Steelhead Madness! DAMDOCHAX, B.C.

It's nearly September and our crisp mornings are a constant reminder of what is ahead!
STEELHEAD SEASON!!!!!!!!!!!!! And BIRD SEASON!
September 3 I will be leaving for a great destination trip to fish for trout and steelhead. DAMDOCHAX River, British Columbia.
A few years ago I had the pleasure of meeting Hannah Belford, owner and fly fishing guide in B.C. Hannah is a remarkable woman who with her mother,Alice Belford, own and operate a fishing lodge. She actually is very diverse and in the short time I have known Hannah, she has taken on challenges in many areas from conservation issues all the way to cabin and furniture building.
She is also responsible for creating a great web-site called " flyfishergirls" where she continues to provide a comfortable avenue for women to interact and participate in the sport of fly fishing. www.flyfishergirl.com
I became involved with this web-site because of its genuine goal to promote women in the sport without all the glamour and glitz. Its philosophy is much like mine where fly fishing is the not only the core but the passion.
Hannah is an icon for women and flyfishing and I am grateful to be able to call her my friend.
I will spend a week at her camp fishing and learning about this incredible place filled with so many natural wonders.
You can visit the camp by going to the web-site:
http://www.damdochax.com/

Of course I will blog my trip along the way whenever possible.
I can't wait to get there!

Medicinal Purpose!

girls smoke cigars too! Mary K. and I in Louisiana!

3 S's= Steelhead,Senyo and a Stogie!

My Argentinian buddies!

Juri and I and a little

Alcohol has been used medicinally throughout recorded history; its medicinal properties are mentioned 191 times in the Old and New Testaments. As early as the turn of the century there was evidence that moderate consumption of alcohol was associated with a decrease in the risk of heart attack. And the evidence of health benefits of moderate consumption has continued to grow over time.

The health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption have long been known. One of the earliest scientific studies on the subject was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1904.
Reviews of research evidence report a strong, consistent relationship between moderate alcohol consumption and reduction in cardiovascular disease in general and coronary artery disease in particular.On the basis of its extensive review of research, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reported that moderate drinkers have the greatest longevity. It also found that moderate drinking is beneficial to heart health, resulting in a sharp decrease in heart disease risk (40%-60%). This is important because cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the United States, and heart disease kills about one million Americans each and every year.

I've been known to partake in moderate drinking from time to time, especially on my fishing trips. In this case...I was cold and those tiny glasses of scotch really helped deliver a sense of warmth all over. The cognac wasn't bad either!

I also really enjoy drinking from a flask..I don't really know why, but it just tastes better when a drink comes from a flask held deep inside my wading jacket.

Apparantly moderate drinking is good for your health but I am sure smoking cigars delivers no health benefits.(unless you count being devoured by bugs life threatening) I am certainly not a cigar connoisseur but I have been known to light up on the stream occasionally. I really hate the taste of cigars but I do it to keep the bugs away. I have found this very affective with mosquitos in Alaska and black flies in Maine. I don't waste money on good quality cigars, after all I am using it as deet!

Passion!

This weekend I had the good fortune of experiencing two outstanding events. The first one was participating in a switch rod seminar conducted by professinal spey caster Will Turek. Will is not only an incredible caster, he is also an amazing instructor who has all the qualities one would expect from a fine teacher; knowledge, experience, professionalism, patience and the ability to connect with every individual and see to it they learn and succeed.
As I watched Will demonstrate his two handed casts with perfection I could't help notice his passion for the sport as well as his natural love of teaching.
What makes a person have that much passion and dedication? Actually, it is rare to come across such intensity. Few people ever find something in their lives that truly moves them. In my fishing excursions I am fortunate to have had so many wonderful opportunities and to have met some really wonderful people. I am always amazed at the people I come in contact with, and what brings us together.
Today I had another of those extraordinary events. I arrived at the Gun Club to do a little shooting as I do every weekend. Upon my arrival I spotted a young man in his early teens, shooting skeet. He was about to finish the round when I noticed he had such good form and was calling for his targets with such determination I knew something good was about to happen. You could just feel it in the air!
I walked closer to his field and watched him break all four clays on station 6 and station 7. His calls grew even stronger with each shot. He was about to take on the last station, station number 8. He stepped into the box and confidently called for the high house and broke it, then he called for the low house and broke it dead center, and to my amazement he reached into his shell bag for his final shell which is only possible if he ran all the other stations. With no hesitation, he loaded the shell and fired on his last clay turning it into powder! A perfect game...25!
The boy cheered and yelled "Finally"
What a treat it was for me to witness this exciting moment in this kid's life. His mother walked toward me and embraced me in joy...I could feel her shaking and nearly crying with delight. I congratulated the boy who told me his name was Robert and asked me to help with the shooting of his hat. A tradition among shooters who shoot their first perfect round.
Robert was polite and very poised for a 13 year old. a group of 6 of us gathered in a line and proceeded to throw his hat in the air as we all fired our guns at it.
I was so honored and happy to have witnessed this incredible event and I thought to myself how Robert would always remember this moment, as will I.

