Tea Party Today

I do not expect this blog to be political, but I am a little unhappy about the politicians in both parties, not paying attention to the populace. They think of themselves as aristocrats and we are the peasants! I will be protesting at the Tea Party at Marshall Park in Charlotte NC today.

Trout Fishing with Felt Soles is Recommended

While surfing the web recently, I came across this picture on the Newbie blog. This toe injury illustrates the importance of wearing the proper footware. The owner of that magnificent toe was wearing sandles when that injury occured. I have never used flip flops or sandles so I never had an injury like that. However, when I first started to fish for trout, I used sneakers. The problem with sneakers is with streams where there is a thin coating of algae, or slime, over the rocks, it makes them as slippery as ice. Also, when the current is swift, you will not get enough traction to maintain control; and actually be carried downstream against your will. So, I have had some nasty spills when wearing sneakers. A friend of mine, added carpet to the bottom of his sneakers, but that was not sucessful either. The carpet was not that good at eliminating the slipping, and it also came off too soon.
What I have learned is that the felt soles on wading shoes and a definite must for trout fishermen. You should get the best wading shoes that you can afford and I suggest Simms or Orvis for the best and safest traction.

Men of Valor Meet in Charlotte NC

This is the final weekend before our Men of Valor conference on April 4th. If you believe you men could use some encouragement, equipping, and fellowship with other men of God during these trying times, then please register for and attend this event.

Follow these links to check out the speakers and topics and the schedule of workshops.

Please join hundreds of men from our region for the Men of Valor discipleship conference at Central Church of God in Charlotte, NC, on April 4, 2009.

Kids and the Environment

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a site especially meant for teaching the children to be responsible with our environment. They have a creative interactive approach to teach the children about the environment with a selection of games, comic books, and cartoons. It also includes downloadable activity books, coloring books and more.
To learn about this and more go to Trout University Class 1012 Fishing With Kids, scroll down to Extra Credit and click on Environmental Kids Club.

Mongo is where it is at, bring back the BAT!

I can remember the good 'ol days playing with the Mongo bat. It was a large, large plastic bat that was so ideal for playing ball with the entire family. With the Mongo bat, you could hardly miss the ball, and when hit, the ball went flying with super speed.
It was so versatile that it could be used with virtually any ball of soft material. the inventor said that it could even be used, in fact, developed for use with a tennis ball. However, the bats purchased from Wal Mart were not sturdy enough to be used with a tennis ball. No matter, I just want the Mongo back.

Playing with the family in a park or the back yard is more fun and more exercise than cyber exercise like Wii. This video of the Mongo Bat will demonstrate.

Waders: Now, The Rest of The Story!

If Paul Harvey were still alive that is what he would say about our wader experiences. When we went to Alaska, the neoprene waders were great, but in NC where the weather is mild, they are so uncomfortable. The lite weight waders that I bought last year were super lite and cool but my grandson borrowed them to fish in a ravine and when he brought them back, they were shredded beyond repair. They simply do not hold up to the NC underbrush.

However, we bought the Orvis Tailwaters XT waders at the Orvis Warehouse Sale for about $38 which is about 10 cents on the dollar, because they were refurbished. We took them out Saturday to the Great Smoky Mountains Natiopnal Park and they were great. As we crawled thru the underbrush to approach the wild trout, they did not even get a scratch. So, for NC mountains, you might consider purchasing those waders.

After several attempts to retire, I am an author!

Retirement is easy, I can quit whenever I choose. Not so! I have retired several times, but now I find myself an author. I have published several articles on Associated Content. Also, I am a full professor at the Trout University where I have written several on line classes for teaching the art of trout fishing. So, now I am working on the computer about six hours per day and I have applied for a part time job outside the home as well.

North Carolina Trout Fishermen Prefer Pizza

Yes, it is somewhat secret and most will not readily admit it, but the preferred food after a tough day in the NC mountains is; you guess it Pizza! Personally, I have never considered it a sucessful trout fishing trip until I have hungrily downed my share of pizza washed down with Coke. However, I have learned that some other fishermen have the same appetite as well.