Sunday, February 1, 2015

Happy February

Friends here it is the first of February, tomorrow is groundhog day, by mid month baseball teams will be reporting to spring training, and perhaps by the end of the month we'll be able to cast a fly upon ice free waters.

Some things going on at home, the favorite grand dog Mr. Parker is staying with us for a few days. In that time he will get the royal spoil treatment from us, some of which is sleeping in late, pancakes and eggs for breakfast, many trips to the park, afternoon naps, and burgers for supper. He is a joy and brings us lots of pleasure.


Jeanette clearing snow from Tuesdays snow storm. We are about to belted by a storm tomorrow that will drop another 10 or so inches. In between it has been brutally cold. I have had many hours at the vise turning out some of my favorite fishing flies, as well as a few featherwing streamers. I also tried a new recipe for venison. I corned a few pieces and will try it today for the first time. I have had it in the brine for 7 days and when I placed it in the pot this morning it looked great. Having been simmering for about 3 hours now I can tell you it smells awesome. Soon some carrots, potatoes, and cabbage will be added and it will be enjoyed by the family later today.


Pickett Pin's. I have my box full of them. Most in size 14 but a few in 12 and 10's.


When March arrives in 28 days I hope to find my small streams looking like this. A brook trout rising at the tail of the pool would be a plus.


In keeping with the simplicity of this blog I present to you Linguine with fresh tomatoes spinach and green chiles.



20 comments:

  1. Alan
    My only complain about the Northeast is the weather in the dead of the winter there, everything else I love. The Pickett Pin and the Soft Hackle Dry Fly are two flies I am interested in for our tailrace here. I will be in touch later today concerning both. I have been having trouble with blogger lately and missed some comments on my last post and I think your comment was one of them, could you try again on the comment? The Linguine is my kind of meal! Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell,
      Thanks.
      Bill those two fly choices should work for you, especially the Picket Pin.

      Delete
  2. i love your grandpup! such a sweetie and deserves the royal spoil, i'm sure!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TexWisGirl,
      Thanks.
      He sure is Theresa. He's sleeping right now, but did comment on my turning on the light.

      Delete
  3. I hope you are right, some long term forecasts do suggest a warm up. Those are some good looking tomatoes there!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RM Lytle,
      Thanks.
      A couple of days of sunny 45 degree days would be wonderful. Winter is a bad time for tomatoes, the markets are full of Florida tomatoes but they have no taste. The Compari toms are the closest to our natives.

      Delete
  4. Alan, you are certainly a man for all seasons...cheers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Howard Levett,
      Thanks.
      Maybe true Howard but winter is so long.

      Delete
  5. Nice thing about having grand "kids" is that you CAN spoil them and then send them home. Hang in there, spring will come.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark Kautz,
      Thanks.
      I love that part. I guess there's a silver lining to the snow.....lots of ground water.

      Delete
  6. The Picketts Pin pattern looks like a winner, I may have to research that one and tie it up myself.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Atlas,
      Thanks.
      It's a great pattern here. Looks like something a fish should eat.

      Delete
  7. Brk Trt I am hoping when March gets here the rivers, streams and brooks look like that. Here's Hoping!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TROUTI,
      Thanks.
      Pete so do I. They may be high but not iced up.

      Delete
  8. Pictures don't do enough to really get the feeling for how much snow you folks have had, and, more on the way. Stay warm, stay healthy, and keep tying. I always like your posts that share fly patterns.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mel,
      Thanks.
      Snowing wildly this morning..oh well. We will take it in stride.

      Delete
  9. I think we're all waiting anxiously on old man winter to exit stage left Alan. We've been pretty lucky around here the last week or so with above average temps , lets hope it's a harbinger of things to come.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HighPlainsFlyFisher,
      Thanks.
      Jeff there is nothing but positive thinking here in Connecticut.

      Delete
  10. Alan - more snow this morning and some more tying. Enjoy the snow and stay warm my friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark,
      Thanks.
      I think we have more snow than we had during the blizzard. Tying and day dreaming of better days.

      Delete