Friday, August 23, 2019

I remember and something new....

In our wanderings we like to find off the beaten path places to eat. Most time we are in search for a good breakfast. Now breakfast is not only at breakfast but there are times when we enjoy a breakfast menu in the evening. On this day we were on our way to Vermont when we saw a sign for good eats at the Whateley diner. The diner is located off of I-91 in Whateley MA. Walking up to the door you can see 1950 come back to life. Everything inside has that 50's look. There are even juke box selections right at your booth. Atmosphere is nice, but the service and food here are awesome. We had a waitress who took the time to tell us of the history of the Whateley diner which is quite a story.



The diner is clean and with glass windows almost all around it is also very bright. And the food was great.


There was a movie filmed in the diner too.


The Berkshire National Fish Hatchery...an enjoyable and historic place to spend a few hours. Lots of trails to walk. We also had a wonderful guide for awhile who informed us of what the hatchery does. It's focus is on native cold water fish, and that is lake trout and brook trout. The lake trout are part of the Great Lakes restoration of these big fish. The brook trout are part of the local needs and is part of the Trout in the Classroom programs.


One of the several houses on the property. I love these.


A ham sandwich. I finally tried this stuff called "off the bone" ham at a local deli...two thumbs up...this ham is awesome. Lean, and tasty. A slight smoky flavor and not a lot of salt.


From the vise...Sakasa Kebari...these orange bodied flies have been working well.










14 comments:

  1. Looks awesome Alan - Hope the trout were as agreeable in VT as that sandwich and service at the diner!

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    1. Hibernation
      Thanks
      Will they were very anxious to take but not willing to come to hand...god trip all around.

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  2. I feel Tenkara on the horizon. Noting like a 50's diner.

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    1. Mark Kautz
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      Mark love the flies but not pulling the plug on the conventional rod. Diners for the most part feature some fine eats.

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  3. G'Day Alan,
    That '50's diner looks like I imagine its food and service would be--honest and wholesome.
    In a few weeks time I'll be visiting our Victorian State fish hatchery as part of the Trout Opening Festival. Haven't been since I was a pre-teen kid. Looking forward to that, as well as the trout opening itself.
    Very nice looking Sekasa Kebari. I've hand tied, without a vice, a few Orange and Guinea Fowl Kebari. Not nearly as fine as your little works of art but I'm hoping the trout will be kind to me.
    Cant beat a ham, cheese and tomato sanger! Oh, "sanger" is OZ for sandwich! If your ham is anything like our local deli/butchers, then that must have been an awesome sanger!
    Kindest Regards,
    Steve.

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    1. Steve
      Thanks
      Steve it had all that one would expect. This hatchery has some history about it, and I'm glad I got the chance to visit before something changes.
      Those Tenkara flies are a joy to tie. They catch a fish or two which is always good. Sanger you say, I'll keep that in mind.

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  4. Hi Alan

    That diner looks fantastic, I can understand why it was chosen for the film - very 50's Hollywood. And the ham, that sounds like my kind of cold cut!

    On our recent vacation to Scotland, we went 'off the beaten track' to St Abbs and a beautiful nature reserve along the coast. Whilst in the small fishing village of St Abbs, we discovered a fantastic seafood 'shack' where we enjoyed the tastiest crab and lobster salads and watched the proprietor bringing fresh live seafood in from the boats harbour 20 - 30 yards away!

    Thanks

    Alistair

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    1. Alistair
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      Alistair your vacation was a success. The area you describe sounds a lot like our sea coast here. Lobster rolls and crab cakes are a favorite of Jeanette, I love clams any way they're prepared. You can't beat your fisherman bringing in fresh seafood as you sit down to enjoy the bounty of the sea.

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  5. Diners rule. Looks like a fun day! What did you use for the hackle on the flies?

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    1. mike
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      Most offer home style cooking which is rare these days...meatloaf and mashed potatoes for one.
      The pattern calls for white dry fly hackle. The flies tied have hackle a bit on the short side. I just got some larger hackle so all is good. For many years we would stop at the Farmington Diner in Farmington Maine. The meals were great, and close by was a Gifford's Ice Cream shop.

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  6. Alan
    I am surprised Diners, Drive-ins and Dives hasn't visited this place. He loves to feature out of the way Diners. Really impressed with the Sakasa Kebari, nice work at the vice. Thanks for sharing

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    1. Bill Trussell
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      Bill he hasn't featured that one but he has done a spot on one in Middletown CT. O'Rourke's....the fly is simple and effective.

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  7. Been by that diner many times, but never stopped. Next opportunity I will. Our local supermarket has off the bone ham and I love it.

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    1. Sam,
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      Sam I'm sure your stop will be one you'll enjoy. Many chains have "off the bone" ham, Big Y, Price Chopper and probably Stop and Shop. Ham and cheese about as simple and tasty as it comes...no the bread, lettuce, tomato, pickle, mayo, mustard..simple not really!

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