Carmichael's Position

Happy 2nd Anniversary to Me and Ginger!

Today marks the 2nd year I’ve been married to a great gal!  Ginger and I have been together for over 12 years, and a couple of years ago we decided to “Make it Official.” 

We tied the knot at a small chapel in Golden Colorado on a bright clear cool October afternoon… hmmm… much like the weather is here today.  Well from that point on, we have been “Husband and Wife” and it has been great!  Not much has changed in our daily lives since that time, other than having to remember to introduce Ginger as “My Wife” which is getting easier, and hearing Ginger still stop herself when she occasionally introduces herself as “Ginger Perk…. Carmichael”.

Thanks buddy for a great 2 years! And look forward to countless more!  Love you!

-John

Never being one to shy away from self ridicule… I’m not the only one who remembered our Anniversary… nope… Our friend Linda thought it would be fun to send us a “JibJab” card.  Heheh… I would NEVER do something like this to any of my friends!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Thanks Linda!

Back From My First Tailhook Reunion and Symposium

As most of you know, a couple of years ago I took on the task of creating, writing, editing, and taking photos for the Tailhook Association’s blog, “The Tailhook Daily Briefing.”  In the two years I have been the editor, the blog has received over a quarter of a million hits and is regularly landed on hundreds of times daily as the number one return on various Google and Yahoo searches.  All very gratifying for me as I try to give something back the some of my greatest heroes, Naval Aviators.

Well, earlier this year I was informed I had been nominated for “Honorary Tailhooker of the Year” for my efforts.  I can never be nominated for “Tailhooker of the Year” as I am not an aviator, nor do I have any traps or cat shots to my name.  (Maybe someday…).  I was honored by the nomination, hell some of the past winners of the award are former Secretaries of the Navy for God’s sake!  Who wouldn’t welcome being included in such revered  company?

About a month ago, I was informed by “Tag” Ostertag (Naval Aviator Extraordinaire … and not just in his mind!) that I had indeed won the award, and that I was expected to be in Reno to receive my plaque at the Saturday awards lunch.  Again, I was floored!  And Honored! And humbled!

Wow…

So come this past September 10th, Ginger and I fly out to Reno, to attend my first (Ginger’s too for that matter) Tailhook Annual Reunion and Symposium.  I am glad I went.

We met up in Reno with my long time friend and fellow Tailhooker, Ken Schoeni, (actually Ken has been a Tailhooker longer than I have).  Ken was kind enough to help me take care of a few awkward logistic issues as I would be unable to arrive until late on Thursday night, and would need our registration materials early Friday Morning as we headed off from Reno to see the Blue Angels perform at the September 11th Remembrance NAS Fallon Airshow.

The Airshow was fantastic, Severe Clear and Beer! No better way to see an airshow! 

After the show, we boogied back in the bus to Reno to attend the Bug Roach Mixer.  A great cocktail party where Hawaiian Shirts and Flight Suits are the Uniform of the Day.  It is a great, cocktail fueled, party where one really has the opportunity to meet and greet the greatest pilots and NFO’s on the planet.

Seriously, I met up with dozens of old acquaintances and made an equal number of new friends at this year’s event.  I ran into a number of folks who are good friends of my Mom and Dad, as well as many familiar faces I had met at the Colorado Tailhooker parties Hans and Kathy Schmoldt have thrown at their ranch in Grand Junction.  Old Home week does not do it justice.

Every night is late night at Tailhook, after the scheduled events everyone regroups at the “Admin Rooms” to continue the camaraderie, the lie story telling competitions, accompanied by various bar games and the obligatory adult beverages!  I’m pretty sure one of the communities was serving up Cubi Cocktails AKA Radford Specials!  Wow, that’ll put hair on your feet!

We returned to our Hotel much much earlier than the young JO’s and somewhat older LCDRs in the crowd, leaving the olympic drinking events to those better able, and wanting… to deal with the after effects of such activities.  Even so it was well after midnight before we turned in. 

