My Little Indian!

I know Thanksgiving is over but I am just now finding time to sit down and blog about how grateful I am for so many Blessings in my life. As you can see from my photos here, I am extremely grateful to have my grandson, Thomas. At age four Thomas is full of life and already has a personality that is so strong and so charismatic.
Thomas is in so many ways alot like me, and I am alot like my father was, and so it is not suprising that Thomas has a natural gift of appreciating the outdoors.
He loves to fly fish and is very much intrigued with the thought of bird hunting.
Everytime he comes over he spends time in my loft which contains a library of fly fishing and bird hunting material. His latest fascination is my collection of "Hunting with Hank" videos. He has watched each one numerous times and never seems to get tired of them. I am so happy to know that I will be the one to teach Thomas everything I can about fly fishing and shooting and that he will always remember our time together.

Milo Fields in Southern Indiana!

Pheasant hunting is a treat for me considering I live in Indiana where very few wild birds are available. It is something I look forward to every fall and fortunately we have some wonderful hunting preserves in our state that allow us some variation.
Yesterday myself and 4 club members took a drive to Royal Flush in Southern Indiana where we were Blessed with a spectacular fall day. It was almost too nice with temperatures near 70 degrees. Blue bird sky, warm glistening sun and a gentle breeze swept across the milo fields as we watched our guide Denny work his dogs. Dogs so eager to hunt and offer us some outstanding points to complete our day with 10 bagged birds.
More importantly was the time shared among friends who love and appreciate the outdoors. Two of the hunters are brothers who obviously have great love and respect for each other. I could not help thinking of my own brother who I remember hunting with as children. The bond between siblings is so special and distance nor age ever seems to come between the love we have for each other.
It really is true that spending a day in the field somehow renews your spirit and perhaps regrounds us.
I am most grateful for this special day.....Hope you find a way to reconnect to your childhood this week whether it be with family, friends or just in memories.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Meet Stetson!

Finally a dog I love! For the past 5 years I have tried to make excuses why I could not have a bird dog..excuses like they cost too much, they are alot of work, they require so much attention, I don't have the proper yard for a bird dog. All of these things are probably true but I did it anyway!
My good friend and excellent fly tyer Dan Bloodgood contacted me and said he had a dog for me and that I had to meet him. So, of course I said yes, I'll meet him!!!!!!!
We met at Flymasters and immediately went to Dan's car so I could take a look at this dog. Stetson, a German shorthair and Elhue pointer with excellent lineage.
I took one look at this dog and fell in love with him. His head is kind of big for a pointer but more in line with a shorthair, his tail is a bit too long, but he has this look about him that is just adorable.
I probably should have considered it longer than I did, but you know me, I had a good feeling so I went with it!
Stetson is 6 months old..completely house broken, not much of a chewer or barker so I think we are getting along fine. Rocco, my beagle is not too happy about my decision but he will grow to like Stetson.
Stetson needs to run...he is full of energy and eager to explore and already points....i"m not always sure what he is pointing at, but I am sure we are off to a good start.
A friend of mine suggested an excellent trainer, so Stetson is now off to hunting school for a month. I hope he will not be expelled or get sent home. He has been there 5 days and I do not have a report on him yet....either way...good hunter or not, Stetson is a great dog. I'm lucky to have my shooting partner and great friend Duane, help me with Stetson. I finally have a bird dog...life is good.

Louisiana Slide Show

Make a Smilebox slideshow">

Recap of the Redfish Trip

We had a great time in Louisiana even though the conditions were not ideal. It seems as though if the conditions are ideal for black drum the redfish are more difficult to find. Such was the case on this trip....we caught alot of 20-30lb. black drum but worked really hard to find redfish and the ones we found were average size.
The most fun for me was being able to watch and help a dear friend of mine saltwater fish for the first time. Saltwater fly fishing is a bit intimidating since it typically means you are casting in windy conditions, throwing larger and heavier flies, and accuracy is of great importance.
Sight fishing is what it's all about....hunting fish and then making the cast in usually rushed circumstances. There is one general rule I have learned in flats fishing...MAKE THE CAST NOW! If the fish sees the fly it often times means FISH ON!
You snooze you loose....so dump it man...make the cast and dont worry about delicate presentation, get the fly in front of that fat pig and I promise he will eat it.

I just love it...love the thrill and the rush I get from standing on the deck and stalking fish. The fight is physical and you better be ready to put your body behind it and get the job done. Wimpy fishermen need not apply!
Watching Sesie was priceless...her casts were deliberate and yet reserved at first but soon after her first fish she became much more assertive and realized it is a fight between woman and fish and Sesie won.
Her first black drum was in the 20 pound class and she did exactly what a new saltwater angler should do....listen and follow directions-all of which she did deligently and therefore was rewared with this great fish.
Managing line is probably the most important and challenging part....a 20 pound saltwater fish is extremely strong so holding the rod upright is crucial, but what do you do with all that extra fly line puddled at your feet? well, you guessed it, manage it! get it back on the reel and or feed some to the fish all while keeping a tight line, once you get that done, the fight is on...the fish is on the reel and you better put some heat on that fish or you will soon be spooled.
Congratulations Sesie...you are a fast learner and handled each fish like a pro!

I love fishing Louisiana....there is a beauty to the marshes that is unlike any other fishery. The birds are spectacular and the solitude is unimaginable!
I hope I have many more years of this redfish trip and if for some reason I don't-
I smile when I think of every fish I ever hunted in the bayou!