Dead and Lost!

Shooting sporting clays is something I really love to do and today I shot a side by side Tournament shoot at Sugar Creek Hunting Preserve in Mitchell, Indiana.
I had the pleasure of shooting with three fine gentlemen (Richard, Larry, and Mott) and in spite the heat we took on this challenging course with style and humor.
Thanks gentlemen for a fine day on the course and thanks to Dale and Jean for hosting this great event.
I will be ready for next year!!!

Nothing is more beautiful than a fine side by side shotgun. Growing up in Italy, my father was a shot gun enthusiast, particularly the Beretta side by side 20 ga. shot gun. A few years ago I wanted to reconnect with a side by side and purchased a Beretta Silver Hawk. I love this gun...it feels like it was made especially for me.
I can't really explain what my fascination with shooting really is. I love the focus it requires and the amount of concentration needed to successfully break clays.
A side by side shotgun gives me the same enjoyment that fly casting provides. Its controlled movement combined with a certain natural swing and gut instinct is intoxicating.

I'm Home!

Well my trip to Finland was fantastic! I had a great time and will never forget the nice people I met. I have some wonderful memories and I smile whenever I think of them.
Hope you enjoy the slideshow!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Converted?

dreaming of my last dinner in Finland!

I am still in the process of traveling and have arrived at JFK in New York. Unfortunately I have a 17 hour layover so I am doing a little work on the computer and occasionally getting a little sleep. It is not very comfortable and I was asleep on the floor when I woke up with a sore back and I smiled when I remembered Rosa sound asleep on large river rocks and she told me it was very comfortable! lol
It is now 5:30 a.m. and I am scheduled to leave at 12:30 p.m....I hope the Starbucks right in front of me opens soon!

(yes...I asked a total stranger to take my photo!)

NO....I have not become Muslim, it's just very cold here and I am doing everything I can to stay warm!

Kiitos!

Traditional Teno River boats

taken from my bedroom window


Patti's grayling from the Teno River!


Juri the chef!

Kaj and Rosa

My last day in Finland was spent fishing the enormous Teno River in Lapland. It is a beautiful river where the local people fish in their traditional ways rowing the rivers in search of Atlantic Salmon.We spent one day exploring the Teno river and looking for good access. We were not rewarded with catching an Atlantic Salmon however we were Blessed with this most amazing experience which will undoubtedly bring me back to Finland someday.

My mind is on overload with all that I have learned and discovered. Understanding the ways of the Sami (local people) , the quiet and ever disciplined Finnish people and their culture, the outstanding food, the roaming reindeer, the warmth and hospitality that we received is something that is so special and will take time to process. I am overwhelmed with gratitude and appreciation. Finland is a great country and surprised me with the wonderful combination of old tradition blended with modern technology and artistic style.

On the last night we were treated to a most delicious dinner including Teno River Salmon and an appetizer consisting of my catch of the day. Harjus- Smoked Arctic grayling and a few shots of Koskenkorva and an authentic Finnish Sauna and a dip in the Utsjoki river (damn that was cold!)

To Rosa and Kaj, our host and hostess, KIITOS to you for all that you have done for us, your hospitality and kindness will never be forgotten.

We arrived as guides and instructors and leave you as friends. Grazie per tutto e' ci vediamo! Ciao!

Over and Out.