the obligatory awesome crappy phone picture...

...because "Jackie will be disappointed if you don't."

Fishy Kid is back

There's only one way to find out.

Sometimes it would be awesome

When I am at home having a drink alone and writing stuff for things I sometimes wish Morgan Freeman would come over and read aloud what I have written. I feel it would just make it so much easier to edit my work if that would happen every once in a while when I am struggling with some overabundance of verbiage. You know what I mean?

I'm just sayin'.

-Alex who is currently having a drink alone and writing stuff for things.

Orvis Expo

Saturday March 20th from 9:30 AM to 6PM
Dry Creek Outfitters, Tucson AZ

The Scoop:

Don't miss this year's Orvis Expo at Dry Creek Outfitters on Saturday March 20th from 9:30 AM to 6PM. This is the best program we have ever put together!! You will receive fly-casting instruction using the Orvis Helios and Hydros fly-rods. These are easily the lightest fly-rods on the market. There will be numerous fly-fishing destination presentations (Alaska, British Columbia, the White Mountains of AZ and Colorado to name a few) and even some fly tying presentations. One of Hutch’s fly-casting demos will be called “Fixing your buddy’s fly-casting problems” ( We all know we have no fly-casting issues but our friend has serious issues!…)

Here are our guests for the Expo:

Hutch Hutchinson - Hutch is currently the SW Regional Business Manager for the Orvis Company and is recognized as one of the industry's premier fly-casters. He spent close to 10 years in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska as the lead guide for the Bristol Bay Lodge and has extensive experience fly-fishing for numerous species all over the globe. What makes Hutch very special, as many of us here in Tucson can attest to, is his ability to teach others the art of fly-casting.
Dave Brown - Dave is the owner of Dave Brown Outfitters, formerly known as Elk River Angler. Dave and his guides specialize in the pursuit of the beautiful west-slope cutthroat in addition to rainbows and the rare Bull trout.
Mike Leed - Mike is a native Tucsonan who has fly-fished in Canada, Chile, Argentina, Costa Rica, Belize, the BVI and many locations in Mexico and the U.S. He particularly loves the saltwater flats game and pursuing Largemouth Bass in AZ.
John & Cullen Murphy - Our OPTU newsletter editor always finds time to make several epic trips each year. You may find him throwing line at the San Juan or the Provo or...he may be on a "business trip" to New Zealand or the Kenai River in Alaska. Cullen has guided at Great Alaska Adventure Lodge in Sterling, AK for 6 seasons and has also built an impressive saltwater fly-fishing resume.

...and our featured guest

Emerson Craig - If you fish the White Mountain lakes of Arizona with any regularity, you have probably seen Emerson (no doubt, with a bent rod). Emerson, also known as "Chief", has spent countless hours perfecting his techniques of fooling trout with a fly rod. Just as Roger Federer is the ranked #1 in the world, Emerson Craig is the #1 seed for fly-fishing in the White Mountains.

Call Eric or Whitey at Dry Creek Outfitters (520-326-7847) for further details.

Should be a good time, even if I do have to break my no-getting-up-before-10AM-unless-it's-fishing rule.

-Alex

Fat guys miss people too

Grandma, we will miss you. After years of fighting with Alzheimers, we are sad to see you go. We know it is for the better. I love you Grandma, you have done so much for this family, and never to be forgotten.

Hazel Kelly Deneen
June 2 1920- February 27 2010

Kyle- who really needs to hit a lake or a river

Things to stick on things (update)

STICKER STATUS: MAILED

Enjoy.

Good advice?

People give me the strangest things.

It's one of the important things for special ocassions

Do you remember the game "what doesn't belong here?" Well, there are those that may have a little problem with a philosophy of mine when it comes to drinking and fishing. These are the same people who look up from their iced tea at last call and cast a criticizing eye while shake their head when I tell the bartender that yes, I will have another. What are you doing in a bar, anyhow? Don't judge me.

But don't get me wrong, drinking all the time while fishing is just stupid and a waste of alcohol. It must be spared for those special times of great relevance. To help, I made you a quick list of a few examples of proper times to take a nip:

It's a beautiful day!
The weather suck.
Your floating line floats.
Your sinking line sinks.
You catch a big fish!
Someone else catches a big fish.
You lose a big fish.
Someone else loses a big fish!
You catch a lot of fish!
You get skunked.
You don't lose one fly all day!
You lose all your flies and are pouty about it.
Your float tube doesn't sink!
Your float tube sinks.
You don't get a fly stuck in your eyeball.
You do get a fly stick in your eyeball.
There is no one at your favorite spot!
There are 127,453 people at your favorite spot.
etc...

Using examples like these and exorcising a little restraint will ensure you have a good time without over doing it. And always remember to drink responsibly.

-Alex who just wants to make the world a better and safer place.

Exceeding the weight limit once again

Kyle is back in Tucson. Prepare thy face for the kick-ass.

Sleeping in the Dirt Mag

I figured with his lack of recent posting that Mr. Otto was just taking an extended nap somewhere out in the Gila wilderness, but apparently he has been putting together a pretty kick-ass online magazine that is busting with eye-candy and definitely worth a click: