Where Has The Summer Gone

All though the dog days of August is upon us, we still have guests in the HITW. Despite that it has rained steady for the past week, the Buffalo Clan has held tough with an occasional nightly visit from Papa Bear.
Although not completely finished, (roof needs painting) the new addition to the campground is a great improvement. I think we have passed the fire test, if we watch our fire but have discovered that rain gutters will also be a benefit so that will be a one day spring project. Perhaps with an attached cistern or holding tank to take advantage of the run off for dish washing or using in the hot tub. We could run a line down from the gutters to a coiled system in the bottom of the fire pit with an outlet, then we could have hot running water!
Silver Salmon fishing remains slow, although we have been picking up some limit catches out of our Honey Hole. By now, everyone has no doubt heard about the axle being ripped out of the Bear Truck after the Moose, Buffalo Calf and Papa Bear discovered the Old Wise Eagle had snuck away from them and picked up a limit of Silver Salmon under the bridge while they were running up and down the tidal zone at 11 a.m. in the morning. I think the Wolf Pack had a similar situation when one of the Wolf Pups wanted to go up and fish next to that "old man", not knowing it was the Grand Old Eagle. Young'ums are so easily fooled!
As we speak, I have a batch of flavored salmon in the smoke house. One flavor has been marinated in Lemon / Black Pepper Sauce, a second was marinated in Mesquite Sauce and the third is a Steak / Chop Marinating sauce. Papa Bear recently did one in a Hot Wings marinating sauce, it was very good - almost reminded me the time that I was in the South Pacific and had a batch of Smoked Flying Fish. That is all!
P.S. Ranger Bill called tonight, he had the hammer down in Gallup, New Mexico hoping to make it to Beaver before his hours ran out. He sounded very happy, he was whistling the song, "Six Days on the Road and I will be in Beaver tonight".

Tournament History

The Third Annual Vern Harrington Memorial Silver Salmon Derby is now into the history books. The Silver Salmon fisheries were a little tough on the Anchor River during the 36 hour marathon derby. At one time, the Wolf Clan, Bear Clan, Eagle Clan and a un-documented clan were fishing the same spot in hopes of taking that big derby winner. The Grand Poopah set the trend early in the morning by catching and releasing his second Steelhead Trout of the season, a nice example of the specie, most likely weighing in the 12 to 15 pound range. The only Silver Salmon taken in this initial push in the derby was landed by Papa Bear. Despite the slower than normal fishing, the Wolf Clan and Eagle Clan dedicated themselves to the task and fished right up to the expiration time of the tournament which was at noon on Sunday. This years winner, a second time he has won the Tournament was Daddy Bear with a small specimen of the specie. Being that it was Sunday, the Post Office was not open so we could weigh the fish, we could find no other scales in the area that would measure the weight is such small increments, we thought perhaps a postage scale may give us an accurate reading. Daddy Bear consented that instead of going by weight, he would settle for a measurement. the winner Silver Salmon measured in at 18.5 inches with an estimated weight of less than two pounds which is about a half pound larger than the fish in which he won the 1st Annual Derby so at a minimum he has set a record for having the smallest two winners in the Tournament, unlike that big 15.5 pounder that took the derby last year. As a side bar, the Silvers have moved into the river in better numbers, fished this evening, four fish on the tide back out with one buck that was pushing if not exceeding the 13 pound mark.

Out of Contact

Sorry, that I have not been keeping you informed on the progress at the HITW or the weather results of my Doppler Radar site, but I have been trying to take advantage of the beautiful weather and complete construction, so I have been burning up some hours. I would be on schedule, however, I decided to add a second story on the Gazebo. I thought the concept would be good, it will make a good watch tower for Ranger Bill to sit and watch for "Blue Duck", you never know when he will come riding in.
Silver fishing is slow, fish have just started to show up so the Derby is going to be interesting, those who are good should find success - for the rest of you - well I will share! Daddy Bear fished yesterday morning, took a nice "Silver" at the Bridge Hole - upon a closer examination it was a fine "Red Salmon" so there goes the theory that Red Salmon will not bite, especially on a good, gooey gob of salmon eggs. Needless to say, he made the sport fishing report. Speaking of that, time to call in and go back to work.

Where oh where has every one gone.

Sometime Friday evening it is planned that I will pull into my wallow with three of the buffie babies. I believe part of the Pecker Clan will be coming down that day too...something about a fair...and pizza cooks...extra cash...me I am coming for the peace and quiet! My plans are to remain in my wallow until the weekend of the 27...but depending on the health of my father in law...this could change. Pops I need a hole dug...not too wide but two to three feet deep....somewhere near the Duck House I think. A post will be put in this hole so put it in a place out of the drive way...on it...a surprise for Butch and Sundance. It will match the decor already...so do not panic. If mom gets bored she could fill my water tank for me...he he...I can not wait to get there...

Concept Works

The new Doppler site worked well today, showed me the rain coming our way and sure enough, it showed up right on schedule, unfortunately enough that it curtailed using any sort of power tools outside including my cordless screwdriver. However, even with the heavy rain at times, just the paper on the roof of the Fire Pit kept everything nice and dry, it was the only 12' x 12' piece of dry ground in the HITW. One fourth of the roof is now lap (not lop) sided, a time taking project since each board has to be cut at a 42 degree angle on each end and beveled at 45 degrees at the joints. Looks good, would have looked much better with a steeper pitched roof, but lesson learned. If the plans for a clan gathering materializes on August 11th and 12th, it should be finished with the exception of applying the stain! However, I have always maintained that a family that "stains" together stays together. By the way, that is not a "link", it is the color of stain we are using!