One More Sweet Song...

Exuma, Bahamas, June 2010. It was our first trip to the island and definitely not our last. When my husband, Todd, asked me how I would like to celebrate my 40th birthday I told him, "Saltwater fly fishing of course!” He asked me "Where?" so I suggested we try the Bahamas since we had yet to fly fish there. It did not disappoint. Exuma is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been, and one of the last great untouched places in the Caribbean.

My goal on this particular trip was to finally catch a decent permit, or a nice-sized bonefish if nothing else. “A birthday catch I could be proud of would be a great present”, I thought to myself. Like maybe a 5-6 pound bone...

Our first day on the flats offered calm winds and a rising tide during the morning hours, which were ideal conditions. As soon as we got on the water we started seeing bones all over! Our saltwater fly casting was a bit rusty but luckily our guide, Drex Rolle, brought us up to speed quickly. Despite being accomplished fly fishermen, casting in the salt is much different then casting in the cooler, fresh water that we are accustomed to. With saltwater, wind, warm temperatures, and salt build-up can affect the performance of your fly line and your cast.

Fly fishing the saltwater flats is no easy feat. You must have the ability to cast anywhere from 30-70 feet (sometimes into the wind), and most importantly have the correct rod weight and warm water fly line to do it. Plus, here you are casting to fish that have braved their way onto the flats to feed. They are constantly moving, making for a more difficult target. Not to mention skinny water makes fish nervous. Having to evade predators such as sharks and barracuda, while trying to feed during a relatively small window of tide opportunity, makes any flats fish wiley and fast to leave once spooked. Don’t let it scare you, it’s not rocket science, you just need to be prepared with proper equipment and have some fly casting experience under your belt.

Drex has over 20 years of saltwater fly fishing experience under his belt, and I swear that man cast a fly in the space of a silver dollar at 100 yards, in the wind. At the risk of leaking one of my fishing secrets, I have to admit that Drex is one of the best guides I have ever fished with. For him to take the time to teach us the finer points of saltwater casting, was much appreciated; most guides do not do this. They expect you to know what you are doing when you show up. They would much rather spend time getting you hooked into fish than wasting precious time giving you casting lessons.

Once we were warmed up, we took on the huge schools of bonefish we were seeing. All morning, 20, 50, 100 bones to a school would swim by. Bones everywhere! We must have caught 20 each that first morning – all on a fly rod. Then, just before noon, I hooked into a 7 pound bone on the fly! I wasn’t sure just how big it was…I knew it had some muscle, but didn’t think it was much over 4 pounds. When I got it to the boat, Drex proclaimed, “That’s a good fish, mon”! I was so proud…I thought to myself, this is the fish of the trip!

Not quite.

Poling around, sight casting to that many fish (in ninety degree heat) takes it out of you and we overheated quickly. So, we asked Drex if we could go for a swim. Drex brought us to the most beautiful, white sandy beach to take a dip. It’s close to the place where Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed. The area was incredible! After a refreshing dip, we ate lunch, talked fishing with Drex, soaked in our surroundings, and then headed back out on the water for more fishing.

By mid-day the fishing action had started to slow down, which is typical. However, we knew big fish were still around because Drex would calmly tell us, “Cast over here” and when we missed the hook-up he’d quietly proclaim in his laid back voice, “That was a double digit mon”. He always told us after the fact so not to give us “bone fever” which can really mess up your cast. With all the action slowing down, Drex started to sing, “Give me one more, one more sweet song before I go” (he sounded very Marleyesque). Then, suddenly Todd hooked into something big! Great, I thought, he caught a lemon shark or barracuda. But the line didn't break so I knew it was something else. Todd said, “Drex, this is a big fish...I think might run out of line". At that moment I knew to store my fly rod and get out of the way!

