Fisherdude

2012-01-25T12:42:00.002-07:00

2012-01-13T13:18:00.000-07:00

Capt. Jim Lucas, Head Guide at Yes Bay Lodge near Ketchikan, Alaska came to visit for a few days on his way from Florida to his new home in Alaska last Sunday. A good friend and former co-worker( 25 years ago).

He set up office at my dining room table and did his telecommute thing taking reservations, hiring new staff for the season & putting out fires.

Had a great time reliving our old work adventures and conversations about some of the idiots we used to work with and for...

Last night We visited with another ex-coworker and his family here in Salt Lake.

Good food, good friends, great conversation...a fun time was had by all!

2011-12-23T14:29:00.000-07:00

2011-10-31T08:10:00.003-06:00

THERAPY REPORT

2011-10-30T10:30:00.000-06:00

I received an A+ on my progress report.

On a scale of 1 to 10 it was an easy 20.

Yes Virginia, it was clear as a bell and cold as hell at the clinic: 10 in the mornings but up to the high 40's by noon.

No rain. No snow. Just a gentle breeze. Cows mooing in the fields. Bald Eagles screaming high above me. A herd of 20 or so Deer grazing a hundred feet away.

Never ask me if I caught any - That's an insult.

Ask how many? - Can't count that high.

Low water.

Incredible, Unbelievable, Stupendous, Exciting, Beautiful, Satisfying, Fabulous, Monumental, Superb, Extraordinary, Delightful, Sweet, Consuming, Inspiring.

The best I can remember.

Conclusion: OH BOY HOWDY!!!!!!!!!

And, the icing on the cake was the combination to a gate lock to enter new territory rarely seen by outsiders. 18,000 acres and a private, secluded spring fed pond, 4 miles from I-15, stocked with 2 lb+ Rainbows. Tucked up a canyon, nestled by tall timber and surrounded by Aspen & Cottonwoods, at the site of a late 1800's pioneer homestead. Mountain peaks 8,500 feet to 10,000 feet high. Deer, Elk, Antelope, Moose, Bears, & Wolves.

A GREAT BIG Thanx to my very special Big Sky friends, Judy, Frank, & Jim.

2011-10-22T08:23:00.001-06:00

Checking in to the clinic for another therapy session on Monday.

2011-10-05T19:06:00.000-06:00

2011-09-14T19:53:00.004-06:00

Bad Odiferous Smells

2011-09-03T07:59:00.001-06:00

Hachi - A Dog's Tale

Earlier this week I was grazing the TV movie listings and saw one about a man and a dog so I recordified it.

Last night I watched it.

By mid movie I found myself using a tissue. Had something in my eye. Picked up my best friend and gave her lots of loves and snuggles for the rest of the movie.

Anyone out there who has or has had a "Best Friend" should watch it.

Damn! Somethings in my eye again.

2011-08-29T14:24:00.000-06:00

2011-08-24T18:36:00.002-06:00

Finally........The Mystery Revealed!

"They" do increase in number every night.

I don't have bats in my belfry.

Aliens didn't eat my brains.

EXCELLENT ADVENTURES - Episodes 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5

2011-08-06T14:01:00.000-06:00

I'm In Love With Montana

Excellent Adventures of the Fisherdudes

My Home Away From Home

A Tour of Bannack

Alder Gulch

2011-07-05T07:17:00.001-06:00

Tootsie does NOT like fireworks !

Found her hiding under my bed.

2011-05-11T19:00:00.000-06:00

Got the most serious case of Cabin Fever I've ever had.

Called Dr. Salmo Truta and he said to get my butt up to the

Leaving May 20 for extended therapy. Wish me luck.

2011-04-24T08:08:00.000-06:00

MFGS (My Favorite Grand Son) walking through a rice field in Taiwan.

2011-03-11T10:27:00.003-07:00

They are back..........again

2011-01-26T07:48:00.001-07:00

Is Worser Gooder?

2010-12-19T13:50:00.000-07:00

A Very Merry Christmas to all!

