Surviving Fly Fishing Dunks-Sunday Tippets, Damsel Style

The FF Dunks Timeline

 Of The River Damsel

[  2007             l  2008         l  2008             2009            2009          l  2010         l  2011                 ]

Catch First Fish   Beg. Class   Adv. Class    Beg. Class   Adv. Class    Adv. Class    On My Own!!! : )  

                                     2 Dunks                             2 Dunks                   1 Dunk              0 Dunks!!

Up to your neck or more = A Dunk!

So, you look at this timeline of my fly fishing experience classes through the years and think it is hilarious!  So do I!!  One person shouldn't have to take so many classes, you say.  Well, I am frickin' slow or just like to socialize...you pick.  Maybe a little of both, to tell you the truth.  This is my journey of try, try again!  And many have joined me along the way, which has been the most fun part of it.  And because of Howard putting up a little contest over at Windknots and Tangled Lines (VOTE!), I get to bore tell you a little about my brief, but incredibly exciting timeline of fly fishing.  A short four years into it...and it has been an "Adventure In Every Riffle"!!   I  have had trips with non-invited guests, such as snakes, bears, bison, and even a dancing mouse!!  And I have learned to fly fish along the way... It's been a journey in learning what NOT to do... : )  (Someday, I will get in more Unorthodox...err...Outdooress Style lessons on what to do...until then, I'm afraid that I am in a similar group along with The Unaccomplished Angler!)  Even, with an FR sticker, we still had plenty of follies.  UA got lucky, because he never got dunked when he was with me...amazingly enough.

SUMMER OF 2007...Where it all began.  My memory is not so good.  So, I am going to pretend that I remember my first time with a fish.  Ugh, ok.  How about this?  I was invited to Strawberry Reservoir with some friends to have a picnic and put blown up worms on the end of a  spinning rod.  They got their fish.  But, my little red/white ball didn't move one i-oda.  Finally, a pull on the line.  As everyone was telling me to start reeling in, I wondered if it would actually be a fish or a piece of green undergrowth...Yes, I had a fish...my first.  "Do I have to hold it?", I asked.  They laughed and said, "If you want a picture with it"! 

FALL OF 2007 - My second attempt with a spin rod and I am smiling, but I don't know if I was quite in my comfort zone...  Yes, the fish was a beauty and it made my day.  I now knew that I liked holding fish, just not worms... ; )  So, when I got home...I called a friend that I skiied with in the winter and liked to fish also...but, a different kind of fishing.  Something with "flies" that imitated bugs...hmmm.  That sounded good!  He said that I could tag along with his buddies, but I would have to get some waders and boots.  And a fly rod.  Oh, all of that?  Ok..next year.

SUMMER OF 2008 - Here's my friend, Fash.  The patient friend that gets the credit or the blame (Ha!) for introducing fly fishing to me.  I took this picture of this nice brown trout after I accidently caught a baby bow (4 in if best) on my line walking downstream...with my line dragging behind me.  Lesson learned from this day:  Never try to cross a river by yourself if the current is a little bit faster than you can handle.  Fortunately, a helping hand on the side of the bank gave me a save!!  (My closest encounter to drowning)   I don't even think Fash thought that I would stick it out with fly fishing...but, now I fish more than he does!!  Lol.  After that afternoon, he suggested to me that I might enjoy taking some fly fishing classes at the local fly shop and really learn all the facets of it...(and learn the safety rules!)  

FALL OF 2008 - So, I found my niche...I knew that I liked to fish with flies... : )  And I thought that casting a fly rod was easier than a spin rod... So, off to Micky Finns - Beginners Class.  A full class of 30 people and had several women, which was a plus!  I made several friends that I still fish with on occasion.   Caught a few fish, life was good.  This wasn't going to stop anytime soon and my family knew it.  I am not a quitter...I love a challenge and I certainly found it.  Haha.  I was stoked...the Advanced Class was next.  And they got to go on trips out of state.  Island Park, ID., The Madison River, MT., and two lakes that included Chesterfield Reservoir, ID.  (BIG FISH!)  I netted this fish sitting in icy water and about 25 degrees! (Oh, and got a dunk at the end getting out)  Are you seeing a pattern here???  Fortunately, one of the guys that I drove with, handed me dry clothes...just had to explain to the hubby.  : )  

