June 2nd

Whoo Hoo! I'm in St. George! What a trip!
I spent the day yesterday going through several emotions...
I rented a car after my flight and thought I would try and do the strip in Las Vegas. Nope! Too busy, and I just wanted to get to my destination. Driving North on 15 through the middle of the desert, with no gas stations, no rest room stops, no directions, whatsoever, panic set in! What if I was going the wrong direction? What if I was lost?
A stop in Mesquite proved that not only was I almost there, but 10 or 20 bucks can easily turn into a bucket full of quarters weighing out at 174.15! Whee! I'm not going to bet that will happen again though. I see the danger!
Why do motels put the coffee pot on the lower floor in full view of the public? I think it is because they enjoy seeing the 'before' and 'after' of people.
Sleep walking to the coffee maker, barefoot and sporting bed hair, I came across a man with a rod tube in his possession. It hit me! I want to fish!
Only my early morning comatose stopped me from barging in on his morning. I instantly wanted to intrude on him... "Where are you fishing? What kind of rod is that? Who are you? Are you a tackle rep for the conference? Did you catch a striper in Lake Powell? Where the heck do you see water around this barren desert land?
Instead I smiled through my morning breath and whispered "hi" head down.
I'll ask him later.
I am working on a handicap. I can access the web to receive mail, ftp, do a traceroute on MS DOS that proves ifish.net is up. I can't send mail or view my page, (Or any other site).
Anyone with direct needs will just have to wait it out, just like I have to!
I tired so hard to be computer ready with this laptop and all my software. I got a local dial up account here, but things seem to be a little screwy.
Anyway, off today to registration, then a "Meet the editors" conference... and then to the lovely Tuacahn Center for the Arts for the Opening Night Reception and dinner. It is a breathtaking amphitheater and complex situated deep in a canyon beneath majestic red sandstone cliffs. I'll take some pictures!
Off I go, to the shower, and maybe down for some more coffee, sporting my 'before' look again.
I want a coffee maker!

June 3rd

Yesterday the conference actually started.
I was really nervous at first. Kept asking myself, "Just what the heck am I doing here, so far away from my kids, chickens, deer and elk?"
So many people! It was like culture shock overload!
I am so used to waking in the morning, walking out to the deck, stretching, being by myself in the canyon.
There are people from all over the United States, who like me, love to write!
I was immediately put to ease. I enjoyed speaking with all the reps of companies who make all the fishing gear I use. It was like a mini outdoors show, without the huge crowds!
The Tuacahn Center is absolutely breathtaking. We were all shuttled to our dinner destination in busses that took the long scenic route through roads that twisted through red canyon walls taller than the coastal mountains!
It was extremely windy yesterday. So windy that when they served rice for dinner, you had to wait for a gap between winds or your neighbor would get a spattering of flying rice!
"Batten down the rolls, sir, the gales are coming!"
The dressing on our salad evaporated before we could finish it!
The "Next Generation of the Osmond Brothers" performed after our dinner, complete with fireworks against the night sky.
Now the real conference starts. The hands on computer labs by Adobe Photoshop, the speeches by the keynote speaker, and lectures by many successful authors.
Tonight, the awards dinner... So much fun, so little time!
I have until tomorrow noon to finish my photography contest that I wrote about on the board.
I met the first requirement. the subject being RED.
I photographed Bill Monroe holding his breath for two minutes. How scenic....

June 5th

Each morning I wake to coral pink. Everything around me is pink. They call it red rock, but to me it is pink. A coral pink sky, coral pink mountains and the reflection of all pinks of pink, set into the bricks of most structures, built in St. George.
I suppose they all fish with those pink Gamakatzu hooks also!
I am scheduled to leave for shoot out day. However, the rebel in me wants to non conform, to steal away to Zion National Park. Just me, my tennis shoes, and a roll of pink film. Gotta have more pink, and perhaps I will see why they call it red rock. Does their building code there provide for a different shade of brick?
The color scale of the earth slides from the intensely deep green of the coastal mountains in Oregon, to the deep coral of the desert mountains, here in Utah.
Our earth is so incredibly diverse, so colorful, so beautiful in so many ways. The desolate desert is not my home, but inspires me to appreciate it, nonetheless.
Last night I was treated to an OWAA award winning film on the beauty, history, and natural wonder of Montana.
I am a bit emotionally delicate. When the film ended, I was left with a strong message.
If we don't care for our earth and it's resources, it will deteriorate, animals will die, our rivers will no longer be pristine and beautiful.
As populations spread out, as people move from urban areas into the wilds, seeking solace, peace, and nature, we are at the same time defeating our purpose.
Tears filled my eyes, and I put my sunglasses on so that no one would notice.
I want to be able to travel by canoe or drift boat through our Oregon Rivers without seeing civilization.
I want to be able to watch a deer cross the river ahead of me, a beaver slide into the water, a mighty chinook make it's way over the riffles to spawn.
What is the answer? That I don't know. I am going to become a soldier in making an effort to preserve our natural resources.

