Fall is in the Air....

...and on the trees as well. Sure, football has started, but not even officially fall on the calender and the crimson and orange is starting to burst amongst the pines.

First Elk of 2008 at Trail Creek Lodge

Shot last night by Bruce Holt, pictured here with Sid and the spike he shot directly through the heart with a compound bow. (photo by Bruce's son Rob)



Turns out it was the same Spike Elk in the same draw that was chronicled here in Craig's Blog. Definitely check it out. As if you were sitting right next to Craig as it unfolded.

Back in the Saddle Corralling Cutthroat

"What's been happening? Got any pics?"

When I got that e-mail from a one of my new and well respected friends yesterday, I quickly came to the realization that I was losing focus. I was feeling a bit sorry for myself for a few reasons, but I've spent a wonderful summer in Idaho, I'm getting ready to go fish in paradise for 8 months and actually get paid....it was the kick in the butt in needed to help me refocus.

Heck, everyone for three counties is Elk hunting right now, which means I've got hundreds of miles of streams all to myself.

Crisp fall mornings lead to beautiful clear skies and 73 degree sunny afternoons. How can I waste this wonderful opportunity? Shame on me.

Fortunately, as soon as my waders broke the surface of the crystal clear river water, I quickly remembered why I'm so lucky to be here. Sure, the fishing started slow, and I felt a bit rusty and complacent as I started making my way upstream, but I soon found a groove.

Caught a few beautiful Cutthroat trout, including this beauty from Kirby Korner....





...and his big brother just up in the next bend.



Rumors of another Elk down. Hopefully stay tuned for good news.

I Love it When a Plan Comes Together!!!

I found myself saying that a lot while I was on the stream this summer.

See a rise, or a really nice cut bank that undoubtedly would be holding a fish.

Turn to whoever you're out fishing with....point your rod to identify a spot for them to see....

"Hey, drop a cast right over there."

The fly lands on the water, slowly starts to drift just down from where it landed....

POW! Fish on!

"I love it when a plan comes together!" I'd exalt.

But plans come in all shapes and sizes. Some are momentary, like casting to a fish. Others are five or ten year plans for one's life. Some work, some don't, but it's all a matter of how you adapt. At least that's what I'm telling myself.

Last year around Christmas, Craig gave a number of us a book that really resonated with him called Deep Survival by Laurence Gonzales. Fortunately, I haven't fallen into any grave life or death survival situations, but there's still a number of parts that have seemed timely to me as I've read portions of the book throughout the summer.

The author notes:

The human brain is particularly well suited to making complex plans that have an emotional component to drive motivation and behavior... The difficulty begins when reality doesn't match the plan.

Well, my plan was to be leaving Idaho this weekend and moving across country, but as I sit here typing this blog, anyone whose read the previous blog knows that's not the case. My reality has changed from where I expected it to be when I started this blog back in April.

But, I came to the realization that I could either wallow in heartache, or I could forge ahead. Renew my focus on the spirit of the journey which I'd set out on, and continue towards the ultimate happiness and fulfillment that I planned to create for myself.

The author's father was a pilot, and as a pilot myself, the lesson his father instilled in him seems an important one.

Plan the flight and fly the plan. But don't fall in love with the plan. Be open to a changing world and let go of the plan when necessary so that you can make a new plan. Then, as the world and the plan both go through their book of changes, you will always be ready to do the next right thing.

Ironically, a lot of my plan for myself revolved around being in love, but as that has unexpectedly unraveled, I've had to work to formulate new plans to keep myself motivated towards the ultimate goal.

As my book has changed, so has the plan. I'm doing my darnedest to continue on the best path, and keep my sights open to all available options, while still staying true to myself and loyal to those who have been so generous and supportive along my journey.

I outlined my general plan for the next year in the previous blog, and slowly but surely, I'm formulating my short term plan as I finish my summer in Idaho and prepare to head to Islamorada.

Bought a ticket today to Chicago for September 29 to October 6. Planning to take in the Ohio State vs Wisconsin game in Madison on Saturday night the 4th. (GO BUCKY!!!) The trip is during the week hunting in Idaho is closed between Archery and Rifle seasons for Elk and Deer. I'm not hunting at all, but doing my best to help Sid shuttle people wherever needed and work on a few other projects we've been discussing.

I'm also working on scheduling a couple days of fishing in up in Montana, which I'll hopefully have worked out in the next couple of weeks so that I can go after I get back in October.

