Blog on hold. Starting to sound pretentious. Check back later after I figure out how to talk about my rambles without sounding like a prick.
Hugs,
Earl
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Arkansas River Ramble.
A couple of weeks ago I had a day off from the four grey walls and decided to jump into my auto and head West. My intention was to get in on some of the "crazy, ballistic, jumping out of the water" fishing that was supposedly happening out towards Salida, CO on the Arkansas River.
I used to guide on the Arkansas, albeit miles above Salida just above the lovely mountain town of Buena Vista. I used to do pretty well up there. My clients always caught fish in sometimes difficult weather and wading conditions, and when it was my turn to fish I generated some really good days for myself.
Funny thing is, ever since I left BV the Arkansas has been my nemesis. It's like she's pissed off that I left her for the Front Range and is withholding all trout from me. But I thought I'd give her a whirl.
I hit the road fairly early and gawked at the sunrise in my rear view mirror as I rolled over the big hills. I started rumbling pretty bad, so I kept an eye out for some sort of town that might have an eat 'em up joint serving biscuits and gravy in particular. I've been on this road before, but couldn't remember if there was any civilization to speak of...especially the kind of civilization selling hot breakfast.
My radio, which was set on "scan" made a full loop through the channels before getting caught by 93.7, "The River Rat" http://www.ksbv.net/. The Rat is the perfect radio station for up in the middle of the mountains. I was introduced to it by some fellow fly fishing guides in BV a few years ago. The completely local station plays a mix of classic rock, mostly obscure or "deep" tracks, which is essentially new music to a lot of people. It was the perfect way to end a long day on the water with some cool people over quite a few beers. And now, I listen again to Leon Russell, Little Feat, and the Stones before the DJ (can't remember his name...) rants on about local politics in Salida...and then plays a commercial for the "Cannabis Connection", a medicinal marijuana dispensary. That's a real radio station. It's the best radio station.
Then, over the hill I came upon Baily, CO and the Cutthroat Cafe, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner (157 Main St, Bailey, Colorado 80421(303) 816-5099). Fucking A. Bs & Gs? You bet. But it was the hashbrowns, surprisingly, that stole the show. None of that frozen Ore Ida crap. A cup of coffee, glass of orange juice, and a plate of happiness later, I got back on the road.
Unfortunately when I got to the river, it was rolling hard. I noticed a lot of wet weather tributaries muddying up the water and making it difficult to wade and fish. On top of that, I had 45 mph winds trying to sink me. How's that for excuses? If you're wondering, she's still pissed at me. One fish...about a 16 incher, which I didn't even land. We call that a "quick release".
I decided to head back up to Buena Vista to my old stomping grounds, confident that there would be a bit more action. There was not. Same result...nada. Probably a good idea that I stopped guiding...
Although the fishing was tough, I saw some beautiful things. Like the snow storm brewing over Mt. Princeton; the elk herd stopping traffic in front of me; several enormous rainbows spawning, obviously much more interested in humping than eating. And I met some cool people, like the sheriff that pulled me over for speeding. Never had a cop talk to me about fishing for 10 minutes on the side of the road. "...the golden stones are starting to hatch below Salida in the canyon. A buddy of mine got a 17 and 22 a couple days ago...oh yea, I'm going to go ahead and give you a ticket, but I'm reducing it to the minimum fine. Good luck!" Nice guy.
Oh yea, and seeing as how I'm pimping products that helped my excursion...if you ever want to pick up a pair of new waders, buy Patagonia http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/product/patagonia-guidewater-waders-regular?p=82645-0-050. I'm going on five seasons of putting them through hell. Sliding down rock embankments, traipsing through briar patches, bushwhacking to the river...they're still holding up remarkably well. They didn't help me catch any damn fish though.
.
I used to guide on the Arkansas, albeit miles above Salida just above the lovely mountain town of Buena Vista. I used to do pretty well up there. My clients always caught fish in sometimes difficult weather and wading conditions, and when it was my turn to fish I generated some really good days for myself.
Funny thing is, ever since I left BV the Arkansas has been my nemesis. It's like she's pissed off that I left her for the Front Range and is withholding all trout from me. But I thought I'd give her a whirl.
I hit the road fairly early and gawked at the sunrise in my rear view mirror as I rolled over the big hills. I started rumbling pretty bad, so I kept an eye out for some sort of town that might have an eat 'em up joint serving biscuits and gravy in particular. I've been on this road before, but couldn't remember if there was any civilization to speak of...especially the kind of civilization selling hot breakfast.
My radio, which was set on "scan" made a full loop through the channels before getting caught by 93.7, "The River Rat" http://www.ksbv.net/. The Rat is the perfect radio station for up in the middle of the mountains. I was introduced to it by some fellow fly fishing guides in BV a few years ago. The completely local station plays a mix of classic rock, mostly obscure or "deep" tracks, which is essentially new music to a lot of people. It was the perfect way to end a long day on the water with some cool people over quite a few beers. And now, I listen again to Leon Russell, Little Feat, and the Stones before the DJ (can't remember his name...) rants on about local politics in Salida...and then plays a commercial for the "Cannabis Connection", a medicinal marijuana dispensary. That's a real radio station. It's the best radio station.
Then, over the hill I came upon Baily, CO and the Cutthroat Cafe, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner (157 Main St, Bailey, Colorado 80421(303) 816-5099). Fucking A. Bs & Gs? You bet. But it was the hashbrowns, surprisingly, that stole the show. None of that frozen Ore Ida crap. A cup of coffee, glass of orange juice, and a plate of happiness later, I got back on the road.
