jstv – Page 47

January 9, 2022January 9, 2022

A Snowy Holiday

It’s been snowing for weeks. Thirty eight inches of snow accumulated outside our door, starting just before Christmas. This made for a lot of shoveling, but also created a beautiful landscape.

We were planning a quick trip to the coast to visit family on Christmas day, but Mother Nature stepped in. A storm front moved onshore Christmas Eve and for the next three days just kept dumping moisture. Central Oregon and the eastside of the Cascades were under travel advisories. Not a great thing over the holidays.

The weather backed off a bit the last few days of 2021. This allowed time to dig out before the next front moved in, dropping an additional 18 inches of snow. All this snow is good news for the depleted reservoirs; however, it made travel a bit treacherous between snow plowings. The passes were shut down and supplies, especially fuel, were limited.

It’s the 8th of January, in a new year. The worst of the local roads have been plowed, rutted road ways cleared. A warm front moved in and created a different kind of mess. For the most part we are staying close to home, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t making plans for exploration and at the very least a fishing trip or two.

Welcome to 2022! We’re looking forward to a great year, hope you are too.

December 19, 2021December 16, 2021

Winter Days

This week we got snowed in, kinda.

The week started with a major storm which brought nearly a foot of snow overnight. Then . . . it never really stopped snowing.

You expect snow in Central Oregon, but this is a lot and it’s early in the season. I think the blame is pointed at someone named La Nina.

On The westside (Portland), even an inch of snow snarls traffic. Central Oregonians are used to driving in snow and the responsible parties are very good at keeping streets and highways cleared.

However, even they have a limit and this week they kind of reached it. There were enough vehicle related incidents to close down a couple of Bend streets and Highway 97 south was closed by Sunriver. We chose to stay close to home and out of the fray. By week’s end things have sorted themselves out. Guess it’s time to get the snow tires on.

Staying home meant neighborhood walks, lots of time behind the snow shovel and getting in some reading. The house also took on a holiday vibe with a regular flow of seasonal music and the aroma of baked goods and hearty soups. In a way, the arrival of winter got us in the spirit.

Here’s wishing all who find this post the best of holidays … Happy Christmas and Merry New Year.

As is the tradition, we’ll be taking the next couple of weeks off with a new season of posts starting up around the second Sunday in January.

See ya in the new year.

JQ, JS & TIP

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.