The next day after grabbing a few extra winks I headed back to the Nugget (we were staying in the Silver Legacy), but as I hailed a cab, at 10:00am mind you, who should get out but a LCDR and LT I had chatted briefly with at the Mixer the previous evening… they were just rolling in!  And were planning to return to forward battle area by noon!  IN—TREP—ID!

The warm up act before the lunch was the symposium session on “Pushing the Edge of the Envelope” which had current and former Blue Angels on one side pitted against Topgun Aviators on the other!  No better stories to be told than when on the opposing side is the “Oh Yeah?” gang.  I promise to post  few of those tails over at TDB in the future.

Next came the awards lunch, where all sorts of achievement awards were handed to the deserving flight crews, for bombing excellence, missile accuracy, most carrier landings (Traps), 1,000 trap milestones… etc.  And finally the Honorary Tailhooker of the Year.  There were two recipients this year, Mr. Woody Sales, a man who coordinated more Distinguished Visitors tours of carriers this year than anyone else, and insured that countless crewmembers of the USS Roosevelt received free passes to the Ryder Cup Golf Tournament last year!

And then me… 

Wow, what an honor.  I was presented the award by Vice Admiral Thomas Kilcline Jr., Commander, Naval Air Forces, COMNAVAIRPAC, RADM Jay Campbell, Capt Russ ‘Galdis’ Knight

Seriously, I am humbled by the honor.  I love being a Tailhooker, and contributing where I can.  I may not be able to fly for this great nation but maybe I can contribute something on behalf of those who do. 

After the Awards Lunch, the Admiral’s Briefing followed, this is really the event to attend!  It is comprised of a number of Admirals in the Air Navy chain of command, and is the opportunity for a Honest “No Holds Barred” Q&A session of the Navy Leadership.  Cuts to the quick. 

And then the final event of the Reunion is the Formal Banquet.  Where Ginger and I sat with Hans and Kathy, and had the fortune to sit with the CO and XO of VAQ-140 charming men both, and Capt. “Sterls” Gilliam, one of the officers of Tailhook, and one of the most complimentary gentlemen I could have had the fortune of sitting next to.  It made for a great evening of stories and general conversation.

We stayed up late into the morning that night as well, and after Saturday merged into Sunday, and we managed to capture a few hours of shut-eye… not nearly enough… we bid farewell to Reno, and the 2009 Tailhook Reunion, promising to return for 2010’s shindig!

Fish’n the Gunnison

Went camp’n this weekend.  My buddies Scooter and Trevor have a timeshare campsite just outside Gunnison Colorado, right along the Blue Mesa Reservoir.  They asked a bunch of us if we wanted to go fly fishing on the Gunnison and then hole up at their campsite. 

Sure… sounds like fun.

And man was it…  We drove the 186 miles from Denver to the site late Friday night after we all got off work.  Splatting millions of bugs in the process…

Scooter and Trevor had gone out Friday early morning to get things set up at the site, good thing too, cuz Ginger, Clay, Dan and I didn’t make it until about 10:30 that evening.  It’s nice to have friends who will set your tent up for you so you won’t have to do it in the dark.

We enjoyed a couple of ales and the warmth of the campfire as we all unwound from our busy week.  I had forgotten how mentally soothing camping can be.

The next day was leisurely… woke up whenever, then proceeded to drive into the town of Gunnison (about 10 miles away) to grab a couple bags of ice and stock up on Go Juice at the local Starbucks…There’s a limit to “Roughing It!”

After we all enjoyed our caffeine fix we loaded up the truck with our fishing gear and headed for the Gunnison River.  Even Ginger was going to try her luck at fly fishing.  With competent teachers like Trevor and Clay, she was in good hands and despite striking out, her form continually improved and she claims to have had fun.  We fished for about 5 hours, enjoying the cool water running past our legs as we tried to hook the big’un!

 

 

Me?  Unlike my last fly fishing excursion, I did not strike out this time.  In fact I caught the most for the day.  Six!  4 fairly small 6-8” and a couple 10-12”!  Clay laded the biggest at around 15 inches.

After our stint on the river, we headed back to the camp site, got cleaned up, then relaxed and enjoyed some grilled bratwursts and marinated chicken.

