Cold Camping Warm Wishes

Howdy, folks. Last night Chris and I recorded our latest episode with studio guest Jon Loo. Chris and Jon did a song together, live in the studio, and I enthusiastically hummed along. Oh, to have talent ...

Things here in Wisconsin remain chilly, but Chris, Ken and I are considering a run down to the Ozarks for a day or two of winter fishing. I've fished the region in the past, and it's spectacualarly beatiful this time of year. If all goes well, maybe I'll land a big brown to brag about.

Last episode dealt with winter camping, and Chris said, given enough peer pressure from the listeners, he'd consider jumping into the Kinni on our overnight adventure. (We're waiting for a low of zero.) It's nice to know that peer pressure doesn't end with high school. Let Chris know you'd like to see it. I promise some good photos of the event.

If you have some winter camping stories you'd like to share. or anything else related to FWJ, please don't hesitate to contact us. From the gang here at FWJ, we'd like to wish everyone the best this holiday season. Be well, and remember, spring eventually does come around.

joe

New winter blues

Howdy folks. Hope you had a chance to listen the latest podcast. We sure had fun putting it together. Be sure to keep your comments coming in. We love hearing fom people.

Woke up this morning to -15 weather with a wind chill near -40. I had to put the trash out and damn near froze my face off. After that, the truck wouldn't start, so I had to spend ten minutes getting it jumped. Misery, just misery. And it looks like there won't be a break in the weather for awhile. Gets one thinking about writing new material, tying some flies, experimenting with a new chili recipe, shooting oneself in the temple.

I'm going to try my best to stay positive and work on FWJ stuff as well as my new book, but I'll be watching for a break in the weather to get outside. I guess this is also a good time to think about new trips and the upcoming season. Chris and I were thinking maybe this summer we should have a Green River rendevous out west. It would be in late July or early August, and we could invite all listeners to come out for a week and share in some of the finest dry fly fishing the west has to offer. If this sounds like something you might be interested in, please let us know. I'm thinking of bringing it up on the next episode.

Well, that's it for now. Stay warm out there if you're in the midwest. If you're reading this from a much more sane environment, well, good for you. Tell us what the weather and fishing is like right now in your region.

JOE

Winter Is Here

Winter has certainly set in here in the midwest. It was 0 degrees in the Twin Cities this morning. That doesn't mean that we've forgotten about fishing. I had some pals (Joe, Roy and Ben) over for fly tying last night and you'd never know it was winter. There was so much fish talk going on that we hardly tied any flies. We're all waiting for the temps to climb back to the 30s so we can do a little winter fishing. As Joe has mentioned, Iowa is always an option with their trout season being open year round. Also, we have the special MN winter season coming up Jan 1. I know as soon as a warm spell hits, I'll be out there.

Roy and I, along with our wives, attended the annual banquet for the Kiap-TU-Wish chapter of Trout Unlimited last week. The chapter always does a great job with their banquets providing good food, interesting programs and plenty of great auction items to bid on. If you are interested in getting involved with Trout Unlimited, please check the links page on http://fishingwithjoe.com/ for more information.

I had the opportunity to join Chris and Joe in the studio last week. What a great time we had. Check out episode 23 "Reel Singing". We had a discussion on fly reels, music by Kane's River, and a very special holiday tune performed live from The Fish Shack. Plus a great bratwurst recipe from Chris' Kitchen. The reel sound effect really got me going. Fish on!

Happy Holidays and see you soon out there on the water.

Ken