jstv – Page 33

December 12, 2021December 11, 2021

Holiday Prep

This week we finally embraced the Christmas season. A couple of things keep full holiday regalia at bay in our house , . . the first is cats, the second is a lack of Santa believers. Yup, I finally gave up on the jolly old elf.

Seriously though, we did manage to find cedar garland, a wreath and a small tree that weren’t moments away from shedding their needles. Got the exterior decorated just before the snowfall started. And strung some tiny lights on the tree. Fire up the holiday play list, cue the snow, and let the season begin.

Jack and Tip exploring Big Bend on the Crooked River

The first part of the week was a trip to the Crooked River. Seemed like we were the only ones there. Perfect time to wet a line at an area that is usually filled with RV’s, trucks and fishermen. The river levels remain low, even for winter flows, but the fishing was good. There is a reason this spot draws a crowd.

Didn’t see any raptors, but spotted loads of magpies and robins.

Winter migration is in full swing and flocks of birds filled the trees. Tip had a great time roaming the bank and keeping us company. The sun even poked out a couple of times to take the chill off. However, it is definitely winter fishing season.

We don’t go full on holiday decoration anymore. A fullsized Christmas tree is out of the question as our cats do enough damage around here already. Not really the best idea to set up a climbing post covered in shiny, breakable orbs.

We settled for a live pine tree, potted and perfect for the counter. Outside we strung some garland over the front window, hung a wreath and trimmed them with a string of lights. It may not measure up to some lightshows in the neighborhood . . . but it is festive enough for us.

December 4, 2021December 5, 2021

Two Rivers

This week we waded in a couple of very different rivers. The weather turned warm and sunny so we managed to wet a line on two different days this week. The first of the week we headed up to Camp Sherman and the Metolius.

This river starts as a spring bubbling from the base of Black Butte. Just a few miles of flow through open ponderosa forest and the river has tripled in size fed by more springs draining runoff via volcanic passages in Green Ridge and the Cascade mountains.

Spring-fed emerald pool downstream from Lower Canyon Campground

The Metolius’s emerald colored water is crystal clear and remains at near constant levels making it a world class flyfishing stream. There are dozens of campgrounds along the first ten miles of stream, and well developed paths run along both banks nearly the entire length.

We scouted the stretch downstream from Lower Canyon Creek where the river rushes through a rock lined cut.

Later in the week we headed up to the Crooked, which remains at it’s low, turbid winter flow.

Gnarled Juniper trees and basalt columned cliffs are a stark contrast to the Metolius River.

As winter approaches there is a marked increase in bird activity along the river so JQ was busy trying to capture some of their antics.

Fishing was slow but the weather was so great we ended the day sitting on rivers edge soaking in the afternoon sun.

November 28, 2021November 27, 2021

Holiday Season Begins

We pretty much took the week off not worried about getting blog material. Still we can share a few smart-phone snaps from a fishing trip and Thanksgiving meal prep. Pandemic limitations have eased some and we plan on sharing Christmas dinner at a family gathering. But this holiday week we’re sipping whiskey by the fire and enjoying a quiet read.

In Central Oregon winter starts up around this time. There is often snow on the ground, for sure in the mountains, by Thanksgiving. On the other hand, weather is always changing … this week was a good example.

Started the week with a sunny, almost spring-like day on the Crooked River. Weather reports were showing snow leading up to Thanksgiving.

On Tuesday it did snow, pretty much all day. However, by Wednesday only the well shaded areas still held patches and Thanksgiving day broke cold but sunny, a perfect day to BBQ a turkey breast.

Hope you all had a good feast to start the holiday season.

November 21, 2021November 19, 2021

Talking about Fishin’

This week found me standing in the Crooked River’s turbid water. As the afternoon sun slipped behind the canyon wall I was trying to get in one more cast. Fishing was slow and I didn’t seem to have the right combination of bugs.

However, the day was sun drenched, temperatures pushed into the 40’s and the wind wasn’t pushing down the canyon, so it was a great day to be fishing.

It is already Mid-November and the shift to winter season has started. We’ll see less sunny days for the next month or two. Daytime temperatures have dropped and rarely get above 50, with morning temps regularly in the teens. For us, that means layers … hats, gloves and scarves become part of the kit. We’re also a bit more weather report conscious.

Within an hour’s drive there are waters that remain open to fishing with drivable access year around. The Forest Service had controlled burns near the Metolius in late October, but we’ll head up there in the next few weeks. The Fall River gets fewer fishers in the winter, so that is also a spot we’ll check out. Like I said no shortage of destinations for our weekly fishing outing.

Much of the west coast has been drenched in fall rains, the Cascades are snow capped and promise an early start to the ski season. On the High Desert we’ve seen a light dusting of snow and brief stints of rain, but more often wake to sun on morning frost.

Cooler days will eventually give way to shoveling snow from the driveway. Right now we are making the most of late fall days with short trips out into the sage and basalt river canyons.

November 14, 2021November 14, 2021

Seasonal Pantry

Not so long ago we started getting regular “harvest boxes” from a CSA style organization in Bend. Agriculture Connection has, for nearly a decade, been offering boxes with locally sourced produce. Unlike the typical CSA, the produce comes from many different area growers. This means offerings are a bit more diverse than a single farm could offer.

The seasonal nature of the produce has meant we are putting veggies in the fridge that normally wouldn’t be there. In the midst of a supply chain crisis this works in our favor. The grocery stores we normally shop have a smaller selection and poorer quality. The AG connection boxes are quality vegetables. There are the usual winter crops and there have been a few twists. The unique veggies force us to plan meals a bit differently.

For example, a recent box had a white cabbage that weighed in at 7 lbs. Life throws you cabbage … you make soup (recipe below). We have also gotten a lot of cold weather greens and more beets than we typically pick up. The greens, kale and collards, are something we buy, but haven’t found good selection in the produce section. As for the beets? Well JQ pickled a bunch and we’re enjoying them on salads and sandwiches.

The service is year-a-round, so we are looking forward to what Central Oregon farmers have growing during the winter months. I’m sure there will be interesting treats to fill our plates.

Print Recipe

Hearty Cabbage Soup

Ingredients

4 oz bacon cut into ¼ inch pieces
1 med onion, minced
1 Tbsp butter
4 cloves garlic
1 tsp minced fresh thyme
1/4 cup white wine
4 cups chicken broth
4 cups beef or vegetable broth
2 lbs cabbage, cored and cut into ¾ inch pieces
2-3 med potatoes cut into ¾ inch pieces
3 med carrots chopped
1 bay leaf

Instructions

Cook the bacon in a large dutch oven over medium heat until crisp and rendered, 5-7 minutes.
Stir in the onion and butter and cook until the onion is softened, 5-7 minutes.
Stir in the garlic and thyme and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds longer.
Stir in the wine, scraping up any browned bits, and simmer until nearly evaporated, about 1 minute. Stir in the chicken and vegie broth, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, and bay leaf and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce to a gentle simmer and cook until tender, about 25-30 minutes.
adjust seasoning ... add pepper