Fall Carping

A close friend of mine has taken his carp fishing interest to another level. He's into it big time right now. While I don't get to join him as often as I would like, when I do he usually brings everything but the kitchen sink and the spot has been pre-baited for days. I joined him and my uncle on two such sessions this week. One night we crushed them with nine carp coming to the net. The second night was a different story, but the three inches of rain the day before had something to do with that. We waited all night for one run-off from a 23-pound heffer. 

I've always enjoyed fishing for carp, yet never crossed the line to where things get serious in terms of top-shelf gear and bait preparation. Maybe someday, but for now sitting in with these guys once in a while is good enough for me. It's such a blast kicking back with a few drinks and shooting the shit between bite alarms going off. And when you do get a water buffalo on the line, man do they pull hard! I'm already looking forward to the next night on the bank. 

Summer Daze

Time is flying by at mach speed. Back in May our family was blessed with another baby girl. She's growing like a weed and doing new things everyday. She also makes it three girls vs. one guy in our household. While heavily outnumbered, I'm holding my own and still getting on the water when I can. It's been a fun summer so far and we're about to kick it up a notch with a trip to Cape Cod tomorrow--it's become a great tradition and one we hope to continue for many years. Enjoy your families and fish when you can.

Endeavors

Editor's note: it has been some time since the last post here, but for good reason. My wife and I recently welcomed a new addition to the family--another healthy baby girl and future fishing partner. Life has been busy, but incredibly good to us. To get the blog going again, here is an enjoyable piece from my friend Chad. To me, it's about taking a needed break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and soaking in lasting memories with family. My own wolf pack leaves for a respite on Cape Cod soon and we plan on taking Chad's advice. You should too. 

endeavors - for my wife, amanda

who knew such pleasure ever
our pedestrian endeavors
pass so quick through the stations
quick like a week’s vacation.

where we were just there together
time slipped like a joyful endeavor
those good times we take
on the beach at the lake.

times move on right in front of me
for me and my family.
we take stock of what we got
and we leap from the dock.

we drink our fruit soaked with wine
beneath the smell of the pines
where we laugh and we stand
with our feet in the sand.

we go down by the water
me my son and my daughter

and I watch her in the light
happy wife happy life.

and we go there on and ever
toiling through the real life endeavors
took down while still warm we learned
all the good times we’ve earned.

and we wouldn’t trade it never

our pedestrian endeavors
right there waiting in the stations
a weeks vacation gets taken.

Opening Daze: A celebration of trout & tradition

Anyone who knows me well knows that the days surrounding the third Saturday in April are some of my favorite of the year. For more than 20 years now, I've spent that long weekend with my uncle and a seasoned crew of friends on the banks of the Farmington River camping, cooking and fishing. It's a tradition-heavy weekend filled with unparalleled food and camaraderie. This year, instead of a typical recap post, I put together a highlight reel of footage I've filmed over the last few Opening Day trips. I hope it gives you a good idea of why we look forward to this weekend all year long.

Link to video on YouTube

The Spark

Seeing the joy on my daughter's face when she reeled in her first feisty pumkinseeds this past weekend was a major dad moment for me. We visited our local river where I spent so many hours fishing as a kid. While I'm trying not to be that dad who shoves his own passion down his kid's throat, she genuinely has taken an interest into fish, worms, beach walks, osprey, and other things I've been introducing her to. I hope our outdoor adventures together are just getting started and this short trip was the spark.