Tonto Friday 3/30/12



Snow on the Desert Peaks

It has been awhile since I have put anything up on the blog, duck hunting ended awhile back and that was the last thing. I have been very busy working on a lot of things in the mean time, mostly work, but the day dreaming has occurred from time to time. With summer and fishing on the rim country just around the corner it is time to get back to writing. So I think one of the goals for this summer is going to be to catch a carp on a fly. While I have shot a lot of these fish with the bow and arrow, I have not caught to many on a rod and reel and zero on the fly. I found this video on fly fishing for carp and thought I would share it. This video is found over on intheriffle.com and has some great footage of catching carp.

Other things that have been going on, like a lot of flyfishing fanatics, the tying bench has been busy stocking up for the summer time. Several weeks ago I was approched about tying some flies for a painting exhibt by Spokane artist Christina Deubel. She wanted some photos of flies that I, and several other tiers had tied, and then she would paint them for a art show. Below is a few of the pictures I sent her.

Arizona Small Stream Flies

The Chosen Fly & Its Painted Twin

Lastly, some of the work I have been doing is on a website that I have been creating with a friend. While it deals more with city life information, than with the great outdoors, there is still some outdoors stuff that we are including. Follow this link ( eastvalleyguide.com ) to check out one of my entries about Hawes Loop hiking and mountain biking. Thanks for stopping by and with fishing season here, look for more frequent posts again.

Tonto Friday 1/27/12

It's Friday again, another week has come and gone. Most parts of the country are seeing the 2011-2012 waterfowl season come to it's conclusion. Within the next few weeks I will post a round up of this years season for me, it was a great one. Tonight I put a couple of videos up. This one is from First Light Gear big ole goose going down. I found these guys on twitter pay them a visit.

The next one totaly unrealated to hunting but still something falling out of the air. The 2012 winter X games started last night and this crash by Colten Moore is one reason I am continuesly drawn to these extreme sports. Can you say "Fly like an Eagle!"

Have a great weekend!

Desert Sky

This week I had the good fortune to go out and hunt for ducks on three different days. Both Tuesday and Friday afternoons I headed out to do some jump shooting along the river. Then on Saturday morning I spent a few hours sitting over a popular duck hole. Both evening hunts were very successful I got some great photos of the sun setting and of the cliffs overlooking the river at twilight. It didn’t hurt that there were plenty of widgeons trading up and down the river. Saturday, they were all gone and I was left sitting with my thoughts as the desert came to life. A favorite song of mine kept playing through my head, “desert sky, dream beneath the desert sky” from U2, the song is called In God’s Country. Looking around at where I was, I realized I was in the middle of God’s country. As I meet more and more people through this blog, each one of them has their own individual traits and outlooks on the outdoors. Some are great writers, others phenomenal photographers, some paint or guide. Hunting, fishing, hiking and camping we all try to put down how we feel about our time spent in God’s country. I hope to get to know more people this year and share my perspective on the locations and activities I enjoy. Thank you in advance for sharing yours.

Tonto Friday 1/20/12

 Another weekend has come and that leaves us with one week left in the duck hunting season. I am going to try to hit it hard here at the end of the season. I have already made it out two extra times this week and put 10 widgeons on the table. As the season draws to and end plans for the next season are being made. Fishing, followed by some turkey hunting, followed by some fishing?

Tonto Gear Box OtterBox

Sunset (taken with well protected camera)

A few weeks ago I purchased a new phone, a smart phone to be precise. My plan was to use it to help me stay in touch with my blog more, keep up on emails and look cool. With my old phone I had sent a tweet or two from the field. My new phone has the ability to tweet take video and shoot higher pixel photos than my point and shoot camera. While this is cool to have with you, I hunt ducks. Any duck hunter will tell you how hard the environment where ducks live is on gear, mud, muck, water or all three combined. With the cost of replacing a smart phone running in the $$$, you better protect it. Enter the water proof Otter Box.


The Otter Box

Reasons I Use the Otter Box

What is the Otter Box? It is a waterproof box that comes in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. The lid on each box has a seal that makes it waterproof. The design of the box makes it pretty much crush proof; protect anything fragile inside of it. I purchased the smallest one they had to hold my car key, phone, wallet and spare cash for any emergency, (such as if I fell in the water and needed a hot breakfast). I also picked the clear box so I can identify the contents inside. Out in the field it has been great, because I have already dunked it when crossing the river at a spot in the dark and missed the shallow section. Also it keeps contents dry until I clean my hands to text or take photos while out hunting. 

Capacity

Reasons You Might Not Like the Otter Box

If you find the bulk and extra weight of the box to much, and have no problem buying new phones and cameras, this is probably not a product for you. Another problem I have heard of is the lip where the closure fasteners breaking off, but so far I’ve had no issues.



Get one

Recommendation

If you carry an expensive phone or camera around water, i.e. all fly fishers and duck hunters; the cost of keeping you expensive valuables safe is worth the peace of mind.

I would recommend this product to everyone who needs to protect there gear from the elements anywhere outdoors. Also they make a fantastic line of phone cases.

More Info: OtterBox

To Purchase: 2000-Clear

Follow on Twitter: @otterbox

The Following review of "Otter Box” is the sole opinion of Tonto Rambling and given to help inform others about this product. It was purchased for the purpose of using it in the field.  I will try and give an unbiased and honest opinion of all products reviewed. I have received no compensation for this review and I am not associated with Otter Box.