This post is not really fishing related, but there is fish art pictures

So not really a fishing post, but it's been a while and I didn't want you all to forget about me.  So for Christmas, I asked Santa Clause to talk my brother into bringing his suitcase of pain tattoo equipment home.  So Santa did, and "B" brought home his Needles of terror tools of the trade, and I now have more ink.  Check it out!


Yin Yang Trout with a Japanese kanji symbol meaning "little treasure" on my arm.  This was inspired by a painting I had seen at a restaurant we stopped at for lunch out west on one of my Montana fishing trips.

The other one I had done on my leg was from a Chinese scroll painting that I saw years ago and fell in love with it's eye catching simplicity. This particular image of the black and red koi according to Chinese symbolism means Success.  Additionally, In Buddhist thought, fish represent freedom.  The enlightened state of Buddhism allows for unrestrained movement in the world, you will not be held back by life's illusions.  Not to mention, it's just cool looking.

Thanks again for doing this for me B!!!

http://www.critters-corner.com/

end of the season

wet muddy wading boots by the door.
waders hanging from the shower curtain rod.
a dirty, smelly, messy truck, in the driveway with a Brule stained floor.

the shed that needs to be re-organized.
the lawn neglected of regular attention.
a house in need to be prepped and winterized.

for weeks and weeks, a hot water bathroom faucet in need of repair.
piles of left over snacks, expired coupons, old mail on the kitchen table.
liqueur cabinet seriously bare.

photo's of the seasons victories...on the kitchen counter, the coffee table, the fly shop bragging wall.
rod tubes and grouse gun sitting in the corner, disguised by sleeping bags and sleeping pads.
half-unpacked luggage bags are in the hall.

fly boxes in need of refilling before winter thaws.
gps chips, delormes, sketches of maps on napkins, placed on the special shelf.
in the fly vest...empty leader packages, used tippet, a few surviving Thing-A-Ma-Bobs.

the fly-tying room in serious despair.
camping cookware waiting to be put back in storage.
fleece and Under Armor everywhere...everywhere.

     -Christopher Sprau

Quote

I didn't want you to think that I forgot about posting. I have been working a lot, and have done nothing fishing related since the banquet. So, in the mail I received a newsletter from the MN Zen Meditation Center and they had a quote at the top of it that I found interesting and will share with you here.

"The purpose of a fish trap is to catch fish.
When the fish are caught, the trap is forgotten.

The purpose of a rabbit snare is to catch rabbits.
When the rabbits are caught, the snare is forgotten.

The purpose of words is to convey ideas.
When the ideas are grasped, the words are forgotten.

Where can I find the man who has forgotten words?
He is the one I would like to talk to."

-Chuang-Tsu