Howler Waxed Canvas

by on October 31, 2015 at 22:10
Posted In: Reviews

This amazing cover came in the mail today. And I have to say, I really love Howler Brother lids. This waxed canvas number is pretty sweet with the Hi-Watt embroidered patch and is made for a life on the water. 

So funny story about me, Howler hats and a little chat I had with the owners at the Austin 2013 Fly Fishing Film Tour. Anyone who knows me well knows sometimes my tone camouflages my meaning. It’s just the way I speak. Well, in trying to pay them a compliment for their style and design I told them I really used to hate trucker hats. Of course the give away at the door was a coveted F3T x Howler lid- whereas all I think they heard was that I hated trucker hats. Hashtags: foot in mouth, you didn’t hear me right, what I meant to say was…. ugh. 

You see trucker hats were not always my favorite. They reminded me of an old family friend of my parent’s collection that had dirty old man humor all over them. So while at the tender age of 8 they were just not cool. They said things like “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. If it wasn’t for women…”

Never mind. You can fill in the blank but they were just silly and cheap. Fast forward to recent years and “throw back” anything can be cool. Well, I’ve since let go of my prejudices because Howler makes these well. I mean it. They are well built. They last. It’s not the cheap plastic crap they were made of when I was a kid. And then Howler design! Well, I don’t need to tell you about that. The quality speaks for itself. So I since being a convert to the trucker tried to say as much on seemingly deaf ears in the presence of Los Hermanos Howler themselves. 

My bad fellas! I love your work, love your lids; dig the local, dig the look. Your hats are all I wear on and off the water. The Hi-Watt Waxed Canvas is my first non-trucker Howler Bros lid I own. I know I’ll have it for years to come. In fact all my other hats are your truckers I’ve got over the years at the Austin F3T. So thank you for doing what you do. 

There that ends my Howler hat confession. 

Foot in my mouth,
AirborneAngler

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Surroundings

by on October 27, 2015 at 18:59
Posted In: FishArt, FlyArt, Reviews

New family and no time to fish. I’d be a fool to complain because my better half is already the catch of a life time, and the little man literally my beating heart. 

So what’s an angler to do with a passion for the water and zero time to be on it?

Well first I’m going to make time. I want to teach my son my passions and hope he makes them his own. And even if he doesn’t- at least he’ll learn it’s important to pursue them and know it can be done. 

Next I’m going to surround myself with things that remind me of my desired pursuits. Color your world with the thing you love. And let’s be honest- aside from the cartoonish hula doll from a friend on his Hawian vacation… I could really class up the desk a bit. So, a big thank you goes out to Shawn Bischel, artist, angler and two dimential terra-pictorial enthusiast. He’s the reason I have this sweet business card holder a la Guadalupe Bass. 

  
It’s ok, be jealous. Or get you one yourself here. 

See you on the high ground,
AirborneAngler

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Upping the Photo Game

by on July 16, 2015 at 20:46
Posted In: Photography, Random

Before anyone thinks that I’ve gone dead along with the frequency of blog posts- I assure you I am not. In fact, I’m even trying to step up my photo game. I recently acquired a Sony a6000 mirrorless digital camera in hopes of taking better pictures here. It’s going to take some time and work- but it’s fun already. Now, just finding more time to fish…

I’ll have to get back to you on that one. But rest assured I am in pursuit of higher ground.

See you up there,
AirborneAngler

P.S.
The above was taken hours before the publishing of this post at Austin’s own Mount Bonnell overlooking Lake Austin. I intend to keep The AirborneAngler piscatorial- but if you want to keep up with my new found photo hobby, follow @apertureanthony both on the Instagram or Twitter.  Thanks! -AA

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I Am Not Alone

by on May 5, 2015 at 18:01
Posted In: Fly Fishing

For a second I thought I was alone. I thought I was the only one fly rod in hand who thought it was ok. Dare I lift this fish above the water? Can I shoot a grip and grin? Does doing so make me an evil angler? And I say no- you are not an evil angler for shooting a grip and grin. And thankfully I am not alone.

There’s a sentiment floating around fly fishing lately and it’s all below the surface. A sentiment that while I personally feel is good natured- can easily lead new comers into the sport astray. One that could even alienate many an angler. And this is it: “Thou shall/should not lift a fish above the surface out of the water for thine evil grip and grin desires.”