After the sun went down we sat around the obligatory campfire and pretty much tried to make each other laugh beer and s’mores out our noses!  All in all, a good way to send a Saturday…  Stepping away from the fire, I looked up to see some of the brightest stars around, one of the advantages of being 180 miles from the nearest city. (The images below were taken with a 30 second exposure, the camp fire adds the red hue to the trees and I hit the trees with a flash light to bring ‘em out a bit in the image.

Indeed a great way to decompress…

More images here [Link]

Sunday on the Big Thompson

Colorado unquestionably has some incredible scenery, and Estes Park, near Rocky Mountain National Park is some of the most majestic.  14,000 foot peaks surround! 

Three buddies of mine and I took this day and headed to the Big Thompson River that winds its way down from Rocky Mountain National into the great plains of the US to do some more fly fishing before the season escapes us.

I personally got shut out this time… Trevor, Clay and Scooter all pulled a few Brown and Rainbow trout from the river.  Even some decent sized ones this time.  Here’s the obligatory images:

Above, Scooter draws some line prepping for a magnificent cast.  And below is Trevor’s first catch of the day, a nice sized Brownie…

   

And alas Clay (below) was not to be shut out… hauling in a monster 5 inch rainbow!

Hell… Clay’s cigar was bigger than the fish!

And finally YHS… casting once again in hopes to not land another record setting tree, rock or weed… But then again I’m the only Manly one not wearing waders and who didn’t order a nine word cup of coffee this morning!

And to close a few of the Colorado scenery from today…

Y’all ought to try a little Colorado now and again… c’mon in the water’s fine…

Jo and Hoagy Celebrate 50 Years of Marriage

Ginger and I made a trip to Jacksonville this past weekend to surprise Mom and Dad as they celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on the 28th! 

Gin and I took the red-eye into Orlando (the most direct and inexpensive) then drove up to Jax, placing us on Mom and Dad’s doorstep promptly at 9:00am Saturday Morning (the day before the official day).  We rang the bell and waited… the expression on Mom’s face was priceless!

We spent the rest of Saturday helping my Sister and Brother in Law and many other volunteers prepping for the reception on Sunday.  We ended up having over 200 people in attendance at their auspicious occasion!  It was great!  I’ll have more pics to share in the next post, but I’m a bit pressed for time right now.  But to put is simply…

Here’s to you Mom & Dad!  Congratulations on 50 years of Matrimony!

            HAPPY 50th Mom & Dad!

Here’s to 50 more!

When will you all have had enough?

According to Bloomberg:

Democrats Weigh Health Mandate as Obama Urges Taxing Wealthy

President Barack Obama wants Congress to consider taxing the wealthy instead of workers to pay for a health-care overhaul, as House Democrats discuss a plan to require health insurance for most Americans. 

This is getting to be sickening.  Oh… we’ll just do anything we damn well please and have the rich pay for it! 

Anyone notice that the Connotative Definition of “The Rich” is becoming a lower and lower net worth?  I don’t know about you, but when I was growing up “Rich” was usually associated with a “Millionaire” today the current Administration and their media lapdogs seem to define “Rich” as anyone making a quarter of that!!!  (or a Republican!)

According to the 16th Amendment of the Constitution,

The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

Who’s brilliant idea was this?  Let’s tax our citizenry, unfairly into oblivion, so we can create a well meaning communist state where everyone is taken care of by the government whether they are a citizen or not!

Enough is enough, ever since the socialists in today’s media (meaning News Organizations and Hollywood) started ignoring the strength of the individual to set one’s own destiny, and began worshiping every special interest feel-good infinitely expensive social program to ease their guilty consciences about making so much unearned money, hypocritically screaming that we are a Plutocracy and that a socially conscious government is needed to “Make Everything Fair and Equitable!”  we have begun our down hill slide to the manure pit we find ourselves in today.

I’ve got news for you Ignorant Whale Worshiping Turds!  Fairness is NOT the responsibility of this or any other government!!!!  And healthcare for everyone is not the responsibility of the government either!  Where people got this misguided idea is beyond me. 