SPRING AND FALL OF 2009 -I still needed more help with matching the hatch, reading the water, and my casting skills.  So, I tried another Beginner Class to improve skills.  I learned, I practiced.  I started looking at bugs...hmmm!!  Screening was fun!  And having a million, zillion caddis all over my arms and face...was wonderful!  In the mix was a Czech Nymphing Class, Still Water Class and Yellowstone; part of another amazing Advanced Class.  And more fishing friends. : )  The Firehole is my favorite YNP river because when you fall in...you don't come out with a chill!  (I confess, my 2nd dunk of the year)

  

FALL OF 2010 - By this time, my fam thinks that I have totally gone nuts.  I am now fishing once or twice a week.  I have converted from a ski bum to a fish bum.  Plain and simple.  My skiing friends can't believe it when I want to do both in the same day...I take another Czech Nymphing Class.  And a Yellowstone trip.  I meet Rebecca Garlock through a mutual friend.    We  fish River X.  Now, I am never turning back.  It seems that she thinks that I should have a fly fishing blog...I laugh!  A few weeks later...The River Damsel is born!!  I join the OBN and now it is all gell'n!!  Now is my chance to take more adventures...and write about them!  And in 2010...I only fell in once. ; ) Trying to help a mother and two children that flipped over in their tubes going down the Weber River.  I got them all over to the side and then, I went down!!  Dang, slippery moss!!  When I was sitting on a rock afterwards, I saw a blue damsel...So, it was easy to come up with a blog name. And my sub-title..."Adventure In Every Riffle",  self-explanatory.

THE YEAR OF 2011  - AMAZING!!  Look around this blog.   My post, RD's 2011...In Retrospect  tells it all!!  I don't know how one could get more into a year.  I fished in NC, TN, ID, CO, UT...I have been very fortunate to meet many wonderful people this past year and share some fly fishing time with them.  I appreciate all who have read and commented on this little ol' blog.  It has been an exciting adventure and so worthwhile...even through the "dunks"!

It's a very simple "tippet" today... Invest in studs for your wading boots.  I did finally!!! (2011)  And always bring a set of dry clothes when you venture out!  And now you know why I got a box of "Dunkaroos"  for Christmas...  : )  It was an inside joke...

Friday Night Grab Bag..."Go Granny Go!!"

Something reminded me of my roots the other day.  I was born in Glendale, Ca., next to the "Little Old Lady From Pasadena"!! (Good ol' Beach Boys)   There were many times that my grandmother would drive down Colorado Blvd to shop and take me to lunch as a little girl.  Those were the days.  When "Bob's Big Boy" was the favorite place to go.  And we would sit and watch all the "Blue Hairs" to teenagers file in to order a milkshake and a burger.  Enjoy the vid.  It's great...Look for the dog!

The Little Old Lady From Pasadena by sirnarnian

Which River Rocks Will I Walk On?

The River Damsel...on a quest journey to find different species of fish by the fly rod.   So, 2012 begins and the journey continues.  I must say that 2011 wasn't too shabby.  I did accomplish 7 out of 10 fishing goals that I had posted last year.  Now, we must start all over again!  Hence, we begin with the breakdown...

Mmmm...Not that kind of breakdown...I don't use a sleigh anyway!

My one lifetime conquest...

Ugh...no.  That isn't the right picture. I can pass on sharks.

That's more like it.  Mr. Bonefish.  There's just something about those eyes!! (2013-Cancun, MX.)

I have a saying and it goes something like this..."When Life Gets Tough...I Walk The River Rocks!"  I tackle everyday problems occurences, like most of you...work, family, health...etc.etc.etc.   But, things always seem better when I can spend a little time with my finned friends.  And even when life is OK...what better place to rejuvenate, relax...heck no...I'm not talking about a day spa!  Who needs that???

                             

The River Runs Through...every vein of my body... Here's to 2012!~

RD's  Fishing Wish List

(In no specific order...jumbled like my mind sometimes!)

  

1.  Idaho Falls...ID.  Let's get to the point.  Lake Brookies with Mel.  Fly fishing on the South Fork of the Snake.  It's just time.  I have wanted to meet this guy for awhile now.  And this is the year.  I will even bring my spin rod...but, he's going to have to put the worm on the hook!  : )



No, not a bad hair day, a cold day...Clif!