June 8th

Hey honey, I'm home!
My turn today to try and hook up with one of those Tillamook Bay Springers, and I have 'the feeling!'
I have so much to do, so many e mails to answer and links to set up for people. I will get there!
It is the strangest feeling to have breakfast in Las Vegas, and Dinner on the Kilchis river. The climate change, the color changes, the mood changes!
I honestly did enter Oregon and immediately hug a tree!
Thank God for GREEN!
And more green!
I'm just leaving to fish for a couple hours. I have to get it out of my system.
When I return, lots of reports, lots of e mails answered, and prizes to give away! Stay tuned....

June 8th, later...

O.K., a slave to my desk again!
Actually, it is very nice to get some work done.
I just think Bob Rees is the nicest guy! He gave me a very cool spinner to add to my collection. 'Told me it wouldn't work for Springers, but to save it for Fall. So, I snapped it right on, following his advice to a T... (NOT) ...And hooked into a springer! Up in the air it shot like a rocket and got free of those nasty hooks! ARGH! I didn't even get to FEEL IT!
But Bob, sorry, that spinner does work for Springers... :)
Bob got his clients into a nice one, and I saw one other caught at Memaloose.
Got a nice hug from Marty Peterson of Gone Fishin Guide Service, which was very comforting, and had a lovely morning on the river.
Lots of nice folks, nodding, waving, drinking coffee and doing the usual display of questioning arms... "Did you get any?"
On the way towards the upper river, Bill and I were hitting speeds upwards of 40 mph. I glanced over the side of the boat and holy moley, we were in 6 inches of water! YIKES! I just turned to Bill and smiled. Inside I was shaking!
On the way home, we stopped at the 5th avenue ramp on the Trask. Lots of boat activity, but few little fish taken. They are in the river, but just not biting today, I guess.
Tickets On Sale Today!
Come over to Jennie and Bill's and have a hummingbird land on your finger!
It's the latest current after dinner function!!!
Half the family sits at the dining room table, while the other half stands, frozen, with your finger laid across the little bird perch on the feeder. Low and behold, if you are still enough, one of them comes and sits on your finger while it feeds! AWESOME! What an experience! You see their little eyes, and they stare at you! It feels like you could have a conversation with these little guys. "Hey, what's for dinner, little guy? How's your day been?"
I love them, and would love to share this with anyone! What a trip!
Right now, I have goldfinches galore! Upside down, right side up, doing acrobatics on the sunflower feeders. There are two lovely evening grosbeaks, one in the bird bath, daintily having a refresher, and one on the feeder. There beaks are so large! Can they crack a walnut or what? I have pine siskins socializing on the thistle feeder, tree swallows swooping their nest, and assorted juncos, towhee, and chipmunk, visible for seconds, before they hop back in the brush.
Oh! How I longed for birds in St. George. I would wake in the morning to an odd chirp outside my window. I could not for the life of me ever find the source of this morning song. I would hang my head out the window waiting, but never would it show.
A flutter of birds just scattered as Bill opened the door to come in from mowing. The grass insists on care almost every other day during this season.
My son, Andrew, is graduating tonight. I am seemingly in an emotional state lately. I'm not sure if it is the excitement and adventure of the trip to St. George, and the subsequent let down, or the state of my hormones, or what... But trying to pick out a card for him brought tears welling to my eyes for the bazillionth time this week.
"Boy, this chick is easily moved! Just take her to the local Freddies Hallmark department...."
Or perhaps take her to a closing ceremony where she knows no one, yet cries at each award....
Or perhaps we can show her the green of Oregon as she flies from the brown sands of Las Vegas... That'll really get her! (Yip, I cried.)
Tears came to my eyes as I gave Bill Monroe and others a hug good-bye.
= Tears.
Get a grip woman!
So yes, I think it is best that I stay seated at my desk for a bit to work.
It's a level and steady environment for the emotionally and hormonally challenged girl.
Tonight I go to my son's eight grade graduation. Until then, I'll be totally dry eyed. I promise.