YOU are RESPONSIBLE for YOU!!!! Not the Government!!!  Empowering the government will only weaken you as an individual!  But I guess that is what you want.

Everyone keeps referring to “The Government” as some magnanimous, omnipotent overlord that will save us from ourselves.  It is anything but!  The government is made up primarily of thousands of narcissistic arrogant power-hungry authoritarian ignorant arrogant selfish humans!  I say primarily because I’m still not sure exactly WHAT Nancy Pelosi is but “Human” is questionable!

If you think fairness will be doled out by “The Government” like treats at Halloween, I am saddened by your naiveté, and disheartened about our prospect for a stable and successful future.

YOU are responsible for YOU!!!!! Repeat after me!  OBAMA does not know better than me how to take care of me!!!!!!!

We as Americans need to find a return to LESS GOVERNMENT intervention into our lives, not more.  These elected Narcissists are not our salvation!  It is impossible for them to care for all or even one of us! All they want is their own job, where they get to dictate terms to we the masses!  This is OUR NATION people!  Not Obama’s, or Nancy’s or George’s!  This government is to act at the behest of We the People, for the people.

JFK beseeched us to “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country!”  If Jack was the intellectually honest man I’d like to believe he was, he would be outraged at where we have gone as a nation of ignorance.

But for we ignorant, to think for an instant that those elected political figures’ interests are anything but their own power, and that “Obama be Praised” we’ll all be provided for because it will only cost the “Rich” whoever they are to make this happen… well we will shortly see the demise of the United States of America as a powerful nation.  Which will be wholly satisfying to the Democrats and the Communists and the Socialists who live here in the United States and yet worship Europe and the UN as something more intelligent and promising.  For it is these elitist scumbags that view the United States as two types of classes, Academic Enlightened or the Rednecks that must be repressed. 

These so-called and negatively branded “Rich” of the United States made this  country!  They are not evil, they are not unethical, they are going to get tired of being the TEET of the American Government, and as such will find a way to leave this great nation to it’s own demise.  The rich can be counted on for taking care of themselves… they always have and always will.  If you think this makes them immoral or unethical, I pity you, you are an envious idiot. 

We should all strive to be happy and content in our lives, but know that LIFE IS NOT FAIR and no amount of government intervention can make it fair!  If you want to be rich, go be rich!  Get an education, invent something, start a business, work hard for someone… but take care of yourself, your family and your friends in that order, and you will reap what you sow.

If I were wealthy in the United States (Making over $250,000 per year) I would seriously be considering moving myself, my family, and any of my businesses to a more “individual” friendly country that celebrated “Limited Government” and protected free thought and banned the phrase “Politically Correct”.  Oh and banned Al Gore too!

Feline Oblivious… or things you won’t see on Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom!

Was letting our 11 year old Balinese cat “Pudge” out to enjoy some of the sun we have here in Denver today, when I looked out in the yard and saw this little guy lounging in the newly mown lawn…

Pudge had not yet seen yon interloper chill’n in her territory (a function of her not being able to see over the patio enclosure).  So I connected Pudge to her 30 foot leash… yes we leash this cat, since she is known to explore the entire state of Colorado if left to her own volition!  I then opened the patio gate fully expecting an immediate recognition of the prey in the yard and then the powerful predatory explosion of speed and dexterity from Pudge… I got neither…

Pudge, proceeded to meander, might have been a mosey, out into the grass immediately turning away from the fun to be had with new play toy, focusing instead on performing her best bovine impersonation and chowing down on some new grass.

The “Play Toy” realizing his potential lot in life, and looking for all the world like he had been given a mulligan… was much more in tuned with his situation.

Alas he did what good prey does in the presence of nimble, explosive, grass eating furry pillows… he froze!

Pudge continued with her salad!

So here’s the grand picture:

Shortly after Pudge finished her salad, the sun was beginning to warm up this small sasquatch to the point she decided to proceed toward her favorite shade of the nearby pine.  Yes that same shade the “Play Toy” is enjoying.  Ok this ought to get good now!  I’ve got the camera ready!

Now this next shot may look like Pudge has a bead on the rabbit… nope she’s focused on the pine tree’s shade.

