Out With The Old And In With The New

Here we are again... New Years Day.  Resolutions? Oh, those things.  Well, this year, I am just going a day at a time and will be grateful for everything I have.  My biggest resolution if I had one, would be to remain positive and cheerful.  We have enough negativity in the world.  And forget about those senseless grudges.  There isn't time for that!  It just drains the person who has the grudge.  Let it roll off your back and move forward.  Be the one who takes the high road.  Make every day count.  And treat those around you like you would want to be treated. These are the things that I want to do better this year.  Yes, I will work hard at my job and help bring food to the table.  Hey, it's part of the American dream, isn't it?  Honestly, if I see that my children are happy, my grandchildren are giving me hugs, the household bills are being paid, and I'm getting in a fishing day every now and then, nothing else matters.  These are the things that make me happy.  I hope that you have a great  2016.  May you and yours experience peace and happiness and pass these on to those around you.

I put together a little wrap up of the fishing adventures that I had in 2015.  There were so many good times on the water last year.  New friendships were made.  And old friends were revisited.  It was a very good year.  Enjoy this two minute vid.  And thanks for stopping by!

The Holiday Brain Cramp

Yes, we are winding down into the last days of December.   Soon, it will be Christmas.  Then, the New Year's celebration.  Such a month of hustle and bustle.  We feel those pangs of panic and anxiety to find those last few items on the Christmas list.  Yes, we have probably overspent, but we certainly don't want to get into the return line at Walmart.  Then the guilt, as we overindulge on office goodies and neighbors thoughtful treats.  The Nutrisystem holiday special appears on a commercial.  Why did I eat those couple pieces of fudge?  You know the drill that happens every year.   It's part of that holiday brain cramp that comes when you get caught in the middle of all the hustle and bustle of the season!

Shopping can put your body and brain into doing major overtime!   Your energy level is depleted.  You could use a full day at a "Day Spa".   I know that I could!  Oh, but you spent all your extra cash on gifts, food, and those monthly bills, didn't you?   So, you find relief in attending a Christmas concert or watching "It's a Wonderful Life" on the Family Channel.  = )   We are reminded once again that "no man is a failure who has friends"!!!   Your feelings of holiday stress have nearly vanished as you appreciate the little things once again.

It's so easy for us to let these holiday pressures put our brain into hyperdrive.  We don't have to let our heart race or put our stomach in a knot.  There's nothing worse than the feeling of being overwhelmed with it all.   We get this feeling that we "have to do it" and in reality, there might just be a couple of things that we really have to do.  And the other things, can be assigned out or just not done.  Ask a family member for some help with the decorations and delegate out part of the Christmas dinner.  There are always answers to bringing it all together.  You don't have to do it all by yourself!   In the end, it isn't the lights and decorations.  It isn't the gifts.  It's being together with family and friends if you are able.  And it is about giving your time and talents to help another person not as well off as you.   It's time for all of us to have an attitude of gratitude.   If you are unable to get out to a homeless shelter, donate clothes and cans of food this holiday season.  Because that is what brings true happiness.  And I promise, your burdens will be lightened and your heart will be filled with joy.   And that is no holiday brain cramp.  = )

The Farm Adventure

Old McDonald had a farm... E-I-E-I-O...  Well, I don't think that it was his farm that I visited in Cody, Wyoming.  But, it was one of the most fun places that I have visited in a long time.  I met up with my new Facebook friend, Mia, who has quite a few animals on her ten acres with husband, Bob.  Let's see, a rooster who was quite proud of his harem.  Twenty hens that belonged to the said rooster.  Three beautiful horses that Mia has taken great care of.  Three cats including one that likes to sit on the roof of the barn and be the watch cat.  Five dogs that were my official greeters.  And last, but not least... Chiquita, the donkey!  Hahahaha.  Why a donkey on the farm?  To shoo away those predators like coyotes and foxes that look for a good meal of eggs a la golden rod.  You learn something every day! 

See the cat?

So, I'm going to try to summarize the four days like this...

I spent two days fishing the Wind River and the North Shoshone with my friends, Larry and Tina...  Larry has a great talent of tying some amazing flies.  You can find him on Facebook.  His page is "Underthebridge Flies".  They both are incredible people.  We had so much fun.

And then, I fished the third day with my friends, Mia and Chaz on the Shoshone.  I put in a hour or so the night before on the Big Horn (In WY), but it was so mossy and low, that we decided to head to the Shoshone.  One run in particular, was money.  These two are so awesome to hang with...

Yes, my friends in Wyoming have quite the fish!  

And no adventure is complete unless you throw a damsel in the mix.  Ha!  On my way out... I found a few rainbows of my own.

Yes, there were great fish.  Yes, there was great scenery.  But, most of all... there was camaradarie like no other.  These friends are special.  They went over and beyond to make my trip so enjoyable.   And the fresh farm eggs were the icing on the cake.  =)  

Please take a minute or two to see what I am talking about!  

The Farm Adventure...

Unforeseen

Now you see me, now you don't.  Well, it is true, I haven't been around these blog parts for awhile.  So, here is a recap of the last month or so... It's been a busy one.