Unfortunately when I got to the river, it was rolling hard. I noticed a lot of wet weather tributaries muddying up the water and making it difficult to wade and fish. On top of that, I had 45 mph winds trying to sink me. How's that for excuses? If you're wondering, she's still pissed at me. One fish...about a 16 incher, which I didn't even land. We call that a "quick release".
I decided to head back up to Buena Vista to my old stomping grounds, confident that there would be a bit more action. There was not. Same result...nada. Probably a good idea that I stopped guiding...
Although the fishing was tough, I saw some beautiful things. Like the snow storm brewing over Mt. Princeton; the elk herd stopping traffic in front of me; several enormous rainbows spawning, obviously much more interested in humping than eating. And I met some cool people, like the sheriff that pulled me over for speeding. Never had a cop talk to me about fishing for 10 minutes on the side of the road. "...the golden stones are starting to hatch below Salida in the canyon. A buddy of mine got a 17 and 22 a couple days ago...oh yea, I'm going to go ahead and give you a ticket, but I'm reducing it to the minimum fine. Good luck!" Nice guy.
Oh yea, and seeing as how I'm pimping products that helped my excursion...if you ever want to pick up a pair of new waders, buy Patagonia http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/product/patagonia-guidewater-waders-regular?p=82645-0-050. I'm going on five seasons of putting them through hell. Sliding down rock embankments, traipsing through briar patches, bushwhacking to the river...they're still holding up remarkably well. They didn't help me catch any damn fish though.
.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Offspring.
It's been brought to my attention by a friend of mine that my desire to ramble and sample and see different things in different places is more or less a pipe dream for those who have children.
I realize that I have certain freedoms in my life currently that many people do not. I do not have kids. Now, seeing as how I am kidless, the last thing I'm going to do is preach about what can and can't be done if you have kids.
I have never been a parent, but I have been a kid with parents. I've been a kid who's parents took him outside at an early age.
One of my fondest early memories are of me, my dad, and my uncle (my dad and uncle are both fantastic fly fishermen) sitting at the Montauk Lodge on breakfast bar stools having a plate of biscuits and gravy before we drive up to the Spring Hole to start the day. I was eight or nine probably, waders three sizes too big for me. But even at a young age, I knew that these two guys were really good at what they did--which happened to be fly fishing. And they treated me with the respect of not only an "apprentice" so to speak, but more so an equal.
I have extremely early, vague memories of going out into the lake in a boat with my family. I was too young to fish, but I still have memories of it. I remember the inside of the aluminum boat. Dad casting towards the bank. Sitting on my mom's lap. It was really windy, so I remember hunkering down inside the boat. I was two...and I still remember it.
I have endless memories of growing up that would most certainly be considered rambling. The two stories above, to me, are proof that you can still ramble around to different places and check out different things that are out there...even if you have kids. My folks did.
If one day I ever have children, I plan on including them as much as I can in my (our) little adventures. It doesn't matter how young they are, they'll remember it in some sense. And whether they realize it or not, it will help shape who they are. At least it did with me.
The art of rambling is different for me now than it will be when I have kids. But I do not intend to stop. I just plan on adjusting. Sure, you've got to go to soccer games and Lego Land, but there's no reason you can't take your kiddos to the lake, to the river, on a hike, or on a little roadtrip.
Ramble with the fam, and let me know how it goes. I'm going to be adjusting my rambling styles sooner than later, so I would definitely like to hear your stories.
That's my ramble for the day...in one definition of the term.
.
I realize that I have certain freedoms in my life currently that many people do not. I do not have kids. Now, seeing as how I am kidless, the last thing I'm going to do is preach about what can and can't be done if you have kids.
I have never been a parent, but I have been a kid with parents. I've been a kid who's parents took him outside at an early age.
One of my fondest early memories are of me, my dad, and my uncle (my dad and uncle are both fantastic fly fishermen) sitting at the Montauk Lodge on breakfast bar stools having a plate of biscuits and gravy before we drive up to the Spring Hole to start the day. I was eight or nine probably, waders three sizes too big for me. But even at a young age, I knew that these two guys were really good at what they did--which happened to be fly fishing. And they treated me with the respect of not only an "apprentice" so to speak, but more so an equal.
I have extremely early, vague memories of going out into the lake in a boat with my family. I was too young to fish, but I still have memories of it. I remember the inside of the aluminum boat. Dad casting towards the bank. Sitting on my mom's lap. It was really windy, so I remember hunkering down inside the boat. I was two...and I still remember it.
I have endless memories of growing up that would most certainly be considered rambling. The two stories above, to me, are proof that you can still ramble around to different places and check out different things that are out there...even if you have kids. My folks did.
If one day I ever have children, I plan on including them as much as I can in my (our) little adventures. It doesn't matter how young they are, they'll remember it in some sense. And whether they realize it or not, it will help shape who they are. At least it did with me.
The art of rambling is different for me now than it will be when I have kids. But I do not intend to stop. I just plan on adjusting. Sure, you've got to go to soccer games and Lego Land, but there's no reason you can't take your kiddos to the lake, to the river, on a hike, or on a little roadtrip.
Ramble with the fam, and let me know how it goes. I'm going to be adjusting my rambling styles sooner than later, so I would definitely like to hear your stories.
That's my ramble for the day...in one definition of the term.
.
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