It is not until she crosses the shade’s threshold that the rabbit has had enough and bolts!  “Exit Stage Right!”

Pudge was completely surprised by the rabbit!  Not a clue it was there!  When  “Bugs” bolted, Pudge reacted… only a lot late!  I missed the shot because it happened so quickly but here is the immediate aftermath.

Ahhhh…  The lessons of opportunities lost due to lack of situational awareness.  Better luck next time Pudge… 

516 Months Old!

Yep just passed one of those non-milestone birthdays, This past Saturday we celebrated my 43rd year of being on this marble, so we did what I have often done on my birthday… we headed to Vegas Baby!

Ginger and I met up with a couple of great friends while out there to help us celebrate.  Tim and Maria joined us from Bucks County PA and Bob and Karyn from here in Denver met up with us for a great dinner at Hugo’s Basement! 

I love Vegas, I think the opportunity to get away to the adult Disneyland should be enjoyed by all, there is plenty to do there for everyone Shopping, Gambling, Lounging by the pool, Eating in world class restaurants, seeing great shows, it's all there, and we partook…

We booked our stay in the Wynn, I had heard great things about the resort and wanted to try it out, (Tim and Maria booked there too) but when we arrived Ginger and I learned that we were not actually in the Wynn, but rather we were in the sister hotel “The Encore” where it turned out we were booked in a suite!

SAWEET!

Here’s what our view looked like (I didn’t bring the “Big” camera so please forgive me on the image quality of these today…)

Very nice indeed…  I won’t go into all the nitty gritty details after all “What happens in Vegas… etc…” But I have begun to recognize that I am getting older and that my tolerance for 22 year old juveniles is waning… when they drink they seem to bypass entertaining and leap directly to obnoxious, good thing me and my friends were never like that! ;-)

Places we ate: 

• Emeril’s in the MGM!  5 Stars…! Mmmmmm Yah Babe! 3 words “Banana Creme Pie!
• In & Out Burger!  A must have for we transplanted Californians! Double Double withdrawals are horrendous!
• And a special thanks to Karyn and Bob for introducing us to Hugo’s Basement, located in the 4 Queens in Downtown… yep THAT 4 Queens! in THAT Downtown! Trust me!!! It is like walking though a “Classiness Portal” going from the casino floor with flip-flop clad Ricco Soave's in their “wife-beater t-shits” to the Rat Pack Gin Club ambiance of Hugo’s Basement! To Die for food and service!  The Escargot was superb, my NY steak was perfect and according to Ginger the Chilean Sea Bass was the best she has had in ages!  Thanks again Bob and Karyn, for great food with great company!!!!

On Saturday Tim, Maria Ginger and I went to the Mirage and watched the Cirque du Soleil tribute to the Beatles, “Love”.  Actually “watched” is the wrong term… more like “experienced”.   Great show!  To put it simply… GO!

 

The rest of the time was spent doing the usual Vegas thing… hanging out by the pool, making the girls walk for MILES in their heels just so we could REALLY understand why people DRINK! (BTW…The Wynn-Encore pools serve up a great Bloody Mary!) And losing money at the Blackjack table and Video Poker Machines, where let me tell you, if a 4 card royal flush paid off… I’d be rich!

Sometimes I’m an Idiot

I used to give my wife (and any other female friends of mine) all sorts of grief every time they would even begin to contemplate “Doing their own hair color”… I would rationally explain that…

“Lemme get this right, first you’re going to go down to Safeway, buy a do-it-yourself hair coloring kit, come home stink up the bathroom as you make the attempt at getting ‘perfect shiny auburn’ hair (just like the chick on the box) only to discover that ‘Baboon Butt Copper’ is not the same color as ‘Silky Auburn’… after your tears have subsided I will NOT be allowed to say ‘I told you so’ and will be fully expected to promptly and completely understand you’re need to now head to the salon to pay $200.00+ dollars to correct your mistake when it would have cost you $75.00 to get it done professionally in the first place.”

