Washed Out...but, Never Wasted!

Regardless of weather, any day spent afield is better than work! It's a pleasure and privilege for us to be able to get out and live nature! Yesterday I did just that on the South Platte River.


My advice...get out and enjoy life!

Havilah's November Health Program

If you haven't ever read any of Havilah Babcock's stories, you should include them on your bucket list! He was a master storyteller and professor of English by trade--eventually the head of the English Department at the University of South Carolina. Havilah was a transplant to South Carolina by way of Virginia...which suited him well because the finest bird hunting to be found was in the low land country of Carolina!


True to Dr. Babcock's Rx...My health is most certainly better during bird season...actually it's September through January for me! I might be able to extend it into February if I travel to Texas or Arizona to chase the bird dogs a little more. I'm counting the days to September...


Until September, there's fly fishing! My brother Andy and I don't exactly see eye-to-eye on this subject, but fishing is something one does when it's not bird dog season!


(Side note here---My family accuses Andy of needing a shrink for his fly fishing obsession...or what some my call a neuroses...but, I'm not one to point fingers or place any blame...as far as I know, he goes to church every Sunday and some how makes it to work daily! I'm not without sin, so I won't be throwing any proverbial stones! DUCK!)


Anyways...the Platte River with Tim on Father's Day was smoking! I even forgot about my aches and pains for the two-something-hours I was fighting the current and chasing rainbow dreams! Mayflies and caddis will forever be on my mind!

The Father's Day Rainbow over the gorgeous South Platte River valley...leads to a different pot of gold!





The view from Tim's Cabin of the South Platte River
Tim's Cabin...it's a tough life, but someone's got to do it!

Waiting on Chickens

It's always coldest just before the chickens arrive...behold, a slice of lesser prairie chicken heaven somewhere in southern Kansas sand sage country. Unfortunately, this 40,000 acre ranch was recently lost due to the economy. I just hope that the new owners are stewards of the chickens on their land as the previous tenants were.

Meals to Die for in the Uplands...& Great Company too!

Grandson, Great Reads and Awaited Painful Anticipation

Yesterday I was in the office examining a client's nice setter-dogs and getting them ready for the up and coming bird dog season. The first thing out of his mouth as I entered the exam room was "Only 90 more days"...that exact thought occupied my mind yesterday (01 June 2009) as I bounced into work!

My grandson, Liam, was born last month, and I'm happy to report that mom and grandchild are doing great! I'm not sure if he's a right hander or not...so I haven't bought his fly rod/reel or smooth bore just yet! But...I do fore see a shag-runner in his near future! What's better than setter slobber? I'm a very proud grandpa to say the least...even at 41!

I'm currently reading Mike Gaddis' new book "Legend's Legacy"...just out this week! It's very good! If you haven't read "Zip Zap" or "Jenny Willow", I would strongly urge you to do so! Mike has quickly become one of my favorite bird dog authors!

I'm also very excited to see that William G. Tapply has a new & much anticipated book to be out the first of October 2009! I've already reserved my copy from Amazon.com. To read more about Bill's book, Google Skyhorse Publishers which is Nick Lyon's son's new company. I personally feel that Bill is a world class author (and I know my brother Andy feels the same way!)

I'm really looking forward to Fall 2009! The economy woes won't keep me from the uplands this year...it didn't last year either! Walter and I have a great trip planned to NC Kansas where the birds should be great! I saw lots and lots of rough-neck roosters in Kansas this past Spring while courting long beards with a stick and string!

Oh...there may be some fly fishing this Summer for me too! Fly fishing to me is something you do to get ya in-between-the-crazies...before the dogs can be loosed for chasing birds! Penn's Creek and the Little J and even Spruce Creek are calling my name for early July! I'll keep ya posted and disseminate the info as it happens!