Picture is an oil painting of one of my favorite places on earth.

2010-10-14T09:49:00.000-06:00

Checking in to the Clinic

for extensive therapy next week.

Hope the Sheriff is out of town.

2010-09-07T07:57:00.004-06:00

There's a rumor floating down the Beaverhead that Hank, the Henneberry Sheriff has issued an arrest warrant for me and my fishin' buddies:

"Wanted for questioning: Excessive Catching."

2010-09-04T09:10:00.005-06:00

ONCE UPON A TIME, MANY DECADES AGO

WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO?

I used to "walk" across the street
or Ride my "bike" a few blocks
to see my friends or pick up the phone and say:
"What 'cha up to John?"
I even used to write letters and put a stamp on the envelope.
Tried having a pen-pal once.

(This is starting to sound like Andy Rooney)

Just yesterday, or so it seems, I got a computer
and learned to do e-mail.
Bet I buy less than 6 stamps a year!
Even send Christmas cards by email now.

Then I got an iPod. Put ALL my songs on iTunes:
634 Albums, 6656 songs. Can listen to a different song
24 hours a day for 22.4 days. I recorded many from my
old 33's & 45's. That evolved into a lucrative business
venture: http://s-tunes.blogspot.com/
Went to the funeral of an old friend, a retired fireman, last week.
At his graveside service played "Amazing Grace" and some
of our favorite jazz tunes, all from my iPod.

Had a private web-site so people could see what I was up too.
Now I've got a blog. Not just one but 6. And they're free.
And, heaven forbid, I'm on Facebook with all the other fruits & nuts!

The new buzz-word is "Social Networking."
I Love music.
Today I got "PING."

If you think this might be the end, think again. You aint' seen nutting' yet.

Take a deep breath and learn keyboard shortcuts.
(command>E)

-30-

2010-05-24T12:27:00.000-06:00

THERAPY UPDATE: THE PIGS ARE BACK

After nearly eight years of drought and very low winter water, this past seasons flows were nearly normal . . . which resulted in bigger, healthier fish . . . PIGS.

VERY few under 18 inches.

The long road in these pictures is the remnants of US Highway 91.

Folks frequently ask if I caught any fish to which I reply: "Do donuts have holes?" And then they ask how many did you catch? To which I reply:

"I can't count that high."

Fishermen are often accused of making up stories.

Only honest to gosh truths told here.

The proof is in the picture.

The red mark on my pole is 19 inches. Do the math.

2010-04-01T09:47:00.002-06:00

Today is April Fools Day

Yesterday it snowed alllllllllllll day. It snowed allllllllllllllllllll night.

Got up this morning, looked out off my deck.

It's still snowing.................

2010-03-28T08:28:00.001-06:00

REUNION

A group of friends I worked with decades ago met for lunch recently. Many of us hadn't seen or talked to each other for a long time. It was a hoot. Of course, no one had changed, we all looked as young and fresh as we used to.

Back in those days, more often than not, ads or brochures were needed "now." We all pitched in no matter how much midnight oil needed to be burned. Everybody worked hard and smart - gave at least 200%.

Interestingly though, not a mention of our old boss, (his name is no longer in my dictionary) only talked about the good memories. Some one did say: "I remember the positive events that did happen and push past the rest. Life is always about learning." Every one is happy and successful in their current paths.

Hope we do it again. About 2/3's of the original group couldn't come or be located.

Picture Hint:

If you double click on the slide show under the "REUNION" category, you can view and download larger pictures.

2009-12-12T14:13:00.001-07:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2009-11-16T09:27:00.003-07:00

NEW FAMILY MEMBER

She is 9 weeks old.

Her name is Scarlet and she belongs to Raquel.

(Tootsie's sister, aunt, cousin, or distant relative.)

2009-11-15T09:16:00.016-07:00

THERAPY REPORT: BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

Water down. Mosquitos dead. Bigger fish. Weather OK. Cows home for the winter.

Meet my 2 of my many friends: Mr. Brown (Salmo trutta) & Mr. Rainbow (Oncorhynchus mykiss),
both about 3.5 to 4 lbs & rock solid.

