Grandis Respectus

The one thing that I have found is that in one way, shape or form we all have a passion for the outdoors. Through this blog and Twitter I have met many people that share a passion for Flyfishing, Photography, Art, Pipes, Fine Tobaccos and the fellowship that binds us. I have been Privileged to fish with a couple of the finest Flyfishermen I have ever met, Jim @Grizzly_Jim and Austin @365flyfish both who I met within the social meadia outdoors crowd.

Recently I was honored by having American Artist Tommy Ellis @ghost1066 request to use some of my photography for a series of watercolors titled the "John Dollar" series. To have something that you are passionate about be recognized by an Artist of such acomplishment is truely an Honor.

My passion for hand crafted Pipes and Fine Tobaccos on my blog and through Social Media has introduced me to yet another community of people who I have found welcoming, Fun and very talented. Two people I have met and immediatly formed a bonding frienship with, just as I have done with my Flyfishing brothers are Steve @steveliskey and Mike @Pipes4Mike. Both American Craftsmen/Artists whos work is not only amazing, beautiful and detailed, has a level of quality which is unsurpassed in excellence! Take a moment to visit them and see what they do. If you want American quality, this is where you go. http://www.steveliskeypipes.com/& Mike http://www.pipes4mike.com/

Yesterday, the ups man drove up and handed me a package with a California return address. As anticipation grew I ripped into like a kid on Christmas morning! Low and behold it was a Handcrafted custom made pipe from Steve. A beautiful small biliard perfect for my shirt pocket while Flyfishing! A rusticated black beauty with a ring of antler and the most beautiful bit I have ever seen. Holding this pipe you notice first off, its quality and balance, something I like to have in my hand. Words can't describe how it feels to have a custom Handcarved pipe to call your own! This will be handed down to generations as "this was Johns pipe" he always had it on him while casting a fly in the beautfiul mountains of North Carolina.

Wait.. Hold on a second! As I dug a little deeper I noticed something else in there. A brown velvet bag containing a Handcrated custom made Pipe Tamper from Mike! A tamper perfectly matched for the pipe in size, weight and color. Black ebony with a deer antler ring and machined aluminum base! If any two things were made to be together this was them. like a reel to a rod, the fly to the Tippet it was perfect, a match made with quality American Craftmenship! Unknowingly to me Steve and Mike wanted to design a special set of Pipe and Tamper as a gift to me, in return only asking for friendship.

Words can't describe the feeling I have with these acts of kindness from each of you. You all have a second home in NC and a trip to any location on our over 3,000 miles of Trout waters to include dinner and a fine smoke upon request! Upon arrival the only cost will be... your friendship ;)!

Thank you Tommy, Steve and Mike and to the others that I speak to on Twitter, my blog, through pictures, rants, raves and casting a line. To each of you " Grandis Respectus" ... John

A Sacred Fishery

There are many beautiful Trout streams within North Carolina, 3,000 miles actually however, few earn what a select group of flyfishermen consider a wild sacred fishery. Today I was Privileged to introduce my friend Jeremy to his first day on such a stream. Each fishery requires its own skill set, some at a higher bar than others but all require an effort unlike the standard issue stocked stream. Wild fish are smart, stealthy, fast and know how to survive. The first thing you notice when fishing for wilds are, they are strong for their size and usually offer a ritualistic like dance across the water once the hook is set.

You will earn these fish, you will hike, walk, cast, climb, lower yourself through laurels, deal with extreme temps both hot and cold, snag trees and come across wildlife in surprising encounters, take a dunk in the drink, meet blood thirsty insects... before you even get to the challenge of maybe, just maybe out smarting the fish. The rewards of success are great and the enviroment biblical. For those who earn this right of passage, indeed should hold their head high but understand it does not come without responsibility. We do not speak aloud stream names, we leave no evidence of our travels and we understand that its a privilege to catch a wild and it is to be respected.

Welcome to the Blue Lines Jeremy, it was an honor to to be your wing man today.

A Sacred Fishery 2

A Sacred Fishery 3

That Moment

My friend on Twitter @rachhillis had the opportunity to take the picture we all wait for. You know that moment that is picture perfect and captures a story without words. Thanks for sharing @rachhillis these are beautiful!