Zing went the line, around the boat and back again, and back a few more times. When we finally caught a glimpse of it I screamed, "Oh my God, what the heck is that"? I knew full well it was a big bonefish. Drex was breaking a serious sweat as he coached Todd, knowing what Todd had on the line but not saying it aloud. So, I teased Drex and said, "That's gotta be a big barracuda". Then Drex shouted, "No mon, that's a BIG BONE"! I thought Drex was going to have a heart-attack right there in the boat! When the guys finally landed Todd’s prize in the boat, I swear Drex did cartwheels. All I could say was “Holy Crap!” over and over (OK, that’s not exactly what I said). All Drex could say was, "That's a BIG PIG MON, it's a HOG"!

Todd had landed a 13 pound Exuma bonefish, a rarity in that part of the Caribbean. To date the world record is 19 pounds. Todd had caught his trophy bonefish on the first day and stole my birthday thunder! But, that is quite alright by me. He was suddenly thrust into the celebrity spotlight on the island and had everyone talking all week long. What a fantastic memory for him, the kind all fisherman dream of.

In the fishing days that followed, we caught plenty of fish but they were the typical smaller-sized Bahamian bones. I never once saw my permit, either. Drex kept teasing me and saying that he bet I wished I had caught that big fish. I said, "No way, the permanent smile on my husband’s face and his newfound celebrity status was worth the price of admission”. I could not have been happier or more proud. Todd is a damn good fisherman, which I am very happy he is. Makes fishing with my partner in crime all the more fun!

Kolah

I just had to post this pic, how cute is this dog? That's my girl!

Our New Butcher Block

Todd has always wanted an authentic butcher block. One day, on a whim, I decided to search Craig's List and see what was posted. To my surprise, there it was...a beautifully aged LARGE butcher block. Location: Marine on St. Croix. Perfect I thought, close to home and a fun area to visit to boot! I read the specs which said the block dates back to the early 1900's, weighs around 500 lbs, and is most definitely an authentic piece. I sent a message asking if it was still available, and it was. I replied, without question, that I would like to pick it up ASAP. We agreed that evening would work, so after telling Todd about my incredible find, we recruited Nick's help and drove to Marine on St. Croix that evening.

When we arrived at the house, I was in awe of the beautiful location and home. The log home is located along a tranquil section of the St. Croix River. You could see there was a lot of history with this place. After introducing ourselves and speaking with the home owners (who gave us a tour of their beautiful home), I asked if their home is on the National Register of Historic Homes and indeed it is. It was built in the early 1900's (coincidentally the same age of the butcher block), it took seven years to build using no electrical power whatsoever, and was built with the intention of being a resort - trout farm and all.

The gentleman explained that his parents had purchased it and he grew up there. Now, he and his wife are the proud owners. His mom had bought the butcher block back in the 70's with the intention of adding it as an island in the kitchen, but it never fit, so on the porch it has sat for over 30 years. The price they were asking was even more astonishing. The wife said they understood it is worth a lot more than their asking price, however it is too big (and heavy) for most people and their kitchens so they priced it to move.

Move it, to our amazement, we did! I can't believe no one was killed in the process. When we got it home, Nick and Todd put it on an Appliance Dollie, and Nick hauled it up our tall deck steps while Todd and I pushed form behind. I can see why the priced it to move! Once we got it in place, Nick proclaimed that it will have to stay with the house forever because he is never moving it again!

The company that created the butcher block is called the Bally Block/Michigan Maple Block Co. (www.mapleblock.com). The company was established in 1881 and is still in business today. We are amazed at the history of our new purchase. "If only the block could talk", Todd says. It probably wouldn't even speak English! We are truly honored to be its new owners.

Gone Fishin'

Gone Fishin'. It's a sign that any of us up here in the North Country could hang on our door year round. Whether it's trout, pike, bass, northern, or crappie fishing, you’re bound to have a favorite. Trout was Jon’s favorite. Jon was one of my husband’s best friends and subsequently one of mine. We’ve known Jon for years, Todd longer of course, but I treasured his friendship just the same. He was the first person to befriend me when I moved to the north country. Jon took his life recently, for reasons we’ll never understand. In fact, it was the eve of my 40th birthday party. Jon, you were supposed to come celebrate with us and stay overnight "in the spare bedroom" as requested. You never came. As I write this post the tears flow. Not a post I could ever imagine writing, but one that I feel the need to tell nonetheless. For Jon represented so many things to me as a person, all things of which tie back to nature and most importantly fishing. To me, Jon represented a quiet strength, a solitude, and most of all sunshine.

