Time Away...

Everyone needs it and this afternoon I get a little bit. Looking forward to fishing with some clients, but more than that, friends.

Over the past few years, we've fished rivers in Yakutat, Alaska, (Johnny's East River Lodge), The Kenai Peninsula, Washington's Yakima River, and the wild rivers of the Olympic Peninsula (Hoh, Clearwater, Queets, Bogachiel) This time it's to King Salmon, Alaska to fish the Naknek and Brooks Rivers surrounding Katmai National Park.

I'll be posting pictures of my travels on Twitter and Flickr.

Looking forward to building on our friendship, creating new fish stories, and recharging for a bit.

A Perfect Day for Fishing - Not so for Catching!

It's rare to summer steelhead fish on the Olympic Peninsula on 65+ degree days. I'm certain I've NEVER winter steelhead fished on a string of days as beautiful as it was Thursday and Friday. The fish of 1000 casts (if using bait), 100,000 casts if swinging a fly - is nearly impossible to catch when conditions are perfect (perfect water flow, good cover, cloudy 0r drizzling skies, freezing temperatures). In fact, it is alway too cold/hot, water is too high/low, fish are too skittish/lethargic - most of these explanations from a guide ends with the statement "You should've been here yesterday."

We had a few things working against us

• Lots of boats (it was the annual Hohdown - more info here)
• A front page article about the Queets (my favorite river) in the Seattle Times
• Did I mention the sun? It's hard to catch a ghost in bright daylight.

We had a fantastic day with our guide - author and friend - Doug Rose. He literally wrote the book on flyfishing for steelhead on the Olympic Peninsula.

I've left my gear out on the coast since I'll be back in a couple of weeks, hopefully it will be drizzly, freezing, cloudy, with perfect water flows. It'll be a crappy day for fishing and a great one for catching - that's winter steelhead for ya.

Ghost Hunting - The Search for Wild Steelhead

So, tomorrow evening I will head West. I will ply my trade on the rivers of the Olympic Peninsula, swinging flies waiting for the tug. They call it the fish of 1000 casts and goodness knows if it was that easy I'd have gotten bored and given up already. Others just call it "the ghost".

Unfortunately with each year that passes the quarry becomes more and more elusive as the wild rivers of the peninsula become less and less so. Horrible resource management (dams, logging, hatcheries - read Mountains in the Clouds ) have pushed wild steelhead and salmon populations to the brink of extinction. I've packed my 8wt, DryFly whiskey, warm clothes, and great friends.

So I embark on another quest in search of my own "white whale". Last year the rivers were blown out and my trip ended with an unexpected trip into a ditch after avoiding a deer on my way home. This year all I'm looking for is a tug and a photo of a wild steelhead.

Dry Fly Distilling - Take Two

Though I hardly know them, I am proud of them. These two guys - Kent and Don have created something great just off Hamilton in Spokane. Dry Fly Distilling will likely have a huge line out front Friday morning heralding the sale of the second batch of Dry Fly Wheat Whiskey. I was fortunate enough to land 3 bottles of batch one. Two while standing in line in Spokane and the third on an off-chance call to a Tacoma Liquor Store. That bottle was shared with friends who are now fans and trying to get their own two hands on Friday's distribution.

Regardless, these two guys and their team are doing it right. They are creating a high quality product that is attracting a following that borders on cult - and I'm a member. Here's why I think they are successful.

• They are the epitome of "Buy Local" - All their ingredients come from WA
• They share - they invite others to be a part of their distilling school and share their process - no mysteries
• They reach out to their community - They allow groups to help bottle their product creating a fun social activity
• They create quality - I don't like Gin but I love Dry Fly Gin. Every other Gin I've ever had was similar to chewing on Juniper leaves. Their whiskey is to die for and the Vodka is as well.

I will be hunting on Friday for my own bottle(s) of Dry Fly.

Congratulations guys - you've earned it.

Start Again

Don't look now but the blog is starting up again. My plan is to blog daily - we'll see how we do, but I wanted to get the word out regarding my intentions.

Lots going on around the house, with work etc.

I've added several ways for you to keep up with the going ons around our house as well as with SiteCrafting and me professionally. Here are some links you may want to check out.

