The Gila Trout

The Gila Trout is a conservation success story.  While doing some reading up on all the different types of trout that inhabit the waters of North America, I came across the Gila.  A relative of the Apache Trout, the Gila had lived most of the last century on the edge of extinction.  In 2006 that changed when it was downgraded to a threatened species.  The more I read into this species, the more I appreciated just what it took to restore this trout to a healthy population.

Through the efforts of anglers, scientists, and the government it is now legal to pursue this special trout with a fly rod and as long as anglers obey the rules established to protect it, this trout will be around for our children's children to enjoy.
This is the first time I have ever looked into the history of the Gila and after a brief Google search I was able to see just how much color this trout sports.  It truly is a beautiful fish and a worthy species to protect.
This New Mexico and Arizona native once had a range through most of the Gila river and its tributaries but in the late 60's their range had shrunk to a mere 20 miles.  Today they now enjoy a healthier habitat in over a dozen protected streams near and including the native Gila River.

The average length of this trout is around a foot but can reach sizes similar to its trout relatives of close to twenty two inches.  Whatever the length, it would be a joy to hook into one of these special trout. Solid conservation projects like protecting this trout are efforts every angler can support.
"Gila Trout"
Watercolor On Paper

Forget The Paiute Trout - Save The Caddis Fly

"Save The Caddis Fly - Stop The Re-Introduction Of The Endangered Native Paiute Trout".
No that is not a joke.  That is exactly what a group of completely delusional, so called 'enviromentalists' are advocating in California and they have the lawyers to fight it.  Right now it seems that they are winning the battle.
I picked up a copy of The Wall Street Journal yesterday (that's right, the Wall Street Journal - I still believe in capitalism.) and on the front page is a story about the threatened Paiute Cutthroat Trout and these 'nuts that are fighting their reintroduction in favor of a very common bug.

An environmental oddity, the Paiute is a species of cutthroat that has naturally evolved into a separate type of trout.  Separated from other cutthroats by two waterfalls on a nine mile stretch of Silver King Creek, the Paiute has lived and developed for hundreds of years.  Around 1912 a local shepherd and avid angler (Joe Jaunsaras took a bucket of Paiute from this isolated stretch and transplanted them up river.  He might not have known it but this transplantation saved the Paiute.  Over the years, the introduction of other trout into the original nine mile stretch of Paiute river led to their destruction.  Fortunately Joe's transplantation saved this special trout from complete extinction.

Now there is a move to restore the Paiute Trout to its native nine mile home on the Silver King Creek but the 'Bug People' are fighting it .  Scientists estimate that there are only about 2000 Paiute left in the world and by every anglers knowledge there is about 200,000,000,000+ Caddis flies in North America alone.  There is NO threatened species of insects known to exist in the nine mile stretch of King Creek yet these bug nuts are fighting to save them.  Their main complaint is that anglers are behind the reintroduction of the Paiute.  Obviously they don't understand that most anglers love a healthy caddis filled stream as much as anybody and we often strive to make as clean an environment as possible for both trout and bug.  After all, without the little flies our trout streams would look pretty barren.
For me these idiots are proof that common sense is the real endangered species in this ever shrinking world of ours.  Seriously!!!  If you want more information on the Paiute Trout effort check out the Monday Nov 17 WSJ article or the local California TU chapter.  I also encourage my fellow bloggers to do a post to spread the word and stop these bug nuts from doing more harm than good.
 I painted this Paiute Trout yesterday with this article in mind.  Never did I think an article in the WSJ would lead to a trout painting but there you go.

"Save The Paiute Trout"

9 in. X 4.5 in.

Watercolor on Paper

On other more light news, My little girl and I spent a little time the other day moving pawns and horses around the board.  I have been teaching her the moves of each piece over the last few months and now that she knows what each piece does she wants to play me ever chance we get.  I have no doubt that she will soon be thinking three moves ahead of her old man...........
 Thinking about it now, I might come to regret this decision when she hits her teens.

