Um, what's the date? Yep, that pic is from a trip up the Pompeli Trail on Mt Monadonock in SW New Hampshire Sunday. That's a great spot, your about to start a solid 20' long pitch that just goes up until cresting a beautiful ridge line that takes you to the summit about 2-2.5 miles further on. I always liked this spot. As an endurance junkie, knowing you get to climb a hill for a long ways further is soul food. Maybe that sounds weird... But it's true.
It's not the same mind centering situation that fly fishing is, but it's in the same family. I'd suggest both are a lot like the concepts put forward via "insight meditation" where you use motion to find a center (way over simplified view). To me, that complete focus on a drift or a cast or simply being immersed in the sound of running water is not different from hiking a hill, or mountain biking, or cycling or running or whatever. You're just bringing yourself to a point of focus - clearness and calm.
It's awesome.
All that said, hopefully things melt soon... there's still 20+" of ice on the lakes and 2 feet of snow in the woods! YIKES!
The next two things were posted with Alan of Small Stream Reflections "fame" in mind. Alan always 1.) posts stuff that makes me hungry and 2.) via his blog got me to consider fishing bright pink worms... So, first... a dish from a few weeks back that I just have not gotten to posting - backstrap from a buck I shot last fall... Some mango teriaki (SP), a frying pan... and a big salad and you have some amazing chow there. It's mind boggling to me. You look at the meat from a while animal... where's the fat? Totally different to eat food that is truly free range and organic :)...
Last, a new "take" on Alan's Pinkie. I love the rubbery approach, but the body's never came out in a way I really liked... so I dubbed em! I like it. Some tungsten wire wrapping the shank, hot pink thread and pink dubbing to go with the worm and It's a sweet looking little fly. Now, if the water would just open a hair more...
Been up Monadnock a few times in some crazy weather! Hopefully spring will come in earnest soon since we are already into April!
ReplyDeleteMark - it's a fun one. Especially the Pompeli, Cascade Link, Spellman, Pompeli to summit and then pompeli (back down) route. You have so much time over tree line exposed on the ridge with views of the Whites way north, Greens way west, Berk's, the rolling hills of central MA... you can even see Boston. Big mountain feel... close to home :)
DeleteI have yet to tackle Monadnock. I probably ought to this year. Those flies ought to do the trick.
ReplyDeleteRM - it's worth doing. My note to Mark lays down an awesome route. That said, not a bad climb to bring a fly rod. Leave the rod in the car, and break out the topo after the hike. Lots of good, high gradient native streams in the area that get totally over looked ;)
DeleteWill,
ReplyDeleteI have been there several times but never climbed it.
Not only free range and organic and a true delight to eat, but the enjoyment one gets from the harvest is never forgotten.
And yes I like your take on "pinkie"
Fun area to explore Alan. So true on the wild bounty. Ill let you know how the pinkie fishes. Looks like it should workout... but Ill let the piscatorial voters decide ;)
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