Matt Grobert recently instructed the Shannon’s Fly and Tackle Sunday morning Fly Tying course. This was one of the numbers I tied at the session; the fly is a renowned winter time midge in the northeast. I plan on throwing this tomorrow morning in a local wild trout stream. Special thanks to Bart Willems and his photography blog for teaching me how to do a macro shot. My image did not come out so well, this is from his camera. He will be helping Moose Knuckle Fishing further in the coming days in order to bring our readers high quality stream side photography. For a full how to video on tying this fly check out this link.
Winter is the season of the trade show; considering the ice in New Jersey is much too thin for walking. Last week, Moose Knuckle Fishing went to the Pennsylvania Farm show; we reported back to you on the engaging displays of livestock and ancient artifacts. This past Friday, the Moose Knuckle team piled in the Suburban with SJS racing and drove into New York to see the International Motorcycle Show.
Moose Knuckle is predominantly a fishing and outdoor related blog; we believe that motorcycles, especially dual sport bikes are integral to accessing the back country. One such motorcycle is the 2012 Husqvarna TE 449; this bike appears nimble enough to navigate tight trails while fast enough to haul down fire roads.
Now if you have a little piece of recreational property out in the woods and require a nimble yet powerful four wheel drive ATV; Yamaha had on display the 2012 Grizzly. We are happy to report this vehicle is assembled with pride right here in the USA. Judging from the sorry state of the US economy, not enough of that happens anymore. Yamaha utility quads are the most reliable out there, this beast is loaded with horsepower to tow your deer corn or gear out to your favorite spot.
Getting back to brass tax, on Saturday we were fortunate enough to receive roughly six inches of snow combined with frigid weather. If conditions hold we will be featuring the first ice fishing blog this coming weekend.
I begin with Badger, endearingly referred to as “Master” Badger is the longest living dog I have ever known, he has been my companion for more than half my life; for a German Shepherd that is impressive. We originally adopted Badger and Banshee (May 5, 1996 – October 17, 2009) at the now defunct Rock Hill, NY SPCA, subsequent to the death of our family’s first dog Bandit (July 4, 1982 – June 24, 1996). When mother brought us to the SPCA the plan was to look and possibly adopt one dog. We brought home two dogs as a result of irreconcilable differences between Brenton and myself.
Badger and Banshee lived a lifestyle the envy of most dogs in the city, where we resided for short interval. As puppies, they roamed the acreage at our remote summer farmhouse nestled at the base of the Shawangunk Mountains in front of a gently meandering trout stream. Badger and Banshee had a penchant for discovering exciting ways to fight or cause trouble. In those days, not far gone, Mr. Cudney still had dairy cows behind the house, everyone knows what dogs do in cow pastures, or do we? Eventually the summer home was sold and we made our full time residence on a small farm in rural Frelinghuysen Township, New Jersey; where Badger and Banshee genuinely lived their lives.
Banshee Attacks
Both dogs were avid explorers and would go on hikes with Brenton and I; neither really enjoyed fishing or shooting guns. Badger a casual swimmer, during balmy summer days, found sitting by the pond and waiting for fish an arduous effort. Banshee disliked loud noises and would be terrified on the Fourth of July when the fireworks went off. Needless to say, they were both great companions who argued and enjoyed each other company similar to my brother and myself.
My fondest memory of the both of them together was in their twilight years, following my return home from college. All of us brought the “puppies” snowshoeing around our perimeter trail even though they were 11 years old they ran, played, and fought like they were still puppies. There were still many good days to follow. As this is a fishing website I will end with a Norman Maclean quote, “And I knew just as surely, just as clearly, that life is not a work of art, and that the moment could not last.”
Lazy Evenings
Badger passed away this evening at an estimated 109 dog years (15.6 human years) after a short illness. He is buried aside his brother on the small grass covered hill overlooking the family farm.
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