03/30/12 Follow Friday @sbixel
I am just shy of calling this week’s sole Follow Friday “Sensei”. He is literally, in my eyes anyways, a master of art on the iPad with Autodesk SketchBook Pro. If you’ve seen this guys work- you are likely as equally amazed as I am with what he can visually create. I’m talking about the work of Shawn Bischel, aka @sbixel on Twitter.
So why is he so special and why should you bother to follow him? Shawn has been a constant source of motivation for me to reach for pencil and sketch pad (or iPad and Sketchbook in some cases) and aim to create FlyArt or FishArt. Digitally created goodness oozes out of his blog Lines in the Dirt. Being so impressed with his work I was lucky enough to be able to connive him into making my current avatar for the AirborneAngler. Pictures do speak a thousand words so I’ll shut up here and let his work do the talking. Here’s a sample of his awesome artistic ability and latest creation, “Copper Johnson”. Thanks Shawn!
Yeah, the brother drew that on his iPad with his finger!
Follow Shawn on Twitter at @sbixel and Lines in the Dirt.
See you on the high ground, ATW!
AirborneAngler
Previous Follow Friday’s
@TXFlyGeek
@TexasRiverBum
Crayfish FlyArt
Continuing to reach for pencil and paper this week I have drawn my first fly. For the critical eye of the expert fly tier all materials involved may have better substitutes.
However, I am a true believer of the old infantryism that claims ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’. For me this crayfish pattern has worked. So while it works I will not soon fix it. (Maybe a tweak to flip the hook.)
Luckily, I still have the fly shown here- my first attempt at the vise. So much of fly fishing is becoming art for me. This little piece I would like to share with you.
See you on the high ground,
AirborneAngler
03/23/12 Follow Friday @TXFlyGeek
One of the biggest things I like about fly fishing is the fly fishing community. Not even in the service have I seen such a pay-it-forward collection of individuals. Everyone is so helpful and willing to share- be it knowledge, techniques, flies, and of course fish tales of fish tails. This week’s Airborne Angler one Follow Friday (Twitter #FF) recommendation is Matt Bennett, @TXFlyGeek of the Hill Country’s own Living Waters Fly Fishing shop.
So, what makes Matt stand out? I’m jealous of his official fish bum status. Too many days I find myself cranking away at a keyboard in my cubical foxhole wishing I was fishing- or if not fishing at least in a fly shop. I could spend my entire day in a store- and yes I’ve worked retail before, just surrounded by all things fly and enjoy myself. Ah, the dream life… or variant of it anyways. Well, as of the last couple weeks Matt has been living that dream and working at Living Waters Fly Fishing. One day out of the twit-world blue Matt says he’s giving his two weeks and heading for the fly shop. And I’ve been jealous ever since.
Aside from all that, Matt helped me get an azimuth in the twit-world and in fly fishing. Before I had rod or reel he was giving me info and tips to help me find an outfit that best suited me and my wallet. All via twitter too! Not to mention before I had rod or reel I didn’t have any followers either! But that was short lived after following Matt. After his advice and help I promised him he’d be first to know when I caught my first bass. That’s the pic header above.
Thanks again Matt.
See you on the high ground,
AirborneAngler
Follow Matt on twitter at @TXFlyGeek.
Previous Follow Friday
@TexasRiverBum
Sketchy Sunfish
I went old school today and instead of reaching for my iPad- I reached for a real sketch pad. Remember those? I also picked up wooden hand held communication inscriber (no.2 pencil) and began to draw. The header above is the final product- but it’s more than that to me. Today it was a way to connect with the fish and the water when I couldn’t be out fishing. I set to drawing, for the first time in years, and didn’t care what the end result would look like because I was having fun. Honestly, I don’t remember when I stopped drawing. And I’m not sure what the last thing I drew was. But I found something in me I was proud of today.
Now maybe if I can catch bigger fish, I might have better drawings. We’ll see. ATW!
See you on the high ground,
AirborneAngler
Cutty
So here we have it fish fans, the latest trout skin rendition fresh off my iPad via sketchbook pro. On request I’ve tried to finger-paint recreate some Cutthroat Trout action for a nice little back drop on your iPhone, iPad, smartphone device and or tablet. No apologies here if something is off because the Cutty is on my bucket list.
Honestly though- if you can do better I’d really like to see it. Fly fishing for me is more than being on the water, it’s an art too. Being on the water is the best part of it; no doubt, but it’s about the chase as well. Its about all the prep work and fly tying. After a good catch its about the story telling, fish tales of fish tails. Picture taking and picture painting. So put it out there and share your Cutty art.
Until then, I’ll see you on the high ground,
AirborneAngler
Previous FishSkins:
Brown Trout
Brookie
D-Day Minus 28 (D-28)
Botched recon by fire! Here is the thing about a reconnaissance- its sole driving purpose is to gather intelligence. This was my intent walking into the Barton Creek Greenbelt West preserve this past Sunday evening. I wanted to scout a few spots closer to my home base that I could hit consistently- like everyday after work, in order to up my chances on the THC mixed bag tourney. There are many ways to do a recon. A preferred or not so preferred, depending on the situation, is the recon by fire. It’s kind of like picking a fight just to see the response you get. But you have to be careful because without any other intel you can easily lose that fight.
