Apropos Of Nothing

KINDER, GENTLER ?

Sexist Appeal ?

a robyn roy for you ?

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.. Diageo just announced that some bottles of Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch will now carry a woman on the label.
.. The new moniker will appear in limited numbers in the U.S.A. and should be available tomorrow or, as soon as your local spirits merchant figures it out (LINK-1, LINK-2.)
.. This push by Diageo, the worlds number two producer of spirits, is designed to make sure that women know that it's O.K. to drink Scotch Whiskey. [[ The largest distiller in the world is Kweichow Moutai in China.]]

OUR PERSONAL PREFERENCE

.. The fly fishing world has also jumped on the "market to women" bandwagon over  the last few years.
.. We're alert to these trends and wonder if women feel that they need to be told that it's O.K. to fish with a fly or to drink scotch whiskey.
.. We'd like to make it clear that both are just fine - thank you. Here in America it's also fine if women enjoy any freedoms that men - or other sexed beings enjoy.
.. The neighbors are currently discussing names for future forays into fly tying and naming: starting with the "Royal Coachwoman," and extending to the "Boudoir Vac."
.. We intend to monitor this trend and will provide alerts when fly rods come in shades of pink with petticoats and skirts.

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.. Well, the dumping of white stuff has paused for a day or so. Clean up is proceeding apace with the city crews working double shifts to get the streets back in shape.

LADY JANE COACHMAN

.. Old-timers can be heard remarking that it looks just like the olden days. We haven't had a three foot dump in recent memory but, 31 inches over the last three days is nice to see.
.. We're in the midst of another mid-life morning and the whiskey news guarantees that we'll probably put on the coffee and rustle up some grub to tame the growl in the pit.
.. Nap time should come about daylight.

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WALLPAPER:  DUMPING DEEPER

Deviant Behavior

SILLY NEIGHBORS

Unscripted Behavior

assaulting pea brains

ONLY LEGAL FISHER IN YELLOWSTONE

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.. Just some Coachman Fly iterations. One from the dictionary and three from the fertile imagination of neighbor Jimmy. Never would make it as counter help. Too inventive!
.. It shouldn't be too difficult to figure out the recipes. These are all trout sized, ( 4 to 18,) depending on the pattern.

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.. You can match the image to the name. It shouldn't be too hard:
1) Coachman Bomber,
2) Royal Coachman Bomber,
3) Royal Coachman Nymph,
4) Royal Coachman Shamrock Bomber.

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.. And now for our combined strength and aerobic stint with the snow shovel. This will give us the incentive to tackle some breakfast.

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WALLPAPER:   FAJITA FIXIN'S

Adios Nissan

WE NEED ONE

Another Video

a new trend setter

..
..

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.. Well the Nissan crew has departed wonderland and left all of our neighbors with damp jeans and a fresh insight into over-the-snow travel.

UBER IN WEST YELLOWSTONE

.. Now we will have to give up on our tried and true backyard ski adventures and convert some local roadsters into toys that are a bit more modern.
.. We do look forward to seeing the new iterations of winter recreation.
.. Good grief, Murgatroyd, you can't fish all the time.

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WET DREAM OF SOME LOCAL CONVERSION MECHANICS

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.. And then the snowfall quit and then, has started again. If the moisture content stays up there may be a real spring runoff event this year.
.. We're back to seasonal temperatures and the days keep getting longer. Daytime activities are beginning to crop up around town. Construction sites are getting cleared. Covers are coming off of the charcoal grills. Two wheel drive automobiles are emerging from garages. Some of the high school kids were caught wearing shorts to school.
.. During this time of year 'the weekend' is just an artificial frame of mind. The banks and the Post Office close so it's off to the hardware store for a bit of gossip, news and rumor: then it's for breakfast of pizza and beer at the pub.

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WALLPAPER:    FUDGE WITH SHAVED ALMONDS

Minutia

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Current Visitation

just winter fiddling

GOOD PLACE TO FISH ON THE GIBBON RIVER

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.. In the winter, even when we don't fish there are just so many thrilling things to do in our neighborhood.

RIDE A BOMB

.. We have some neighbors that take visitors on little rides in the park.
.. On occasion we tag along to make sure that Yellowstone National Park is still there: you never know.
.. There is also the exciting adventure of walking along the shopping streets to see just which shops are open: some are.
.. Pubs do a brisk business during the mid day break from  the kidney bruising adventures on the rocket sleds.
.. We can get in our aerobic licks and fresh air by shoveling the white stuff: one of the gentle nuisances of winter.

GOOD PLACE TO FISH THE FIREHOLE

.. Then, there are the chores around the house.
.. We're getting a head start on our spring cleaning. We do, however, get some minor pulmonary distress with vacuuming and dusting.
.. For some unexplained reason the winter is just as dusty as the summer around here.
.. Such a busy place in the winter and we don't ski, or ride sleds, or use the snowshoes, or clean roofs anymore.

