BilletHead

That is exactly why we use raised beds and mineral molasses tubs. Lettuce is sprouting! BilletHead

Well done me loves eating tree rat! If we get another cool front moving through I will be out and about. I have depleted the yard ones. BilletHead

Thanks Johnsfolly, Yep had a break fishing back here for warm water fish. So here we go again. Up early to fish the North Fork of the Shoshone. Caught a few smaller rainbows but we had another fish calling us in the distance. Johnsfolly knows what is calling as we have been texting back and forth on the trip. We thought it would be neat to do the cuttslam again like we did in 2010. This time in reverse order from top of the state to the bottom. We headed to Cody to regroup and do laundry and get showers. We keep clean on the trip in yes cold streams, heating water and other ways. A good long hot shower every few days sure does feel good though . Wal -mart too for supplies and a propane cylinder exchange. Stopped by North Fork anglers to visit with our friend Tim Wade a bit before hitting the road to the notellum river. This is where we got our first of the four subspecies of cutthorat in Wyoming. The Yellowstone cutt. We tried the South fork of the river mentioned traversed the main creek and drove some miles to the South. A bit disappointing with the water level. Also had a brownish stain on the bottom. Another thing to rant about too. Open range in the forest. Not really a rant but who wants to see a bunch of nasty cows in pristine country? Hit the water and both missed a couple of fish. Ahead of us the great heard of bovine crashing in and out of the water crapping here and there. Breaking down the stream banks. Kind of creepy at times as we had not grabbed the bear spray. Hearing crunching in the thick timber was it a cow or grizzly. Not too smart on our part as we were in grizz country here. Got out of the stream and bushwhacked our way back to the truck to see more bovine around the truck needless to say Sadie was none too happy. Back down the road to the main river, crossed it again and up the main fork, Drove higher into the forest and found a road down into the river. Set up camp and again built rods and hit the water with much better success. Mrs. BilletHead got the prize of the trip and well deserved she was. Grin from ear to ear, A fifteen inch beauty it was. We both misses fish. They would turn and roll without getting caught. A miss or on purpose? Then I scored, Caught some smaller ones and headed back to our tiny house on wheels. Dinner was beefburgers open face sandwich. This is happiness. Wet wading pants, shoes and wading socks, The view from the camper, Pat and Sadie doing dishes . Sadie if to say did you even leave me a crumb? Next will be the ride over for the Snake River / fine spot subspecies. Did we get any? BilletHead

Sometimes just good Ginger ale but lately have been using Coney Island hard ginger ale. I like that stuff. Well then Ness let us know. Besides Jamie says it's sexy BilletHead

Thought i would share again, So maybe this is why I had a good tomato season? If you all remember I had some long lanky tomato starts. So long I had to plant them two to three foot deep with just the tops of the plant showing. So when cleaning up and pulling plants I thought you may all want to check out these roots, I have never had a root system like this before on a tomato plant. They were over four feet long and actually coiled around the bottom of the tubs. BilletHead

A nice run up the river this morning, 63 degrees pretty brisk in shorts and a tee shirt. The plan was to get some gas run through the motor since the boat had not been out for a month or more. Had a place in mind to try with the fly rod and set my sights on that place. River lower than I have seen it in years and there was pucker factor big time running the shoals and skinny thin water. Did not get a early start but oh well. When I made to the desired spot first thing I saw was a great blue heron meaning bait fish. Then current and yes the bait fish were there Shad. This is what I call the Hybrid trifecta so here was to hoping one of those were there too. Anchored and built the nine weight with eight weight outward bound short floating line. Built a new nine foot leader and tippet. Got into the fly box and tied on a French fry with a non slip mono loop. Sat in about four foot of water and started fan casting towards a steep bank with current and as the sun was up good a shade line along the East bank. Shad flipping all over three to four inch sized, happy flipping not being chased or harnessed by any predator. Passed that fry here and there covering water. fifteen to twenty casts later the quarry could not resist and smashed the fry and I mean smashed it. Loud pop and a swirl, new exactly what I had and it peeled off line down the river. I let the extra line in the boat slide out through my fingers until on the reel, then as he continued to pull line I continued to keep tension with the fly line until I hit the backing which began to burn my fingers. DUH palm the reel dummy! With the palming and drag I began to wear him a bit. Soon he started upstream and I wound as hard as I could to keep up with him. Again in the current he got and used his broad body and large flat tail pulling sideways like a giant bluegill would. Got him then closer to the boat where he began to fight hard again. I was deciding if I should try to dig for the net in the compartment of use the boga grip. He then started calming down and I opted for the boga. Now watching the BilletHead land a fish with a fly rod and boga is a fiasco. I switched my rod to the left hand with boga in the right. Reeled up to the nine foot leader. Now my bum shoulder will not let my elbow get above my shoulder. Matter of a fact it now lacks getting even that high. So I reached as high as I could and leaned out to try to snatch this fish. Five tries later got it done. As hard as I stared at the scales I could not get it to make the eight pound mark but darned close. 25 inches nose to tail. A great hit and strike, epic fight and landed I was totally satisfied and to boot a pretty nice fish. Got the fish revived and as he swam off and I gave him a thank you for playing with me this fine morning. After composing myself threw the french fry and then a clouser a few more times and gave it up. Fish was caught at nine thirty. Who knows what it would of been like there at daylight when I should of been there? Have I ever told you all how much I love temperate bass on the fly rod? Well I do and I will forever Then a made a friend on the way back to the ramp. I like these too. I know fear runs rampant when some see this snake but hey he deserves to live his life like we do. Messed with him for a spell and left him to be. Wish I had my good camera. All I had was my little pocket Fuji. As long as I got close it worked fine. Isn't this snake pretty? BilletHead had a good day