Jennie and Pro Bass Guide, Greg Gatierrez in a NITRO JET.

Isn't it gorgeous?

Who can tell me the name of this flower I found in Utah?

And lastly...

My OWAA party mentors!

June 10th

I stare out my window this morning, trying to avoid the bright, insidious glow of my computer screen.
The field grass, last year mowed and trimmed neatly, now stands over a two feet high. It stands still, filled with grass seeds and thistle. A place for the birds to hide and feed.
It took me a while this morning, to rise out of bed. I sat down at the kitchen table to read the paper, further prolonging the weak, but nagging and persistent curiosity of what is new on the discussion board.
I have kept a journal of my life, off and on, for approximately thirty years. They are packed underneath the garage stairs, many spiral notebooks in boxes. Perhaps that is where I should have continued to store them.
What a foolish notion, I ponder, would have me share my weaknesses and strengths with the public?
An evening grosbeak peers in my window. Now there is a soul I can share my life with. He cranes his neck in curiosity. He wants to listen.
Mr. Grosbeak, I am far from perfect.
How crazy is it, my feathered friend, to share my faults, my dreams, my wishes, with the public?
Most often, I write unconsciously.
Although I have received hurtful things before, and have been told by other authors... "Jennie, we LIVE for stuff like this!", I find it hard to swallow still.
I read a post on the board. It was not flattering. It was intended to hurt. As I read the revealing personal details of how one member views me, I turned to Bill in shocked silence.
"There goes the ifish party". Bill said.
He, always a little shy of public attention, has questioned his open invitation to share his home for the fishstock annual ifish party.
Double hurt. "But BILL!!!!"
This is my family! I thought....
I don't blame him, however. Not knowing who is in your home is an unsettling feeling. Where is the trust we felt last year?
I used to write absolutely how I felt in this column, ranging from the frustrations of life decisions, to the fragile fear in me of not knowing if I will have a normally long life to decide.
In this world, in the internet, in the job market, in my family?
Like the keenly sighted pilot reads the clouds for smooth traveling, like the acute eye of a fishermen that reads the water before casting... I, with my clouded vision, sometimes bump into life in awkward bursts and crashes, and experience life without any preceding knowledge, whatsoever.
I learn by touch, by feel, by after experience. Sometimes after shock.
I need time to step back and look at things. I need a time to be private.
The thought of becoming a hermit is especially inviting. A hermit in the woods with the birds, the trees, the elk, the deer. I need to listen. Listen to my family, listen to my soul. Those that I know I can trust.
I have been asked so many times how/why I continue the discussion board. I don't know, and I need to analyze this, talk to the Goldfinch and the Pine Siskin about whether to continue.
I have done this because I felt a kinship, a family, a hope of unconditional belonging. A handful of people on the board remind me of the evil mother in law that visits too often and stays too long.
Will she ever leave? Are they like the stellar jays that are boisterous and bawdy, multiply and take over?
As I hugged my fellow ifishers last year at the party, as I saw the friendships that had been born of the simple connection of a phone line and some basic coding, I knew I had accomplished something good.
Again I look out at the field that has grown so tall. The cars for the party were all parked in neat rows, campers where people spent the night, and I wonder how I would clear the space to accommodate them this year.
More love, more dissension... red and yellow, black and white...
In my mind, I hear the laughter, I see the people warming their hands over the bbq and wonder if it will remain a memory or be brought back to life again this summer.
Have the grasses grown too wild, too tall?
The birds have a place to hide in that overgrown field. I want to wade out in the middle of those tall grasses myself.
I need to withdraw for a while, from my column, from the discussion board, from 'my family'.
I just need a place to hide.
Buy me some time.

June 12th

The TH rod contest is still open! Please, take time to give this a try! Be creative, put a twist on it! If you have no children, write it from a different slant! Believe me, you want to win one of these beauties!
I'm headed out to Memaloose with Matt Hunter, contest winner for "Win a trip with Jennie and Bill". Should be fun and I hope to learn alot from this fishing and shellfish expert!
O.K., Jennie is feeling a bit better....
Wanted to thank everyone for the e cards, phone calls, and supportive letters. You are the best!