As I've mentioned, Jon loved to hunt and fish - he loved the outdoors. He’d go anywhere - the family cabin, cottage, area lakes (especially the secret ones Todd told him never to share with anyone). He and I hit it off because we shared that same love, as many of us in these parts do. Jon wasn’t a superior hunter or fisherman by any means, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t the best. He was the best in the sense that he had a pure love of the sport, its way of life, and a respect for it. Something not every outdoorsman has, but a trait I insist that any person I spend time in the field with honors. This strength came from within, a strength that I wish more people knew he truly had. It comes from your core being that is void of arrogance, jealousy, hatred, ignorance. Jon wasn’t one to puff up his chest and turn every outdoor adventure into a competition…he just went along quietly, enjoying every moment for what it was, with the company he kept, nature, himself. A quiet strength.

Solitude. It's one of the reasons we live up here in the North Country. Here, the forests and lakes are peaceful and calm. They stand quiet. They have centuries of stories they could tell, but they keep their secrets to themselves.  I never knew Jon to say a bad word about anyone…not even those who deserved it. His soulful solitude was his gift. His calm demeanor made you feel at ease; loved. This is what I miss the most.

The sun in the north woods, especially when it lights up the red and yellow maple leaves in the fall, is brilliant. Jon had a smile that could do the same. It would light up a room the moment he walked into it. It seems to be the cliché thing to say about a person after one passes from this world, but if you knew Jon and had ever been in a crowd of people with him you would know what I am talking about. He had the best smile, a true ray of sunshine.

Jon wasn't perfect. None of us are. I have no delusions about this fact. But Jon was special to Todd and to me. Dearest Jon, I want to say I wish you knew how much you are missed, but I'm quite certain you know. I know that I will still see you each day...in the strength of the tall white pines, the crystal blue lakes, the babbling waters of the trout stream, the lonesome call of the loon. I know you are there. I can feel you. I know you have gone fishin', and that's how I want to remember you. I see you smiling. I hear you laughing. I feel your presence. You were very loved, you are very missed, and will forever be in our hearts.

Tight lines my friend, until we see you on the flip side.

Love, Paula
XOXO

Fawn-Doe-Rosa with Keenan

Keenan Hacker and I spent Sunday together at Fawn-Doe-Rosa. I took him for the weekend so mommy and daddy could go fishing and have some one-on-one time. Keenan and I had a blast feeding the animals. His favorites were the otters and rabbits, my favorite were the llamas and vocally annoying guinea hens. The wolves and mountain lion were taking a nap, so we didn't get to see them very well. However, the 2010 chick and duckling models had arrived, so we enjoyed watching them. Not to mention the roosters, which after serious discussion, we agreed were not at handsome as Frankie.

Peeping Rooster

Frankie is nuts. He stands on the deck and looks through the door glass. He tries to come inside when I open the door. He misses the dogs, and I think me. Whenever I start the car he comes runnin'; chasing me down the driveway as I drive off. And, the creme de la creme (drum roll please) he plays fetch with Abbie and Kolah (I swear)! I throw the ball and Frankie runs after it. He never knows quite what to do with it once he gets there, but he'll still chase the damn thing. I never thought I'd see the day...

Frankie

Meet Frankie. He's our new rooster. My friend Tammy gave him to me. Frankie is fabulous! I never thought I would own a rooster, let alone fall in love with one. Frankie thinks he's a dog. He comes when called, knows the command "speak", and loves to play with Abbie and Kolah. Today he hung around outdside my home office window because he missed me (or so I thought). What a crazy bird! He's new, so I don't have many stories yet...but rest assured there will be stories galore in the weeks to follow.