Went fishing a couple of times with my fishing buddy, Tom Sakai. Tom and I have fished a lot over the past few years and it's a good fit. We both move at a slower pace...both catch fish now at about the same pace and we enjoy each others company. We visited a local that can offer many choices and these two days...we chose option B....Hike a lot...climb up and down a lot...slip on the rocks more then a lot and catch some fish. As usual, I took Tom down a circuitous path but had to take the blindfold off when it got too steep.
We made it to the water and were pleasantly surprised at the quality and quantity of fish. The first trip, I literally fell into a pool as we made our entry and caught a fish as I shook out the line to straighten it.
The fish were eager to take the silly Foam Caddis that I tie and was stoked watching them hammer it time after time. I still remember my first efforts on this water with Midger and watching him catch fish and me retie rigging. We both enjoyed a good morning in the sun.
The creek and it's denizens was healthy and full of life. Between the water falling and the birds singing and the wind in the Sycamores and Alders, it's a symphony to my ears. The colors are simply brilliant in the sunlight.
This was to be the final outing for my old fishing vest. It literally was falling apart at the seams. I now am the proud owner of a Sims guide vest thanks to Ariel.
We made two trips in and the last one convinced us that the local waters are done till fall. Water temp at 0600 was 56. Water temp at 1000 was 68. I took it every 15 minutes or so. We got out at that and started the long walk back to the car. We'll check it out once temps start freezing again at night or we get substantial rain.
Mark and I went down to the San Diego Bay area to fish Richard Cullip's home waters. I had been there once before and knew where to go but this trip would provide everything but the fish. I brought two pontoon boats. Yes. My attachment looks like something from the movie, "the Grapes of Wrath".
I even tied a box of flies that I copied from Richard.
I just knew that they would catch fish.....I mean Richard regularly gets 20 to 30 right at this spot and with the same flies. It wasn't to be.
I even got to enjoy a five hour drive home as the 15 was jammed up in Devore and I couldn't get past. Long day but still a good one. Any day on the water is a good one.
Finally....
I live on seven acres and drive on the dirt road you could test Land Rovers on. We keep seven horses (down from ten) and every day...rain, snow or shine, I am out talking with them as I feed, water, muck corrals and take care of them and the chickens. I support the farrier, the vet, the feed store and the equine dentist and they have all sent their kids to eastern colleges thanks to me. I fill two large wheel barrows a day with manure and have become quite the connoisseur. I know manure.
It's my quiet time and I often sound things off of them. They are great listeners. They just look back at me and sympathize by saying nothing. I am convinced that they understand when I am troubled or thinking on something. I've had plenty to share with them.
Last week, I became the Site Administrator for FlyFisingAddicts.com. It was not something I sought but it was something that had to be done to keep this forum alive and well. I take the responsibility seriously. We just had a long conference call among the Admins and Moderators. Some great discussion on where we might be headed in the future. My direction to them was to come to consensus and develop a plan. Unless there is a need for a decision to break a tie, I leave it in their capable hands. When they are ready, we will unveil what we will look like and where we would like to go.
Craig Coston had a vision and made it real. This forum is populated with some of the most generous and kind people I know. You all have done wondrous things for people who needed your support and really made a difference in some people's lives. I appreciate Craig for having a dream and all of the hard work, sweat and angst that went into bringing it to life. I pledged to him that the forum will live on and grow and continue to do good things...That we will do.
My hope for the future is that we will continue to share this wonderful adventure in our lives and keep fishing and posting. Sharing the stories of your fly fishing lives lets the rest of us go along for the ride and live vicariously.
I put this at the bottom of every post:
"Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learnt something from yesterday." John Wayne
I think there's something there for all of us. I know I have to remind myself now and again.
I am looking forward to a long relationship with all of you. Until we meet around a campfire or on the stream...
Jim
Great thread.