Twitter - twitter.com/brainfroth

Flickr - flickr.com/brainfroth

YouTube - youtube.com/brainfroth

SiteCrafting Blog Posts - http://www.sitecrafting.com/blog/brian-forth/

Look for more tips and nuggets of info or just some musings in the coming days, weeks, months, years.

Your feedback is more than welcome.

Makeup Time

OK, so I've been slacking...

We have been busy though too!

I've posted pictures from August, like this one.

View More From August including Charlotte's Birthday Party, a visit from Grandma and Grandpa Forth and a short flyfishing expedition on the Deschutes River.

Earlier this month we visited Disneyland and family in California. To view these pictures, click here or on the California Vacation Gallery on the Right below is a sample picture.

And Finally the First Day of School which was Monday for Ian and today for Charlotte. I'll be posting an entry about school soon, but for now here's a preview. You can see more in the September Gallery.

Founder's Day Fun!

We spent this past weekend out at Seabrook for Founder's Day. This is likely our last overnight for several weeks as the house is completely booked for August. We have mixed feelings about it as we have really grown to cherish our time out there and have all met friends we enjoy seeing. Our next trip will likely be the 17th of August with my parents. After that, some time in September. I am planning at least a few Fall fishing trips as the big salmon will be heading into the coastal rivers in the September/October.

We had a great time, the kids especially. They worked for hours at "The Stump" with the next door neighbor kids (also from Olympia). Evan and Ian are both seven and have really hit it off and spend most waking time riding bikes or this weekend, working on "The Stump".

I've updated the July Photos with a bunch of new ones. Added a video of Alec counting the stairs. You may remember a previous entry.

Enjoy!

Adios 14 MPG, A Strike, and Before and After

So it's been a fun Saturday around here. It started with me presenting to Pastoral Council and is now just winding down.

Adios 14 MPG

We replaced our Jeep with a brand spankin' new Jetta. I was tired of filling up the tank every 3 or 4 days and the mileage with the big mudders was just downright unacceptable from an economic and environmental standpoint. Our gas mileage will increase by 2x - 3x.

A Strike

Charlotte and I went to Zavien's Birthday party. It was Charlotte's first time bowling and she did very well. She scored a bumper assisted 72. With her rolling the rock so effectively, I decided I best stay on the sidelines so as to not be outscored. A video is below.

Before and After - A Haircut

The Graduate - Two Down One to Go!

We are now officially under a one-year hiatus from Sacred Heart Preschool as Charlotte graduated this evening. I can't say enough about how wonderful Sacred Heart school has been for our children. Ms. DeeDee and the entire staff have given both Charlotte and Ian a great start and for that we are very grateful. Charlotte won the "Writing Her Name Award" for her determination while learning to write the longest name. :)

Next year we will have two at St. Michael. This will certainly make it easier on carpools, etc. but we will miss the trip to Lacey. Perhaps Ms. DeeDee will use the year to prepare for our sweet little Mr. Mischief. :)

Hooray for Friends!

Ian and Murron at the park celebrating the graduation of Charlotte and
Audrey!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

We didn't buy peanuts AND Cracker Jacks, but since there are peanuts IN Cracker Jacks we got it covered, along with hot dogs, chips, cotton candy, regular pop corn, etc. etc.

Ian, Charlotte and I headed out last night to watch the Tacoma Rainiers take on the Tucson Sidewinders at Cheney Stadium along with other St. Mikes families.

It took us a while to get in the gates due to a sell-out crowd and a traffic accident (gratefully not ours) out in front of the stadium.

Once inside we treated ourselves to some dinner and snacks. We watched some of the game, but mostly enjoyed exploring the stadium and seeing the game from different spots (mainly since our seats were tough to get in and out of with all the people).

The highlight for Ian and Charlotte was meeting Rhubarb the Reindeer and each getting a souvenir ball (for Charlotte, pink of course), and mini-bat for Ian.

Fun was had by all and they are asking when we can go again...next stop is likely Safeco Field to watch the Mariners...tickets should be easy to get and seating plentiful. Not sure what I mean, just check the standings... :)

See More May Photos Here

Playdate

Ian has been looking forward to today for awhile. His best friend Matthew came over to visit and play prior to swim lessons tonight. I just got home and it looks like they have all been having a good time - Slip 'n Slide, Battleship and frog catching. It's good to see a sunny day and to hear kids playing in the yard when coming home. Life is good.