OT Fishing in the High Sierras OT

[pflaming]

A bad day of fishing is almost as good as a good day under the truck, but a good day, well that is another story. The fish weren't biting but one did not get away. 21 1/2 inches,probably around 6#, rainbow trout.

Edited May 2, 2018 by pflaming

[55 Fargo]

Paul, that is beautiful scenery, looks like parts of the Canada. Nice Rainbows, we have em here too. But the big trophy fish are Walleye, Channel Cats, Pike and Musky. Just a few miles from my door in Selkirk Canada, there is world class Walleye and Channel Cat fishing....

[HanksB3B]

Wish I were there.

Hank

[Reg Evans]

That looks like Scotts flat Reservoir near me. My grandson pulled this one from there.

[Don Coatney]

Pine Flat? Shaver? Millerton? Huntington?

[pflaming]

Pine Flat, Millerton, Huntington, all too big for me. Will fish Shaver Lake this summer. They drained it for dam repair when filled again they will double stock it so it should be good fishing. Shaver Lake and Hume Lake both are about 50 miles from me and both at about 6,000 ASL.

Bass Lake is beautiful but too far and not that good fishing. (Don lived in Fresno at one time so. . . The place has never been the same!

REG: My grandson was really intriqued with the fish, expecially when I cleaned it. I missed a good opportunity to let him disect the entralls. Going toget a good set of disecting instruments and let him learn what and where all the organs are.

Edited May 2, 2012 by pflaming

[Todd B]

If that was a Wisconsin fishing day the cooler would have been full of empty beer cans surrounding the fish.

Very nice looking fish. (both of you).

[pflaming]

Todd: Have you heard the story of Mel Fame? He was a strike out relief pitcher in years back and because of little work, drank a bit. Before one game he over indulged but with the game on the line two out, bases loaded and one batter to go, they put him in. He walked the batter and lost the game. After the game, the opposing players happened by his pilot-house with beer cans in the bed and one remarked; "That's the beer that made Mel Fame walk us!":D:D:D

[B1B Keven]

Paul, you need to save your pennies and go up and troll Tahoe for Mackinaw.

Now that's fun!

[John-T-53]

Last September...was planning another trip to the same spot this Memorial day, but had to postpone until Sept again...

[48Dodger]

I don't hunt...or fish....but my Red-Tailed Hawk does...lol.

48D

[HanksB3B]

Tim,

Guessing you found him injured or the mother met some tradgedy? How did you ever get him.

Wait till Blanca sees your picture,

Hank

P.S. Live Hawk Cam: Check it out!

http://metobs.ssec.wisc.edu/aoss/cameras/hawkcam-flash.html

Yesteday watched as the mother bird kept the babies sheltered from the rain. Today it looks like they are waiting for momma to kill something and get back to feed them.

Edited May 7, 2012 by HanksB3B

[pflaming]

TIM! Hunting is hunting, whether it be by bow and arrow, rifle, or hawk!!!! Great picture, must be fun! Question: do the rodents and snakes grill up good on that Dodge grill?

[48Dodger]

I am a licenced Falconer....state and national....means I passed a test, did an apprentiship (2years) and trained with a Master Falconer.....lots of work, but worth the effort. Behind me in the picture is the new Hawk House(muse) I build for 2012...not finished, but enough for a my Hawk to move in. Hawks are serious creatures of habit, and learn a ton of bad ones in the wild...like perching on a telephone pole waiting for car to scare a rabbit into moving. Most young hawks die in the grille of a passing car because of this. With this, disease and more experienced hawks eating them, young hawks die to the tune of 80 percent in the first 3-5 years. They have the ability to live 30 years, but in the wild, adult hawks are lucky to make it passed 10 years. These are general numbers of course, but gives you an idea of the odds they face. Falconry is a sport, but we do A LOT to improve the fate of many breeds (were able to take credit for taking peregrines off the endanger species list). Depending on how a Falconer came by his BOP (bird of prey) he may release him/her after a few years and trap a new first year bird (passage hawk) and start over. If he bought a hawk he may keep him for his/her lifetime. I'm fortunate enough to live out in the country and love Red-Tails.

This Hawk is Sabre. He was an awesome RT. When we trapped him it was obvious he was in trouble. A broken beak, infected, and full of feather mites. his chances weren't good. I decided to go with him anyway. We had a good run, but lasted only six months. His flying skills were a site to behold....being small, he had a wing over (180 turn) that was sweet and snappy. His responses to my calls from over a quarter mile away were impressive to say the least, and he hit my glove with such power. He had a character about him that you just dont see very often in Red-Tails. He was a good bird. He died in my arms from his continuing infections steming from his beak, it was heart breaking, but not a surprise. I post this picture often because I was so proud of him. He was an excellent hunter.