One Busy Saturday

There isn't much more intimidating and exciting than the stark whiteness of a blank canvas.  It represents unlimited potential while at the same time presenting a wall one must cross to unlock that potential.  Today I barely crossed that wall to paint up a little fly.

One might recognize this fly from Brk Trt over at smallstreamReflections.  It isn't as good as the real thing but it help me pass the morning before the leaves dried out enough to get them off the yard.

The other day a friend and I headed up the mountain to do a bit of fishing on the Middle and Upper Saluda.  He caught two small chubs and a stray sunfish but besides one small trout that swam past me, those were the only fish we saw.  I'm not sure why we failed to spot fish but despite the poor fishing, it was a nice day to get out on the stream.

Also, REI - the quality outdoor sporting goods store created by a small group of avid climbers finally set up shop in Greenville SC.  I spent the early morning waiting in line for a gift certificate, a FREE water bottle and base layer tee shirt, then as an added bonus, $100 free gift card.  Now I just need to find some quality products to spend it on.  REI had some top quality stuff but as all good things, they don't come cheap.  My guess is that $100 wont go very far but it will be well spent.

Peacock Bass

I have wanted to paint up a Peacock Bass for some time but for some unknown reason I have put it off. I think the vivid colors and distinct look of a peacock bass might have had something to do with.  Whatever it was that made me drag my feet on this beautiful fish, I have put it behind me with the completion of this watercolor.

For those interested in the process of laying down watercolors or just like to see how a painting like this develops, I have added a pair of pictures taken during the painting.
I am hoping to someday make the journey down to the southern hemisphere to hunt this colors species of bass in its native habitat but I suspect that the closes I will ever come to this fish will be a possible trip to Florida to hook into a few that have been planted there to kill off another non-native fish that has had a devastating effect of the backwaters and lakes.  I'm not a big supporter of introducing new species to established waters but in this case I hesitantly believe it is justified and am somewhat thankful.

For one, they have been introduced to hunt a non-native species that is uncontrolled by the native fish.  And for another more selfish reason, I might have the opportunity to hook into one in the future without having to travel to the jungles of the Amazon.  from what I've read about the Florida Peacock Bass, they are considerably smaller but just as brilliant as both a game fish and photographic opportunity.
Anyway, this watercolor was painted on 100% cotton acid free paper that has been hot pressed to a smoother finish.  It measures 8.5in x 6.5in.  If you would like to own this piece please feel free to EMAIL me and I'll shoot you the details and how you can purchase it.  And as with all my original watercolors, they come with a pre-cut mat and backing board ready to be framed.  All you need to get is a frame and a nail to hang it from.  In a day or so I will be placing this work up on my Buy A Print Page where you can also purchase a beautiful 8x10 mated print of this or other works.

Making Mead

I finally got to bottle up some of my mead the other day.  I started the process about three months ago with the key stuff you see off to the left.  The honey came straight from a local bee keeper and boy was it sweet.  I was told that it was a hive placed in a sandalwood grove which might be why the color was so much darker than a clover honey or fruit orchard.  Apparently it really makes a difference where the bees live and harvest on how the honey tastes.  When one thinks about this it makes perfect sense but who thinks about it?  I never did.... until now.

When I first boiled up the honey, added the extras and the yeast, then bottled it up in the gallon carboys the concoction looked like a thick cider.  The fermentation started nearly right away and bubbled with a very lively action.  When I made my wine I first placed the mix into a covered bucket for 4-5 days then transferred it to the carboys, but for this mead I placed it all in the carboy right away.  The lack of hard contents in the mix made this possible because when the fermentation ended and the mead began to clear, there was very little sedimentation in the bottom of the jug.
After a bit over two weeks I slowed the fermentation by lowing the temperature and putting the remaining yeast into a sort of hibernation.  When the sediments settled out I racked off the good mead and added a bit more honey and a yeast killer to make sure the fermentation process did not start again.

