In the lines again with the cockeyed stares of those around. Gawking in pajamas as they ram into achilles and wondering how my eyes look so carefree. They push and the ticket clerks again clueless about how to check a firearm. Travelers shuffling baggage of selfish anticipation- and we all move through talking out over … Continue reading
Category Archives: Sporting Life
Doves: A Story
* Doves is a chapter from Providence: The Story, a book I wrote for my family in 2013. Story XVIII Doves Gill Jr and Gill III – 2012 It had been a few years since Gill spent a fair deal of quality time at the place. Daily life was busy and he rarely made the … Continue reading
On Private Water
It was a golf cabin and he was a golfer. I’m not a golfer. He said bring, “bring your rod, there’s a little fishing on the golf course- maybe you can show me something- we have permits to fish it- it’s private.” This is when I termed the phrase, WHORE HOUSE FISHING. It was the same experience I had 15 years prior. Pellet feed, no one around, absolute monsters. Whore house fishing because your paid for it. Continue reading
A Lament for the Dove Shoot
Traditions and customs develop from the big parts that are deliberate and organized down to the little idiosyncrasies that become ritual. I’m blessed to have opportunities throughout the year to pursue the outdoors. Continue reading
Fly Fishing: Etiquette and Ethics
This weekend, I slid down to the Carolina Coast with my family. I didn’t bring my lap top along and I’m anxious because Figuring I wouldn’t keep pace with my recent weekly installment of Sunday fly fishing posts for BigHaintBlue. We’ve had a pleasant long weekend with perfect June weather. I’ve had a chance to … Continue reading
Fly Fishing 101: Rod and Reel
There was something magical about putting my very own baseball glove on my hand for the first time. I’ll never forget the moment my father passed down his grandad’s shotgun to me, the Labor Day weekend before third grade. I’ll never forget my first fly rod. Before I bought it, I was a guy that … Continue reading
Fly Fishing 101: Basic Beginner Gear
Outfitted to Fish: A Long Post on the Basics I’ve been fishing long enough and consistently enough a few people have asked me what kind of gear to buy to be able to start fly fishing for trout. Somehow or another this has been a request for a shopping list, often from a buddy that’s … Continue reading
Fly Fishing 101: My Story
In the coming weeks, I’m writing a little about fly-fishing basics. Let’s say a series from a lifelong novice for a novice. To begin, if you are inclined, I’ll share my story in the sport…. In the summer of 1989, months before turning fifteen years old with no credit card or cell phone, I took … Continue reading
Venison Loin with Winter Vegetables and Apple Cornbread
There was an old taxidermy and deer processing shop down in UpState South Carolina. This shop was around the side of the owners house, so it was pretty much open all the time for dropping off meat, but all the buzz was on Saturday morning. Saturday morning was not just buzzing because it was the … Continue reading
Hunting with Forrest II: The Camp
Four o’clock ante meridian, that is when the knock rasps on the door. Stuart is out there moving from cabin to cabin like a phantom fox squirrel that does not sleep. It is hard to get out of bed for me, difficult because I have so much trouble sleeping- at home. At the camp the … Continue reading