First ice fishing trip 2009

Lots of firsts in these photos. Beside the obvious....the first perch of 2009 it's also the first fish I've ever caught on a fly (bait) that I tied myself.

Thanks again to Rick my friend and fly tying mentor.




I found the pattern for this small, mostly eye, fly on the web. It was for "catching perch" and it sure seems to have lived up to it's billing.




Speaking of firsts...this is the first time I've seen a perch with this obvious parasite (?). Does anyone know what it is. We caught several perch today with these parasites / tumors (?).

01/29/09 UPDATE: Via Fish Health Specialist in Madison says:

"I am 99% sure that the fish has Lymphocystis. In addition to infecting skin and causing growths on walleye, I have seen the growths on y perch and bluegill.

Lymphocystis is caused by an iridovirus (same kind of virus that causes LMB virus disease). The growths tend to slough off when the water temps increase in summer. Not visually appealing, but are not thought to harm the fish or people."

Thanks RB for facilitating the communications.

The nicest Christmas present I have ever received.

Thank you Kara. Gramma is proud of you. Your present is what Christmas is about. I will hang the original where I can see it everyday. Someday I will sit down with you and your picture and tell you about my memories of my home.



Kara this is the house that my mom, your Gramma, grew up in. This is exactly how I remember it. Someday we will sit down with this picture and I will tell you about all the great memories I have of spending time at my Gramma's house. You can still see this building at 16 Wildwood Ave. You can only see this home by looking at this piece of art. I will tell you about playing in the yard. Getting wet in the creek. Eating grapes from the grape vines. And skating on the bog in the winter.



Kara someday in not to many years (in old people time) it will be your piece of art that will contain the memories of the home at 245 Williams Street.

Love Unk

Straight out of a magazine. Thanks again to Rick.

This fly was from and article in a fly tying magazine. It focused on a fly you can tie from craft store ingredients.

The eyes are from common (sewing) pins cut at 3/8" long. The cut pin are tied together. The eyes are then tied perpendicular to the hook (Size 10 2x).

The body is made from sticky back foam bought at a big box store.

The tail and wings (legs) are suppose to be from metallic embroidery floss. The floss was not available in the big box store. So I cheated and went to the fly shop in town and purchased Flashabou.

I'm planning some smaller sizes and some different body colors.

I guess now I'll have to return Rick's magazine.






Griffith's Gnat

Griffith's Gnat. My second pattern. I feel like all thumbs.

Griffith's Gnat on 16 hook.

Light snow day. Visited friend.

Planning a vacation? Think Blue! Avoid RED!!

Look at NYT maps and data here.

We have our country back!

Remembering....

John J. Donahue
William C. Murphy
Lawrence T. Andrews
Raymond R. Lapointe
James E. Henry
Ronald Roderick

and 58,000 others.

Wow. New hobby. Thanks Rick.

Ready for the river? This is my first attempt at a Woolly Bugger. Heck it's only the second attempt at any fly tying pattern. Thanks for the private lesson(s) Rick and Cory.

So after years of fishing I've finally taken the plunge. i guess I'm going to tie flies. Fly tying seems to be just like my other hobbies it makes your wallet lighter. So far it's been fun.

Day of the Dead 2008

Joe and Barb. Sorry we missed your annual event. W & D

Halloween 2008. Caterpillars, skunks, princess, fireman and such.

Kitchen staff at school. Great people great meals everyday.