Some days, you’re the Bug and some days you’re the Windshield. This broad-shouldered West Branch Brownie was taken on top just above Hales Eddy Bridge on June 8th after a difficult day of secret incantations and obscure hand-signs. He measured 20.5″ sober and made it unlikely that you’ll ever see the lithe 17.5-incher that preceded him to the net a few minutes earlier.

(But I have a photo, if you’re curious.)

Since receiving sh*t from Louts Cowden and Sutton about the urbane nature of the Salmon recipe, compared to other less-than-fine dining fishing fare I have met in the wilds on various trips, I will indeed opine concerning a whale blubber recipe and one other… Read the rest of this entry »

I wanted to be sure that all of the Louts knew how much I appreciated the opportunity to fish, dine, drink (a little) laugh, and join the group. Thanks to Brian for remembering his “old” teacher and thinking about me when an opening arose. You are an interesting, amazing, diverse group that really knows how to fish, have a great time, bust chops and during the four days I spent with you I only thought about work and my other responsibilities for a fleeting moment! I look forward to spending time with you guys in the future. Keep me in mind for almost any trip you are planning or if you need someone to round out a group, even at the last minute. My schedule is fairly flexable. Tight lines and if the picture Brian took of me and the brown that he took, (dare I say,) on a nymph, I promise I’ll write something on my thoughts on that fish. Thanks again for a memorable trip!

No, that sign that Brian is holding doesn’t really say “Bite me.” It’s just hard to read without your glasses.

Photo & stage set courtesy of Doc Hatton.

Some recipes are just good to know because they are easy enough to remember without a danged recipe card, nearly foolproof, and tasty! This is the recipe I prepared at Trout Lout Spring Float 2007, but you can substitute various kinds of fish and can also substitute coarse cracked pepper instead of sesame seeds on top for a spicier dish!

DOC’S SALMON

Can be made for any proportion of fish. First make a marinade of half teriyaki and half good maple syrup (I use Grade B pure), enough to cover your fish. Cut fish in strips (can be bite sized for appetizers (great!), but generally about 2 inches thick at a maximum). Place fish into marinade for 2-6 hours. When ready to cook, preheat oven to 500 F. Prepare dredge: I used a combo of dark and light sesame seeds. Take each piece of fish out of marinade, dredge top of fish into mixture, place non-dredged side down onto shallow baking sheet (I used disposable foil pans), separate peices by at least half inch. Cook for 5-8 minutes depending on thickness.

Done! Delicious as is, but for the Float I made a simple fish sauce:

Plain lowfat yogurt + minced ginger (cheat, use the jarred stuff) + lime juice + dill, to taste. Gently heat, serve over fish.

What can I say - I’m giddy over the trip. It seems like we wait forever, but the time is nigh! The only mysteries remaining are the flows, the bugs and the poison that Rich’s ex baked into our desserts. Dust off the 5 weight and patch the old waders, we’re going fishin’!

Apparently Lout David has been spending significant time at the new cabin - at least enough to locate the nearest fish monger. Says Lipkin, “These beauties were only $3.99 per pound and all are locally caught!”. Linda Jean liked them so much that she is asking him to stop by that store more often. “Maybe you can buy us some browns and rainbows next time you stop “, inquired Linda. Now if only he could actually catch these on his own, think of all the money he could save!

Just finished up a tour of one of the major NJ rivers with TU folks. Can’t give out too many details on a public forum until things are more firm. Joining us were four members of NJ State Council, three from TU national, a NJTU chapter president, the NJ Fish & Wildlife Principal Trout Biologist and the watershed association head for this river system. At a stop along the way, in a rather large pool, I saw a nice fish rise to a sulphur. By his second or third rise everyone attending had seen this hog. It was very apparent by his takes that he was a good fish. After watching several rises, we decided that this fish needed to be caught or at least attempted to be caught. Who to rig up and do the deed? Yours truly drew the short straw. Read the rest of this entry »

Turkey Bitch is back!!!  What more can be said or needs be?  The gang is lining up to bring their favorite dishes and the bonfire wood has been split, stacked and aged.  Now, save for a quick trip to the liquor locker, it’s just a matter of a few weeks until “Bug Week ‘07″.  Tie ‘em up, boys!

I hooked up with fellow Lout Lindy DeBie down in the Florida Keys last week.  We fished a flat on Islamorada together, wading for bonefish.  Neither of us saw any bones, however, but fun was had by all.  Lindy caught a small cuda or two on the fly and I had to hit a small shark on the nose with the butt of my rod that was showing too much interest in my toes, but that was our excitement for the day.  We were supposed to fish on my buddy’s boat together but got rained/thunderstormed out that morning, so decided to hit the flats in the afternoon after it cleared up.
I did manage to get out on a friend’s boat twice during the week and caught my first two dolphin on the fly!  What amazing jumpers they are and great fighters on a 7 weight!  Landed numerous dolphin, false albacore (they call ‘em bonita down there), blue runners, yellowtail snappers and a big, nasty bar jack that put up a serious fight on light spin tackle.  All in all, a great trip and I know I can speak for Linden when I say we are very much looking forward to this year’s Trout Louts trip.