June 13th

Fished Memaloose yesterday with Matt Hunter, ODFW biologist, and had a hoot. No fish, none at all, not a bite. We saw one fish landed by a local guide, John.... I can't spell his last name! But it sounds like 'Kraudhauffer'! Put this on my list of things to find out!
He is forever teasing me about my internet connections so I thought I would publicly announce this, just for kicks! Don't kick me, John!
It was fun to see Captain J and his beautiful Duckworth boat out there.
I got my 2001 model of 'Tim Juarez' spinner! Even though he refers to me as Ms. dot net, he still must like me, cuz I have a beautiful spinner! Thanks Tim! I love spinners!
As Matt, Bill and I trolled back and fourth, some very interesting conversation came up. I learned about clams, and cockles. I learned about what species and strains of fish are in what rivers. We also spoke of the huge run of silvers coming in this way.
He mentioned that with all the Spring Chinook and the re opener of the lower Columbia for retention this year, that they received many more complaints than usual. Don't you find that odd? Is it because there are more people fishing? Expectations were high?
What will happen, then, with this expected huge run of silvers? Will we catch fish and be thankful?
Matt predicted that with the incredible numbers of bait fish available that catch may not be as high as the sportsfishermen's expectations. I can see that happening. Ever get your bait lost in a thick bed of bait fish? I have.
My concern is what the ODFW will do with all the excess silvers that make it to the hatcheries?
They are not all quality, sellable fish.
Will we again be haunted with videos of hatchery fish being conked on the head and buried, or sent for cat food, giving hatcheries a bad name?
The food banks can only take so much, the prisons can only accept so much. Where will the excess be used? Why is it we can't get a license to sell these and give the money to ODFW? Crazy idea, I know.
It's unfortunate that we cannot somehow turn these fish into cash that could somehow supplement the financial needs of the ODFW. Cash to keep our hatcheries open.
Should we raise the catch limit, thus reducing the amount of fish at hatcheries? My mind races.
Seems to me it will be a great opportunity for ifish to get it's act together and help out as volunteers for processing these fish.
But if the weather doesn't comply and all these fish end up at the hatchery in one day, what will they do?
I am going to get a list of volunteers ready for action. E mail me here if interested. I have my work clothes in wait!
With all these fish coming in, Scott Amerman of Amerman eggs will be well stocked this year. I want to take time to tell you a little about what he has available.
Scott has reopened the Forest Grove office and is starting to sell fresh eggs again. People can buy either cured or fresh eggs there. Please call Ed at 503-359-5204.
They are also available at Killer Coffee in Tillamook. (They have an ifish decal! Cool!) Please check out his page for beautiful pictures and details about these awesome eggs!
The eggs he is receiving now are small, tight skeins perfect for steelhead fishermen or people who just like bait that lasts longer for salmon fishing. Amerman eggs should be receiving fresh eggs over the next three to four months and should have cured eggs from now on.
Another note of interest for anyone planning an exotic fishing vacation: I can think of nothing better to do but run away to Alaska on a trip such as this one! For more information, check it out!

