The Sulphurs are Flying!

Just a quick post for the local folks.  The Sulphurs have been around in dribs and drabs for a few days now, but last night they were out in numbers that had the fish looking up!   The bug pictured was on the small size most were considerably larger (as large as size 12!).  The fish ate good last night!

Usually, I would have more fish porn but I forgot the camera.  I took my iPhone on the water (which I never do) but I almost dropped the damn thing in the drink taking this shot, so that was the end of the pics!  I need to invest in a waterproof case...

This water was boiling with fish an hour after this photo was taken!

Black...White...Brown

New Camera

Several weeks ago I spent an evening tying flies with my good friend Lou (of the Fly and Fin Blog).  As we were tying, he was snapping away with his camera taking pictures of the flies being tied that night.  I remarked that I liked his camera, a comment that was overheard by my lovely bride.  Several days later I received a surprise.  A Pentax W90 camera of my own.

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I struggle with photography.  I am in constant awe of the photography work of other bloggers.  I will never rise to that level, but I strive to at least provide photography that will add a visual element to the written words.

Friends of mine have made a lot of jokes at my expense for all of the cameras I have dropped, sunk or otherwise ruined. I have owned several "tough" cameras over the years.  A camera has to be drop proof, crush proof and most importantly waterproof to work for me.   I have used several Olympus models, my latest being a Stylus Tough 8000.  It is a fine camera, but I find it slippery as a fish when wet and the controls tiny and difficult to operate with my sausage shaped fingers.

The Pentax W90 may not have all the bells and whistles of the Olympus, and may not survive a nuclear detonation but it will definitely replace the Stylus as my official fishing/blogging camera.  This shock proof/waterproof  camera has a rubber like coating which provides plenty of grip even when wet.  It's rounded edges fit comfortable in my hand.  The controls are simple and accessible even for my fat old fingers and it weighs in a few ounces lighter.  The final bonuses are the 2.5 cm macro the 28mm wide angle lens and HD movie capability.

I have not used the camera enough to make a definitive comparison of image quality between the two cameras, but I am more than satisfied with the pictures taken to date.  I think I am going to like this one.

Fly Fishing and Photography

I seem to have an ongoing struggle with fly fishing and photography.  To set the record straight I am a fly fisherman, not a photographer.  In fact I know next to nothing about photography.  But its not the technical aspects of photography that I struggle with, its the physical part.  The simple process of manipulating a camera, a fly rod and a wet, slippery, uncooperative model (we're talking fish here, get your minds out of the gutter).
My main interest in taking photographs is to enhance this blog.  Posts are far more interesting with the addition of a few relevant photos, but I never dreamed it would be so difficult.  A quick recap of today's event will explain what is the norm for me...
First of all is remembering that I am actually carrying a camera.  Many days on the water go undocumented because I simply forget to take out the camera.  I tend to block out everything when fishing, concentrating only on the task at hand...the fly, the presentation, the drift, the take, the fight and ultimately the release.  It's usually only when the fish is swiming back into the current that I say "I should have taken a picture of that!"
When I do remember to take out the camera is when the the real problems start.  Trying to take a decent shot of a really pissed off 20+" fish while standing thigh deep in fast water, precariously perched on greased bowling balls,  holding a 10' fly rod in your teeth is somewhat of a challenge for me.  The end result?  A rod that is now 9'-6" and a fly box containing a winter's worth of tying slowly making its down stream.  If it wasn't for a few dams in the way, that box of Czech nymphs would probably be nearing the Atlantic Ocean by now.  Despite these misgivings I was determined to get a shot of this fish, so I wade to the bank take one crappy picture then finally get everything in order.  I compose the perfect picture, the fish finally lying still in shallow water, a moss covered rock catching the only rays of sunlight that broke through the rain clouds today and the the whole scene perfected framed with a rod and reel.  I double check my settings, place my finger on the shutter release and the f*@%$!& camera battery dies...

The Culpert