Waffle Shop

The yearly X-mas outing (Dec 17th) is just around the corner. I just wanted to see who is up for breakfast at the waffle shop. I’ll be sure to have a nice hot bowl of chili for everyone fishing later in the day. Hopefully the weather will cooperate.
Good luck.

While staying in Key West FL I spotted some fellas fly fishing on my way to dinner. Turns out ESPN's own CAPT Jose Wejebe aka-The Spanish Fly - calls me down to do a little fly fishing with him on the dock. "Here - use my gear - I had a 12 weight, 1 piece, 8" foot G. Loomis in my hands and had a blast. Pics and more info to follow -

Scary Weekend

The Chief was in the process of preparing his new cider press to press some Concord grapes.  The Fair Maiden noticed that the Chief wasn't his normal "color" and after consulting with Katie, transported the Chief to Lock Haven Hospital.  Chief was admitted Saturday morning and was given three units of A+ blood over the weekend to cure anemia brought on by upper GI bleeding brought on by medications, another Pirate losing season, work, work and work.  Not to mention the lack of fishing.  Chief was discharged at 5:45 PM Monday and was told to avoid work.

Another Lousy Day in Paradise Valley

Apologies to John Gierach for bastardizing the title. The Better Half, Cricket the Flyfishing Beagle, and I spent 10 days meandering from Bismarck to Livingston, MT and back at the start of September. We spent the first day trying to drive as fast as the highway number (I-94) to get out of the plains and into the mountains. Along the way we detoured to take in the Little Bighorn battle field near Hardin, MT.

Son of the Morning Star

After overnighting in Billings, we headed to Red Lodge and the Beartooth highway. Fortified with coffee and schneckens (a wonderful german concoction of cream cheese dough, sugar, almonds, and more sugar) from the City Bakery in Red Lodge we began the ascent of Beartooth pass. What a fantastic drive! We lost count of the switchbacks but the scenery and views, especially on the plateau, were breathtaking.

Beartooth Pass

Beartooth Plateau

Better Half with Cricket the Flyfishing Beagle
Once over the pass we headed into YNP for few hours fishing on the Lamar. Most of the summer crowd was gone but the river was still busy with fishermen and the bison were also crowding the river at several places. Landed a few Yellowstone cutts but I mostly took in the scenery and tried to become one with the water. After all, I hadn’t wetted a line since leaving State College in October.

For the main part of our stay, we stayed at Yellowstone Valley Lodge about 15 miles south of Livingston. Very nice place on the Yellowstone river with comfortable rooms, great breakfasts, and moderately priced. We gave it 4 stars. I was able to land a few modestly sized Yellowstone cutts behind the lodge along with a couple of whitefish.

I spent the next two days on Nelson spring creek and Armstrong creek. Hatches were few on both creeks and rising fish were scarce. Not to say that the fish were scarce. Plenty of big fish were lurking amongst the weeds sneering at the flatlander flailing a graphite stick in the wind. The only rises were to midges of about #26 to 28. My 55-year-old eyes can’t tie anything that small on 7x tippet so I was relegated to pounding the water with #20 BWOs on 6x and searching out the dumbest fish on the stream. Finally, I found him and was able to land it late in the day. No matter, it was a beautiful day, I was the only one on the stream, and I was not at work!

Nelson Spring Creek and Lodge

Nelson Spring Creek Cutt

Armstrong spring creek was nearly a repeat of Nelson’s except with a lot more water to explore. This nice sized rainbow finally felt sorry for my pathetic attempts to get a drag-free drift and slurped my #20 CDC BWO emerger. As at Nelson’s, I was in heaven simply wading the stream by myself and soaking in the scenery.

The next day I did a float on the Yellowstone with Bob Bergquist, a local guide out of George Anderson’s shop in Livingston. We floated from the Grey Bear put in point to Big Timber. It was a great day and a few more fish came to hand. In addition to some healthy rainbows and browns there were a few golden eyes and whitefish to be had.