I found myself in Tennessee, at a family reunion.  It was a great time.  We flew the family to Eastern TN.   I happened to make arrangements to fish with an FB friend while I was in the area and learned how to watch the clock with rivers on the generator release program!  So, in the water at 7 and out by 1.  But, we found some wild trout and had a good time.

Yes, I fished where Brad Pitt has supposedly walked.  No sitings.

Oh look!  My youngest came back home...

Goodbye Tennessee, till next time!

Then, it was back home to fish the local waters...

And then a quick trip to Wyoming to catch some gorgeous browns.

And this critter...  My first Kokanee salmon...

And this is where I will throw in a "Tippet" on a Monday...

I learned a very valuable lesson while on this little salmon adventure.  It is to never cross the line when approaching the "unforeseen".  The rivers and streams present different situations for anglers each time out.  It's rarely the same outing that you have had before.  Conditions change, water levels change, hatches change, fish's hunger pangs change!  I have learned a lot about reading water in my five or six years.  But, this trip taught me that I am so far away from being an expert of the water.  For what I saw in a slow moving current was a stronger under toe than I ever expected!  Two fishermen told me that I could cross right there... Well, they left and I looked out and it looked calm enough.  I got half way across and it got a bit deeper.  As I moved upstream against the current, something just didn't feel right.  I tried to turn around to go back and I couldn't.  I was trapped.  The current all of a sudden put more pressure against my legs than I could hold up against.  My walking stick was no use to me.  I turned my head again to see a fisherman behind me and I yelled at him asking for help.  He tried to go halfway into the river and stopped.  He kept telling me to walk as much upstream at an angle as I could.  He couldn't get any closer to me without himself getting into trouble to.  I said a silent prayer... a very quick one.  Something like, "Lord I don't want to go yet!"  So, now I looked downstream and saw my buddy that I had traveled with that day.  He saw my predicament and started to push his way upstream towards me through the strong current.  It seemed like I was in that spot for 20 min. while he moved slowly towards me through the current.   He finally made it up to where I was.  He told me that he was going to move above me to break the pressure of  the current, so I could start walking again.  We now had to keep going to the opposite bank.  We were almost there.  Another step, another deep breath.  I have never had more determination to accomplish something... I had to make it!  This guy pretty much risked his safety for me and we were both pushing forward with all the adrenalin that we had!  The water finally seemed calm.  The worst was over.  My feet were now in shallow water and I was coming out of it.  I sat down and thanked God and thanked my friend for the sheer courage that he had.  Maybe it was because of his training in being a firefighter.  But, I think it was more in who he was...  Thank you again, Cody.  I wouldn't have been able to stand there for another half hour without my legs deciding to take a swim downstream.  And that would have been NO BUENO for a big, wide river like this one...  

Moral to this story...  Don't cross the line of comfort in the first place.  It may be too late to change direction when you step too far.  (Hey, this goes for a lot of things in life)   Look for riffled, low water to cross in or very still water that isn't moving.  And having a crossing buddy is always a good thing.

After I rested my legs and nerves, the other side produced some sweet browns and I found this funny guy in the mix...

It was now time to go home and give a big squeeze to a few of those who matter most.  

  

Smelling The Roses ~ Sunday Tippets, Damsel Style

Stop!  Take a deep breath in.  Now take a deep breath out.  Look all around you.  Have you been rushing around or working late which has resulted in not paying as much attention as you should to those things around the house?  Are you spending quality time with your loved ones?  The time is now.  Not later.  The time is now to share special moments like a little league game or a recital for a child or grandchild.  The time is now to come home early one night and make dinner to a surprised spouse.  The time is now to give that big hug or an act of kindness to a friend in need.  This life gets too busy and cluttered.  Sometimes I feel like I am on a merry-go-round.  In fact, I'm taking a little break from fishing this month to take care of some more important things...

First of all, my youngest son, who is now a ripe old age of 20, comes home tomorrow from his church mission in Arizona.  It's been an exciting two years of writing once a week and exchanging pictures.  In his last letter, he said that it was the best thing that he has ever done in his life.  He has definitely grown into a man and has developed even a deeper love for others.  And a stronger relationship with God.  I'm so proud of him.  

And second, my hubby's side of the family will be having a family reunion and we will be taking off for Tennessee in a few weeks.  The last time that I was in TN...  Oh yeah, it was fishing with Owl Jones!  That seems like a century ago.  This time, I will be fishing a different part of the state.  And getting in some lake fishing as we are staying in a lake house for the week.  Oh boy!  

And third, my health is more important than my fishing. (This actually should be first)   Bottom line... I need more rest.  I have such a bad habit of biting off more than I can handle when it comes to fishing hours.  It's not a race.   It's supposed to be about relaxation and well being.  Right?  So, with that said...

Here is what I have been doing the past month or so... 

So, there you have it.  A few browns and bows from local waters.  But, now it is family time.  And to put the rod up until Tennessee...  It really won't be too difficult, as the temps have been soaring to the 90's each day and when I'm too hot to fish, the fish are too hot also..  At least that is my opinion!  = )

~Sunday Tippets~

Take the time to stop stressing about the little things.  If you are running out of time to do it all, it's time to prioritize.  Put those people and things that need attention FIRST!   Stay the course!  And if you have some "me" time...  Go enjoy yourself.  Just remember that this life is short...

RD