Painting Through Prosek: Rio Yaqui Trout

The quest continues. If I can, I'm looking to paint about 15 more from Prosek's book. 

I chose this selection of the Rio Yaqui because of the pale green coloration. It was a nice contrast to the previous specimens. Continuing with my tendencies to be heavy handed with the acrylics, the pale pea soup green coloration of Prosek's water color came out much a much deeper color. In order to change things up a bit, I added the pectoral fin. Rio Yaqui!

Spots and Stripes: A Day on the Piankatank River with Capt. Chris Newsome

For my birthday present, I got a day fishing the Chesapeake Bay with Capt. Chris Newsome of Bay Fly Fishing. My good friend Kevin of Sweet and Salt joined me for a day of fantastic fishing. Check out his more thorough recap here. 

Almost all the photos credit goes to Kevin on this one. Nice work bud. 

Capt. Chris finding us some Peanut Bunker (Menhaden)

Ridiculously gorgeous morning. 

Fish finders. 

A Healthy Striper. 

My fish of the trip.

Just a great fish. 

Look at that snaggletooth. 

Kevin found the only red of the day.

Nice work, Kevin. 

If you are looking to get on the water, now is a great time to do it. If you are looking for a guide, Capt. Chris is one of the best. I'm hoping to get the video up and rolling in the next week or so.  Until then. 

Painting Through Prosek: Gila Trout

Just like that, we are on to the Gila Trout. 

Prosek provides a nice glimpse into the struggles of the Gila and the efforts to protect it. 

He really highlights the pink splash along the lateral line. 

 My par marks are a bit too small and too close together. 

I added some definition to the rib bones  on the belly.

Next I may try to combine the trio of Rio Yaqui/San Lorenzo/Del Presidio Trout.

Painting Through Prosek: Apache Trout

After finishing the Char with a Dally Varden three-for-one, I've moved onto the next section of James Prosek's "Trout: An Illustrated History." 

The first specimen is the Apache Trout. What used to be an endangered species has made comeback partly because of such strong work by the local Native American conservation efforts. 

At first I wasn't happy with my ability to match Prosek's painting, 

but in the end, I think it turned out well.

I'd love to catch one of these some day.

Prosek's image. 

So there it is. We will see what is next soon enough.

Flies and Ice Cream

I know it looks messy,
but don't worry, we've got a system.

Flies and ice cream. Tying flies that is. No flies in the ice cream as far as I know. 

In a little over a week I'm going to be heading into the Chesapeake Bay for a day of fishing with Captain Chris Newsome and my buddy Kevin. A fish in hand is long overdue, I'm hoping this trip will change that. 

Line em up, baby.

Kevin and I got together last night to tie some flies in preparation for the trip. 

Red over orange/yellow provides nice contrast
in the mirky waters of the Chesapeake. 

We got creative with out color combinations and made a mixture of clousers and deceivers and a hybrid of the two. 

Dry, epoxy, dry!

To be honest, I'm not concerned if these flies catch us any fish or not. It was just nice to enjoy a night on the porch with good company, music and some VERY chocolatey ice cream. 

mmmmmm..... Chocolate Ice Cream. 

Painting Through Prosek: Dolly Varden

The Dolly Varden and its subspecies cover a large range. They also seem to wear many colors ranging from olive drab to lavender, and they turn brilliant colors when they turn on the spawn. Because of this, Prosek took the time to document the Southern and Northern subspecies as well as the spawning form. 

Instead of painting all three separately or choosing only one to recreate, I incorporated all three into this  painting. I am pretty happy with the result. I'm also excited because finishing the Dolley Varden means I've completed the Char section of the book. Next we will have a short stint examining his paintings of the Apache, Gila and Mexican Trout after which we will spend the rest of out time on the diverse Rainbows/Goldens and Cutthroats and finally finish on the Browns and Atlantic Salmon. 

We still have a long way to go  :)

Painting Through Prosek: Bull Trout

James Prosek paints two versions of the Bull Trout in "Trout: An Illustrated History." This is a good example of variation between subjects. No two trout look the same. Whether you are talking Brown, Brook, Rainbow, Cutthroat, etc, etc etc. The same probably goes for all fish (sunfish/bluegill or even carp for that matter). 

To assist in finding some of the details of these fish, I have been searching images on the web in addition to using Prosek's fish as a guide. As such, there tends to be a few more differences between my and Prosek's rendition. 

Slowly but surely, I'm moving along. I may make a photobook with shutterfly when this is all done. Some way to have these sitting out in coffee-table-book style. Right now, I just have a file cabinet with all of these hidden away. That's no fun.