Whelp, that was the fishin trip. It was good to feel the tug at the end of the line again. Best regards to my fellow Prostaffers.

The Chief's New Rig

Not really. Saw this outfit at a rest stop on Hwy 89 in Paradise Valley, MT. I immediately thought of the Chief and his helicopter story told during one of the infamous Big Woods Summits. Short version of the story is that the Chief almost convinced the Fair Maiden that he had bought a helicopter to hop from creek to creek during their camping trips. To comprehend the entire version requires a pan of paella, some fine Spanish wine, and the company of fellow Prostaffers.

Hope to follow up with a boring story of fishing on the Yellowstone and spring creeks of Paradise Valley.

Best to all.

A Good Day at the Ball Park

You know the Chief loves his baseball and typically spends a week in August attending the LLWS.  He always picks a US team and an International team to root for.  This year the US pick was easy.  BEECH CREEK!  Good luck!

http://blog.pennlive.com/patriotnewssports/2011/08/little_league_team_from_beech.html

Improving Your Concentration

You can increase your odds of hookups if you concentrate on the matters in front of you.  A very basic rule of fly fishing.  As a service for our viewers, we offer this concentration improvement tool.

Apologies for my Absence

One-pound bison burgers, squag paella, arduous fishing conditions and a table full of booze--sounds like the Big Woods Summit is alive and well. As am I, despite a tremendous lack of time spent on the stream during the past two years. Midger chastised me greatly last weekend for my lack of participation in RBF Pro Staff activities. Indeed, I deserved it.


Although I have not been in the good company of the RBF Pro Staff nor in the proximity of a trout stream recently, I have been keeping certain skills well-honed. For example, the making of Yucca. Midger and I learned just last Saturday that it is possible to make Yucca in bulk quantities. Of course, the most important thing to bulk-mixing is carefully adjusting the ingredients. (A factor, I suppose, which is also at play when cooking an extra-large pan of paella.) Diligent attention to both the quantity of ingredients and the shaking of the jar resulted in two outstanding batches of the spiked nectar, measuring approximately 1.5 gallons each. Someone made a third batch, but I do not remember how it turned out. Probably the best ever.


I have also been keeping my field-testing-under-arduous-conditions skills sharp, and have photographic proof. The first is from a climb in Utah in late February. The other is in New Mexico with the .50-caliber Barrett M107A1. That thing shoots cartridges the size of Potter County brook trout and is louder than Goose after a glass of Bombay Sapphire.

Rossiter Lodge Grilled Bison Burgers

We all know that Bowhunter serves up some mighty fine meals featuring bison, from his famous Six Pound Meatloaf to his famous Hump Roast.  He can cook the creature any which way.  This year's bison meal featured Grilled Bison Burgers and Fresh Cut Fries. Over one pound of ground meat, seasoned with secret herbs and spices, topped with bacon and cheese went into the making.  As Bowhunter carefully grilled the burgers on the Lodge porch, the aroma filled the valley.  The Pro Staffers were treated to another great meal at the Big Woods Summit!

Add caption

THANK YOU BOWHUNTER AND GOOD LUCK.

The Making of the Six Squirrel Paella

It has been proclaimed that the Chief makes the best paella this side of Barcelona.  The Chief himself states that his paella has no rivals here or in Spain.  Each offering has its own character.  The Poe Paddy Paella was warming and full of flavor.  This BWS Paella was rustic in character and possibly the Chief's best ever.  But he could not have pulled it off without help.  The two most important elements in making a fine paella is one, having a level pan and two, having a controlled fire.  Finding anything level in Potter County had been difficult for the Chief this week and his 22" paella pan was giving him fits.  Chief neglected his wood supply and it became soaked during a deluge.  The paella was going to be a disaster thought the Chief so he hit the bottle.  Well the Boys pitched in and began leveling the pan.   How many Pro Staffers does it take to level a paella pan?