Finally I took one of the gallon jugs and bottled up the best of the mead.  One might ask, "Isn't that a lot of work for three bottles of mead?  Can't you just buy your mead at the liquor store?  Why go through the hassle?"  Well, if you have to ask that then you are missing the point.  Life is about the process and making mead, wine, tying flies, hunting, fishing, backpacking and even work is about the process and doing it well.  Part of that process is learning from your mistakes and trying till you get it right.  the making of this mead is a product of that.  My first foray into wine making was somewhat disappointing.  The wine was lacking in taste (not alcohol) and for the most case just sitting in bottles waiting to see if time improves it.  I suspect no amount of time will help, but this mead was a drastic improvement.  I tasted the mead before bottling and it tasted good.  I might have used a bit to much nutmeg but that can easily be fixed on the next go around.  Anyway, I have another gallon to bottle up next week and come Thanksgiving supper my table will be jolly with home made mead.  Thanks to you American Honey Bee! We salute you.

Flies & Feathers From Brook Trout

I got something in the mail the other day that really got me excited.  Alan, aka Brk Trt, aka http://smallstreamreflections.blogspot.com/ sent me three of the best looking flies currently in my collection.  I mentioned to Alan a while ago that I was getting a collection of flies together for a display piece.  My plan was to use a large and very old type setters drawer I purchased at an antique store a while back and fill it with great looking flies and antique lures.

Once I get it all together, rest assured that I will be doing a post on it but for right now I am in the gathering stage and these three flies will compliment the display perfectly.
This isn't the first time Alan's flies have graced the Year On The Fly.  Some of you might remember The Proudre Canyon Special.  For that fly Alan and I got together to send the Midgeman a special piece.  I must admit that I was a bit jealous of the midgeman but now he can envy me.

I am also sharing it with you so you might become aware of the great flies that Alan has been tying.  I have looked these three flies over and over with the eye of a novice fly tier and am amazed at the quality of work and obvious time spent on each fly.  Alan might appreciate my painting skills but they are nothing to the skills he has with the hook and feather. Well done Alan.

October Cutthroat Trout & A Soo Brew

  For this new work I went back to what I know best; watercolor.  I also thought that it was somewhat fitting for the time of season with all the vampires and creepy killers on the loose.  After all, doesn't every cutthroat you have seen look like it has had its throat slashed?
  Anyway, I painted this with the Idaho trip I did this past summer on my mind.  I love cutthroat trout and have painted them before but each new painting is separate animal, not unlike the fish themselves.

I had intended to do a progressive photo record of this work but as often time happens, I got caught up in the flow of the work and completely forgot until the piece was nearly complete.  While painting with watercolors you need to lay color down all the time, careful to keep an eye on how the water is drying and mixing the pigments.  This process of layering and moving paint while racing the drying effects and sometimes waiting for the piece to dry just right before laying down another layer takes a fair amount of concentration and as such - this is the only progressive photo I got.

Also unlike oils, working in watercolors gives me the benefit of mobility.  It is extremely easy to pack a pad of paper, a few tubes of paint, and brushes into a carry on luggage than it would be to pack a stretch canvas, a variety of brushes and pallets, and larger tubes of paint.  Also a watercolor dries in hours while an oil takes weeks to completely dry.
For those wondering if this item will be for sale, the answer is no.  I did this work at the request of my father who asked for an original for a charity auction he is working with (For those in the northwest Washington area, you might be able to get in on this).  I will be however making a few prints available for purchase soon.  Feel free to Email Me if this is a work you would like to have as an 8x10 print.

"October Cutthroat"
6" x 8" Watercolor On
100% Cotton, Acid Free Hot Pressed Paper

Also I was in Sault St. Marie, Michigan the other day and stopped into the Soo Brew Company for one brew and ended up with a good dose of Soo brew.  Imagine bellying up to a bar in 1890 on the American frontier and ordering a beer and getting slid down to you a handed crafted brew that surpasses a lot of micro brews on the market.  If you can imagine that you need to visit Sault St. Marie Michigan where the the locals are known are yoopers and all others are known as trolls. 
I started the afternoon with the highly recommended Braveheart Stout (named after the owners dog) for a rich yet smoothly thick brew and then next the  Maggie's Red (a brew named after the ownrers daughter).

Both are great complex brews that are not only VERY smooth but also are so slowly brewed that they lack the harsh alcohols that cause a hangover.  I spent a little time with the owner and brew master to talk about his process.  I even watched as he tested and measured the alcohol and brew process of a few brews working in the vats behind the bar.  What a great place! 

Great people, Freaking great beer, and a locally owned brew I will support all day long.  The only beer I disliked was the GoldiLocks but I like the thicker more complex brews and he advised me that the Golilocks might not be my style.  I did witness a few local girls that ordered the Goldilocks but for me it just wasn't enough.  For a good in-between brew that might be lighter than a stout and thicker than a Goldi I'd say the Sooper Yooper IPA might be your speed but for me its absolutely the Stout or the Red.
I also spent a bit of time with the owners un-official taste tester and the guy that crafted all the hearty tables in the bar (as well as local craftsman) and got a good look at the soul of the soo.  Analysis, the Soo is about people that do and not people that rely on others to do for them.  Long story sort, If you are in the Soo and looking for a great place to kick back and drink some good brews, head to the SOO Brewing Company for the best brews around!! 

Oil Painting Of A Trout In Hand

Back to painting and being inspired bu the blogging network.  Some of my loyal followers might have noticed that oil painting is not one of my more common styles of painting and to tell the truth it has somewhat intimidated me as an artist.  Up until recently most of my works have been watercolors, pen and ink, and pencil pieces but I thought I would push my boundary a bit and branch out into oils and see what happens.  After all, one does not grow without expanding the knowledge base and for me I truly only learn by just doing it.

For this oil I turned to a popular blogger and frequent collaborator - Josh from bigerrfish.blogspot.com .  I loved the simple colors and the lines of this fish half out of the water.  The smooth arch of the back and angle of Josh's hand dipped into the water made for a typical yet simply artful composition for me to work with.  I also loved the colors in the water as they ran around and reflected the sky, the grassy bank, and the fish.  I did not go into this painting with the idea of exactly duplicating the photo but instead simply use it as a springboard for the final piece.

The photo above was taken while the paint is still wet so there is allot of reflection of light and a few dark shadows that seem to alter the true colors of the piece.  I believe that the distant picture on top shows more of the actual feel of the piece and I figure that you get the overall gist of what it should look like.  Maybe when it is completely dry I can get a better photo of it but for now its as good as it gets.
"Red Arch Of Trout"
11x14 in. Oil On Canvas

Sketching And Remembering The Salt

After a great trip fishing the Florida Gulf shore I am back to reality.  No more waking with the sun to flip off my sandals on the shore, wade waist deep into the cool refreshing salt waters of the bay or ocean, and no more chasing those fins with my undersized 6w fly rod.  No more sand creeping into areas where sand should never go, no more taking the kiddos to the beach in the afternoon, and no more proudly watching while my kids take turns doing full face plants in the surf as their Bogey board tumbles drifts ashore.

Now its back to work and dreaming about the next time I can get to the salt.  I have been seeing allot of these stickers lately advocating the 'Salt Life' and now I know what they truly mean.  I think that I could fit in nicely living the life of a Hemingway novel on the back islands of the Florida Keys.  Salt Sand and Sun fit nicely with my idea of an ideal spot.  You throw in the opportunity to wade out from my back deck and flip flies and streamers at seriously aggressive fish on the ebb of the tide and I will be your huckleberry.  

In case your wondering about the horse sketch and scratching your head about what it has to do with the beach, well It doesn't.  As I said I'm back at work and currently stuck in Lexington KY.  I just thought I'd share a locally inspired sketch.  The picture below was the view out my back window of my Florida getaway.  A million dollar view that, thanks to a generous aunt that owns the place, didn't cost me a dime.  My wife and kids will remember it for ever.

and the picture below was our last sunset taken just out of St Pete on a point overlooking the bay.

