the glazed eyes of our non-fishing friends as we unspooled endless stories and vacation photos. And if you want to see our vacation pics, you'll see a lot of Alberta and BC.

Welcome from one of the chicks with sticks. Fishin' sticks, that is.

Home now. Miss this sound:

That sounds fantastic! You're checking off quite a few on my life to-do list. Guess I'll have to stay healthy and save a lot of money by tying my own flies so that I can check them off someday. Be sure you take your camera and tell us all about it!

They got funny looking trout here: Flowers grow on trees, moss grows on trees, trees grow on trees: I love fishing near waterfalls: But some killjoy posted the area: Back in the frozen north tomorrow. Winter fishing season in my favorite area opened last weekend, so I got that goin for me. Which is nice.

We're in Puerto Rico for a few more days. Aside from the local driving (no regard for lane markers, don't hang up to drive while putting on make-up, what's a turn signal?) the only thing close to ticking me off this week was not envy. It was the spotty internet signal. My husband is working and I'm tasked with keeping an eye on that ocean. I'm pretty lucky to tag along. Our 10th anniversary is the 5th of March and I was kinda hoping to return to the scene of the crime in Maui. But his company is installing a machine that makes widgets here. The plane fare for me was pretty reasonable. A friend got us out of our hotel room and into a condo that has an enormous number of amenities for only a little more money. So the kitchen we now have is actually saving Mike's company money he would have spent in restaurants. Palmas del Mar is a big resort community. People take pride in the surroundings and the staff also maintains it assiduously. We went to the rain forest on El Yunque yesterday and hiked along a waterfall. The signs said "no fishing" but it didn't look like we'd have much luck anyway. On the way back to Palmas, we stopped at a public beach behind a strip of bodegas and it was strewn with hideous amounts of trash. The little league field right next to the ocean had to be a field of dreams, though. Our fishing and snorkeling trips have been postponed because the sea is too rough. I guess the captain has had enough of the tourists puking away his profits, so he won't take them out in these conditions. We will survive. Where you goin', ladystrange?

I feel ten years younger and 20 pounds lighter. (it's a state of mind, believe me. I've been eating like a hobbit)

Mango Daquiri in paradise: Unlike trout, these fish came when I called, saving me all that wader and fly selection crap: On the shores of our home this week:

Bald Bambi Santorini! The husband is Vito Crackhead!

Recipe for a winter campfire: S'Mores Caliente Cinnamon Graham Crackers Chili Dark Chocolate Marshmallows Indoors: place graham crackers on foil on the rack of the toaster oven, topping them with marshmallows. Keep an eye on them while they toast to your preferred shade of brown. Add chocolate and another cracker. Outdoors: put marshmallows on a stick, ignite in the flames, wave it around trying to put the flames out. Throw the mallow up against a tree narrowly missing your camping pals. Start over. Thread the mallow on a stick, bring to golden brown over the coals. Sandwich between chocolate and graham crackers to pull off the stick. Devour. Lick fingers. Repeat.

I excel at weirdly interesting!

If you've been on the internet for more than a minute, you've read the 10, 20 or 25 reasons that chocolate is better than men, women or sex. This looks like an excellent reason to have both (your preference plus chocolate): http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6558775.stm But before kissing and chocolate, perhaps toothpaste with chocolate? http://www2.tulane.edu/article_news_detail...?ArticleID=7364