June 13th

Fished Memaloose yesterday with Matt Hunter, ODFW biologist, and had a hoot. No fish, none at all, not a bite. We saw one fish landed by a local guide, John.... I can't spell his last name! But it sounds like 'Kraudhauffer'! Put this on my list of things to find out!
He is forever teasing me about my internet connections so I thought I would publicly announce this, just for kicks! Don't kick me, John!
It was fun to see Captain J and his beautiful Duckworth boat out there.
I got my 2001 model of 'Tim Juarez' spinner! Even though he refers to me as Ms. dot net, he still must like me, cuz I have a beautiful spinner! Thanks Tim! I love spinners!
As Matt, Bill and I trolled back and fourth, some very interesting conversation came up. I learned about clams, and cockles. I learned about what species and strains of fish are in what rivers. We also spoke of the huge run of silvers coming in this way.
He mentioned that with all the Spring Chinook and the re opener of the lower Columbia for retention this year, that they received many more complaints than usual. Don't you find that odd? Is it because there are more people fishing? Expectations were high?
What will happen, then, with this expected huge run of silvers? Will we catch fish and be thankful?
Matt predicted that with the incredible numbers of bait fish available that catch may not be as high as the sportsfishermen's expectations. I can see that happening. Ever get your bait lost in a thick bed of bait fish? I have.
My concern is what the ODFW will do with all the excess silvers that make it to the hatcheries?
They are not all quality, sellable fish.
Will we again be haunted with videos of hatchery fish being conked on the head and buried, or sent for cat food, giving hatcheries a bad name?
The food banks can only take so much, the prisons can only accept so much. Where will the excess be used? Why is it we can't get a license to sell these and give the money to ODFW? Crazy idea, I know.
It's unfortunate that we cannot somehow turn these fish into cash that could somehow supplement the financial needs of the ODFW. Cash to keep our hatcheries open.
Should we raise the catch limit, thus reducing the amount of fish at hatcheries? My mind races.
Seems to me it will be a great opportunity for ifish to get it's act together and help out as volunteers for processing these fish.
But if the weather doesn't comply and all these fish end up at the hatchery in one day, what will they do?
I am going to get a list of volunteers ready for action. E mail me here if interested. I have my work clothes in wait!
With all these fish coming in, Scott Amerman of Amerman eggs will be well stocked this year. I want to take time to tell you a little about what he has available.
Scott has reopened the Forest Grove office and is starting to sell fresh eggs again. People can buy either cured or fresh eggs there. Please call Ed at 503-359-5204.
They are also available at Killer Coffee in Tillamook. (They have an ifish decal! Cool!) Please check out his page for beautiful pictures and details about these awesome eggs!
The eggs he is receiving now are small, tight skeins perfect for steelhead fishermen or people who just like bait that lasts longer for salmon fishing. Amerman eggs should be receiving fresh eggs over the next three to four months and should have cured eggs from now on.
Another note of interest for anyone planning an exotic fishing vacation: I can think of nothing better to do but run away to Alaska on a trip such as this one! For more information, check it out!

June 14th

Life appears to stand still on the Kilchis River.
All around me things are crazy, busy, hilariously mixed up and frenzied. The phone rings repeatedly, the tea pot whistles, the e mails stack up, the kids whine about hunger, and my shoes play the sticky patter of koolaid spilled and not cleaned up. I smile, but with frustration.
My kids are home for the summer.
I know what that means.
Long days filled with travels, shuttles to friends, attempts at work while they tap my shoulder to get my attention.
But outside.. Outside in the woods, even though the birds are working, the fish are fighting their way upstream, and coyotes are foraging for food, the wild world of the forest appears still.
The great deception of calm.
Green trees stand, lush with the moisture of the last rain fall. Their leaves are heavy and beaded with dew as they stretch and lean towards the ground wanting for rest.
I remember the storms of winter that shook those trees, that ripped at their roots and attempted to force them down.
The dinner preparation frenzy over, I call the kids. Gravity and exhaustion pulls me down to the kitchen chair at the dining table. I light the candles... their warm glow slowly melts through the mania of the day.
Gazing out at the hummingbirds, the grosbeak and the surrounding lush of the forest brings me to a hush.
The magical view out of my dining room window invites me to a different world, and I gladly follow.
I have noticed, this year more than any, how alive the forest is. The sounds, the chorus, the symphony of bird chatter and song. I think it went unnoticed last year, or the year before. It seemed to blend in and become white noise.
This year, I listen, and I hear and can detect many different songs. I know who is talking!
Dinner is a peaceful time. I find myself watching the birds at their feeders for much too long.
The dishes stay unwashed till past nine. I don't tread up the stairs for bed until the last of the birds quiet themselves as darkness falls.
Sometimes, at night, when the house is still, the kids are in bed, and the birds have sang their last song, I walk out to the deck that overlooks this great garden of green, and I stand, still.
This great deception of calm.
I am left standing there, calm, and still smiling.
My roots are holding.

June 16th

Vacation number two: Black Butte Ranch.
Have laptop, will travel. LOTS!
This is my Dad's Christmas present to all of the kids and grand kids He rents two huge houses, and he buys all the food! Wow! I can do this! Thanks, Dad!
They golf, I fish the Metolius, and the Black Butte Pond.
I just don't fit in! Oh well, my nephew Ryan is about as sick as me when it comes to fishing. He is obsessed. I understand!
I would love to hire a fishing guide this year, but we will see. I am sort of broke this year. Do guides make sure you don't get a woolly bugger stuck in your ear? I remember with pain last year... Or was it the year before? I forget, but it hurt! (Pretty though!)
I have 4 batches of French Breakfast muffins to make, the bikes to attach to my bike rack and I'm off.
Take care, and I'll check in and do maintenance work as needed.
Metolius, the mountains, Black Butte Ranch, Sisters, Bend, big old pine trees and lots of food..... HERE I COME!