More Florida Surf Fishing

Just sharing a few more pics of my mornings catches. In just over2 hours I hooked into well over 40 fish on nearly any type of fly I flung at them.  I even hooked into this massive beast that stripped my line to its backing, took half a dozen giant leaps and tossed my fly in one last wave of the fin. Seriously, this guy was huge and strong but as I never had a photo, it just another fish story. Next time I tell it the fish will be pushing 10 pounds and it will probably morph into a legendary tarpon.  Regardless, this trip has been a blast and one the family and I will always remember.

A Sailboat & A Ladyfish

While on one of our daily excursions to the beach with the kidos, this beautiful sailboat was cruising past just a few hundred yard off shore and begged to be sketched out. I love about everything nautical and as I'm sketching I begin to wonder why I don't do more sailboat pictures.  Maybe when I get back home I'll take out the paint and try my hand at a few schooners.
I also got up early and took the fly rod down to the beach instead of the grass flats of the bay. In 2 hours of fast and furious fishing I believe my father-inlaw and I hooked into over 40 ladyfish, jacks, and pompeno.  The ladyfish you see in the picture fought hard and jumped about a dozen times before I landed her. Beautifully strong fish that can leap 3-5 feet in the air and shake their head with such force, you had better be hooked in good or else all you'll get is a glimpse of that fine lady.
Oh, did I mention that the only fly rod I brought on this trip was a 6 weight!  That right, a 6w!  A Freekin Blast!

Redfish....Hook Me Up!

Yet another day in the salt chasing fins with my fly rod and boy was it a blast. 
After a rather late night playing cards and enjoying a 'few' beverages I felt that nothing would make me feel like my old self like wading on the flats.  Let me tell you that if you can find the energy to pry yourself out of bed after 4 hrs of sleep and hook into a big redfish that tests you line for a good 5-10 minutes, any illness you might be dealing with will instantly be cured.
Again I say that I now know why so many anglers swear by saltwater fishing. My first redfish and I can't wait to hook into another. I also landed 4 other spotted sea trout and hooked into 3 more energetic fishing that broke loose before I could get a hand on them. I'll spare you those pics but they were once again some sweet looking fish.

More Spotted Sea Trout

Another day of fly fishing the grass beds for trout.  I am beginning to see why so many anglers love the salt. These fish are big mean and a blast to hook into. I was hoping for a redfish, big drum, or sheephead but if all I catch for the next few days is trout I won't be disappointed.

Sea Trout On The Fly

No art to post but I did manage to do a little fishing today and hooked into two very nice sea trout. What a freekin blast!
I only had about 45 min but it was enough and man what a rush. I also learned a few things:
1 - always tie up enough fly patterns for your trip.
2 - don't forget your fly patterns at home on the coffee table... Seriously $4.90 for a simple hair streamers at the local shop. I could have tied 20 patterns like that at home for that price..
3 - don't Ever....and ever! Grab a sea trout by the lip or try to unhook him with your fingers. I quickly learned to avoid those massive fangs the hard way!  What a fighter.
These were my first sea trout ever and I can't wait to go back for more. Now off to the beach for a bit of family memories to go with these fishing memories.  Good times!

3 Flies

Three flies painted in a monochromatic color for a Tuesday post.  The first is a Stimulator with heavy hackles, a pair of  hopper wings overlapped with white hair.  A killer pattern for all types of fish in many types of water conditions.

Next is the good old big fat Humpy fly.  Also painted in a monochrome color.  Heavy use of hackles and ribbed foam body make this a great strong current fly.   Better have some big flies on the water to use this fat little guy or the fish might just snub you.

And the final monochrome fly for this Tuesday is the V.A Wasp.  With a fat foam but and use of hackles.  Adding a few slight wings and plastic barbel eyes provide for a realistic fly pattern for warm water flies.
All the inspiration for these flies come from the http://www.barbosconmosca.com/ blog.