Next therapy not until May 2010. Arrgggggggggg!

2009-10-06T09:02:00.002-06:00

CAPT. JIM LUCAS STOPPED BY................

A friend of mine, Jim Lucas, stopped by this weekend. We haven't met face-to-face for over 10 years. Used to work together at KP Graphics. Have stayed in touch since he moved back to Florida via e-mail sharing Photoshop and photography tricks of the trade. He's on his way back to Florida from Alaska where he is a fishing guide and Director of Marketing for Yes Bay Lodge out of Ketchikan. He left there via ferry then the cross Canada railway to Jasper, then into Northern Montana, then a 16 hour bus ride to Salt Lake. Picked him up at 4:30 am Sunday. It was a long day................ Spent the whole day yacking. Met up with another KP friend, Lynn Hewitt and didn't hit the sack until 1 am Monday.

He is a licensed USGC Captain and also guides in Florida. And works for SeaTow rescuing disabled boats.

He has a collection of camera equipment that made me cry out loud. I'm jealous! You can see some of his work at http://captjim.smugmug.com/

Good friends are worth a million bucks.

2009-09-27T12:10:00.005-06:00

THERAPY WAS A BUST!

Last weeks therapy was not successful. Dr. Brown was almost invisable as was Dr. Rainbow. Dr. Lincoln was off in the mountains somewhere playing the "Great White Hunter" with his Red Ryder bow & arrow set. Dr. Snellman was out frollicking in the hay fields. Nurse Judy was horsing around as usual.

As a result of therapy failure I'll have to go back in a couple of weeks for more (when the water is much lower).

2009-09-07T09:17:00.005-06:00

THERAPY TIME . . . AGAIN

Thinking seriously about another session. Just waiting for the water to go down and the m'skeeters to die off a skosh.

. . . and for the other patients to make up their d_ _ minds

2009-09-06T12:53:00.005-06:00

50 YEARS LATER . . .

Reunion was Friday, Sept. 4, 2009

at the home of a alumni

IT WAS A HOOT!

See the website

BY HIGH

2009-05-24T10:27:00.000-06:00

My apologies regarding the "Medical Notice" I sent recently. Most

of you "caught" in innuendo. Yes I was sick . . . with cabin fever. The condition I've had since I was about 6 was caused by my Dad teaching me how to put a worm on a hook. Gets worse every year. Like I said it's treatable but not curable. For 30+ years the therapy takes place at least twice a year at the Clark Canyon Clinic, er, Ranch in the Big Sky Country, Montana. The Beaverhead River. Most beautiful place on earth. Dr. Brown lives in the river. Dr. Lincoln owns the ranch. Dr. Snellman is the ranch manager. Nurse Judy is Dr. Snellman's wife. They all take very good care of me. I thank them for their friendship and hospitality.

John Steinbeck, in his book, "Travels With Charley in Search of America" says it best.

This trip's therapy was a lot slow . . . due to muddy runoff. Seems they've had more snowpack than anytime in about the last 7 years. Last Octobers therapy was a hell-of-alot better: In a place nicknamed "The Bay of Pigs" I stood knee deep in the same spot for 5 hours, 10 casts each hour - 8 out of 10 casts was a fish. Do the math.

This years highlight came one afternoon when I heard a horrendous thrashing coming through the willows towards me. Two gruff dogs appeared with their ears back growling & challenging me. Think fast. No place to run. Think faster. "Hi guys! Wanna play?" Their ears stood up, heads cocked abit. A curious "woof !!! woof !!!" came from one. "OK, go get a stick and lets play !" They found a stick, in fact they found several. Brought them out in the river to me and dropped them at my feet, tails waggin'. This went on for about 30 minutes. Then they disappeared. They weren't the ranch dogs. There was no one else in the vicinity. Go figure

A rare sight. Crossing a field towards the river there was a flock of about a dozen pelicans. They decided to fly away whilst my camera was saving. Rats, that was a great sight.