June 18th

I love being away from the computer! I love it!
The first morning I woke to three sleeping deer less than 15 feet from my deck!
I check my e mail at night. I know, I know... Some things have gone unanswered, but what peace!
The phone in my house is not working, which has added a bit of stress, but has come to rest on my life as a blessing. I can't access the Internet unless I pack the laptop to the other house. This isn't likely to happen often, and I find myself spending more time with family. More time getting to know my nieces and nephews. More time watching the sun shine and the moon rise.
My first almost fish on a fly! It was so awesome!
I rose at 5 and headed out to a still and very calm lake in front of the lodge at Black Butte.
I zig zagged the tip of my rod to pay out line, and immediately began casting to rises. One took! He was HUGE! But he didn't stick! That's Ok! At least I can come home and say "You won't believe the big one that got away!
What a rush on a fly! I'm hooked!
The days here are quiet, lazy and calm. We ride bikes to the swimming pools, have lunch, (whenever) hike the trails, talk to the kids, play with the kids, have quiet solitaire card games on the deck, while visiting!
Our rented homes look out over the 9th green of the main Black Butte golf course. The beautifully landscaped green shocks your eye as it peeks out amidst tall pine trees.
It invites the kids to hit some balls in the evening, or round up for a quick game of soccer.
Today the story of the day revolves around a single ant.
The kids were watching the serious golfers efforts, and showing their appreciation for the art by clapping after their shot and offering them a piece of penny candy from the store.
The adults on the deck were less than enthusiastic about this endeavor so they fixed their attention on one very determined black ant.
This strong creature picked the very largest of a pile of chip crumbs laying on the deck. This mighty creature carried it across the deck, up the railing, down the railing, across the stairs, and up the other railing.
Halfway up. Almost to the second railing the chip dropped. It fell weightless to the ground and cracked.
The ant stood stunned for a bit. Huge sighs and disappointment erupted from the audience. Back to work, the ant returned to it's chip, now 1/2 the size, and started, again to climb the steep cliff that would bring him back to his home with his prized chip.
Again, the ant progressed half way to the top and the chip falls once again to the ground.
The audience is now frantic and helpless.
Down, down, down, the ant goes, to pick up the remaining smallest chunk of chip.
The ant went up the railing, to conquer the quest. The adult audience is satisfied, at the peak of his climb, and now somewhat distracted.
In come the children, now also bored with their golf antics.
They watch the ant go the remainder of the way across the railing and into his ant hill.
"Yay!" They scream with joy!
"He made it to his hill!"
Life at Black Butte is full of small wonders and miracles.
Just as I report to you the success of my day, I can just hear that ant, as he enters his hole....
"You wouldn't believe the big one that got away!"