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..The neighbors are clamoring for more. Here's a small preview of coming attractions:

..There are also  some nifty names of the Coachman variants.
.. How about a Coachman Royal Ginger? How about a Coachman New Zealand?
.. Do you need a Coachman Royal Black or a Coachman Red?
.. Would you ever fish with a Coachman Bucktail or with a Coachman Royal (Bivisible?)

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.. Well, as our linguistic relatives across the pond say: "THE HOOVER IS CALLING."
..There are also melodic whimperings from the hobby table hobby room.
.. Out in the kitchen the pleasant aromas emanating from crinkled beer cans and small scraps of steak and potatoes seem to need some attending to.
.. Of course we could change the bulb in the front porch light. We could also restring a couple of sadly neglected instruments or patch the bellows on the old Linhoff and Graflex cameras.
.. Maybe we should jettison the sweats and don the civilized attire with matching socks and mittens. 
.. The head spins with possibilities for very diverse and rewarding recreation. Apoplexy is distinctly possible. Or not!

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WALLPAPER:   YELLOWSTONE WINTER SOLITUDE

Once Upon A Time

WHAT'S IN A NAME ?

What Is Royal ?

how many variations ?

FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

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..Once upon a time it seemed possible to catalog all the known flies for fishing.
.. In 1984 "Perrault's Standard Dictionary Of Fishing Flies" was self published. It listed over 16,000 patterns and was mostly alphabetized.
.. There are copies available all over the place. Google it and buy one if you choose. It is a minor bit of fly fishing history.

COACHMAN

.. Once upon a time fishing with a fly was still a new and novel pastime that was outside the mainstream of culture in England, Scotland and the United States.
.. Once upon a time individual fly patterns became famous and dominated fly fishers' boxes in all waters, (even the salt and elsewhere.)
.. Once upon a time names were as magic as the flies that they referred to.
.. Such is the name "COACHMAN." Since it's first mention between 1800 and 1815, and it's original variation the Lead Wing Coachman in 1830, (or so,) the moniker has attached itself to a myriad of variations on the theme.

LEADWING COACHMAN

.. The theme is simple enough: a bit of brown and/or black hackle wrapped in front of a peacock hurl body. These elements plus idiosyncratic additions will produce millions of references and patterns when searched on the web.
.. By 1984 the Coachman variations in Perrault's tome numbered nearly 200. Today there are probably twice that number floating around the fly world; given the ego maniacal bent of each generation of fly tiers.

STANDARD DICTIONARY

..  Once upon a time, (not too many years ago,) the neighbors decided to try to replicate all the flies detailed in the 1984 dictionary.
.. The recipes are detailed in the most spartan manner but, are adequate for a more than reasonable facsimile.
.. The neighborhood project has reached the nearly the half way point. There are now 96 specimens. 
.. It took no great pressure for the assembled hoard to convince us to undertake a series of posts that highlight these flies.
.. Periodically, as time and images allow, the flies and their names, (as recorded by Perrault,) will be posted here.
.. Since the project is ongoing, and since the flies exist in various locations, this will of necessity be a herky-jerky process.
.. Of course these names and recipes will not match your idealized names or recipes. Such it is in the world of "ONCE UPON A TIME."

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Fan Wing Royal Wulff

Hook:  # 6-20.

Thread: Black.

Wing: White Calf Body Hair; divided.

Tail: Dark Moose Hair.

Rib: Fine Copper Wire.

Body: Peacock Herl and Red Floss.

Hackle: Brown Rooster Hackle.

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Fan Wing Royal Coachman
Hook:  # 6-20  

Thread: Black. 

Tail: Golden Pheasant Tippets. 

Wings: White Duck Flats. 

Body: Peacock Herl/Red Floss/Peacock Herl. 

Hackle: Coachman Brown (dark brown)

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LadyCoachman
Hook:  # 6-20  

Thread: Black. 

Tail: Golden Pheasant Tippets. 

Wings: Mallard Wing Segments. 

Body: Peacock Herl/Yellow Floss/Peacock Herl. 

Hackle: Yellow Starling Fibers Beard.

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RED TAIL COACHMAN

.. Three down, ninety three to go. It's warming up and lunch is done. 16°F might just be today's high.

.. No nap time. More reels and lines to fiddle with.
.. Only six inches of dry fluff last night and another two or three feet due for the next week or so. Good for the fish.

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WALLPAPER:  SOURDOUGH BOULE

Fed Up

WHY THE HARANGUE ?

Are You Surprised ?

cheats are normal

NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN

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.. It's -23°F and rising rapidly to an anticipated high temperature of +8°F.
.. We had a mid life morning and quickly turned on the tube in the hopes of it pushing us back into the world of slumber.
.. The bombast from the screen was stifling and repetitive. Can we become inured to the illegal conduct of humans in high places?
.. Should we be surprised that our elected officials are crooked? Why should we expect legal behavior from the rich and famous in the business world?
.. Is the public service sector more closely scrutinized than the business world. Damn right it is! And it should be!

