Davidson River Hatchery tank purge, feeding frenzy!

Finally hitting the waters

After to what it seems forever endless days of extreme weather, snow, rain and wind I finally got a chance at hitting the water. Not many pictures this trip because I was just to busy enjoying every cast to even think of taking some shots. I did manage a few and thought I would post them. Take a look at that Hatch! Many small stockers around including one that decided it wandted a hand tied "Wonder woman" from Wildxp. Enjoy... Later

A visit to Cornell & Diehl

While tending to some business in Morganton, NC I wanted to stop at a local store to pick up some pipe tobacco. It hit me that I was in the home town of Cornell & Diehl one of the major blenders in the world for pipe tobaccos. Some call them micro blenders regardless, there top of their game. I grabbed my smart phone and looked up the website and got their number. A very nice fella answered the phone and I stated that I was interested in his blends and could he recommend an outlet or do they sell out of the plant. He kindly stated they did not and asked what I was interested in. I stated I was wanting Haunted Book shop and to browse some of his others as well.

He told me to stop by and see him. I thought wow what an opportunity to visit a blender with such a reputation, I jumped on it and said I would be right there.

Upon arriving at the drive way to the plant I noticed one thing, it was modest place surrounded by farm land and several Ostrich that had an equal interest in me as I drove in. Upon entering the sweet aroma of blends was delightful. I was greeted by a beautiful (and protective) hound who went by the name of Con. An employee greeted me and took me to the gentleman who spoke to me. I was floored at what a small operation this was but it was nice, you felt an American quality about the place. No robots, no fancy conveyor belts and all that plant jazz, just simple hand run packaging, labeling and tons of tobacco. One thing that really stood out was how polite everyone was and how happy they appeared. I mean these guys looked like they loved their work, it was refreshing.

The fella asked me what I wanted and that they don't sell directly but he would help me out. Wow these guys got some blends, there must have been several hundred. Now keep in mind these blends are organic and still blended by hand! He stepped away shortly and arrived back with two tins. After thanking him for letting me stop by I asked if I could take a picture or two of outside of the building, he stated sure no problem. I guess many of you would liked to have seen the operation and some of the folk however, I was respectful and did not feel taking pictures of their process was polite so I never asked. On the way out I said good bye to Con and the delightful lady at the desk who I believe to be Mrs. Patty Tarler the owners wife now that I seen her on the website.

As I was almost out the door the gentleman yelled out to me and tossed me a can and said, "Here try this one too!" Sure I said feeling like the kid in the old Mean Joe Green Coke commercial. These guys are top notch stand up kinda guys. I liked what I seen, I liked how I was treated and I love their blends. I will return, here is their website, take a moment and read about them and if in the need, call them for a Tin or two. These guys should be supported and respected for keeping an American tradition alive!

http://www.cornellanddiehl.com/

Ps. Tomorrow is the big trip, should be a 14 hour day on the water. Going to enjoy this while out there, glad I stopped.

My Speilberg moment

Turn off music at bottom of blog first.

Wild Water #1

Visited a favorite section of Wild Trout water today. Decided to go at lunch given the cooler temps, leaving earlier doesn't give the water time to warm up to a productive point. The temps got to 45 today and was most welcomed! Been a while since it was comfortable out there. No wind, no snow... just right. I was able to catch five wild rainbows with the largest at 8 inches and one fiesty juveenile that was eager to eat something almost his same size!

Much storm damage still on these remote back roads. On the way in, the road was blocked a few times however, the forest service was happy to cut me a way through. Thanks guys!! I wasn't able to get as high in elevation as I wanted because of the road way blockage however, what beautiful water it was! The hatch was ON today! They were coming off everywhere however, no top water action, still a bit cold. Emerger city!

Great day of solitude with Gods little creatures, what more can a man ask for!

This morning on Twitter everyone was having the Monday morning blues. I thought I would dedicate this to them being they worked hard today and I was fortunate enough to go. Ahh hell.. this one is for you @rachhillis in Alabama!

Wild Water #2

Continued...