In efforts to resurrect a local Trout Unlimited Chapter, we undertook a coordinated effort to gather old and new members and journey to western Virginia. There were trout. There were chubs. There was food. There was beer. There were pretty leaves. There was tenkara and non-tenkara.
Well, the way this week is going and knowing what is coming this weekend, I won't be able to get much done with the video and photos I've stored up from last weekend's trip.
Right when I was beginning to feel quite guilty about it, Kevin posted a perfect summary of the weekend and some outstanding photos. I hope you get a chance to swing through and see how gorgeous George Washington National Forest is.
The trip to George Washington National Forest was awesome. As I feared, I'm left now with much on my plate as far as work is concerned, but, alas, work will always be there. Hopefully, the streams will too.
I'll be slowly sifting through video clips and sharing some photos from the trip.
In the meantime, enjoy some of the awesomeness of Simms new fall line. If I had endless resources and wanted more clothes, I don't need, I'd go for the River Tek Top and follows by a Fall Run Jacket. But that's just me.... mom.....
Go forth and salivate... http://www.simmsfishing.com/ or be reminded of how much you like your current clothes :)
It has taken quite a bit of planning and preparation, tying and talking, dreaming and scheming, but it is finally here. This weekend, our newly revitalized local TU club is making our first group trip. We are heading to the Jackson and Laurel Fork in Western Virginia.
Hoping to catch some fish and get some good photos and filming. Maybe try a different approach to the filming. We will see. I'm pretty sure I've gotten enough work done this week to slack on the weekend. I guess Monday will tell me if in right.
Weather can surprise. Sun can shine.
Friends can call. Plans materialize.
Work postponed. Play prioritized.
Sandwiches and sardines. Celery sticks and seltzer.
Picnic on a boat with a motor that won't turn.
Anchored to a spot often overlooked.
Poorly tied flies and good fortune.
Eager fish to sun burnt hands,
cheeks,
and smiling eyes.
Flipping through one of my wife's magazines led me on a tangent that lasted all summer. I read a one-liner about Jack Johnson's brother making traditional Hawaiian surf boards from reclaimed wood. This turned into a few online articles, followed by one misleadingly simple youtube video, which turned into a garage full of sawdust and polyurethane crusted fingernails. (I was a bit stubborn about doing most things by hand, initially. That made it a much slower, albeit enjoyable, process).
Finally, it has led to a day on the water learning how to surf. Having never done so before, I think I am blessed to not know how easy a foam board would be. Somehow, it makes the goal of standing on my heavy, wooden board seem more attainable.
Here are the photos from the summer.
Wood: Bass planks. Initially 1" x 6-8" x 8', Cedar strips also 8'
Bought from Yukon Lumber Company.
All tools provided by B. Murray, cousin of The Man in the Striped Pajamas
My board's final dimensions: 7'8" in length, 1" deep, 21.5" wide, finless
Anthony's board is more conventional with his last name spelled in Hieroglyphs. He added a fin and a leash. It is very nice.
On my first outing surfing, I crouched on one wave for about 3 seconds. I body boarded a bunch in, but then the waves became a "kiddy pool," so I was told. I'll have to go back when there is enough power to lift me.
Picking it up.
bring it home.
clamps
ready for wood glue
sanded and shaped with the design burned in
polyurethaned
anthony playing catchup
looking pretty nifty
dead man walking
waxed and ready
I learned that shirts aren't just to protect from the sun and cold water,
but also from serious chafing... my nippys hurt.
It was so awesome. Can't wait to go back.
Maybe someday soon I'll talk like this guy...... and get soooo pitted.
It has been a few months since we flew back to Minnesota, and I stole a weekend from the Driftless Area in Southeast Minnesota. My dad and I met up with Justin of Winona Fly Factory (he's coming back to us in January) and had an amazing time (see the video for the proof).
Justin recently sent me a few photos from the trip. Dad did great with the Tenkara rod. I fumbled behind camera in hand and managed a few fish too.