2.  The Madison River...MT.  Yes, I missed my first year in awhile.  And well...it will be nice to be back "home".  Those big fish just have never failed me yet...Hebgen Lake and Kelly Galloup's Fly Shop...I'm there!!

3.  The Frying Pan...Colorado.  Have to test out the "toilet bowl"...I hear that there is more too it than the title says.  In fact...this place is my dream spot to fish...I will show you why when I return. 

4.  RMNP, The Poudre...CO.  Yes, my friends...A return visit to fish with my wonderful Rocky Mountain Frenzy friends...You made the first Frenzy, one to remember.  RM Frenzy II is coming up.  Either Spring or Fall.  And I still have a long, overdue fishing appointment with you know who.  Ugh, that guy to the left.  I will make sure that it is warm enough weather for him to be outside.  

5.  Steelhead...Haven't decided where yet...but, one steelie must find my net.  Oregon, Idaho, Michigan, New York...wherever I can find one!  Maybe a guide (or a fellow blogger) could help me on this feat!  ; )    9 wt ready...

6.  Yellowstone...WY.  There isn't a year that I don't try to make a trek up north to the most beautiful country there is.  The Firehole and The Lamar are repeats for sure! And Lava Creek with the brookies!!

7.   River X, Somewhere...As I journey north to visit my friend, Rebecca, this will be the year that I will find out more about those "taunting" brown trout and how to pursue them in the deep holes!!  I am looking forward to more "Unorthodox" fly fishing training and just plain, endless FUN!!

8.   In my own backyard of Utah...why not?  I need to fish Lake X and a few other lakes nearby for more tiger trout. I caught a 20 incher last year...let's just go for it and say...24" of tiger love!!

9.   Well, I hear that Troutrageous is making his way out here to Utah for the Tenkara Summit...I must say, that meeting him and Mel this next year, would be awesome!  I love "Blogger Moments" and meeting people face to face (if you haven't noticed)  Of course, it would be a bonus if I could get him to fish the Provo with me! : )  Forget the lime jello, Mike...It's the ICE CREAM that you have to check out when you are here!!   Sorry...it really is as good as it looks.

10.  This is freaking exciting.  And you will have to go HERE to see why it is one of the highlights of my wish list!!  I am going for the Grand Slam of Fly Fishing...with the help of Spencer Higa,  this will be a little fishing birthday present to myself this year...heehee. : )  Trying to catch four different species of trout- brown, rainbow, cutthroat and brook- in a single day.  And to possibly get them from the same river!!  How about them river rocks???  I might even get a shiny pin... : )

Well, that's it folks!   Maybe, someday...I will even go "Salmon Fishing In the Yemen"!!  You never know.

"Gung Hay Fat Choy"! - Sunday Tippets, Damsel Style

Ok...that got everyone's attention... : )  There are many ways the world celebrates the New Year... And I had some fun looking up a few of them.  

The Chinese greet others with "Gung Hay Fat Choy" which means "Wishing You Prosperity and Wealth"!!  The Chinese New Year (which is being celebrated Jan. 23rd this year) in 2012 is the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese culture.  People will pour out their money to buy presents, decoration, material, food, and clothing. It is also the tradition that every family thoroughly cleans the house to sweep away any ill-fortune in hopes to make way for good incoming luck.  On the Eve of Chinese New Year, supper is a feast with families. Food will include such items as pigs, ducks, chicken and sweet delicacies. The family will end the night with firecrackers. Early the next morning, children will greet their parents by wishing them a healthy and happy new year, and receive money in red paper envelopes. The Chinese New Year tradition is to reconcile, forget all grudges and sincerely wish peace and happiness for everyone. That doesn't sound too bad...

How did YOU ring in the New Year? Some of us have traditions, others try something new.

The traditional kiss is a universal custom that goes on around the world at the stroke of midnight on New Year's.

But different cultures have other customs equal to the favorite Southern tradition of black-eyed peas—which symbolize luck in the coming year. 