Ok… men don’t BS me you’ve all been there (in some form or another).  I vow I will never even be tempted to toss the ol’ “I told you so” line again in similar circumstances.  Why?  Cuz I’m an Idiot…

You all may remember a few posts back about the recent addition to the Casa De Carmichael garage of a beautiful 2005 BMW Z4 Roadster.  Great car by the way… loving it!

Well, it being a “used” car and all it had a few minor (and I stress minor) blemishes.  One in particular kept bothering me… in much the same way as that one out of place hair will drive my wife nuts as she gets ready to go someplace… on the hood of the car was a small gouge (possibly a deep rock chip) that went all the way down to the metal.  The previous owner made an attempt (poor) at patching it.  I felt I could do better – see title of this post if you want to understand the coming plot--- as I have airbrush skills and an airbrush!  Forget that I have never tried a paint repair on a car before, have never shot lacquer through my airbrush and certainly never dealt with thick as snot clear coat.  But I have the INTERNET!

I read up on all the processes required to patch a paint chip and how to deal with metallic finishes, how to properly sand, smooth and prep and area to be refinished.  I even read the cautions about painting areas like “The Hood” and that it is best left to professionals!  -- see post title once again…

Well, hell I couldn’t leave well enough alone, I gave it a shot.  Amazing how rapidly a repair spot grows when you apply 1000 grit wet dry paper to the finish of your BMW.  I’m not scared!  I’m an IDIOT after all!

I get the gouge mostly smoothed out… sanding is actually the easy part of this repair.  I then have to tackle the repainting.  Now most weekend warriors would have just gone to the auto parts store and bought patch paint, and dabbed the paint into the scratch and called it good.  That looks like crap by the way…  not me baby!  I purchased the exact BMW color and clear coat from the BMW guys (Toledo Blue Metallic for those of you interested and still reading) It comes in a small metal tube with a fingernail polish style brush in it.  Not how I plan to apply it… Knowing this stuff is going to have to be thinned to spray it through my airbrush I head to the Auto-store and pick me up some lacquer thinner.  By the way I do use my airbrush in my model building and am familiar with spraying paints… not a big fan of glosses though… very tricky…  But, yep, I’m an Idiot!

Now my gouges that were the size of a couple of mating sesame seeds have been altered to the size of a McNugget and ready for me to try to blend the new Toledo Blue Metallic with the old… Hehehhe… man am I an Idiot!  4 attempts later I actually succeed in getting the color about right, the problem is that getting any kind of smooth transition between old and new is as easy as finding Paris Hilton’s virginity!

1,800 grit wet dry sand paper to the rescue!  Actually it sort of- kinda- in a vague way worked to blend the lines.  Now for the clear coat.  After a brief experiment off the car I rapidly came to the conclusion that no amount of thinning would reduce the clear provided in the fingernail polish style to what I needed to apply through the airbrush… an Idiot has to know his limitations! So back off to the auto parts store to by me a SPRAY can of clear coat!  Now I’m thinking!

Having visited the internet I specifically remember reading that it is important to blend clear coats to panel lines if possible.   Hmmm… I can go to the quarter panel and the nose but up the hood toward the windshield is not going to be easy.  Eh… I’ll give it a shot! 

The clear went on pretty easily actually and sure enough livened up the paint finish!  But damn, blending that with the rest of the car’s clear was… well… impossible! 

After letting it set for a couple of days I knew I had to find a way to blend the lines between old and new finishes.  And was smart enough to know that any of my fine grains of wet-dry paper were out of the question.   Rubbing compound!  That ought to do it! 

Refer to Post Title…

So… after consulting the INTERNET again I found a local highly respected auto body shop that could repaint my hood and quarter panels guaranteeing a color match and finish match for the life of the car.  All for just under a grand!

I got the car back today… It looks beautiful!  Lesson learned… Actually I’m thinking of taking it out tonight to the local Safeway to get some do-it-yourself blond hair coloring!

After my Idiocy (left)                                                After the Pro (Right)

And now all is better in the Casa De Carmichael Garage…

Sometimes… Sheesh!

Sunday on the Creek

Needed me a breather from being life’s dart board.  So I talked a couple of buddies into helping me break in my birthday present… that they (Clay, Scooter and Trevor) all went in on. 