It is a good one Ollie but it is a Sulphur shelf, have heard them called chicken of the woods. I know what you are going to say close name but the Hen of the woods is a different beast and also one of the best eaters, BilletHead

Moscow Mule! Very Nice Ness we have been drinking them for about eight months but I guess not authentic as we are missing the copper mugs. I have been using my extra blackberries and infusing vodka for four to eight months. This is what we use in the mules. Darn tasty, BilletHead

Seeds just add a bit of crunch. We stood at the fig bush and feasted today. Pick, pop open and squeeze out the inside. I may try to dehydrate a few before it is all over. BilletHead

Thank you a bunch bkbying89. More to come, BilletHead

Up again and had Stuffed peppers for breakfast, Hit the road up the Yellowstone valley to Gardner where we splurged on a fancy cappuccino coffee. Good round of extra caffeine for paying attention to the distracted drivers in the park. Into the park to see the mammoth springs elk all over. Asian tour buses stopping and the occupants jumping out to have a selfie with the elk. The park police scotting over to scold the photo takers for being too close. Funny watching as the only one who could understand was the bus driver. Then seen the general bison all over until we see a big parking mess ahead. Finally getting close to see three Bighorn Sheep Ram's laying on a hill side right next to the road, I mean rock throwing distance. No way to stop to get a photo. No that is one I would of liked to have. Right through the rest of the park we went towards the east Entrance and out we went to the first place we could get our Wyoming fishing license. That taken care of back to the Rex Hale campground we like to stay at when fishing the North Fork of the Shoshone. picked out a nice spot where there was some leftover firewood from the previous people. Then made like a pirate and raided other empty sites for booty . Set up and hit the river catching some rainbows of various sizes. Lightning and thunder in the distance then rain so we scurried to the nearest bridge for cover and tried to wait out the rain. Well it did not let up and we got wet, Started up the fire pit with our spoils pirated and then fired up the grill, Rib eyes, hash browns, Missouri sweet corn and maters, Time for the scare crow shot. We have taken one like this at Rex Hale every time we have camped there. This was our 39th wedding anniversary. Man that is a long time with one woman . Think I have decided to keep her a few more years. Besides don't think I could find another one to put up with me. Spent the evening watching the fire with Sadie at our feet, Again up early and headed to Cody to regroup and make the final plan for fishing . One primary species and four subspecies of the primary species to try for, Bob the watcher of the valley says to tell all high with a special howdy to Ness. BilletHead

A lot less hair and not quite so gray. You talking to me ? HA! Plain old grilled hot dogs and tots yesterday. Today though it will be a double batch of fragrant Sichuan Duck . You fellows have no idea how good this is. BilletHead

Up early and again on the road from Butte towards Livingston and the Yellowstone valley. Looking at the map for streams we had not fished in years past . Spied Pine Creek. We had seen the access road before but never ventured up it. Thought that may be a plan. Stooped at a Micky D's for a cold drink and break along the highway we seen a fly shop. Slipped in and had a visit with the owners. Asked about Pine creek. Oh yes you can catch some Brookies in there. Plus if you go up to the lake above there is some real nice cutthroat. Dumb ones at that. I asked how the trail was. Good one and just a two hour hike. OK there is some potential there we thought. Well we thought there was .So on to Livingston for more fly shop looking. Dan Baileys is always a good stop and if you look in the discount room some nice fly bargains by the dozen. Four dozen bought at six bucks a dozen. Cannot tie them for that. Asked the brain trust there about the Pine creek trail. Again a different answer. Difficult trail real steep. Takes five hours. Huh? This isn't sounding any better. Left there and headed to the High School in Livingston. Yep the BilletHeads went to school. I knew the Federation of Fly Fishers were having their big conclave this weekend and we decided to check it out. Drove around, found a parking place and open doors so we went in. Walked around most of the building until we rounded a corner and got stopped by the FFF Police . Excuse me folks where are your name tags? We just got here. You mean you did not check in? Nope walked in those doors. Well you need to go here and there and check in before you see anymore. OK we can do that. Checked in and found my membership got our name tags, paid ten bucks to see what we had already seen. Pretty neat I guess but small attendance. Left there and headed to Hatch finders fly shop and visited some Dandy Reiner told us she had hiked up to Pine lake and fished. Good fishing she said but steep trail. Then I sent a PM through the OA towards Al Agnew to pick his brain. Headed up the Pine Creek road to the campground. Way up there I had cell signal and later on that evening I got Al's response. Steep, takes you awhile, good fishing and an all day trip. We nixed that idea as we could do it but We would not leave Sadie that long all alone. We can do that here at home for hours where she feels comfortable but on trips like this she is real apprehensive . No one would leave their child all day like that and right now she is our kid. So we just fished Pine creek and did real well. Brookies and Yellowstone Cutthroat . Actually quite a few., Narrow and like fishing in a tunnel at times. The brookie the Mrs. was holding is ten inches. Doesn't look it but we measured. Then carnitas for the evening meal, After a full belly went to picking berries. Red raspberries and thimble berries. Raspberries had intense flavor, thimble berries not so much. Kind of tasteless but sweet and kind of a fuzzy texture in the mouth, Here is Pine Creek down close to where it empties into the Yellowstone after everyone gets their share of the water rights. Nothing left, What next? Hang tight we will be heading to Wyoming next, BilletHead

