Western Sandpiper

Since fishing is slow and I haven't had any opportunities I humbly submit another bird pic from Florida.  This I believe is a Western Sandpiper that allowed my to get close. 

Perspective

These are two different pictures of the same bird. In one of the pictures the bird appears goofy almost a silly creature and in the top one I think it looks regal or beautiful.  Its funny how one views things change depending on how one sees it.  This is not only true with bird pictures but of life.

Osprey

On a recent trip to visit my folks in Florida I had the good fortune of getting some great shots of Osprey doing all that they do.   I have a fondness for birds of prey and Osprey are included.  While I didn't get any shots of they diving into the water from 100 feet I did manage some good shots.  What really amazes me about the birds in Florida is how close one can get down there.  Usually up here in the northeast one doesn't stand a chance of getting even half as close to any bird.

One of my favorites

This is one of my trusty steelhead patterns that has caught me a fair share of fish over the past few years.  It is a take off on the Signal Light pattern.  The body is silver tinsel with edge glo wrapped over then a little purple ice dub for a thorax and finished off with purple and black schlappin.  A simple and effective pattern that has taken fish in fall, winter and spring for me.

Black Friday

Made the run to the river for Black Friday and finally found some steelheading weather.  At 11 am it started to rain and instantly both Matt and I hooked up.  The exciting part about this was Matt getting his first steelhead and on the swing!  It took three trips going back to last winter, but he persevered and found success.  Unfortunately for both of us our first fish came unbuttoned before we could get some pictures.  On another note, it's been a weird fall weather wise.  Here it is after Thanksgiving and we still haven't seen any snow and the temps are warm for this time of year.   Don't know if I'll make it up again till after the new year.

 
 Matt's first brown on the swing

A small but very feisty buck that fought like like hell

 Matt just after he hooked his first steelhead, very happy.

Its not All About the Fishing

   This past weekend I found myself on the water with a great group of guys.  On one of our long walks in search of open water I found myself deep in conversation with one bud and he was saying that these trips are now less about the fishing and more about the company.  That being said it was a tough weekend fishing wise.  We fished hard and covered a ton of water with little to show for our efforts.  With 4 guys getting 11 days (6 of those days swinging with myself and Geoff getting 5 of those days) on the water total we got 1 fish to hand via the swing and 6 via nymphing.  We didn't see anyone else killing it either, this included the pinners and bottom bouncers.  Regardless of the fishing it was one of the most enjoyable trips I've ever had.  Great friends, great food, fishing hard and tons of laughing make for a great weekend.   Some images from the weekend.

 

Red Tail

 Went out this morning for a little bird outing and captured this immature Red Tail Hawk.  Love seeing all types of raptors and getting close is even better!