Seems weird – its summer and I’m not fishing as much as did this winter. But it’s likely to continue this way a little longer. Granny continues to have a dysfunctional shoulder and finally gets an MRI on Thursday. Furthermore, our rivers are extremely busy with boats and happy anglers. I’m spoiled as far as having a piece of water to myself, so as I wait for things to quiet, I’m getting tons of work done.
Work? Many don’t understand my work so let me explain a day. I was on six amazing fishing trips since February. I collected tons of incredible photos. But they need to be trimmed down and edited. Something I didn’t have time to do much of because my travels were so back to back. I start each day with about three hours of photo editing. I’ve worked backwards finishing up Canada, NH, Cape Cod, Baja and today I finally sorted all my Iceland pics from the April trip. Next is Cameroon then the World Masters Championships I fished in South Africa during February. This is one of those monster browns from Iceland – a special thanks to my friends at Fishpartner and Strengur Angling.
Once my photos are organized I’ll shift to rebuilding and updating all my PowerPoint presentations with my latest photos. I feel I offer some of the most exciting presentations in the industry. A ton of behind the scenes work goes into them. This year I’ll be adding some new shows for my line up. If anyone has a great idea for a show I’m always open to your thoughts as well. And if your fly fishing club or local show is in need of a speaker check out my 2020 schedule and see if I’m available.
Then there’s my art. Throughout the season I take orders for Cliff Boxes and commission pieces. I was given an amazing challenge by friend/customer Matthew Heumann. Matt had me paint him a mustache triggerfish he caught while we were fishing Anna Atoll last December. You can see the entire process from sketch to finished fish on my Instagram page.
Matt’s triggerfish came out so good that I went further and painted Mr. Mustache’s closest cousin, the yellowmargin triggerfish. This means I have both triggerfish now available on my famous coffee mugs, shirts and frosted beer steins which can be purchased on my Webstore.
All that said, don’t think I didn’t sneak out on the water at least once since that lower Snake River trip. While I never made a cast, I took my friend Libby Alcorn out for mirror carp. It was a scorching hot sunny day. Things were perfect except for one thing – the carp wouldn’t eat.
We were down to the last hour and it was looking like we’d be skunked. But then the wind kicked up. I always preach that a good day of fishing needs a little wind. Sure enough the carp bite came on. Libby landed this beast and ended with a cute little 8 pounder that must have been a bit slippery!
That’s it for now. I’m certain to get out at least a few hours this week. Next week my sister comes with my niece Sierra and nephew Eli and I have big fishy plans. Then I have a South African pal in town, Garth Wellman, and we’ll fish four straight days. Stay tuned!