How many addicts did you fish with in 2010?

[Papasequoia]

It was a good year for meeting addicts, hanging out with addicts, and of course fishing with addicts. It didn’t start out that way though. As I go through my pictures, I find that I did a lot of fishing by myself for much of the first half of 2010. Which is fine; I enjoy a quiet, contemplative day on the river as a way to relax, but this post will be about those days I spent with other addicts.

Not long after the start of the year I stopped by the shop to say hello to David and his dad, Donn. I don’t think that Donn has an FFA account, but surely he is at least an honorable addict, so I’ll count this as two.





I made several trips north during the first quarter of 2010, and fished a lot of different areas from steep and deep canyons to reedy tailwaters, but it wasn’t until March that Mike (3) and I hooked up for a trip. Love those caddis!







The second quarter was similar – lots of trips up north, many of them with the family, a few solo trips and another trip up with Mike. There were some good hikes with the family which strangely enough followed streams or ended at lakes. Gee, I wonder how that happened? A new personal best 24.5” fish capped off the first half of the year, and it happened on my birthday.



At some time in this period, Eric (4) and Mike/RockstarFF (5) spent an evening at the condo, but it wasn’t until the GTW trip that I finally started getting to fish with some more addicts. I had emailed Blu in Afghanistan and promised some pictures, so I was psyched to be able to get this group shot.



From l to r we have: Mark/1mocast, Dave/WtW, Shane/Anacrime, Mike/OCMike, Justin/Justin, Bob/FlyBob, Mark/HD_Kid, Ryan/RCFiske, Van/Van, Jon/Papasequoia. Toasts to Blu and everyone else serving overseas. Sips were poured. That brings us to a total of 14 addicts so far for this year, and it was the first time I met Justin. A good time was had by all.



Some other summer highlights were backpacking and fishing in Glacier NP and finally breaking down and buying something lighter than a 3 weight. Although I didn’t get to fish with Mike/DrCreek this year, he did mail me my official membership “card” to the BJACs.



September brought the “Big Fish Hunt,” and along with it a PB brookie, practice with the float tube, and camping and fishing with 5 more addicts, bringing the total up to 19. Jon/Stanbery, Rob/Rob909, Andy/DublHaul, Dennis and David/tyingfool and I spent a few days chasing big fish. Andy was the second addict I was meeting for the first time this year. Some of the trip was good:



Some of it was a bit scary:



Hahaha. J/k, it was a good trip with three new waters added to the life list.



Fall brought a few more solo trips, but I was hounded and harassed by “the state agency that shall not be named.”





Fortunately, a solution appears to have been found.



There were two fall highlights, the first being the condo party where eleven of us addicts were able to get together and fish. Me, Bill/Beachbum, Jon Stanbery, Eric, Mark/fly addict, Mark/1mocast, Flybob, Ryan/Rkfiske, Rick/RSetina, Sherry and last but not least, Arvin/FlyinFish. It was my first time meeting Bill, Mark/fly addict, and Arvin. That brings the total of new faces placed to names up to five, and of this group five more to add to the addicts total for the year. We are now up to 24 addicts.













The other fall highlight was of course the gathering for Blu. I have a feeling I’m going to lost count here because I didn’t write down everyone that was there that evening. However, I know for sure that I met Curtis/Wandering Blues, Duckdog, Darrin and Blu for the first time, so that brings new faces to 9 and the total to 28. Some of the addicts that I have met before, but was spending time with for the first time this year were Wildman/Jim, Pete and Matt bringing the total to 31. I know I am forgetting a couple of others who were there, so if anyone remembers, please reply and let me know!



l-r Bob, me, Blu, Jim, Jon Stanbery.

Mike and I both caught a couple of nice fish on that trip. Mine first, followed by Mike’s (mine’s bigger).





Although I had a few more opportunities to fish in the fall and early winter, that trip turned out to be my last one shared with other addicts. It’s a bit too snowy for cigars on the deck anyway.