Yep just like Ness and JohnsFolly said. Really invasive. Fun to catch though. States who value their native species are trying to get rid of them. One year we visited the Daniel fish hatchery near Pinedale. Got to see the four genetically pure cutthroat they had in the state. A neat visit where he explained how ultimately they would like to straighten out the mistakes of the past and control invasive species as much as possible. BilletHead

Nice report JohnsFolly! BilletHead

Dang JD, Prayers to your family, BilletHead

The Grilled figs on ice cream was a hit! BilletHead

Yes we did Tho1mas, The pig looked sad in his dirt bed as i took his tomato canopy away from him before we left. Hummingbirds were fat and happy when we got back though. They are still swarming around the feeders but they will son start trickling out of here. As always hope they remember their free buffet and come back next Spring. Hope you have a good fall crop, not sure how we did so well with this garden. The pictures of this Falls planting of lettuce I took this morning. I walked by the ones started in the pots this afternoon and they have sprouted. Do you talk to your plants? Maybe that is what you need to do. I visit with my crop everyday. Gets lonely when Mrs. BilletHead goes to work .

Boy Phil if it was me I would have that middle east war hero veteran Ducky just sit down there on his free time. Wouldn't pay him because you already do that for him to fish and goof around . OK I bet he does work some. On another note maybe some nice lit up security camera being used signs might help unless you are trying to catch thieving otters.I heard otters cannot read so it won't work for them . BilletHead

A while back there was a discussion about grilled cheese. Well here is what I call my favorite type of that sandwich . https://www.harmonsgrocery.com/recipes/green-chile-grilled-cheese I think subbing to your taste makes it better. I used Smoked cheddar and asagio for my two cheese choices. Used the Hatch chilies I worked up but have subbed anchos from our garden and even jalapenos once. Also instead of a plain garlic clove used some of the wild garlic I roasted. A few chips on the side and a ice cold long neck beer made it a treat. Did not use the little special bread just big stuff to make a big grilled cheese. The cheese mix, Grilling it up, The BilletHead approved Grilled Cheese

Sorry to here this. They walk among us and you cant' fix stupid. I have been known to park so far out away from these types and just walk a bit farther. Besides this type of people I figure it is good for me, BilletHead

Like a fig . OK that was a smart a** answer. How about this. Ever eaten a fig newton? No it does not taste like a fig newton either . Hard to explain and compare with anything else. Sweet honey like taste I think. Come on someone help me out here. Pat will have to settle without homemade ice cream Ronnie. BilletHead

Ok now you all keep you mouths shut and don't tell Mrs. BilletHead her surprise . Went to town and bought a half Gallon of good vanilla ice cream. Got home and picked figs, Started charcoal, when good and white added some split pieces of peach wood. Washed and split the figs and loaded the basket and went to grilling, Ended up with two baskets full. The smell of the caramelizing figs was out of this world. Finished grilled figs, Covered them with foil and hid in outside fridge. This evening I will make her happy. She deserves it for putting up with me, BilletHead

Well getting ready to pull the tomatoes. Pretty sad, still some green ones but the table in the house has maters on it so we are ready to be rid of the ugly plants left, Got some lettuce started in pots plus tilled the big beds. One Bed I did direct plant some rows. The other will be for transplants, Then there are the peppers going strong. Cubanelles, jalapenos, chili and sweet yum-yums. It has been a good year, BilletHead

Thought I would make some order of the Chestnut project so far for this first season that has nuts. Catkins forming this Spring Blooms forming on the catkins Full bloom 7-15-16 7-21-16 8-19-16 There can be more than one nut per spiky bundle. Some I have you can see their may be mutable nuts enclosed. These are crazy cool. The forming nut bundle or whatever you call it was real soft. The spikes now are hard and could hurt you. Guess Mother nature had a plan making sure the nuts make it to maturity, BilletHead