Happy New Year!
Author: Tim Burns
Maple Syrup Christmas
Tim gave me a stuffed pancake maker and a selection of flavored maple syrup for Christmas. The Bourbon Barrel went really well with the blueberries that I stuffed this flapjack with. The stuffed pancakes are big enough for two. I think I am stuffing the next one with apples. I hope you are hungry Marylynn.
A Dark Beer
Nothing beats a nice dark beer on a cold winter night. I found a new beer to fit the bill, Bennington Maple Oatmeal Stout. It is a limited release for winter from Night Shift Brewing out of Massachusetts. It is very smooth with notes of maple and cocoa. As a matter of fact, it is named after a sugarmaker town in Vermont. Brewed with maple syrup and Dutch-processed cocoa. Perfect for sitting in front of the woodstove reading one of the books I got for Christmas.
Getting ready for some ice.
I spent the evening spooling up my two Eagle Claw inline ice fishing reels. While I was back in New Jersey I purchased two jigging rods and reels. The combos originally were set up with spinning reels. Both of those reels broke after a short time. I stumbled across these Eagle Claw inline reels. They should prevent line twists and the tangles I would get when would open the bail of the spinning reels. The inlines have a free spool button to drop the lures no matter how light. This is all quite new to me. The season is so unreliable in NJ. The few times I have gone I had major twists and tangle issues. Let’s see if these new reels solve the problem. Now I just need some safe ice.
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas all. We are down in New Jersey on a whirlwind holiday visit.
New Guest.
I caught a glimpse of this guy the other day. I captured some good video footage on the game camera.
Another great Brewery
As I have said before I’m not sure whether I picked my new home for the beautiful outdoor environment or the great beer that is made here. My boss, who lives in the next town over the Maine border, gave me a growler of a local brew. “Nighttime Frozen Parking Lot” is a really nice milk stout from Saco River Brewing in Fryeburg Maine. It is a really good beer with just the right amount of coffee and chocolate notes. With an 8% ABV, it is a perfect pour to enjoy in front of the woodstove while warming up after a day of snow removal. Thanks, Doug.
The right place.
You know you have picked the right place to live when this is the view from the shopping center!
What better to do on a snow day?
It started snowing this morning. Marylynn, Bridget, and I are all home. I thought what better way to stay out of the way than to tie some flies.
This is a South Branch Chub. Originally tied by Bob Jacklin to fish the South Branch Of the Raritan River in New Jersey. I did really well with this pattern on The Ammonoosuc River in Bretton Woods New Hampshire. I am going to fill my streamer box for next spring. I have used imitation jungle cock cheeks here. I think it will look better with a natural jungle cock. In this article https://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw/101998fotw.php , Bob stated that he wanted to call it the Little Brook Trout, but the name was taken. I guess that is why it has worked so well here in New Hampshire. He also said the pattern will work well in ponds I will be giving that a try as well.
We are ready!
Bridget and I moved some wood up to the deck for easy reach out of the slider. We should all be toasty throughout the storm. With the new stove, this is about a week and a half worth of wood running 24/7. Maybe more we will see.
Tap 'n' Trout 