This cute!
How Cute is a Black Lab Puppy?
Starting a Blog? Read This!
If you are thinking of joining the growing number of outdoor bloggers you’re in luck! Read F.A.Q. For the New Outdoor Blogger first, you can thank me later.
Tips, Tricks and Tools of the Trade
Because of some very hard work by some very dedicated people, most notably the charming and talented Outdooress, there is a place to hang out and most importantly learn some tricks of the trade. The Outdoor Blogger Network was created by Rebecca Garlock, the aforementioned Outdooress and Joe Wolf (Flowing Waters) as a web-based portal for people to find the best Outdoor related blogs. OBN is a great place to learn from others, see the extensive range of outdoor bloggers and find join a community of bloggers who share a passion for the outdoors.
Go ahead, start that blog. There are a lot people waiting to cheer you on!
When Art Imitates Life
Trust me you are gonna want to click on this one > Lefty says Tenkara is a fad.
A tip of the Stormy Kromer to Roderick Hawg Brown for getting the straight scoop and putting the Lefty “tenkantraversy” to rest!
The Tenkara Roundup Volume 1, Issue 1
Given how quickly Tenkara is rising in popularity I thought it was time to rework the Tenkara section of Dispatches, so I have created a stand alone Tenkara blog page.
For the moment it is called The Tenkara Guide blog, a play on the fact that I am a Tenkara Guide and that it will be used as a “guide” to the ever expanding Tenkara community. It will offer commentary and information both about Tenkara style fly-fishing.
Teton Tenkara Reviews Tenkara Lines
If you are interest in how various furled leaders perform then take a look at A tail of three (furled) lines…., Teton Tenkara’s review of the Tenkara USA 3rd Generation Traditional line, the Cutthroat Leaders Tenkara line, and Streamside Hand Crafted Furled Leaders Tenkara. Tom’s review is an in depth look at these lines and how each performs on the water. You can see his field test on the Black Canyon section Bear River.
I am in process of testing some lines as well. More on that in future additions.
Tenkara Bum Reviews Diawa Tenkara Rods
My friend Chris Stewart, aka Tenkara Bum, has a new favorite rod. Read about it in his review of Daiwa Tenkara Rods. His extensive review of the SF goes in to the details of his affection for these rods. Chris has decided to start importing them in the US. Be prepared for a little sticker shock. These are, as Chris notes, “these are truly premium rods, and they carry a premium price.”
Tenkara Talk Reviews Fountainhead’s Stone Fly Rods
Jason Klass had a chance to put Fountainhead’s rods to the test and offers his assessment in Fountainhead Stone Fly Tenkara Rods. Fountainhead rods are at the opposite end of the price spectrum from the Diawa rods. Jason’s reaction, “What you will find is a stripped down fishing tool that is more concerned about working than looking pretty.” He also notes they cast pretty well.
So there you have it, a look at some lines and rods. These guys have done their homework and offer up important info that you can use. Be sure to drop a comment on their blogs and tell them thanks for doing the research so we can all learn more.
Thank a Hunter
Steve Sanetti, the head of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, knows what he is talking about. More that three years ago he wrote an opinion piece in the Washington Post titled Hunter Green.
While some of the data he cites may have changed, his points were spot on then and even more relevant today.
Good for you food.
Sanetti notes “wild game is organic defined.”
Wild game isn’t raised with hormones or processed feed or in pens, fenced enclosures or feed lots. Game meats are low in fat and cholesterol and high in protein. It is not the commercially produced mystery meat of fast food fame. Want to really know where your food comes from? Go get yourself.
Locavores? Around here, we call them hunters.
Hunters have always been locavores. It is what we do. According to the NSSF, 84% of hunters hunt in their home state. Where does food in your supermarket come from? It may have traveled as much as 2,500 miles or more from source to market. And who know what has been used to keep it fresh?
In Sanetti’s words, “we are model locavores.”
Healthy habitat for all to enjoy.
“Today, every state has thriving game populations in habitats that sustain hunted as well as non-hunted species. It’s a richness of life that many Americans enjoy regardless of their environmental persuasion. Yet most also take it for granted, unaware of the mechanisms that sustain this public resource. They see more wildlife every year but are oblivious to why that’s so,” writes Sanetti.
Much of the healthy fish and wild life habitat and the recreational opportunities it provides exist because of hunters and anglers and the funding they provide by purchasing equipment. That’s right, there is an excise tax on hunting and fishing equipment. The excise tax money has to go to conservation, education and habitat. License revenue also go to conservation and habitat programs. Things that all Americans can enjoy whether they hunt or fish or not!
The voice of experience.
Hunters know the land. They are stewards of the wild things and wild places. The possess a first hand knowledge of the natural world. You don’t have to hunt to learn from them. They share their knowledge freely.
“As civilization struggles to balance modern lifestyles with organic, local, renewable resources, hunters are indeed among the deepest wells of expertise on the planet,” writes Sanetti.
Steve Sanetti does indeed know what he is taking about.
Check out the wealth of information on the NSSF website in the Hunter Green section.
She is getting bigger
Lily, February 22, 2012
Photo: Deep Run Farm