My new fly rod!

Unfortunately Clay had to play domesticated man beast today and could not join us for our sojourn into the fine offerings of the Great Rocky Mountains.  (Next time for sure Clay!)

The unencumbered 3 we, headed to the local creeks (would be “streams” back east and “rivers” in Texas… we grow ‘em big here in Colorado when the snow begins to melt!) to test our early season luck at pulling a few trout from the rushing waters.

Tough fishing it was today, the creeks were running pretty fast as the temperatures climbed into the mid 70’s in the Mountains (even though Trevor’s Suburban’s thermometer read only 69… we all think it was broken) melting high country snows in very short order.  So the goal was to try to find as calm a water as possible.  Definitely not easy today!

We tooled around looking along the flows for patches of calm amongst the torrents… and found a few. 

On our first stop, we rigged up my new rod with my newly acquired reel and fly line, and decided based on the conditions at hand we’d go “nymph” fishing…

“Hell’s Bells! are them’s in season?!!!  Who knew!”

I was quickly educated by Trevor, our veteran guide, that a “nymph” is a specific type of fly designed to sink below the surface of the water instead of float on top like a “Dry Fly".  “Ya see, John a nymph is a “Stage” in a young bugs life.”

“Many humans too,”  I replied!

Anyway, we rigged up and I tried my luck again at fly fishing trying to look proper all the while trying not to whip my fly to a supersonic departure! I succeeded for the most part.

Once again I found myself not fully trusting this whole “Fly Fishing” thing, I grew up using this stuff called BAIT on a open bale casting rod.   Salt water and lake fishing were my forte’.  So I still find this whole fooling a fish to think a bunch of yarn, thread, beads and feathers lashed to a REALLY SMALL hook that looked to be stolen from mom’s sewing kit, is pretty much done with special effects on those “Outdoors” shows on TV.  Color me suspicious still, even though I proved to myself last year that these Trout will indeed bite a bunch of creatively named feathered hooks floating on the surface.  Now I have to sink the feathers!  And trust that the damned fish can actually see, under water, in a stream moving as fast as the traffic on the nearby road, a hook that I damn near needed an electron microscope to strap to the end of my line!

Yeah… this’ll work!

After a dozen or so flicks of the wrist and trying to keep my rod tip high, in full preparation for the strike I really thought would never happen… the miracle happened!  A trout grabbed the nymph and headed off… rapidly!  I tried to set the hook be alas this small fish out maneuvered me and spit… although I cannot picture a trout hauking a loogie… but that’s what he did, he SPIT! said microscopic showgirl feathered hook right back at me!  And promptly headed off to tell all his other fish buddies what a dumb idea it is to bite a feather’d and beaded hook from John’s mom’s sewing kit!  My fishing friends were doomed! 

After many more failed attempts at catching any other trout from that spot we decided to move on to a different patch of stream, actually a different creek altogether, we moved from Bear Creek to Clear Creek where we had had luck in the fall.  Again initial attempts proved fruitless (fishless too for that matter).  But at our second stop along the new creek I was no longer to be shut out!  I managed to catch!  ON A “Nymph” mind you!  This MONSTER! 

Yeah… I know!  I used to use stuff this size for BAIT!  But it did serve to prove that one can indeed catch… ehemm… a fish on feathers and sewing seconds!

This was our combined total for the day!  ONE!  No shutout! Despite the fast flowing waters! 

Actually I am looking forward to trying my luck at this great outdoors pastime more in the coming months.  It really is fun, and the scenery really cannot be beat!  Especially at 8,000 feet in the Rocky Mountains!

Here are the obligatory photos from the day… I hope you enjoy them, even though I know they cannot convey the true beauty of this country.  If you haven’t been to our Rockies… you really ought to.  Maybe you too can drown a few feathers!

Remember to KEEP THAT ROD TIP UP! (Scooter left, Trevor right…)

and the panoramic… (Full size is here – Link)

And finally the proper style illustrated by Trevor… tongue firmly ensconced with teeth!

All larger images can be found here at my Smugmug gallery