June 24th

Wow! Almost a whole week!
I'm sorry! I plead vacation insanity!
It has been nice concentrating on the deep-green blue of the Metolius river and the contrasting colors of the wild Columbine that dance along the edges.
It has been lovely sitting on the rocks, as if I were in an aquarium, watching the native rainbow trout swirl in the currents and actively feed on the hatches.
What a time it has been, of really listening to my kids, getting to know my niece and nephews. Sitting late on the porch and laughing with my sisters and brothers, seeing my Father take it all in, and know that he is proud of his family.
How peaceful, to sit on my bedroom deck, alone, listening for the nocturnal animals of the forest.
I have ridden bikes, horses, fished in the morning on a river, and at dusk on a lake. I have eaten too much food and drank too much fine wine.
I have dined at the Kokanee Cafe, and eaten leftover burritos on the porch.
All of this time, I have sparingly read in the background the goings on of the board and have learned to separate myself.
If only I can continue! Hey! There is a real life out there!
You know, if you love something you are supposed to set it free.
Jennie loves the ifish discussion board. Is it time to set it free?
Online communities are great and a whole lot of fun if you let them be. Some people just become too involved and don't realize the potential of life!
I am going to concentrate, my dear fishing friends on making some money now! I have been a vacation vagabond for too long, and my finances are hurting!
In a little over two weeks, I am leaving again, for Alaska, and my Visa doesn't care for this idea!
So, off to work on new clients, aside from ifish. I have two new business pages to do this week and then off to getting ifish organized and updated.
Ifish has doubled in size since conception, annually. And it keeps growing and growing and growing!
I didn't mean to start a business with ifish.net, but it occurs to me that it is what it is!
With Ifish.net, I market, pay the bills, do the billing, write the pages, decide who, what where, hire contracts done, make board and other decisions, and many other things. I do this with no experience whatsoever, and I know that my work needs tidying up. Ifish needs a business plan.
I look at this stack of mail I need to go through, my quicken program that has been left untouched, and I feel buried!
Back to work, girlfriend, and in a big way!
Oh! How I would love to write a column for ifish and e mail it to the powers that be to publish!
My mind wants to learn new things. I want to keep updated on new coding, new javascript tricks, new software. I want to go back to school! I love how learning new things keeps me excited about web work! Technology just keeps booming forward and I want time to keep up!
My life goal in the upcoming weeks is this:
1. Rise in the morning and appreciate the beauty of the new day for at least an hour.
2. Sit down to work until I am satisfied with my accomplishments.
And finally, but most importantly, enjoy my family for the remainder of the day!
Of course, the silvers are in and the ocean is open!
If only I can sit in the calm of Tillamook Bay and see past those huge breakers and heaving swells of the ocean!
If I can see beyond those waves that smash against the rocks and plunge my craft forward, I will be into a bountiful catch!
For these fish that wait out in the ocean, for fish that swim up our rivers, swirl in the currents and wait to be caught, for this.... ifish.net exists.

June 25th

Major pity party here. I have stacks of work to do. Captain J called last night to see if we wanted to go ocean silver fishing. I DO! But I can't. Bill went, and I am plowing through my work. Why don't you E mail the Captain and see if he has room this week for you? I want to go too! Maybe later in the week, huh Captain? :)
I put up a neat picture in the winners section. Check it out! Nicest guy too! I met him on the Trask. His Dad is great too! :)
There are SO many birds out today, that it is difficult to stay on task. My mind is constantly being distracted... Bills to pay... OH! There is a flicker! Clients to call... OH! There are 5 male goldfinch!
ARGH!
Sunny day, still in my pajamas, typing away, making calls, updating pages, transferring data from the lap top to my computer, doing medical apts. for Andrew... I WANT OUTA HERE!
OK! I've stated my mood, back to work!

June 26th

I'm better now! All caught up and feeling rather chipper.
A song comes to mind that my Grandpa used to sing:
"Good morning, Mr. Zip Zip Zip, with your hair cut just as short as mine....."
Ah geez! What are the rest of the words?
Tossed a feather or two on the Kilchis and caught a steelhead smolt. Darn. Released unharmed.
Later I went out and threw some jigs. Speaking of jigs:
Mark Anderson of First Cast Jigs is offering a free jig workshop and a chance to help clean up Tillamook area rivers on Saturday, June 30th.
Jig starter kits are for sale here. Order one today, and Mark will bring it along. A personal delivery! Will you hand sign them, Mark? :)
The party will meet at Mills Bridge fishing hole/parking lot behind the Guide Shop starting around 8:00 a.m. Mark will put on a short jig fishing clinic for summer steelhead, including what to use and how to use it. He will also be giving each person that attends a free jig and float to use.
Light action steelhead spinning rods are good for this type of fishing. Mark will also bring lots of garbage bags to fill, along with some gloves for trash pickup. After the fishing, we will break out into groups to go fishing and trash cleaning for around a couple hours at various popular fishing holes on the area rivers. The finale will be meeting again, at the Guide Shop/Mills bar hole by around 11:00 Am. or so and pooling our resources for a BBQ lunch on the river.
Sounds like a great time!
E mail Mark for further directions and updates, or follow this thread on the discussion board.
Off to Seaside I go, to meet with my biz people! Ciao!

