Spring has sprung......

Although few seem to have acknowledged it to this point, spring appears to have arrived (at least in Meridian, ID). Sure, it still freezes at night - but with day after day after day of sunshine and 50 + degree weather, it's prime early-spring fishing weather. Add to that a new rod (see previous posts), and a lack of runoff from a mild winter, and you get one happy angler. Last week I hit eastern Oregon's Owyhee River twice, and the fishing was pretty good - as usual for this time of year, dry fly action came from midges - those tiny little flies that seem to able to hatch no matter how cold it is. Size twenty Griffith's gnats did the trick!  Naturally, I don't see the need to dig my camera out for every fish - here are a few that I made an exception for:

Workplace Oasis

This is an overdue post.  A few months back, I was selected to be a company commander for my job with the National Guard.  All that really means for this audience is that my hair will become (is already becoming?) gray much quicker than it normally would have, and that I will, at some point, get promoted to Captain.  However my incredible wife Bridgette, who has an amazing knack for gift-giving, got me this cool shadow box as a gift so that I could display some of my flies at my office. 

I spent some quality time around Christmas tying some flies, and she created me some very nice looking labels for them.  Several hours, one fish picture, and a trip to the craft store for some cork later, and here is the result:  It’s so nice to be able to look at my wall and be taken to another place entirely, and it’s very nice to be lucky enough to have a spouse who understands my addiction to fly fishing!  Thanks for the work oasis, Honey! 

the (4) weight is over....

The time had finally arrived for me to own and fish with a 4 weight - something I have not done in quite some time.  As usual, I decided to build rather than to buy, and boy am I glad I did!  This rod turned out great - not only does it look great, but it casts incredibly well.  The theme for this rod was subdued - matte blank, gun metal thread, dark titanium carbide guides and reel seat accented with a beautiful box elder burled insert.  Can't wait to take it to the water!