Midger saved the Chief's Six Squirrel Paella.  First with perfect marination of the tasty animals using no less than twelve ingredients.  Second, Midger managed the fire with true expertise, controlling the heat throughout the cooking process and producing a perfect socrarat across the entire pan! 

Thank you gentlemen for making the BWS Six Squirrel Paella a success!

GOOD LUCK!

Paella Night

For those of you who are regulars to this blog no doubt are familiar with the Culinary Performance Art Tour De Force which is the Chiefs Paella. For those of you who have not experienced this dish here is a sample of what you missed.
Warning the following series of photos contains images which might be considered disturbing by tree hugging bambi lovers, young children, and anyone lacking an appreciation for outdoor cookery.

Rule one

Have atleast 2 apprentice "xefs" on hand at all times

This is a minimum as one will have the direct responsibility of attempting to start a fire with wood that was thoroughly soaked in the driving storm the night before.

The second apprentice will be primarily responsible for keeping #1 from murdering the "soc un Gran Xef" for leaving the firewood (especially the temperature control logs) out in said torrential downpour. This is best acheived by keeping a steady stream of freshly seared wild ramps and morels along with spirited libations in apprentice #1 hands.

Rule 2

Always start with the meat.

In this case a melange of wild game including:

Turkey sausage, venison sausage, Squag of the fox and gray variety and the absolutely critical Chorizo (and not that damned dried stuff from Mexico)

Rule 3

DO NOT STIR

The spoon you see is actually defending the Paella from the ungodly flies that were yet again invading the Rossiter Lodge

Rule 3-A

If it ain't Bomba it ain't Paella

Rule 4

Frozen Peas, Shrimp and Clams in a bag are permissible only if the tedious prep for these items would interfere with the pickling process of the Xef and first apprentice (more on this in a moment).

Rule Five

Always return the meat to the pan for serving. If for no other reason than it is just a wholly ungodly presentation.

Addendum

I mentioned pickling the Soc un Gran Xef earlier. The primary reason for this is so some smart ass with a camera can capture the shot above, not to mention it adds to the quality of the show. Sort of like making the guy at Bennihana take a shot for every shrimp tail he tosses into his hat.

Not wanting to be outdone, Bunyan offered up his own delicacy:

Fire Grilled Jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese and Prosciuto.

We are still awaiting the official judgement of Bunyans dish from the Chief.

All of the above dishes were tested on the animals of the Rossiter Lodge............

The verdict is still out on whether they were harmed or not!

Big Woods Summit 2011

The RBF Pro-Staff descended on Potter County for the annual BWS

We covered the entire Sinnemahoning drainage area from Brooks Run to Prouty. Some of the guys also managed to hit the Kettle creek area.

Fishing conditions ranged from “Arduous” to “Not 2 Bad” and everywhere in between. Alcohol consumption was slightly elevated.

Stay tuned to updates by the Chief on the culinary delights at this year’s summit. No one lost any weight on this trip.

Good Luck!

And yes we did catch fish

BWS 2011

Any questions?

I read the news today oh boy...

...about a lucky man who made the grade.

Sorry to bump you from the headlines there, Woodrow. Something tells me you'll be heavily featured on this blog and I promise to be brief, but this is big:

Congratulations to Midger on his selection to Team USA!!!

http://troutlegend.com/forum/

Welcome Woodrow

The Chief engaged in a lengthly nationwide search for an Airedale Terrier pup from working/hunting parents. The search ended May 17 in Titusville, PA. The Chief had the pick of the litter and choose the big, calm male pup and named him Woodrow after the famous Texas Ranger, Captain Woodrow F. Call.

After nearly 20 years of living with little Jack Russell Terriers we decided to adopt an Airedale, the King of Terriers. Airedales are fearless and majestic in appearance. Their courage is unquestioned, but they are not quarrelsome.  They don't start fights, they finish them.

Most colorful among early Airedale fans was Theodore Roosevelt, who chose Airedales for his big-game hunting trips. “The Airedale” declared Teddy, “can do anything any other dog can do, then lick the other dog, if he has to.”