That all being said- I started off just wanting to check the place out. Botch-up number 1: Do not leave sunglasses in truck 2 miles away. Cloudy days, surface glare, poor visibility- enough said. I hate when I do that! Botch-up number 2: When wading waist deep in water crossings remove wallet from cargo shorts. Better yet, leave wallet and bring sunglasses! After I soaked my wallet- that was it and the gloves were off. Now I was looking for fish to engage- no more snooping and pooping. But, you know it’s a bad day when I start fishing for carp. It was the first thing I saw. Yeah, I said it. Ugly fish. Trash fish. Overgrown gorilla goldfish- whatever. Good thing about a recon by fire (if you survive) is you learn a lot. I learned which flys don’t work on carp and how easy they spook. It was interesting to see them cruise together. Big boogers too- I will say I was impressed even though it’s not a fish I prefer to target. Anyways, although botched beyond recognition and nothing to show for it- I’m claiming it a win. I know they are not easy and I will need one to win. Intel gathered. So, until next time fish fans. ATW!
03/16/12 Follow Friday @TexasRiverBum
Hey there fish fans! I am supporting an idea Jason Puris @The_Fin had last Friday on Twitter. For those unfamiliar with the Twitter-verse, there is a practice to Follow Friday (#FF) a list of your friends who you’d like to promote or prompt others to follow as you do. In short order a simple shout-out. What happens is Fridays become a list of #FF this guy or that gal etc. and the ensuing barrage is all those people (standing on the unspoken rule to #FF back or reply all) reply back with a thanks. Before you know it you’ve seen all your friend’s friends like you did the week before and before. But I digress… this new idea I fully support from Jason is this- #FF just one person. I like it. It keeps it real and honest. And because really if you wanted to see everyone I follow you could look that up yourself.
So, my new practice and one Follow Friday this week is David Ellzey @TexasRiverBum. Don’t sweat it if you don’t do the twitter. David has a great site at www.TexasRiverBum.com (TRB) and you can catch up with him there. So why Dave and why is he so special? There’s lots of reasons to blab on about so I’ve just made a list here:
-Takes time in real life to help others learn the joys of fly fishing (like me).
-Patron of the precious Texas Hill Country, his site is dedicated to promoting it.
-Aside from his regular work, thru TRB he is hosting a sweet summer long Fly Trouney.
-He allows freelance blogging. One day I decide I wanted to write and he made room on TRB for me to start. So I have him in part to blame for my blog. Thanks Dave!
Bottom line- the man lives the proverbial “teach a man how to fish” quote. Friends like that are hard to find and worth the follow.
Until next time- I’ll see you on the high ground,
AirborneAngler
Follow David Ellzey on Twitter: @TexasRiverBum
RIO SWAG
I reached out to Rio on the twitter not too long ago for a simple sticker. I have a project boat that I’m working on and when it’s done I need to fly some colors. My closest local fly shop is seriously lacking in that department so I went straight to Rio for help. Boy did they come thru! I got a really nice hat and a ginormous decal (9.5″ x 7″) for the boat when it’s done! Thanks Rio!
Of course as soon as I saw I the hat I had to break it in on the water. And of course there was fighting 12-14 mph winds with crazy flow from the previous day’s down pouring & blown out waters. Needless to say, yes I got skunked. But darned if I didn’t look good doing it. It’s awesome when a company is a fan of their fans. Thanks again team Rio! I appreciate you!
See you on the high ground,
AirborneAngler
Brookie
Originally posted on 08 March 2012 at Lines In The Dirt.
I’m claiming artistic license on this one. Purists will argue I have it all wrong and my spots are off with the shot gun pattern spray of halos; but I don’t care. This is my Brookie interpretation and I like it. After all fishing is about enjoying the moment and the chase. (Much like all our short lived high school flings.) At least it is for me anyways. But, I’ve enjoyed attempting this Brook Trout skin after there was a quasi request comment on my Brown Trout piece last week. Same set up on the Sketchbook Pro and watermark overlay with PhotoStudio. On a final note, my first fish experience ended with a pretty Brookie in Estes Park, Co. That’s what has started this crush I have on fly fishing. It’s why I day dream and make wallpapers like this for my phone. Pathetic puppy love with fish; ain’t it grand? What’s your fish story?
Previous FishSkins:
Brown Trout
Brown Trout Fish Art
Originally posted on 02 March 2012 at Lines In The Dirt.
I am always impressed with the FlyArt fellow Austinite Shawn cranks out here on Lines in the Dirt. In fact, I even told him I didn’t like his talent ‘in a good way’. I get jealous, inspired, and awed all at the same time. So being inspired I’ve attempted to play with Autodesk Sketchbook Pro as he does and tried to see what I could do. But I cheated some as you can see and added a water drop overlay from my iPhone PhotoStudio app.
What I’ve come up with is my best attempt (and new phone background) at the sexy brown trout I’ve been seeing in all the Vimeo clips and pics online. Do the math on that and you’ve got it- I have yet to catch one. I’ve caught 1 Brookie and plenty of Rainbows but the Brown Trout is still on my MIA list. I am, however, only a first year angler. Accordingly, this consumes my thoughts and has manifested itself here. I hope to find myself in a chance contact fight with one for a quick catch, pic, and release someday.
Until then, I’ll see you on the high ground.
-AirborneAngler
About the AirborneAngler: You can follow this career infantryman and fly thrower on Twitter at @AirborneAngler, or read his fly fishing folly reports/freelance blogging at TexasRiverBum.com.
The AirborneAngler 