The Sure Thing.

 It was the first 50 *F day falling on a Monday why wouldn't you  wet a line.

Well I did, but I didn't hit a tried and true stream where I've had recent success.

 I went to a stream where I hadn't caught a fish since last fall.

A long cast into a crystal clear pool and ... Was that a bump.  Another couple a casts and there it was, a follow with several short strikes.

 I would have been happy with that but persistence payed off on this beautiful afternoon. 

PREGAME WORKOUT.

 Hydrate 

 Stretch 

 Squats and dead lifts 

 Load up the truck

 Truck breaks down

 Hoof it,  I racked up 3.5 miles today

 Did a few curls down in the sugar bush.  Got a few drips today and looking for a small run over the next few days.

Just a little pull with the jeep and the truck popped and turned right over.  Back home and unloaded and a little work out with the splitting maul.

Time to re-hydrate.

First Tap is Set.

 We hiked along the neighbors new sheep fence.  It brings to mind Australia's rabbit fence.

 The hills side has a new look.  The sheep keep things trimmed down.

 Another ravine and another hill. 

 First load down to the sugar bush

 A good supply of fire wood near by.  Thanks to the winter storms.

First tap is set.

Catch, Capture an Image and Release!

 It's beautiful where I live.

 Temp is 25*F and the shadows are getting longer as we work our way toward spring.

 Wearing mittens just doesn't work when you're trying to fish a spinning rod.  

 But sometimes you get lucky

 Catch!

 Capture an Image and Release!

That's what I do.

TURKEY!

Fishing Gin Clear Water.

 A stealthy approach to the stream is key when fishing gin clear, spring fed trout streams of North East Iowa.  Take some time and watch what the trout are up to and make that first cast count.

With that said, I didn't have it.  But, none the less I gave it a try Friday after school.  Not a bad way to whined down.
As the sun set the temps dropping to 26* F.
. 

No fish but I stopped by the salad bar. 

 Watercress is an aquatic plant found in the spring fed streams of the driftless region.  It is often overlooked, by many.  This close cousin of mustard and other greens is a great food source in the spring, when other greens have stopped growing.

What are you looking at?

Looking at the beautiful place I call home.

View of Bellevue.

 Under overcast skies I could see Bellevue just miles away across the Mississippi River in the lower portion of the driftless river valley. Blanding Landing is a federal park located just across the upper pool at lock and dam 12 and about 13 miles south of Galena. 

 I made the drive across to the Illinois side to hang out with Ronbo and his awesome daughter.

Ron and I taught together 17 years ago.  With the girls off to Washington DC for the women's march, we decided to get together to catch up .

 Returning to the house. We drove by the beautiful spillway of  lake Galena.

We got a few games of cribbage in before our supper. 

And a couple card tricks with this kid.

Rural Route Stout Chocolate Cupcakes.

 River Ridge Brewing is one of our newest businesses here in Bellevue.  It's a community driven nano-brewery that's housed in the old Happy Bean building.

 When you start with great ingredients, you'll end up with a great final product.  That goes for both the beer and the cupcakes.

This is a recipe that Susie has used for years 

The dark roasted barley brings out a hint of coffee along with the sweetness of chocolate. 

Great looking cupcakes, are we done yet?

No, the dark chocolate icing has both Baileys Irish Cream and Grand Marnier. 

Now we're done.