Indicators And All That Jazz ~ Sunday Tippets, Damsel Style

Those silly, little, bright colored indicators.  They come in all shapes and sizes.  You can love them or hate them.  But, they do help your dead drift and put your fly closer to where the fish is feeding.  I have been lazy and have left that indicator up towards the top of the leader.  And still have caught fish.  But, it does make sense to go with the rule of 1.5 to 2 times the depth of the water to place that indicator.  Otherwise, you could have too much slack and the fish could have a finicky day and say no thanks to your offering.

I use the thingamabobber, a plastic bubble which is very popular.  I don't like tying them on because they make kinks in the line when you adjust the bobber.  So, I bring toothpicks with me and stick a piece of that through the hole.  Works great.  The bobbers with the stopper attached, just don't work for me.  I'm constantly putting the plastic piece back in the hole.  Just doesn't hold.

When I am in slower or more clear water... I like to use a white yarn indicator.  It's great for that lighter touch that you might need when the trout seem to be quite finicky to your bright indicator that does make a little bit of a noise when landing.

So, there's my two cents on indicators and what works for me.

On the fishing front, I was involved with a flyfishing weekend with some great flyfishers from all over the U.S.  One of my favorite things as you all know, is that I love to meet up with people from different states.  This was an annual retreat for the Facebook group, TPWLB.  We are full of shenanigans as a group and have a lot of fun.  It really is amazing how so many different personalities mesh when you have flyfishing as a common denominator.  

Here are a few of the gals that I have fished with before.  They are top notch anglers and we have a great time when we neet up.  The Mexican food doesn't even have to be all that great.  Lol.   

I caught this beauty of a rainbow on the group trip.  Such great catches by all throughout the event.
  

One of my boat mates on the float, was Charlie.  He is an amazing angler and taught me a lot during those couple of days.  He is hearing impaired and where I have an awful habit of mumbling, I had to talk loud and clear!  It was good for me.  He was delightful to fish with.  Glad to have him as a new flyfishing friend.  =)

In all, I think that there were around 60 of us on the river.  Yeah, the locals were rolling their eyes for sure.   I don't know where the other dozen girls went in this pic... haha.

I was also part of a competition on the side during this gathering.  There was a code word that was used as a "control item" to prove the date of the picture.  I have been in this contest for a couple of months.  It started with 20 people.  A girls division and a boys division.  And in the final pairing...  

Yes, it was Rob and me.

To be continued...

Hahahahahaha

Enjoy your week and remember that most days are better when you start with a smile.  =)  

The Skating Rink Adventure

As many fly fishermen wait for the Spring, I am out fishing in the coldest of temperatures.  Give me three or four hand warmers.  One for each glove and one or two under my hat.  You see, winter is a special time of the year.  No crowds for the most part and big fish that eat streamers.  I love it all, but there is always a chance that there could be a slip and fall.  So, you have to be careful on that skating rink!

And I am sure grateful that I have my Patagonia Foot Trackers this winter... 

They have definitely been my most favorite pair of wading boots.  Yes, they are on the high end in price.  But, I believe that I will get every dollar spent out of them.  I will have the improved balance that I need on rocky river beds and on big boulders to hike over.  I've already tested them on some of the most difficult rivers to walk and climb around. 

I'm sure glad that I had them in toe the last two weekends.  It was time for a little bit of streamer fishing.  Something that I haven't done a lot of.  But, I was going with some friends and felt a bit more comfortable tossing these hooks with fur and feathers attached to them.

  It was the first time that I have gone non-stop with streamers on my line the whole day.  And it was fun!  When the fish take that piece of meat at the end of the hook... There is little chance of them coming off of it.  But, if your knot isn't quite tight enough... yeah, you might as well say goodbye.  Fortunately, none of that happened.  I was given some good fights and netted some beautiful rainbows and one cutthroat.  I was way pleased about the cuttie, as I don't catch that species very often.

A cutthroat that wants to look like a steelhead.  Ha!

But, I loved the rainbows too.  Nice and fat.  Healthy fish.

My new buddy, Gerald, and one of his prizes... This guy can fish!  He walks the river faster than anyone that I have seen...  He catches a few, and off he goes to harrass some more fish in the next hole.  Lol.

And Cody's hook jaw rainbow took a big meal!  Cody has fished with me before 

and is a great river buddy.

We all had some great fish.  But, as always... 

The trip is better when you have friends to tag along.

Thanks guys, for a great outing...

When you catch fish... You don't remember how frozen you were.  Ha! 

 I will go skating for fish anytime!  

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...