. SAME TROUT, DIFFERENT STYLE
LOVE BROOKIES ! Here’s several ways I like to present them.
Pulling a Stonefly Nymph off a rock, jumping for a Mayfly, glimpsing a snagged fly, and a wall presentation. My goal is always trying to create the illusion of motion.
” GET THAT BUG”!
One of my favorite presentations. I learned this at an Ed Walaki clinic on the bank of the Ausable river in Grayling, Mich.about 12 years ago. Ed has since passed away, WHAT A GREAT GUY and teacher. I was the only one from the South and nearly froze to death even though it was May. I guess my shivering provided the entertainment for the rest of the ” Yankees ” for 5 days! They didn’t object to the country sausage and brown eggs I brought up from Tennessee though .
. ” HARD TO CATCH, EASY TO LOVE”
While I was still steady enough to wade, Browns were always the hardest to catch for me. It’s easier now, because the only place I ” catch um” is in my studio. Presented here are three styles.
” ALMOST FREE”
I always enjoy seeing what hides in driftwood, I’m more surprised than anyone ” what shows up” when I begin to mess with it.
. ” LOVE THIS SMELL”.
This 18 inch Rainbow is carved from Tupelo swamp wood and presented on a beautiful piece of Sassafras Driftwood, it’s now in my PERSONAL COLLECTION as the companion creation of an 18 inch Brown presented on the other piece of the same SAFFAFRAS Driftwood. This beautiful driftwood was given to me by my friend Joey Monteleaone.
” DRIPPING WET FRESH FROM THE STUDIO ”
My latest creation a little wild eight inch Rainbow jumping for a Mayfly and presented on a beautiful piece of Manzanita Driftwood. Reminds me of the little wildies from the Little Pidgeon river upstream from Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
THAT WATER WAS MUDDY!
The last thing I would have ever imagined was to be creating a work from Mississippi River Driftwood, however, thanks to friends who found it for me, IT HAPPENED!
” HAVING FUN”
When I need a break from working on a full dimension realistic creation, I walk out to my ” Woodpile of possibilities ” , sit down in a chair and just look. It usually doesn’t take long for me to spot something that wants to be a fish , then the fun and adventure begin.
PURSUIT!
This eighteen inch Brown is closing in on a little six inch Rainbow. Over the years I’ve done several of these presentations, I might just have to keep this one, it’s looking real good on my wall right now. The beautiful piece of driftwood is Sassafras.
. “MORE THAN ONE WAY TO TIE A BOW”
Often times Driftwood is my first inspiration for a new creation.