But I am looking forward to meeting, fishing and hanging out with even more of you in 2011! All in all it was a darned good year and I enjoyed every minute that I spent with all 31 of you; even the still dark out, way before dawn minutes that drill sergeant Stanbery forced us to endure. Thanks! Jon

[Benny]

I fly fished with the following Addicts at one time or another this year

Antonio


Austin


Arvin ~ He's next to Mark in the brown waders and blue jacket



Bill


Doug ~ Sorry No Image

John


Justin


Mark


Mike ~ no image

Nick


Ray


Ryan


Shane ~ Sorry No Image
Wade ~ Sorry No Image

Some days were documented with camera in hand, other days were strictly fly fishing with the camera left at home. For me I learned that it's either one or the other, fly fishing or photography, I honestly can't do both. I would like to get out on the water with these cool cats once again, I enjoyed fly fishing and shooting the crap with all you guys.

I fly fish on my own quite often, some days it's just about getting away and being on a river all alone, other times it's quite nice to share the waters with like minded anglers who have such fond feelings for this thing called fly fishing.

If anyone would like to go out fly fishing with me or set up an outing with a whole mob of fly fishers this coming year, you guys know what to do, just say the word and we will get this on the drawing board. It was a real pleasure to meet new forum members and hang out with some of you guys I have already shared water with. Looking forward to 2011.

See you guys next year.
Cheers, have a Fishy New Year!

[DubL HauL]

Wow nice rainbow! I mean it's freaking nice man. Looks like you had a good year even with the surveillance. Hope to fish with you more in 2011!

Happy New Year

Andy

[Bakoguy]

Great posts both of you. Perfect for the year end. Seems you've got the priorities straight.

[1mocast]

It has been an outstanding year for many of us. Thanks for sharing all those shots...And those Blackhawks are still watching you...

[hip]

I kinda fished and BS'd with Bill and Randy one morning but that was about it.

I did drink beers with Benny and Antonio that should count for something. jon

[fishinsteve]

Zero But hopeing to change that in 2011.

steve

[Benny]

I did drink beers with Benny and Antonio that should count for something. jon

Hey Jon, since were on the subject of man crafts, when do you think we might be having another Pints n' Flies?

[borntoflyfish]

I've never fished with any flyfishing addicts. But I'd sure like to. This is what I like about this forum. People being
civil to each other. Now if it where in person I'd expect it a little different. It's all good in fun and games. I can take it
like the next man. I don't wear my feelings on my coat sleeve. And I sure can dish it out to.

[Sasha]

Only got the chance to fish with Midger this year.






It was a fun day for sure!!!!

[WanderingBlues]

I didn't fish with enough fellow addicts! If I had to guess, I'd say around two dozen. The ones I did share some water with were all gentlemen and true stewards of the sport. Thanks for allowing me to learn from you over my 1st year of tossing flies.

[Pete]

Only fished with River Rat. Did spend a great evening with several of you at Blu's Doda. Now that was the event of the year as far as I am concerned. Did'nt need to dip a fly to enjoy that experience.

[Benny]

I didn't fish with enough fellow addicts! If I had to guess, I'd say around two dozen. The ones I did share some water with were all gentlemen and true stewards of the sport. Thanks for allowing me to learn from you over my 1st year of tossing flies.

Curtis, it's hard to believe it was your first year on the fly! 77 days on the water will make drastic improvements in ones casting skills and catching abilities, plus whatever small technique you may have picked up from other fly anglers you fished with. I know for a fact, that when I get out on the water with someone new, it's always a learning experience for me.

[Rob909]

Between the "Big Fish Hunt 1" and several local outings.....I would have to guess only about 10-12.

The weather that put a damper on the 9 Manner this year definitely kept my count down.

I hope to have higher numbers next year, but as we all know.....life happens!


Rob

[beachbum]

Great post, Jon! Thanks to your hosting us up in Mammoth I got to fish with lots more folks this year. It was a very fun year in the surf, especially chasing leopard sharks. I was fortunate to fish with a LOT of folks on the board this year, and enjoyed it immensely. Let's hope 2011 lets us all fish together even more!

Happy New Years!

Bill