THE CLASSIC

.. This is a world where cheating your neighbor and your customer and your partner is de rigueur in business. This is the standard model of business in an entrepreneurial society. If you have never been in business you are out of the loop.
.. The only reason that laws exist is that people are prone to behaving in the illegal and proscribed behavior.
.. Enacted laws are the imposition of idealized cultural standards on behaviors of the populace, (religious, psychological, philosophical, etc.)
.. Are there laws against bestiality? Of course there are. Why? Because people are prone to do it.

THE EMULATOR

.. Are there laws against theft? Of course there are. Why? Because people are prone to do it.
.. Are there laws against fraud? Of course there are. Why? Because people are prone to do it.
.. We  should not be surprised that the standard business model should have been transposed to the current administration.
.. We should not be surprised that a large segment of the American public believes that business is a good thing. They are prone to the standard business behaviors.

THE HEIR

.. We should not be surprised that the "real business model" is running our culture and our politics. [[LINK-1]]
.. Avarice and the concept of 'success' is basic to both Homo Sapiens and the business model. It is, in fact, basic to scientific models of evolution.
.. Success in the evolution of our species is recorded in only a few factors.
1) Us against them,
2) Making more babies than them,
3) Hoarding more resources and wealth than them,
4) Using nepotism and other tools to give us advantage over them,
5) Survive by winning at all costs against them.

REAL SUCCESS

.. In fact these are the secrets to evolutionary success for all species.
.. Boiled down, below the scientific verbiage and all the academic and cultural hocus pocus, it is really "ALL ABOUT ME." [[ LINK-2]]

.. We are experiencing the catharsis of a society that is confronting it's base values and behaviors: there seems to be some outrage. What to do?
.. This is not just in politics. It is in journalism, education, recreation, business, sports, agriculture, fly fishing, religion, etc. It's not a pretty model of the success of our species. 

THE ENFORCER

.. There is a big difference between being human and exhibiting humanity.
>> Being human is what biological Homo Sapiens do.
>> Exhibiting humanity is behaving according to the idealized societal and cultural behavior that our gray matter puts forth.
.. Police and law enforcement are a couple of the  means that we use in our attempt to achieve humanity. (There are even 'fashion' and 'casting' police.)
.. Today, WORLD WIDE, success depends on employing base human traits rather than embracing humanity.
.. The subtle tyranny of words embodied in language reveals the truth of the matter: 'she's only human,' 'we're only human,' 'he's only human,' 'it's the human thing to do.'[[LINK-3]]
.. Yes indeedie, we are all human and should not be surprised about it. We could  exhibit a bit more humanity.[[LINK-4]]

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.. It is obviously, (to us,) way to cold to challenge pea brained aquatic creatures. It's too cold to enjoy the challenge of frozen guides. It's too early for lunch and too late for breakfast.
.. There are some old friends that need some love and attending to. We can handle this in front of the fire.

SUCH A STRANGE ARRAY OF FRIENDS

.. We'll fish next week.[[LINK-5]]

IN PREPARATION FOR THE DEEP

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WALLPAPER:  A PILE OF FRENCH TOAST

Not A Side Note

SEARCH FOR TRUTH

A Must Read ?

fisher & tourist alert

WE WILL MAKE THE PARKS GREAT AGAIN

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.. We hear much about the exaggeration of alarm by the "liberal tree-hugging left" in response to the "rational" progress of the current administration regarding our Department of Interior.

OR THE HIGHWAY

.. We are often cautioned about the knee jerk reactions of the 'liberal deep state conspiracy.'
.. We listen very carefully to the 'sensible people' who say that we need to use up our resources.
.. A recently surfaced article in OUTSIDE was just pointed out by MOLDYCHUM.
.. It takes just a couple of minutes to read the article and to shed some light on the way the proposed Federal Budget [[INTERIOR BUDGET LINK.]]will deal with our National Parks and the Park Service as a whole.

FOR THE NEXT 100 YEARS

.. Depending on which ever political uniform that you are currently wearing it is well worth a serious look.
.. This low profile budget item may just get lost in the hijinks of the current Washington, D.C. debacle.
.. We look forward to the comments and actions of caring and sensible folks to this situation.
.. We'll see what the circus in our congress makes of this proposal. We'll see if a proposed federal pittance will convince our private sector to ante up. We'll see if the maintenance backlog in the National Parks will be alleviated.
.. We'll see if cutting staff of the NPS, (at a time when visitation is at an all time high,) will generate additional funds. We'll see if selling public lands at Zinke's discretion will dent the backlog. We'll see just what the truth is.
.. We'll see!

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SUCCESSFUL ERROR

.. The plows are at it again.
.. The sun is dodging the scudding clouds.
.. The wind has laid itself to rest, (for now.)
.. The breakfast has digested itself and it's a coin toss between fish a little or take a nap.
.. Now then, where is that two-headed quarter?

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THE LAST OF THE FROZEN CHERRIES