A Couple of Steelhead Bugs

In preparation for my April steelhead trip, I've been tying up a bunch of bugs. Here are a few more taken with my sweet new Olympus.

Brindle Bug
Freight Train
Orange Charm

Chiropractors Scare Me

I am in the middle of a pretty intense workout program. I'm seeing results and the middle cage is starting to tighten up a little. Yesterday afternoon I worked out by arms, shoulders, and abs, and just CRUSHED it during the workout. I mean, I felt really good about it.

However, I woke up this morning with the worst sore neck I have EVER experienced in my life! I would normally just take some Tylenol and call it good, but this feels like nothing I have ever experienced. So I'm thinking about going to a chiropractor. Only problem is, they scare the crap out of me. I am just not comfortable with the idea that another human being, who may be prone to error, is messing around with something as important as my spine. I also don't trust them. I hear too many stories about people going to chiropractors, and then having to go back over and over again, only to spend hundreds of dollars. In my mind, they are the human body equivalent of an auto mechanic.

If any of you have good stories to get my confidence up, please share.

HB187 Goes Down for the Second Time!

UPDATE: HB187 was brought to the floor this morning, and was once again defeated in the reconsideration vote by an even larger margin - 43 Nays to 31 Yes! Once again, the power of grassroots activism was effective. Because of the controversial nature of this bill, this issue will likely get recommended for study over this next year. We are now presented with an opportunity to draft a collaborative, mutually-beneficial bill to take to the Hill next year. Utah angling rights are protected!

HB187 Update - Ferry's "Slick-Willey" Move

Literally, with 10 minutes to spare before HB187 officially died, Representative Ben Ferry motioned to have HB187 reconsidered, which passed. He then immediately "circled" the bill, which means that he can hold onto the bill indefinitely until he feels like he has collected enough votes. Because of Rep. Ferry's actions, we are basically back to square one. Contact your legislator and tell them to oppose, or uphold their opposing vote to HB187! If you are not a Utah resident, email and tell them that as a fishing tourist who brings dollars into the state of Utah, you want them to continue to oppose this bill!

This guy Ferry is a very slick, almost Bill Clinton-esque politician. He's giving the angling community a political working-over. Don't let this guy get away with abusing the system!

New Developments! HB187 - Politics at its Worst!

Rep. Ben Ferry has marked HB187 for reconsideration on the Utah House floor today. This move means that Ferry, who is the chair of the powerful House Rules Committee, has used his position to influence some house members to change their vote in exchange for political favors, most likely for bills stuck in committee. This development may prove very bad for the Utah angling committee.

My New Addiction - Steelhead Flies

I'm planning on doing chasing some steel this spring, and decided that I would take a stab at steelhead flies. So given my lack of tying skills, coupled with my lack of steelhead fly materials, here's what I was able to improvise.

HB187 Crashes and Burns

The Utah House of Representatives voted on Rep. Ben Ferry's HB187 today, and the bill was defeated 41-34! This is a huge step forward in protecting Utah Rivers. Big props to the guys at Utah Water Guardians (Link) for all of their diligent work in mobilizing the Utah angling community and leading the charge against this senseless bill! Very well done folks!

Everything's Amazing, and Nobody's Happy

Louis CK is a man of reason. When he says "everything's amazing, and nobody is happy" listen to the silence in the crowd. I had the exact same reaction. Stunned introspection. Check it out.