2017 in review…
So it is Dec 26th as I start this and my boys are
building legos and watching cartoons and still have not gotten out of their
PJ’s at 4pm…PERFECT for the day after Christmas. As for myself I have set up my
new Nespresso coffee/Espresso machine thing, justified my second piece of pie
that I am eating while typing by going to the gym, played around with my new Go
Pro my wife got me for Christmas, AND now I am going to be productive…well
atleast try…and lets be honest I am starting this on Dec 26th but no
promises I am going to finish.*editors note...who is me...finished on Dec 27th.
A few days ago as I blindlessly thumbed through one of the
many social media sources I follow for work and pleasure and was bombarded with
“year end” and “year in review” posts…so in that theme I am going to review my
year, in true hgb fly fishing blog fashion…
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Fishing
For the most part due to the huge winter we had this year my
fishing year didn’t really get started until May’ish…I had a few trout days
here and there in the spring and even some bait slinging striper days in April
with Captain D. Deel, but I didn’t get on the water regularly until May….I would
say the highlight of this fishing season was my striper season. Striper fishing this year was by far the best I have ever had. More
big fish, more good fish, and bigger fish then any other year….Not sure if it
was the winter, a cycle in the fishing, or just the fact I am getting better
and better as a guide out on the river…learning, observing, and just plain
figuring the fish out. Who knows but as fishing highlights go it was epic…
I also got to fish a bunch with my boys this year and that is always a high light. Both are getting to the point where they can functionally fish with the fly rod and the spinning rod so it is a ton of fun getting them out on the water. No big fish for them but fish they caught on their own and that is more important then catching a “big one” to me.
Also starting to fish more winter bass has been a big high light for me this winter and will continue into 2018 through Jan and February. I have been fishing Lake Oroville with clients and on my own and figuring out a fishery that is 30 minutes from my house that I have always over looked over the 16 years I have lived in chico is some what sad but at the same time rewarding and exciting. Ryan Williams (http://www.flyfishcnv.com) and Chuck Ragan (www.crflyfishing.com) have been a ton of help learning and figuring out the lake as well as my buddies and my boys when I drag them out there.
Family
My family – my wife Stephanie and boys Oliver and Beckett
are by far the high light on any year – That said a few things that have been
extra special .... watching my wife grow her business Sweet Tangerine (https://www.facebook.com/sweettangerinechico/
and https://www.etsy.com/shop/sweettangerinestudio)
. She has really grown her whole sale
business around Northern California and her online sales this year…For a better
part of our lives together my business and carrear has taken precident and she
has been working to raise our boys and keep the wheels on the bus at home so to
say, but to see her with some free time now with our boys in school to work on
her business and seeing it grow and be a success is huge.
Taking my boys to Notre Dame this year with my dad was a
huge moment for me and my dad. Notre Dame holds and incredibly special place in
my life and my relationship with my own father and to finally share it with my
own sons I can not began to express the importance and significance of it. Also got to go see the Irish play at Stanford with whole family.
My oldest son Oliver had his First communion this spring
which was a big deal for our family and an event that really hammered home how
fast time goes by and how quickly this whole thing goes by. I think that has
been an over all theme this year for me .... realizing how quickly time goes by
and how important it is to live in the moment and appreciate everyday with my
boys, parents, and family.
Another fun trip with my dad and boys was skipping school
and going to the NCAA tournament at the new Kings Arena in Sacramento – we went
both Thursday and Saturday seeing a total of 6 games. The first day was saint
patricks day and my youngest son beckett was determined to wear his leprechaun
costume from Halloween.
Music
Number one would be completing an album with Royal Oaks…We
put a TON of work into this thing and are really happy with how it turned out.
Though we won’t be having our “Album Release” Party until Jan 2018 it was
complete this year and so I am saying it is an achievement of highlight from
this year. The album will be up and out on band camp and I Tunes Mid Jan 2018 (https://royaloaks1.bandcamp.com/)
Best Albums – I got this year…may not have been released
this year
John Moreland “Big Bad Luv”
Arliss Nancy “Greater Divides”
Arliss Nancy “Wild American Runners”
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit “The Nashville Sound”
Hot Water Music “Light it Up”
War on Drugs “A Deeper Understanding”
Blizen Trapper “Wild and Reckless”
Turnpike Troubadours “A Long Way from your Heart”
Best live show this year was seeing Jason Isbell and the 400
Unit with Frank Turner (who I got meet
and hang with a bit) at the Fox Theater in Oakland with my wife and getting to
play a few shows with my good buddies in Royal Oaks and Chuck Ragan around
Northern California.
Cast Hope
Another great year for Cast Hope and throwing some crazy events from benefit concerts to dinners and such...AS well as a great fishing tournament to honor our buddy Gabe Duran.
2018...
Lots to look forward to...I am getting a new jet boat and am building a youtube channel full of fly tying videos and such...I am sure my boys will continue to grow and present challenges and fun like nothing else life can provide. Royal Oaks will promote the new record and we are even looking at June as our next trip to the studio. Stay tuned...
