Several years ago I was gifted a Wheatley fly box for Christmas. It's made of aluminum and has metal clips to hold various sizes of flies. I use the box to carry wet flies, spiders, flymphs and small streamers. The metal clips hold the flies very well and I have not noticed any damage to the hackles or any rust. The box being aluminum it is quite strong, and even though I have dropped it several times there is not a dent on it. Another feature of this box is that it has holes in various places which allows for the drying of the flies after use. The box holds about 80 flies which is more than ample even on streams with the most selective of trout. The box fits nicely in any shirt pocket as well as my small pack.
What I'm most happy about the Wheatley is the fact that it will someday be passed along to one of my family members. A heirloom that no one can fix a price on. The stories that may be told of the flies, fishing and places the Wheatley has been will be cherished by those who will hold the Wheatley.
I received an email yesterday from a reader. And I thought I'd express what I feel. The thought was that rock walls were safer than old rusty barbed wire. I believe his words were "barbed wire just rusts" but "stone walls age with character"....this stone wall runs along side of a stream I frequent. I often will sit here and just let my mind wander. No particulars just let it happen. Fifteen minutes of quiet and the world is a better place....what say you.
I miss the stone walls of NH. I used to do the same, just sit and ponder the woods and waters. Many times I'd be hunting and I'd get sidetracked by all the walls. I'd forget to look for deer and just walk the walls. Beautiful things that have so much history locked up in them. Think of the men who built them, no wonder they died young.
ReplyDeletemike
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Mike when we see walls as such and how they were made we are so lucky we have machinery.
NE stone walls are true history.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteWhenever I see an old stone wall or foundation or fading old road in the woods I think of the children's poem by Annette Wynne "Indian Children" Only I guess in reverse. Of things gone by.
JJ
Beaverdam
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Joe I'm not familiar with the poem. I am familiar with old walls and foundations. Old roads that seem to just be there, not going anyplace but seem to be going everywhere.
I agree with both points ie, Wheatly's and stone walls. We have an old cemetery in town that is bordered, in some sections by a dry laid stone wall topped with cut stones. Whoever made the wall was a master mechanic. It is beautiful. Would you believe that some people have stolen some of the cut stone toppers. Talk about disrespect.Say a prayer for the thieves. They obviously need help.
ReplyDeleteJohn, if you read my blog http://www.northerncaliforniatrout.com/
Deletethen you know someone stole our camping trailer. A prayer for them, nope. All I wanted was 5 minutes alone with them, but denied by the Sheriff's Department.
John Dornik
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John respect is a word that some don't know the meaning of. I know of a cemetery in NW CT, that has graves of Revolutionary war veterans, along with native Americans. The walls on its borders are still intact.
Mark, you want some Kautz justice...I'm with you.
DeleteI agree whole heartedly although I usually need a half hour.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark I understand.
Back when I partridge hunted, Alan, those stone walls were a good place for me to rest for a bit. Once in a while I would flush a grouse from the opposite side of one, so I was always ready in case one was there when I approached one. Those were good days when there were plenty of coverts still around. These days I sit on the bank of the river once in a while when I fish which is enjoyable and once in a while I will spot a subtle rise that I wouldn't have seen if I hadn't been sitting there.
ReplyDeleteBest, Sam
Sam
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Sam the ruffed grouse is quite scarce and that's something that should be addressed. As little as 30 years ago I could hunt them in decent numbers as close as 5 miles from my home.
It's amazing what can be seen if we take the time to "look"....
I tried a comment but it seemed to evaporate, so if this is redundant, apologies.
ReplyDeleteWalls are a wonderful part of New Englands history. We are fortunate to be able to sit, enjoy nature, and ponder the hearty souls who worked the land to build them.
Hibernation
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Will the issue lies with blogger. It seems they do upgrades and the little problems creep in.
So many wonderful rock walls that can tell some great stories. I'll bet every one has it's special meaning.
Mine do too on occasion. In fact I emailed Alan asking him if it was something I said.
ReplyDeletebillp
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Yes I remember that. Usually it work out and things get back to normal.
Alan
ReplyDeleteThis wall makes me wonder what stories are present its rock surfaces. I'm always fascinated by any relic, structure or artifact found in the wild. Thanks for sharing
P.S. Notice there has been another virus case confiremed in your state---stay safe!!
Bill Trussell
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Bill the stories they could tell. I once found an old baby buggy, perhaps 1920's vintage. Only the frame and one wheel left but I can only imagine the history behind it.
The virus, flu, polio, whatever. It's all common sense, my goodness.