Everything is bigger in Texas

It looks like the "hold it closer to the camera" trick works for frogs as well as it does for fish.

Check out the story of this giant bullfrog at 9News.com 

Jobs working on the river that even we wouldn't take:

Found on Craigslist:

A couple of friends and I built an airplane out on the pier. We think we have enough runway to get off the ground before the river. Need pilot to land in Camden. Previous experience in experimental aircraft a plus.

Let's dissect this further:

First warning sign: "A couple of friends and I built an airplane..."

Second warning sign: "...out on a pier"

You have to love the optimism in the phrase "We think we have enough runway..."

Camden? Nobody goes to Camden!

Experience a plus??? Even these guys won't hire a recent college grad.

Gear: It's bacon and gum in one

Thanks to the folks at ThinkGeek.com, now you can enjoy the delicious taste of bacon without having to dirty up the frying pan.

"Each tin of Bacon Gumballs is loaded with bacon-y goodness, and after you've eaten all the gum, you can reuse the tin. And the tin will retain the scent of bacon for some time, blessing all you put in it with that wondrous and holy of smells. Bacon Gumballs - the gift that keeps on giving."

No word on if it would be considered poor form to re purpose this bacony smelling tin as a fly box, giving your blue winged olives an irresistible scent. Just remember it is considered poor form to blow bacon bubbles at the table.

Snipentology

Recently I ran into to an old high school buddy on facebook. His day job is renting boats and PWC to the turistas in Key West, Florida. While surfing some of his photos I soon discovered that he was leading a double life as the Admrial of the Church of Snipentology.

With temperatures in the teens pretty much everywhere outside of the Conch Republic, you should check out the photos just to get a warm feeling. We especially enjoy the official tee shirt as well as the wisdom through out the congregation's site.

"If I need a coozie to keep my beer cold, it's taking me too long to drink it."

Five Totally Random Editorial Comments

I was sitting at the computer tonight and was struck by the urge to express a few opinions (either that or I got hold of some bad Chinese food):

1. The person who coined the phrase or anyone who has ever been a party to a "Bromance" should be drawn and quartered or at least never allowed to go fishing with me.

2. The price of amunition these days is outragous and I dang sure hope all these people buying guns for the first time take a class or something.

3. Facebook is great, but if all my friends show up at the house for dinner at the same time the wife is gonna be ticked off.

4. Unless I need you to bail me or my boat out, I don't want to hear anything else about it.

5. I really should learn to cast better if I want to fish the salt.

Cold Weather Week: Survival

What would any self respecting cold weather week be without a gratuitous snow survival clip? We couldn't afford Les so we got the next best guy.



(Editor's note: My own survival tips for tonight would include the fact that 50 minutes is not enough time for a connection through Philadelphia's airport and that when you rent a car and get the GPS, check to see if the last goober to rent it set it to avoid interstates at all cost. )

How's your Friday?

Found in the Urban Wild

Ominous usage of quotation marks...

Friday "'Scuse me while I kiss the sky" Break

This should get you pumped for the weekend. The Young @ Heart Chorus does Hendrix.

Follow the Herd: The Sky is Falling

Personally - I think I'll boycott companies who raise their prices in anticipation of a disaster. More probably I'll just fill up my truck.

Gear: Dissolving Shaving Paper

The TSA's rules limiting the carrying on of liquids and gels have been "front of jet lagged mind" lately as I have been traveling quite a bit on business. I, like many travelers, prefer not to check my luggage if at all possible. I have no issue trading off the lugging of a bag through the terminal for the satisfaction of getting off the plane and to my destination as quickly as possible.

One issue when packing for carry on, has always been getting a small shaving cream into that quart sandwich bag allowed by the TSA. Recently I came across these dissolving shaving papers in a travel store and have used them on recent trips.

Simply add a small amount of water to 1-2 sheets of shaving soap and work up lather in your palm with your fingertips. Massage onto your skin and enjoy your usual shave.

While you won't get the amount of lather you Barbasol users are accustomed to, a couple of sheets (be sure to pull them from the box with your dry hand) will generate enough soapy goodness to get the job done.

If you are a hiker or backwoods angler for whom both grooming and weight are an issue, these sheets which come in shampoo, body wash, and shaving varieties might just come in handy.

Chocolate Covered Bacon

Via MSN.com comes news of the next best thing to trout sausage.

Who needs quarters?

Three is the number thou shalt count...

Not exactly fishing related but they do mention carp, and sloths, and breakfast cereal

Time for a camping trip

Paisley sends word that its time for a camping trip and points out his inspiration in Kid Rock's latest video.

"Sitting by the camp fire, It's the simple things in life. Sipping whisky out of the bottle not worrying about tomorrow."

Break out the twelve weights boys...

It seems South Carolina's Lizardman might be back.

Via Monsters and Critics with video:

"The whole front half of our van is chewed up. There are bite marks right through the front grill. Both sides of the van above the wheel wells were bitten and the metal is bent like a piece of paper." There is a local legend of the Lizard Man, one that locals swear by.
Dan Torjdman reports for WIStv that "the legend blows in with a brisk winter wind, sending chills through neighbors in Lee County."

I wouldn't be prowling around the Carolina's in a green suit anytime in the near future. We know how to deal with this sort of thing.

Tordjman reports that Rawson is armed with a Glock and "ready to shoot what he feels is most likely a bear. Lee County Sheriff E.J. Melvin says it could be a coyote, but then again, "All the scratch marks, people are saying, 'Sheriff, it's Lizard Man.' Don't know. It's hard to say."

In honor of the scaled green one's return to the limelight we bring you FlyFishMagazine.com's Tuesday Lizard Links:

Oz's Lizard Fly via the South Florida Fly Fishing Club

Perhaps you might use it while fishing the waters off Lizard Island.

Check out this chapter from Richard Louv's book "Fly Fishing for Sharks" titled "Fish Eyes and Lizard Legs".

Had enough? Try a Lounge Lizard Cocktail as described on the FlyBC message board.

- 2 ounces of Cuban Rum (any dark rum will do)

-1 ounce of Amaretto.

-Amount of coke (cola) you desire.

- mix with ice cubes

Time to play the Florida lotto folks...

Dolphins win.

&

Tampa Bay runs a kick back for a touchdown.

Thursday Pink Links

It seems that fly fishing isn't the only sport that is trying to lure women into its ranks. It seems that pink is the new black. To that end we present these Thursday pink links: (P.S. for the record Mrs. Murdock prefers her weapons nickle plated.)

Pink guns gaining ground via Lubbock Online.

Pink Fly Rods from Elkhorn Fly Rods

Pink Fly Reels from Ross Reels (in support of the Susan G. Komen foundation)

Tie on a pink scud

A pink fishing vest from LL Bean

How about a pink gps to get you to your destination

Finally a proverbial pink kayak from the folks at NOC

Friday Wake Up: "It ain't about no trout!"

This should get your Friday off to a good start.

Hanging out with Jim C.

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