I first saw this unwritten rule in photos online thru all the social media outlets. It started out as really cool pictures- fish half in and half out of the water held and hovering in/on the surface. Then behind the images an idea formed that joined itself with our mantra of “do no harm” to our piscatory targets/our fishy friends. (Another sentiment I whole heartedly support. Support outside of having to hook set a fish lip and bring the booger to hand for release. Actions which can be perceived as violent to some.) The idea was endorsed with a hashtag that seemed to cement it in stone… #keepthemwet. Don’t lift the fish out of water; its home. Doing so is malice and not the actions of an enlightened angler.

Look, it’s not an issue of right or wrong and I truely believe to be angler preference. But at the end of the day I do not believe it to be sin to lift a trout out of water. Take your grip and grin. Make a memory and save it in a Kodak moment. This is a staple in the guiding industry needed to bring in new blood to a once perceived old fogey sport. Now, there are things to note about fish photography and Gink and Gasoline blog outlines them well in the article, “8 Tips on Photographing Fish Without Harming Them.” 

But it’s ok to grip and grin provide you are caring for the fish well. Wet your hands and be a brief as possible. Don’t squeeze the stuffing out of them or break a jaw (in the case of bass). Leave them as close to as well as you found them minus the lip hole from a well done set hook.

It’s easy in this sport to always look for a higher morale high ground, or way to be more pure that the purist. It’s the culture of this sport. But let’s be clear on why we do what we do. Don’t lift fish out of water? Good for you. Shoot grip and grins? Good for you too.

Thanks.

See you on the high ground,
AirborneAngler

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My No. 1 Angling Fear as Spring Approaches

by on March 17, 2015 at 20:56
Posted In: Fly Fishing

With the warmer weather the spring also brings with it what I like to refer to as (and fear most) the Koo Koo bird. I’ll describe them here in a minute. But first let me preface my description with an olive branch of sorts. 

To anyone approaching the river banks where I am, I welcome you. Not like the river is mine and that I own it. But in a, “I’ve found something good here. Step on in and getcha some of this good too.”

Now, so I may explain myself and the need for an olive branch… here is a Koo Koo bird (aka Tuber, aka Toober, aka The Party Crowd) as I personally find them. Koo Koo birds are often identified by inflatable floatation devices, coolers, boom boxes and other miscellaneous resources for entertainment.  While they come in many shapes, sizes, assortments, and recreational preferences- you can alway identify the Koo Koo bird by the noise it makes. 

“Hey y’all! Watch this!!” [Splash!]

“Koooooooo kooooooooo!!!!”  [Splash!]

“Hahahahahaha. Do it again (Koo Koo birds name)!”  [Splash!]

Even still, while the Koo Koo bird has numerous calls- even more unmistakable is the audible level it can attain and sustain. None are louder than they. And that itself is enough to set anglers (shhhh, you’re scaring the fish) at odds with the bird already. What makes them even more unbearable is the refuse they leave in their wake. 

To all my Koo Koo birds out there… No one wants your trash on the river or hear you 5 miles down it!

See, I appolgize in advance that proudly bearing the title Fly Fisher or Angler sounds like a self imposed moral superiority to others. I’m working on changing that perception by being humble. Sorry guys/gals… and I mean that. As an angler though, I know water quality plays high into the pursuit of my passions. So I care about it.

This is where Koo Koo bird waste and noise management (or lack there of) conflicts with my soul. Now, I know not all river-tubing, boom box-toting, cooler-carrying, party animals on the river leave waste. But for the sake of the river and all who love it (in any capacity)- lets police each other up, share and share alike a resource we all love and need. The river is too beautiful a thing to waste. 

Lose a flip flop on the water? Make every attempt to retrieve it. See your buddy leave a beer can behind? Kick’em in the pants to pick it up (be he/she angler or tuber). 

Our common ground is that we all love the river and look to it for so much joy. If we can respect each other there first- maybe passing/floating by a little less loud wouldn’t hurt. Maybe, I won’t cast a weighted fly towards your face. Heck, maybe we can both stop and share a beer together (and both make sure said cans make it to the trash). How cool would that be? High five and float on. Or here let me help you take that group pic so everyone is in it. 

Just some thoughts as the spring arrives. 

See you on the high ground,

AirborneAngler

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