July 29, 2011

eXtreme Duty

Say hello to my little friend...

Springfield Armory XD 45
Springfield Armory XD 45
What do you do when the rivers are STILL blown high and wide? You hit the gun range and brush up on your tactical shooting skills, that's what. My home river has been in flood stage since runoff began in late March, and even still, it was near record flows before then throughout the previous summer, fall, and winter. Rendering the river near unfishable for the fly guy, and extremely difficult for even the bait tosser, I haven't spent a ton of time on the water this summer. With no relief in sight, the only thing I can do is grin and bear it, and focus on another pastime of mine, shooting. The firearm du jour is a Springfield Armory XD 45, chambered in .45 ACP. This badboy has got the knock down power to subdue even the brashest of criminals, and will serve duty as a back up firearm while out in the field and woods should any bears, cats, 'yotes, or rogue wolves threaten my well being.

frangible bullet
That's gonna leave a mark... 230 grains of hurt.

Springfield Armory XD 45
It's a bit of jump moving from the XD 40 chambered in .40 S&W to the .45, but after a few hundred rounds under my belt, I'm already becoming accustomed to the extra oomph as the XD 45 fires as smooth as buttah. Looks like I found a trusty new companion.

July 19, 2011

GreenFish News Release

GreenFish

July 19, 2011


GreenFish Ambassador Team and GreenFish Gives Expansion
GreenFish, the first apparel brand completely dedicated to promoting a lifestyle of sustainable fishing, today announced a significant expansion to its Ambassador team , adding over 20 new ambassadors with multiple backgrounds and from all over the globe.

Since its launch in 2010, GreenFish has received tremendous support from the fishing community regarding its cause. The GreenFish Ambassador team is made up of freshwater and saltwater professional anglers and guides, TV personalities, marine biologists, artists, photographers and leaders of the non-profit community.

GreenFish founder Bryan Godber explains, "We now have a team of over 50 high profile individuals in the industry, all helping to promote our brand and sustainable fishing message on a volunteer basis. These individuals should be seen as role models to the fishing community not only for their career achievements as industry icons, but also for their efforts to promote a lifestyle of sustainable fishing for future generations to enjoy. It's a great to know how many high profile individuals out there want to help push our brand and our mission forward and represent our clothing brand."


Also - GreenFish has recently added the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust to its GreenFish Gives program, so our customers can select BTT when shopping on www.greenfishmovement.com and we will donate 5% of their purchase to BTT. We are very excited to have them join our program of 501c3 organizations helping promote a cause that is aligned with our mission.

BTT Logo

About GreenFish
GreenFish is the first brand promoting a lifestyle of sustainable fishing. Through its line of apparel, the company's goal is to build awareness and shift attitudes toward sustainable fishing and promote the sport for future generations to enjoy. GreenFish recently launched a new program called "GreenFish Gives," in which GreenFish donates 5% of all revenues to a handful of non-profit organizations they work with to promote sustainable fishing practices. To learn more about GreenFish, the GreenFish Gives Program, their ambassador team and their new line of apparel - visit www.greenfishmovement.com.

July 14, 2011

street walkers

A couple of dirty sluts, the Electric Fetus and Pink Taco.

electric fetus
Hey, baby. You got girlfriend Vietnam?
Not just this minute.
Well, baby, me so horny. Me so HORNY. Me love you long time. You party?
Yeah, we might party. How much?
Fifteen dollar.
Fifteen dollars for both of us?
No. Each you fifteen dollar. Me love you long time. Me so HORNY.
Fifteen dollar too beaucoup. Five dollars each.
Me sucky-sucky. Me love you too much.
Five dollars is all my mom allows me to spend.
Okay. Ten dollar each.
What do we get for ten dollars?
Every t'ing you want.
Everything?
Every t'ing.
Well, old buddy, feel like spending some of your hard-earned money?

pink taco
Bitch, you got my money?

July 12, 2011

USCARPRO Magazine Issue 20

USCARPRO Magazine Issue 20
Issue 20 is live! Check out the latest issue of USCARPRO Magazine, featuring an article on Columbia River carping by John Montana, Great Lakes carping by fellow Pro Staffer Dave McCool, and from my fly tying column, "Magic Bullets". Plenty of Carp on the fly action in this issue so check it out now!

July 8, 2011

panache

bassin
Giving the bass a Mustache Ride, boy was that fun! So far Peacock Black has been the hot color, picking up countless numbers of smallmouth, largemouth, bluegills, pumpkinseeds, green sunfish, and their associated hybrids. Hell even the small pike and muskie love it, as they nabbed a few of my flies from the confines of their elodea camouflaged hideouts.

sunny D
bassin
Even picked up a scratch whitey the other day, a surprise to me, since most of them have since headed to the deep confines of a coolwater basin now that stream temps on the Otter Tail have risen to about 27°C. One first I observed the other day, a large Plecoptera species. I've seen small winter stones on this reach before in later March/early April, but never a large stonefly in July. This thing was in the size range of a Pteronarcyid (salmonfly) as it was around three to four centimeters long, but lacked the orange coloration around the thorax of a salmonfly. I'm a bit perplexed as to the ID, as the insect flew off before I could photograph it, but yet intrigued as this could be the reason why my larger prince nymph, Fresh Pimp nymph, and Thunderbird patterns have always fished so well here.

whitey
By the way, the rivers are still way blown here. I've resorted to fishing the upper reaches of the Otter Tail, which I typically abandon in late spring once the water temps begin to rise. Fortunately, the high flows have kept some spring spawning fish in a few deep holes through this summer yet. So maybe there is still hope after all...

July 6, 2011

Pornstache

Mustache Ride
Check out this pornstache. This is fucking Tom Selleck style. I'm ready to go give some bass a Mustache Ride.

July 5, 2011

Independence Log

Two can play at this game....

bacon mat
One pound of bacon.

meat mat
Two pounds of beef.

cheese
A half pound of cheese.

the Independence Log
Cooked over low heat until an internal temp of 165°F is reached.

the Independence Log
Enjoy.

Thanks for the inspiration goes out to my Fat Guy brethren. Thanks Brothers! It may not have been as pretty as your "bacon stripe" but it was just as delicious!

fireworks
fireworks
fireworks

July 1, 2011

The Great Shutdown

The sign posted on my office building, effective July 1, 2011:

Building Closed
Our wonderful State Legislature and Governor have failed to reach a budget agreement for Fiscal Year 2012, thereby laying off 56,000 of some of Minnesota's finest and most dedicated working professionals, including myself. I don't ask for your pity, nor for a handout, but I beg the question as to why it is de rigueur to bash public employees? Like every workforce, there are individuals who may lack motivation or abuse the system, knowing no discrimination between private or public sector. But why disrespect the countless professionals who have sacrificed family and salary for a career that is at times less than rewarding? We are taxpayers just the same as everyone else. Before you begin to pick apart my argument with baseless accusations and proclaim that we do not need government in our lives, just remember who helped make Minnesota's fisheries some of the best in the nation, if not the world, next time you're out on the water. You're welcome.

The roughfisher has left the building. See ya on the river.