Marylynn and I went down to Swanzy to meet Bridget for her birthday. We stopped in this place for beer and a birthday snack. Good beer very eclectic. Some are quite high in alcohol content.
Good Beer 2!
Life
Good Beer!
Bridget gave me this cool coupon book for Christmas. I have finnelly had a chance to start using it.
I met Bridget here for lunch and a few beers. We own several prints by Sarah Fenerty the artist that does the can label art.
I did it!
On March 6th 2024 I realized a goal that I’ve been striving for since I got up here to New Hampshire. On my second attempt at a arduous task, I did it. I am now an official licensed fishing guide in the state of New Hampshire. Now I’ll be moving on to another part of my fishing lifestyle.
Ice?
One of the things I was looking forward to when I moved up to New Hampshire getting into ice fishing. I have been out a few times since I moved here, but not nearly as much as I would like. I found the process kind of cumbersome. Especially when I am by myself. This Christmas Marylynn got me the things I needed to round out my ice fishing kit. A battery-powered ice auger should make things a hell of a lot easier. I have always gotten pretty tired of drilling holes by hand. The power auger will allow me to move around and search out the best places to fish and the flasher/fish finder I received for Father’s Day will tell me what’s under the ice. The pack basket will be great to keep my tip-ups neat and tidy.
Now if Mother Nature would cooperate that would be great. It seems that I may find safe ice north of the notches, but the flooding and rain have washed away most of the ice here. I am really looking forward to some fresh fish tacos!
Have a Merry Christmas All!
This is what I should be doing now!
What in the world is going on out here?
It is the off-season. Trout fishing in the local rivers and streams closed in October. Ice fishing will not kick off until after the first of the year. So I am studying map and compass skills. I go outside and navigate to a landmark. I plot several locations on a map using UTM and then check them in the field with my GPS unit. I have been practicing using paper maps and compass as well as my Garmin GPS unit. You really do need a map and compass even with a high tech GPS unit. I think I have gotten pretty good at it.
I have read several books on the subject as well as numerous YouTube videos. This is what has begun to bother me. All the content providers state that one of the most important things to do is to leave an itinerary with someone. This is to give rescuers an idea of where to look for you if you don’t return when you should. A great idea. In older books, it is recommended that you leave the same information on your car even leave a map of your plan and any changes you might have made. Another great idea, rescuers would use your parked car as a starting point. However, in the newer books and videos, the authors strongly advise you not to do this. Why, because theaves will know that you will be away for a while and steal the contents or even have time to steal the car.
A similar issue came to light back in New Jersey. A fellow angler advised me to remove the Trout Unlimited and fishing company brand stickers off of my truck. When I asked why he stated unscrupulous people will use that as a clue as to the value of the stuff in your truck and break in.
All this makes me think that shitty people are staking out trailheads and fishing parking spots just waiting to rip you off. I thought that all us outdoors folk stick together and I was safe from this stuff out away from the city.
I guess not. What in the world is going on out here?
This is the proper time for pumpkin beer.
I love pumpkin beer. Not all pumpkin beer but a good bit of what’s on the market today. However, I have a strong opinion about when it should be enjoyed. That time is when there is a little bite in the air. That means the end of September and October. When you need to put a flannel on when you sit on the pouch watching the sun go down. I hate that the distributors push sales earlier and earlier in the year in their constant fight for shelf space.
So after a little leaf peeping here is a toast the the proper time.
Finally
I got a little fishing in this evening. My first trip. After dinner I went across the street to the East Branch of the Saco. I have not done well here, but I that I’d give it a try. I didn’t even put on waders. I got 7 brookies in about a hour. Most were caught on a pheasant tail jig fly with a pink collar. One took a larger Pat’s rubber legs stone fly nymph. The water was about 55 degrees. I fished until I could not see to untangle my leader. A good night.
We are a little behind.
So I believe spring has finally sprung here in the White Mountains. I have really been chomping at the bit to go fishing. The weather and mother nature have not been super cooperative. And I truly believe that “fishing season” really starts about a month and a half later than it does in New Jersey. All the fish porn the guys from New Jersey are posting are driving me mad.
Water temperatures remain quite low probably because of snow melt. We have also had a 7 inches of rain in a 3-day period rain event. Most of the rivers I would fish have remained quite blown out.
Most of the people I speak to here who are in to know about fly fishing have told me that the season really doesn’t kick off till after Mother’s Day. We will see.
Tap 'n' Trout 