Treading Dangerous Ground

My interest in fly tying is growing all the time. I stared out tying a simple Midge pattern and now I am getting interested in other patterns. Now I may be headed into an area that may be considered dangerous ground.

The danger isn’t in what I am doing (well maybe a little). I don’t want to spend too much money on dead animals. So I began to try and figure out how to save money on tying materials (uhh, dead animals). I began to think of some of my friends that hunt. I asked around at local gun shops for the names of bird hunters. I actually came away with a few names and phone numbers. I know many deer hunters and I enjoy hunting (especially eating) them.

A few weeks ago I was telling one of the men I go to church with what I was trying to do. He told me that he had a coyote hide in his freezer that I could have if I wanted.

Sunday night he brought it to church and a bag of preservative. I began working it this morning and I have I hanging in a cool place drying.

The first question my wife had was, “Where are you going to put that when you’re done?” I don’t think she shares the same excitement and zeal for this that I do. I wonder what she will say if I bring home some of the road kill I have been eying.

Anyone know any patterns using coyote?

A Society of Link Pushers

Recently I tried to find a story that came to my Google Reader inbox. It was a story about a fella breaking two rods in one trip. The story was originally published by a paper in Arkansas and posted to their web site. I had to click on three links and pass through three sites just to get to the original story.

This reminded me of a conversation I had with my father-in-law a few months ago. We had a run in with a ‘work-at-home-produce-nothing salesman’. You know the type and I’m sure you have heard the ads on the radio, “Work at home and earn thousands a month and you don’t have to sale a thing.” He told me afterwards that the biggest problem we have today is people who push paper, produce nothing, and want the pay of a business owner.

I am beginning to believe that this is the case with some in the blogosphere. Now to qualify this and admit to doing this with my Twitter account. But, in my defense, I try to link to interesting and relevant stories as well I try to comment on those links as I can. I also write my own material for this blog. It seems to me that there are more and more sites out there that are dedicated to rehashing stories and links. It likely would not bother me if these sites gave a little comment on the subject or story, but what I see are sites dedicated to producing nothing and making a dime off the backs of bloggers and writers who actually produce something.

I know, I should be thankful for anyone who would point me to good stories and information. But, if you saw my news feed inbox and the number of sites that just link to the same story or that link to a link, that links to another link, you would understand my frustration.

I tell you we are becoming link pushers and not link producers.

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Photo by: striatic

Welcome Bland Messenger Readers!

Welcome to Grits-N-Flies!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and your interest in Heritage Rods. Please, look around and read some of the posts I have written about fly fishing here in the southern Appalachians, and the rods I make and fish with.

If you are just browsing through and have not read the article highlighting my bamboo fly rods, you can read it at the SWVA Today web page.

To my new visitors, I would like to make some suggestions. First, sign up for my email updates which will keep you informed of places to fish in the area and events related to my fly rods and fly fishing in general. Second, check out some of my more popular posts and some of the work I have done on my fly rods.

My bamboo rods
Various Streams in southwest Virginia that I have fished.

Once again thanks for stopping by and I hope you will make Grits-n-Flies a regular stop.
Matthew French

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Brassie