Imagine streets full of people wearing polka dots and dinning table full of round shaped food and fruits on one single day of the year. Philippines believe that this will bring them prosperity by associating the round dots to coins and wealth.

In Spain and many Latin countries, the tradition is eating 12 grapes at midnight, which is supposed to bring you 12 months of happiness.

In Denmark, it is a good sign to find your door heaped with a pile of broken dishes at New Years. Old dishes are saved year around to throw them at the homes where their friends live on New Years Eve. Many broken dishes means that you have many friends.  And a lot of clean-up!

In Germany, people eat cabbage to represent money and wealth because the cabbage is green.  Every New Year's Eve, at midnight, Germans watch the British show “Dinner for One.”   It is so popular that even the punch line “same procedure every year” now is a catch phrase in Germany.

In Wales, the back door is opened with the first toll of the bell and then shut to release bad omens from the last year. With the 12th stroke of the bell the front door is open to welcome New Year.

In Australia, suckling pigs are considered to bring good luck and hence, traditional foods are prepared with sucking pigs. In dessert they offer peppermint ice cream in the shape of four-leaf clover.

In Japan, people decorate their homes with pine branch, bamboo stalk and plum blossom which symbolizes longevity, prosperity and nobility respectively.

In Scotland, Men parade through the streets holding blazing balls of fire. They continuously swing these balls over their heads.  According the the locals, the balls of fire bring purification and sunshine. This celebration dates back as far as the Vikings.

New Year's is a time that is celebrated by all regardless of the origin, nationality and cultural background. People around the world believe that the coming year will fill their life with love, bliss, wealth and good fortune.  No matter how you celebrate this day, make this year the best one that you have had!  I think that the Chinese are "right on" in wanting to reconcile, forget all grudges and sincerely wish peace and happiness for everyone.  May peace and happiness abide with each of you this coming year...  RD

RD's 2011...In Retrospect

When I put up my "Damsel 2011" tab last year...I thought that I would do pretty well accomplishing half of what I wanted to do in 2011.  Well, out of the ten items on my wish list, I did seven of them!  So, I would say that is pretty darn good!

1.  Attend the OBN Convention and meet all of those that I have blogged with.  Also, fish with a few of my buddies from OBN during that week! Or...because the OBN postponed...Create the Rocky Mtn. Frenzy and meet CO. bloggers! done

2.  Go Steelhead fishing with my new rod and Rebecca in March... ;)  done on both accounts!

3.  Back to River X to catch more MONSTER Brown Trout!!!   done

4.  Fish Montana in the Fall...The Madison and The Gallitin. 2012

5.  Tie flies (including Czech nymphs) with Rod aka:  The Midgeman. Had lunch and a fly casting lesson instead!  It was an incredible meeting. 

6.  Fish Idaho...Henry's Fork and Henry's Lake. That's ok...did that last year.

7.  Prove to myself that I can have one fishing expedition without "oddities"! Ha.  done, unless you call fishing with  cardboard "Kirk Werner" something unusual...

8.  Fish the South Fork of the Snake with a guide named Mel...??? 2012 : )

9.  Catch one Whitefish, just for the H*#! of it!! done. no story...

10.This is for next year...but why not start thinking about it...go fishing in GA!!!! :) DONE!!! Moved up this trip to GA,NC,&TN...Awesome video if you click here!

Yes, 2011 was quite a year in "fishing terms"...I journeyed out to meet and fish with fellow bloggers this past year that gave me memories of a lifetime.  It was an unbelievable year...full of new friendships, new territories to fish, and many miles traveled.  But, that is what The River Damsel likes to do.  I just have a little bit of  "trout bum" in me...The best way to describe this year would be by just posting my favorite trip pics...so here you go.  And in a few days, I will be announcing my new 2012 resolutions fishing wish list!

    RD'S TRAVELS...

Lots of "Cardboard Friends" tagging along...(not wanting to be left out!)

And Lots of "Little FISHY Friends" finding my net...

 

But, BEST of all...meeting some of the most incredible people in the fly fishing world of bloggers...

Wow...I'm afraid that was just my out of state fishing trips!  And to think that I probably fished about 70 more times on my local waters... ; )  As you can see, 2011 was a mighty fine year... Thanks to all of those that hosted The River Damsel on some great adventures!  Where to next???