Saturday, June 9, 2012

Setting up the future

Nothing makes me happier to be a father than when my kids willingly ask to learn about the things I love doing and the things i am passionate about This past weekend both of my kids on separate occasions asked for me to teach them more about Flyfishing and hunting.

While my wife and I were running and working out at our local lake I broke out the 3wt for some Crappie lip rip'n. As I was pullin in a fish I noticed my 4 year old daughter sitting off on the bank a few yards from me pouting. When I asked what was wrong she replied "I want to learn to fish like you do." (Insert big pouty lip here). So I told her that tomorrow we can go out on a special date and I'll teacher her to flyfishing with out her brother around. Smiles all around from me. I think I see a Tenkara rod in her future.

As soon as we got home I was on the computer mapping out my assault on the Coastal Blacktail season, which starts In mid July for us bow hunters, and was messing with a Carlton's Double reed elk call when my son came up to me and asked for me to teach him how to use it. Normally he just steals them out of my truck and chews on them till they are slimy and useless. At first I said know, but realizing I had an opportune moment to teach my son reason prevailed. I helped him place it in his mouth (a disgusting occurrence, a finger in a 6 yr olds mouth is like trying to tickle a rattler under the chin). But after a few phonetical tongue twisting he made his first cow call. His eyes lite up like you would not believe and so did mine.

It goes to show you, big game and big fish are amazing to conquer, but I still get that first buck jitters when I teach my kids. So cool.

Do yourself a favor, take a kid outside and teach them something new. It will remind you of why you started venturing deeper into the woods to pursue fin, fur and feather.

Cheers,

The BB
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Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Troubled Waters

I spend a lot of time in California's Central Valley for work and usually after a long day of toiling upon the earth I find it necessary to unwind a flyline or draw my bow to relax. I found a little irrigation pond one afternoon that is just full of fat spawning bass. Out came the 7wt and my big flies. It was on.

No sooner did I find the place then the owner of the property shut it down (note I did get permission first from the ranch manager). So last week there I stood speaking to the same Ranch Manager and he was very apologetic about having to tell me I could not fish the pond. Apparently too many people were taking all the bass and catfish and leaving all their trash, not to mention cutting the fences around the pond. He said sorry we talked for a few more minutes and I was on my way.

Nothing is more frustrating than hearing a local pond has been closed because of a select few who do not respect the rules of angling. Respect for the waters, respect for the fish and respect for others. If all followed these rules we'd be okay and there would be no need for special Trout Wilderness areas or catch and release rules on Muskie and Walleye, but that is not the case. As a great philosopher once said, "God is great, beer is good and people are crazy." DB.

On the upside, it looks like I'll be back on the pond with special access this week. The owner likes my videos I guess.

Cheers,

The BB
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