Friday, March 27, 2015

First topwater

Got out for about an hour last night. There was alot more activity than on previous nights. There were some water striders kicking around, and a few more mosquitos. I saw several bass in the middle of the pond at the surface. I tied on a mini hopper, and was able to get my first fish of the year on top. Just a little bass, but it will do.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Urban fly fishing

Got to get out for a few hours today with the Boy. Only hooked three, but they were pretty nice. I was fishing a size #14 bird's nest above a #18 red zebra midge. All three fish took the midge. I never thought I would land the Rainbow, but I chased him downstream for awhile, and was able to net him. The Brown ran across the entire river, but then came in pretty easily. It was a great day to be out on the river.


Urban fly fishing "gear"


Nymphing


Great camera work by the Boy


Nice 'Bow


Nice Brown.

Friday, March 20, 2015

Vernal Equinox fishing.

Had a good night tonight.  7 or 8 bass. They're getting a little more active. No big ones tonight,  maybe tomorrow.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

First fish of 2015

Been out a few times this Spring. Been skunked several times. Once on trout, and five times on bass. Finally got a couple little ones the other day, and a bigger one. It's nice to finally get on the board. Got 'em all on the "blue collar leech"







Inhaled it.

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

North American Hare (Jackrabbit) Chili.

Ingredients
  • 2 ounces died ancho chiles (4 to 6) stems and seeds removed and flesh torn into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 cups rabbit stock
  • 1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes
  • ¾ cup crushed corn tortilla chips
  • ¼ cup canned chipotle chilis in adobo sauce plus 2 teaspoons adobo sauce 
  • 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
  • 2 pounds ground rabbit, I used 1 cottontail, and 1 jackrabbit
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 pounds onion, chopped fine 
  • 2 jalapeno chilis, stemmed, seeds reserved, and minced 
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 2 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1½ cups beer
  • 3 (15-ounce) cans pinto beans, rinsed
Instructions
  1. Combine ancho chiles and 1½ cup water in a medium microwave-safe bowl and microwave until softened, about 2½ to 3 minutes. Drain and discard liquid.
  2. Place ancho chiles, tomatoes and their juice, remaining 2 cups water, tortilla chips, and chipotle in adobo sauce in a blender and process until smooth, about 1 minute. Set aside.
  3. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a Dutch oven until oil starts to smoke. Add ground meat, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper and cook until well-browned, breaking into pieces with spoon, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain meat in a colander and set aside.
  4. Heat remaining 4 teaspoons oil in Dutch oven and add onions and jalapenos with seeds. Cook for approximately 5 minutes, until onion is nicely browned. Stir in garlic, cumin, chili powder, oregano, coriander, sugar, and cayenne and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  5. Pour in beer and bring to a simmer. Add in beans, ancho-tomato mixture, and meat and return to a simmer. Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook 50 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally.

I think this recipe could stand to be a lot spicier. I also used only one large jalapeno with the seeds removed. I made this for my family so I wanted to keep the spice down. 


1 Jackrabbit, and 1 cottontail.


De-bone the rabbits.


Put all the meat through a grinder. If you have your Grandpa's old one, use it.


Put all the bones in a pot, let simmer while you put everything else together, about an hour.


All the ingredients ready to go.


Put the dried chiles in 1.5 cups of water, and microwave for 3 minutes. Drain water.


The rabbit stock. You can use water if you want. I prefer the stock, more flavor.


Chiles, tomatoes and their juice, 2 cups stock, tortilla chips, and chipolte blended a minute until smooth.


Brown meat with salt and pepper.


Browned meat.


Simmer onions, and jalapenos.


Add the spices, and brown.


Add the beer. I used a Newcastle.


Add beans.


Add the tomatoe chile mixture.


Add the meat.


Bring to a boil, and simmer for an hour.


A good day for chili making.


What to do with left-over beer?

Monday, December 29, 2014

Northern Nevada rabbits.

Went out after rabbits for the first time this year yesterday. It was a perfect day for it, clear, and about 30 degrees. We concentrated our efforts on the south facing slopes of hills, with plenty of rock piles. Cottontails use the rocks for cover, and come out to eat in the sun. We walk slow, keeping an eye out for rabbits holding still, trying to see them before they bolt. Sometimes you get lucky, and get a shot. Sometimes they bolt out in front of you, and you have to hope they stop within range.  

We saw two bunnies at the first spot, but didn't get a shot.

The next spot is a nice little bowl with a huge rock pile on top of it.  I saw a bunny jump on the way in, he stopped after about 15 feet, and froze. I got him in the cross hairs, and took him. A clean neck shot, just a little low. We walked up and around, and spotted a Jack, he ran about 40 yards, and stopped. I got him with a head shot. Two rabbits down, with another spot to go.


We walked for about another three miles, checking rock piles as we went. We saw a couple more jacks, but they ran for miles without giving us a shot.



All in all, a great day with my boy, and a good friend.


The Jack will be made into tamales, and the cottontail will be made into a delicious French recipe. My favorite.