My Personal Bests for 2010 (warning: lots of pics)

[flybob]

Well my good friends of the FFA Board, it is that time of year again. Time for reflection, time for changes, time for a new year. As I reflect back on 2010 I am thankful for all the opportunities that I had to spend time on the water with fellow fly fisherman. Although not as many days as I would have liked, the time was quality, and my memories of the people I fished with stand out more that the fish I caught. I visited new waters, I caught my first Cutthroat, I also caught the largest trout of my life, but none of it matters without the ability to share the experience.

2010 also brought the disappointing news of my son’s deployment to the gulf region, which in turn put somewhat of a damper on the second half of my year. My activity on the board fell to almost nill, but the support I found in sharing with some of you offline was such a humbling experience, I realized that all of you out there are a class act, and how fortunate I am to be a part of this group.

So this post is dedicated to all of you out there, whether I fish/ed with you or not, you are all part of my world.

So here are my personal bests for 2010, they follow no particular order, and it took hours to whittle them down to just these!:

First and foremost, my best friend for 38 years, (35 married)


Not only does she like hiking, she is a great photographer!


And next is the guy who started it all….Happy Mark!


Marlboro Man….Andy


Master of the Kabob…..Arvin


And the guy who probably taught him….his dad, Harry


This guy has caught the biggest fish in the locals I have ever witnessed….Rob


How can such a simple thing as fish bring such joy…..Arvin


End of a great day, Rob, Robo Mark, Arvin


“Conquistador, your stallion stance…..” (Procol Harum)


The New Daddy….Ray


Mark’s Bucketmouth on his new Glass Rod


The Bamboo Master in his element…..Doug (one of my personal favorite photos)


Doug tormenting the gills


So this is the SF of the Kern….I don’t get it…Ryan, Justin, Mark


This I get!…..Justin Strikes GOLD!


A couple of board mystery members, and regulars…Shane, Mike, Justin, Ryan


Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it’s off to work we go!


Dave, Dave Who?


Dave “WatchinTheWater”


Trying out for the Rocketts…..forget it, stick to fly fishing!


That’s more like it


Supper time at 11,000 feet!



Arvin kicking back in style, love the scarf!


Mark rigging up in the morning chill


The ever mysterious Jim, creator of my Jimmer Boo


Mid Summer Target Practice….Mark, Tom


Hooked into a serious Lawn Trout!…..Mark, Rick, Eric


Larry is an amazing caster, as Jim can attest


Mark doing what he does best


Smoke on the Water, Jim giving me the thumbs up


Ryan, get you hand out of your pants! These kids, I swear!


Much better Ryan, as he nails one using the bow and arrow cast!


A most memorable event, at a time much needed in my life!


My Mountain Goat partner, Thanks for going with me Jon!


Mark and Jon tweeking the table for the other Jon, and they fixed to too!


Jon is a fantastic short order cook!


Welcome home Blu



Working the Kabobs, hey Jon nice PJs


Jon, Pete, PJs, Darrin, Jim


A couple of great chefs sharing recipies….Curtis, David


EVERYBODY!


The morning after


As Blu’s Party would be my last trip for 2010, sadness is seeing the Eastern Sierra in your mirrors


And none of this would be possible without my ever watchful guardian…Shadow Man


So, as the sun sets on 2010 and we reflect on what was…..


Let us toast to 2011 and all the possibilities of what can be……


And remember to ALWAYS DE-BARB your hooks!


May the Lord Bless you all and your families in the new year and may get out and fish as much as you want to with ZERO SKUNKS!

Flybob

a few more wrinkles, but non the worse for wear…..

[Benny]

Outstanding reflections of a year gone by. Here's to another Fishy New Year

[briansII]

Let us toast to 2011 and all the possibilities of what can be……

Here, here!

This is a great shot. Looks like he just got his first bb gun for Christmas.


Great pictures and sentiment/comments. May 2011 bring good things to you, and your family.

briansII

[Wildman]

Bob-
What a journey you led in 2010. Thrilled to have been able to have been along on a couple of the trips. Thanks for memories. You are a class act!
Jim

[Gary C.]

Great post Bob, looks like a heck of a good year to me.

[Eric]

What a great recap of 2010 Bob. Sure hope 2011 brings more days on the water for you. We need to hit the lower o this winter
Eric

[lucfish]

Real nice Bob, thanks for taking me along.

[tomsakai]

Bob, very nice pics. How appropriate that a spongebob would end up in (your?) finger. Thanks for sharing.

[beachbum]

Nicely done, Bob. Those are some fantastic people shots. Thanks for taking us along!

[FlyinFish]

Holy crap Bob. I saw the thread title and thought of doing something... and when I opened the post, I saw you did EXACTLY what I was thinking.

2010 has been the gosh darn diggity dangest best year of my life as a whole and as a fisherman. The fishing buddies I've made and fished with from the Sierras to the surf to the PNW have been priceless. Solitude is what it is, but once you have fished in good company, you will never want to go without.

I'd be lying if I said I scrolled through with dry eyes.

I'll be putting together a similar set of good times once I get back from Seattle to my photo stash.

Salut Bob!!

[RichardCullip]

What a great 2010. Looking forward to what 2011 brings.

[Charlie Webb]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing your great year with friends and the outdoors. I hope next year is just as nice!

[Autodave]

Nice Bob-I think this might be my favorite post of the year

[Rob909]

Very nice Bob

It brought back memories of finding guns and hobbling into Dennys

I'm proud to call you a friend

Let's do it again next year.


Rob

[darrin terry]

That is a great year, Bob! Thanks for sharing it with all of us, the highs and the lows. May 2011 bring more highs, fewer lows and you boy back home safely! Oh, and a few fish here and there to top it off.