Woodrow seems special. In just three days at age seven weeks, he can sit, stay, come and shit on the floor. He has two speeds...Neutral and All Out. He investigates everything and anything and loves water.

Woodrow aspires to be a rabbit catcher, pheasant, grouse, duck and goose retriever and cat killer. He is well on his way as he is already attacking and eating June Bugs. It seems though Woodrow has taking a shining to the Fair Maiden. He follows her everywhere while the Chief has to lure him with treats.

Slate Run Tackle Shop & Wolfe's General Store

Next time you're up in the Pine Creek Valley stop in and see Tom and Deb.  After a morning's fishing, treat yourself to some hand-dipped ice cream.  Then before the evening spinner fall, enjoy a great sub with homemade bread.  Sit on the bench and relax.  Enjoy the big water with its brown drake spinner fall or fish the "Runs" and enjoy some the most beautiful scenery in all of Penn's Woods.

I suppose it was over 25 years ago when I would stop in the General Store to have my gobblers weighed.  It's also been about that long ago that I built the "Big Pine" 9 1/2' 5/6 wt. fly rod for Tom's new shop.

They have everything you need for a stay in the Valley except for Bureau of Forestry camping permits.

May in Potter County

With the break in the weather it was time for a trip north. Daily rains have filled the water tables. Here is a shot of the Shit House run. Conditions here will challenge the pro-staffers. Friday night had a lot of egg laying caddis. Fishing was quite slow, no mayflies of any type. I’m thinking it could be an excellent year if the rains ever stop.

Saturday morning had bowhunter climbing the mountain behind camp. A lovely climb that took almost 45 minutes, but I reached the summit in one piece. And I was greeted at the top with a couple gobbles.

Afternoon had me back in the woods looking for leeks (ramps) here is a shot of the mother lode.

A parting shot of Smokey. She is looking forward to sharing all the pro-staffers food.

7th ANNUAL BIG WOODS SUMMIT

Mike B enjoying himself somewhere

The BWS with be held at the Five Star Rossiter Lodge May 25 - May 30.  Reserve your bunk now with Bowhunter.  The Rossiter Lodge now features air conditioning, hot showers and TV so you won't miss the NHL Playoffs.  Good tenting spots are available for those that like to sleep on the ground.  There will be plenty of food.  There will be a Paella Night.  The Chief also plans to smoke a turkey.

Don't forget to make your plans with Bowhunter, VP of Culinary Affairs.

Big Woods Memories

Originally posted by Agrontrutta - May 2009

Ummm, sorry, I forgot.

Seriously, some of the reports about the raucousness at the Big Woods Summits are a bit overplayed and some are just pure fiction (mostly). Like, for example, the Chief did not set fire to his pickup (just the camp stove, which was on the pickup, which now that I think of it could have set the truck on fire, but it didn’t so let’s move on). And the rumor of the big rumble at the Old Tannery Inn between Midger, Flyrodder, and the local woods folk over their shuffle board abilities is just that, a rumor, or so I’m told. No, the Big Woods Summit is mostly a congenial gathering of like-minded souls who want to get in touch with their inner fisher-child, commune with the earth, breath the crisp air, be baptized in the piscatorial waters flowing through Penn’s woods, and gaze at the dazzling palette of stars in the evening. In others words, it’s just cosmic.

This is what the Big Woods Summit is about, the glorious splendor of woods, waters, and fish--

And the remarkable beauty of all creatures great and small.

Now, sometimes the boys get rambunctious and fix up some special spirits but its just for sippin while the grub cooks over the fire.

And speaking of grub, its mostly simple fare--the kind that any Valencian or Catalonian peasant might throw together for his friends.



So, if you desire a tonic that refreshes the body and spirit, if you seek the tranquility that quiets the mind, if you are searching for the answers to life’s most persistent questions, then stay the hell away from Rossiter Lodge during Big Woods Summit, because we means to fish, eat, drink, and have a good time!

"The road goes on forever and the party never ends!"