It just started blowing as a friend and I were heading out of Ucluelet in my Arima and as we rounded Francis Island, a fishing boat heading in radioed that 'She's blowing a lump, eh'. He was right. We ended up turning tail and heading back to the dock. Over beer, we decided that expression clearly described exactly how it was and have used it since. Clear, concise and to the point. Better than the usual language to describe sea conditions.

I couldn't fathom being at sea on Saturday. It was blowing a lot more than a lump. I made the fruitless decision to float Saturday. Casting was a bitch at best and impossible part of the time. Rowing downstream was essential in any but the strongest flowing part of the river. One of the times that the wind blew my rods around my raft like they were sails, I reached to adjust them back the way I had them, and the wind picked up the portside oar and the blade struck my on the bridge of my nose and smacked me square between my eyes, leaving just a small cut. Maybe that made me dizzy or something, because later as I was wading the head of a run where the riffle flowed in, and over-hanging alder branches obstructed my passage, not to mention my casting which was compromised by the wind already, I slipped and fell, taking cold river water in over the tops of my chest waders for only the fifth time in over 40 years at this gig. I've slipped before, but I'm pretty good at scrambling, dancing, and recovering without toppling over. Saturday was one rough day on the river. And I must have strained my right wrist attempting to break my fall, cuz it's sorer than the dickens yesterday and again this morning. Now that I think of it, I'm kinda' sore all over, like I've been through the ringer. And to think I go fishing for fun. Yeah, it was blowing at least a lump out there Saturday.

Sg

Whoa - sounds like a rough day alright. Sure enough, the weather on Saturday was not fit for plunking, much less fly fishing and floating. Glad you made it down alright (or at least mostly right). I bet seeing you at the takeout would have made anybody else with a wild hair think twice.

Every once in a while you just have to have one of those bad days and get all the CRAP out of the way so your next trip will be "the perfect one" where nothing goes wrong.

Whadya' mean Hank, old age catching up to me? I'd have to be old for that to even think of happening.

GLU,

That's it; I hope to have all calm water in Mexico in a couple weeks. Maybe a light breeze to move some heat away. Hope my wrist feels better soon. I've got 10,000 casts to make for tropical speedsters.

Sg

She's blowing a lump now here in Kitsap. Rolled into our road and can't get to my casa as a neighbors fir, root wad and all, is across the road. Well, no relaxing evening tonight as my neighbor is not in the best of health so I'll get the saw out and see what I can do.

Driveway sweeper!

Fish on...

Todd

I like sweepers better in rivers.

She's blowing a lump!

Reminds me of this gal I used to see way back when, ah well.


Fishy

Your avatar makes me wonder exactly what you and the gal were doing. Damn that's creepy.......

I took this avatar to mean that no matter how one is being silenced their voice would be heard, that and the visual impact are why I put it up there.


Fishy

Those Canoodians have some brilliant expressions. I think I'll keep that one.