Fantasies

All my life, I have fantasized about fly fishing on a secluded river yet discovered by any angler. With the world being 5/8 water, I just knew deep down that such a stream exists. I fantasized that after a long hike I would discover clear, deep, pools and dry fly slicks all containing large fish. This weekend’s trip was the closest thing to fulfilling this fantasy.

My co-coworker and I fished up Frenchman’s river here in Southern Alberta. We purchased the maps, drove the distance and arrived at the destination. The water was so clear and cold I thought no way was there fish up here. We started nymphing the little pools in search of life and quickly learned they were looking up, when one brave cutthroat took a swipe at my indicator. After switching to dries, we saw many hits but no takes. So we hiked on. That perfect spot is always around the next bend. Right?

When I saw the white fin-tips, I thought it was the biggest brook trout in the world. It took a few minutes to gain my composure. Should I try for it, or just cry? A large boulder protected me from the fishes view. I thanked the Man for placing that boulder in such a strategic position. I threw on an olive-bugger, a few bb’s, said a prayer, and chucked it in the pool with my 4 weight. After five strips, she darted, engulfed and then belly rolled. The fight was epic! She ran out a dozen times hitting deep crevasses. Luckily, I could play her in section of boulders that restricted her from running to far downstream. No chance for me with a 4 weight. When she finally surfaced, I knew that I had not hooked a giant brookie; rather I hooked and landed my first Bull Trout.

By the end of the day I had caught ten fish; two nice bull-trout and eight stocky cutthroats on a small renegade. I would be stocky too, if I had to run from bull-trout my entire life. Unfortunately, the only camera we had was my co-workers cell phone camera. It did the job, but the pictures are a little grainy.

Flashback Friday

Here are some fond memories of design school. I think this was sophmore year. Spending hours in the drafting room with Bruntie. We loved this one class because there were BOYS in it. We found out on the first day that the cute ones were married. Luckily we all married now too, so no worries!

Our other favorite class. COLOR! These were some of the winners of the best coordinating outfits! Tiffany, Kadie, and Ashley.

Catching up...

I have noticed there is a theme to my madness. Greyson is the guinea pig on all Aunties experiments. I love the last stunt I pulled. I hope his dad doesn’t find out! Hehe.

Well, I haven’t posted in a long time. Not that much new and exciting going on, but a few little things so be prepared, I am just going to write about what has been going on lately. It may be long. No pictures.

I went to Denver for work in the end of July. The weather was wonderful, perfect for laying out by the pool. Only we weren’t lying by the pool, we were moving furniture into massive houses with no air conditioning. I don’t think I have ever sweat through my clothing before. To make matters worse, I was so sick the last day we were there. Brutally sick. Filled 2 ‘bags’ on the plane sick. You know which bags I am talking about. I felt horrible for everyone on that plane to have to hear me for two and a half hours. It gets worse for the drive home from the airport, but I will spare you the details.

Mick has been playing on a softball team this summer and it has actually been fun. My whole life I have never hidden the fact how much I LOVE baseball. I will go to games ONLY when my nephews were playing, and even then, 6 year old Tyson is explaining the rules to me AGAIN. Its always cold and windy, the fields are way out in the boonies, etc. etc. However, this time I have enjoyed having something to do on Monday nights and talking to the other wives on the team. They actually play for the team, I just keep score. That’s right, I still don’t know the rules, I just write down what they tell me to. I don’t want to know the details. It’s my least favorite sport.

Here is a random story. I woke up Saturday night and couldn’t close my jaw. Isn’t that an attractive picture you all have of me in your head? I have no idea why, I just woke up and it hurt. Tuesday morning when it still wasn’t better, I went to the chiropractor (which freaks me out just a little, I am a wimp) and he did acupuncture on my cheek. INSTANTLY it could close. I am a believer. It hurt for a few seconds, but oh so worth it.

We sold our house. Finally. We close at the end of this month. We had to drive down to Idaho and get all of our stuff. Thanks Brandon and Bree for the storage space and Debbie and Joel for driving and helping with the move (yes, I call my parents Debbie and Joel, its awkward, deal with it). It was quite the trip and I am very glad it is over. Mick was so paranoid that someone was going to steal every last possession, including the trailer. He wanted to camp out, and we gave him a hard time about his paranoia. What are you going to do, sleep in the truck with a shotgun? Run after them down the road? Call the police with our imaginary cell phone? REALLY… but he decided instead to take the metal drawers from his desk and prop them up over the hitch so if it moved, the drawer would fall. And then he put more drawers in front of the tires. All while saying “we are too old to start all over” knowing I was thinking, isn’t this a bit much?
Well, for the final note. Yesterday was our 3rd anniversary. Can you believe it has been 3 years? HAPPY ANNIVERSARY.

The Stampede

I love the summer in Calgary. Not only do we have Canada Day followed by 4th of July (for us lucky few who can celebrate both, guilt free) but we also have a glorious 10 day holiday called the Calgary Stampede – the greatest outdoor show on earth! For those wonderful days, everyone puts on their best cowboy gear including all boots, wranglers, hats, etc. The event is similar to Halloween, where girls can wear whatever ‘barely there’ outfit they want as long as you have a cowboy hat and boots on! But to top off the entire week of costumes is the free good. If you are seriously into it, you can eat three meals a day for free. Every business has a stampede breakfast every morning. You can drive all over the city and see them every few seconds. Also, for lunch and dinner, every company you work with invites you to a stampede barbeque. It may not be worth it to eat chili, hamburgers and pop for a week straight, but you at least you could say you did it! To end the week, you could actually attend the event we are all celebrating. The big fair, but that would be too easy, wouldn’t it?

4th Of July

Every year we make a trip to Idaho Falls for the fourth of July. When we got married, Mick told me we could spend whatever holidays I wanted with my family, but he wanted the 4th with his. Seeing as how that isn’t even a holiday in Canada, I figured it was a deal! Just kidding, that is when most of his family is usually there. So this year, every sibling was there, from Houston, Denver, Las Vegas, and Idaho Falls. It was so exciting to see the kids play together who haven’t seen each other since we got married (almost three years ago). We went swimming almost every day, saw some good friends we really miss, had a great fireworks show and food at Holly & Justin’s house, saw the parade, went to the water park, saw “The Greatest Fireworks Show West Of The Mississippi” (ha ha), got some serious Target time and shopping in, and celebrated a few birthdays. I can’t wait until next year! The only sad part was missing Mick’s first Canada to be there. Maybe next year we can do both!

Clothes

I know my brother, Brandon, is going to hate me until the end of time for posting this. It was just too cute to pass up! The other night, the little Johnsons were over (as in Brandon & Bree, not Joel & Debbie) with the babies. Greyson had a little accident and needed a change of clothes. Debbie brought him downstairs in the cutest pink shirt and pants with ruffles all around. He made such a cute girl, and Brandon was sooooo not liking it. I am still laughing thinking about it!

Meet my neice Ginger! Haha...

The Nightly Routine

Every night when I am about to go to sleep, I take a look outside and see Mick fishing from the dock. Alas, here is my first video post.

Yes, I am usually this shocked that he caught a fish (even thought there is usually tons of them on the dock) and because of my excitement, I wasn't thinking that a video isn't like a picture, and can't be rotated in the middle of it! There is also a reason he fishes alone. I constantly worry I will be caught by the hook, then complain that I am cold and want to go in!
Oh the joys of fishing!