June 27th

I have very clean hair!
When I was going through my divorce, a lady that was seeing my husband caused some very strong anger in me.
I was always taught to forgive, forgive, forgive anyone anything. It only causes the one who is angry pain, not the one your anger is inflicted on.
This is tough! The only time I could work on this, was when I was in the shower washing my hair!
I would scrub my head really hard and say things like, "I forgive you! I like you! You are a nice person in an unfortunate situation!" Sometimes I would say it so loudly the neighbors, I am sure, thought I was nuts!
It was really difficult, and sometimes I wondered if it did any good.
It does! It really does!
One magical morning after doing this long enough, I woke up and all hatred and anger were gone! (or nearly so!)
Ever since then, I have only had to wash my hair that thoroughly once or twice!
I had one of those magical experiences this morning against someone whom I have had a tough time with.
I woke up at peace! It feels like a magical healing!
It's raining, and pouring, and everything is wet, clean, green and lush!
I am going to wade across the river soon and see if any fish lie in the deep pool down river from me. If they do, all peace is over, and they will have to start washing their hair and forgiving me!
I'll take a box of jigs as ammo, (no bait rule in effect) and my most beautiful TH rod. Oh yeah! Make sure you enter the contest for TH rods right here! The contest is almost over. On July 1st, Marty will pick the winner. If nothing else, take time to read these heart warming stories. I think they are just great!
Off I go, I need to catch a fish really badly!

June 28th

I am pickled tink! I got my new Filson hat in the mail! Jennie has a real fishing hat! A rain one! I have wanted one for SO long! Wheeee! They are incredibly beautiful and awesome! Thanks, Filson! It was worth EVERY penny!

Life is what is happening right now. Don't miss it!

Right now I miss Hershey...
I was reading through this entry and remembering the days... The days of steelheading and the days when I had two happy wiggling labs. Now there is one, and as I reach down to pat her head, I am smiling.
Yesterday, I steadied myself by holding Bill's arm, as I crossed the springtime flow of the Kilchis River. Although most people can easily cross it in a regular winter flow, I can only cross it in the summer.
The current pulled at me, but I made it!
Sometimes, it is not the fish that I catch, but the accomplishments on the side that make it a full trip.
Did I cast a fly and lay it out nicely? Was I able to get to my destination? Did I tie the knot that I learned last night perfectly? Was I able to navigate the drift boat through the tricky stretch?
It is all these things that make me feel satisfied while fishing.
Fishing is what is happening right now.
No matter the catching, the whole experience of the day, minute by minute needs to be appreciated and treasured.
These are the things I need to remember, and have been, lately, as my catching has been increasingly slow!
I put up a Fast Directory for the charters and guides, where you can print out all the contact information. Might be handy.
Have a great day, and I look forward to you sending me your boat pictures for the new page!

June 30th

:Let's see how boring I can be this morning!
Really boring, I think! I'm tired!
The ocean is beautiful! I live so close to it, and I never get to spend time with it!
I spent the evening having cocktails and dinner at Jim and Patty's home in Manzanita. They have an absolutely gorgeous layout. The home is protected deep within the tall spruce trees, hanging on the cliffs of Neahkanie Mountain. The numerous windows bring the outside in and the inside out!
I also had the pleasure of meeting John and Carol, whom immediately warned the others to be good or I'd write about them. They were so awesome that I had to write about them! Despite a little excitement as John had to leave his dinner, (as lieutenant of the fire department called for a tree fire), we had a lovely visit.
Warning: Be careful with those fireworks! It was a tree fire caused by kids having fun with their July 4th explosives...
It was great fun to meet and visit with people who have been reading ifish.
I had a lovely time! Thank you!
Mmmm! Grilled leg of lamb and strawberry pie, Oh my!
I am leaving for the jig cleanup party soon! If you have nothing planned for the day, join us! If you have something planned, cancel it and join us! Please!
Silver fishing out on the ocean should be fun this week, but watch the bar crossings, and be careful!
I want to go fish Coffenbury Lake for trout! I guess it was just planted again, so this is a great choice for families.
I would like to take my fly rod and give that a try!
Off to the showers, and beware: Andrew picked out a box of hair color for Mom, and yes, I have purple hued hair. I don't want to talk about it, K? The kids think I am very fashionable.
Even girls with purple hair can catch fish, right?

June 30th later

Met some neato people at the cleanup, but had to leave early...
Marie, of Tillamook Bait and Tackle, supplied some great silver pics of today's catches here!
Wow! They are great! Maybe it is worth going out in the ocean.... :)