After a long working weekend finishing the last of my coffee in a unit branded @yeti rambler... haven’t decided how sweet or gross it is one of my kids snuck in an animal cracker into my cup. #dadlife #armydad
I was sad to hear about the lost bourbon... but now it’s killing fish?!?! 😵😓😡😭
Leaking bourbon from the Kentucky distillery accident killed hundreds of fish, state sayshttps://www.cnn.com/2018/06/26/us/bourbon-distillery-accident-fish-kill-trnd/index.html
I was blessed to have my mother visit this Christmas and spend some family time on the Guadalupe River. Knowing better than to try to teacher her myself (despite Chris referring to me as “Guide School” the whole trip,) we booked with Living Waters Fly Fishing so she could learn formally. And of course I was taking notes too in an ad hoc/on the river training style. Which was pretty sweet because I was even allowed to paddle some. It goes without saying Texas’ Guadalupe River does not paddle like Montana’s Bighorn.
Many times we adventure fly anglers wander the river alone with family at the house. But with my Mom along this trip, it was a completely memorable journey to watch her catch her first fish on a fly.
See you on the high ground,
AirborneAngler
All pictures are courtesy of Living Waters Fly Fishing.
I have been completely remiss and delinquent in sharing my photos from fly fishing guide school this past fall. The pictures say more than I can put into words- so to view them all I have simply tagged my favorites with #MissingMontana on my Instagram.
I cannot say enough what a wonderful opportunity it was to spend two weeks in a school dedicated to pursuing my passions. I also cannot think of a better classroom setting than halls/banks of Montana’s Bighorn River near Fort Smith.
See you on the high ground,
AirborneAngler
P.S.
Chad, thank you!
Loren, “Mollyhawk!!!”
Matt and J.D., hope you’re doing well.
Mike and Ellyn, thank you for hosting a wonderful school.
What an awesome year on the water. I want to sincerely thank any and all who follow- that spend even a second to glance over the few words or photos I share.
Highlights this year include:
– First White Bass on the fly
– Diablo PS Chupacabra acquisition
– Placed 3rd in the Living Waters Fly Fishing 1-Fly Tournament
– Attending Fly Fishing Guide School in Ft. Smith, Montana
In all I spent a solid 35 days on the water. I can’t complain with over 1 month in 12 pursuing my passions. In the new year I’ll endeavor to spend more time here, even with the increasing demands of the uniform and life itself. It’s important for me to be on the water… and it’s my greatest hope that you find inspiration to purse it here; if no where else.
Field watches… good ones are hard to find and even the best can only last so long. The wear and tear a Soldier can lay the smack down on one is often more than many can bear. So when a grunt finally decides to purchase one it’s based off of 3 major considerations.
1) Does it meet AR 670-1 regulations?
2) Affordable price to durability ratio?
3) [And probably most importantly] Does it look cool?
When a joe finds one that meets all 3- you’ll likely see him telling his buddies, “Hey bro, ask me what time it is…”
I have one that was gifted to me and cost more than I was willing to spend on myself. It’s lasted a deployment and 3 PCS’s (Permanent Changes of Stations- reassignments). And because it’s lasted me so long I haven’t had reason to take it off. My watch stays on 24/7. So when I decided the synthetic watch band was weathered a little too stiff- I decided to replace it. It’s been a great watch and I wanted to keep it.
What I saw when things came apart almost made me throw up. Mud, sweat, and gunk lay hidden below and over the last several years that probably accounted for a sick day or two. None of this could be seen when worn because I shower with it in too and it gets scrubbed like everything else. Because the watch band isn’t cloth it doesn’t smell sweaty either. It looked completely clean!
I quickly set to removing the rubber housing and swapped the bands once cleaned up. So if you have a good watch, wear it like I do and want to keep it- do yourself the favor and clean it up every now and then. Trust me you’ll thank me for it later.
Maintenance- clean your wrist clock just like anything else!
This is not a New Years resolution post. And while it is about a new way of doing things, it’s going to come off more like a confession. Scratch that. A confession implies a level of regret. …