Then, at the end of October, I'm looking forward to shooting some birds with Little Ricky from Little Rock, and then I'll head to Islamorada. The current plan would route me through Denver, Albuquerque, Oklahoma City, and then to North Carolina for a few days to make arrangements to get what I have in storage south.

Certainly, nothing is set in stone (well the ticket to Chicago is non-refundable), but it's certainly nice when a plan looks to be coming together.

Deep Thoughts, By Jack Handy

You know when you roll over, and you see water rolling off the roof, but it's bright, and sunny, and hasn't recently rained? Yes, that's the frost melting. You quickly come to the realization that you'll be here for two more months, and you'll either need to a) learn to use your nipples as weapons to fend of wildlife, or b) buy some warmer clothes.

It's Like I've Graduated College All Over Again....

Well, after working for ten years, I feel as though I graduated again when I left my job in June, I've had a bit of a summer break while working some, and now I'm about to head into the real world.

Instead of repaying tuition loans like the first time around, now I've got some travel and excitement debt to contend with, but I feel like I'm starting fresh again, only with an opportunity to really pursue one of my passions.

I'm staying with Sid to work at the Lodge through hunting season at the end of October, then I've been invited to hunt Huns, Chuckar, and Quail with Little Ricky from Little Rock (glad to hear you're doing well, Cindy), at which point I'll head east to see my parents in Chicago for a few days, and then down to Islamorada in the beautiful Florida Keys to start my new job as a mate on the Cloud Nine with Capt. Greg Eklund. I'm pretty excited to say the least.

Sailfish in the winter, Cobia, Snapper and bottom fish in the spring, and then April and May fishing out of the Bahamas. Fishing fishing June back in Islamorada mostly for Dolphin, and then back out to Idaho to work at the Lodge with Sid again for the summer. I don't know if I could write it up any better.

I feel as though I'm getting a second chance, and my goal is not to waste it. Hopefully I'll get to stop and see some friends as I drive across country, and though I don't think I'll be able to keep Whiskey and Snoopy along with me on my journey, there's a chance that I've already found a perfect home for them, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Oh, and I fished today with a wonderful family, the Jennings. They caught a bunch of fish and had a blast, and then I actually left them a bit early to go with the hunters and watch for a bit. I'd planned to go with Sid and watch Craig's stand since today will be his last day before he heads east to try to beat Hanna to Ponte Vedra Beach, but I was then recruited by Greg to watch a second stand in the canyon he'd been hunting.

If you'd have told me 5 years ago that one day I'd be sitting suspended 18 feet up in a pine tree in Idaho just watching squirrels and birds go by I'd have thought you were crazy, but there I was for about 4 hours, just keeping an ear and eye out for anything the slightest noise or movement.

Pretty neat. All of it. With the exception of a little heartache along the way, this has been a very fortunate summer for me.

Mom's hoping that she'll be out of her rehab facility by the weekend, as she can almost fully transfer herself from her bed to her scooter, and she's been standing during therapy as well. We hear from Little Ricky that Cindy's recovering well, too.

Hope everyone else that I haven't been able to speak to is doing well also.

Brrrrrrr!!!!

Cold and rain was the theme of the past few days. Unfortunately for the guys out elk hunting, it basically just left them cold and wet, and the elk weren't moving much.

It was chilly again when we woke up this morning, but fortunately the sun shone through and it got a bit warmer. Hopefully, they're out cutting up an elk right now.

The fishing today seemed a bit slow. Not sure if the fish were sluggish due to the drastic temperature change, or if the waters were just a bit overfished after the holiday weekend. It was actually the first time that I've worn waders since I've been here due to the chill in the water. We've been wet wading the entire rest of the summer. I fished with some wonderful people, though, and had a great time. I'd show you some pictures, but unfortunately, my camera wasn't wearing waders when I half dunked it into the water. I'm really hoping that it still works after it dries out. I'm not excited about buying a new camera.

I'd also have a pretty sweet picture of a large moose drinking out of the river, not far from where my friend Rob did his best moose imitation to get us out of the willows, if I hadn't dunked the camera, but I don't have that either, so you'll just have to take my word for it that it was pretty cool.

In a strange twist of irony, it looks like I'm going to end up in Florida after all, just a bit later in the fall, and about 450 miles further south. I'm pretty excited for the opportunity, though, and I'll elaborate in a few days when I'm sure every thing's finalized.