48D

[pflaming]

Thank you for this insight into falconry. I grew up in Western NE on a cattle ranch/wheat farm. During spring plowing the chicken hawks, that's what we called them, would follow the plow and pick out the field mice, they could dive with such speed an accuracy, just a beauty to behold. On occasion they would get a small rabbit which they would lift to certain height then drop the rabbit and of course follow him down.

Do falcons, your variety or others, become very loyal to their 'host'? They seem to be singular birds as opposed to doves who mate, or pheasants which have a flock, so are both male and female solitary? I've always admired people who have a passion for an or animals. They are amazing. We had a large herd of cows. Of then the calves would stop an sleep while the cows grazed. A percentage of cows would always remain with the calves. It was fun to observe. THis is a truck forum so will not continue.

I admire your hobby, thank you for sharing.

Paul

Edited May 6, 2012 by pflaming

[48Dodger]

Do falcons, your variety or others, become very loyal to their 'host'? They seem to be singular birds as opposed to doves who mate, or pheasants which have a flock, so are both male and female solitary?

First off, I was feeling left out cuz I don't know how to fish,lol...yes, my Dad took me fishing, but I just couldn't get used to the slow pace of it....even today. lol...don't mean to pull this OT thread..well, OT. And thank you for not kicking me "out"

Red-Tails mate for life. They don't hang out together much until there is offspring, or a territorial issue. As a rule they will not love you...in fact they only see you as a tool for hunting. Its a partnership they take very seriously. They are not like dogs or cats...but will socialize with both, without incedent. They learn very quickly who is in the family because they themselves live in the house for at least a few months. The bonding needed for this sport is critical. 3-5 days of "waking" (neither of you sleep) followed by immediate exposure to everyone in the family. I worked at the computer with him on the fist, watched movies with him, and rode the ATV to the mailbox with him....etc. After he figures out your role in his life (he's born a top predator, he knows his, lol) the bonding is complete...you are now bros.

I put a perch in the living room towards the end of his stay in the house, so he could practice flying to and from the fist...about 22 feet. I was standing in the kitchen and he missed. I had spent more time at the computer with him then anywhere else...so...of course, he felt at home landing on the 21" monitor. lol.

48D

[Todd B]

Very interesting! Thanks for the information.

Todd B

[Barry Maxwell]

48dodger:Thank you for sharing your knowledge of and experience with Red Tails. Truly fascinating!! We have 3-4 on our Pa. farm and we enjoy watching them glide around and hunt. One is nesting high up on a power line tower in the middle of a field in what appears to be a rather loosely put together nest.

[HanksB3B]

and she's got a mouse.

Sorry Paul shes feeding them now but she's got her back to the camera so no "Bloody Entrail Biology Lesson" this time.

Hank

[Don Coatney]

Tim;

Are the red tails house trainable or do they poop wheneaver they feel the urge? Per your postings they do have a degree of intellengance. Are they smarter than crows, and other birds?

[48Dodger]

lol...yah, when the urge hits. Luckily it comes with a small warning....most of the time they perch with such purpose...scanning the the room with eye and head movement. But when its "time"...they lean forward and raise the tail and fire...like a super soaker. lol. I usally keep a beach blanket close by as a spitoon.

They are top predators Don....I believe their intelligence is focused on killing and breeding. If you fit logically into that plan, it works, if you treat them like pets, they have nothing to offer. No time for hugs....

picture notes: you can see his injuried beak in these pics...and him checking out FB.

48D

p.s. Crows??? Crows are on the menu...lol.

Edited May 8, 2012 by 48dodger

[Don Coatney]

their intelligence is focused on killing and breeding. If you fit logically into that plan, it works,

I will not ask where you fit into that plan....

[HanksB3B]

They are top predators Don....I believe their intelligence is focused on killing and breeding.

Typically in the bird world the brighter colored bird is the male. Is this true for Redtails? If so it was the male that stayed the most part of the day with the little ones and the female that brought Alvin over for dinner.

Hank

P.S. Paul there's some entrails in frame three (if you look closely)

[48Dodger]

I will not ask where you fit into that plan....

lol.....I'm his wingman dude. Its like that.

Typically in the bird world the brighter colored bird is the male. Is this true for Redtails?

Males are smaller and of the same coloring. This is true of most hawks/falcons. Love the screens shots Hank...I have about 7 links for hawk cams around the country ....

My biggest gripe though, is movies and commercials....the signature cry of Red Tails is used in all desert scenes and the like, BUT will show an eagle or vulture...Cadillac did this too!!! For the record....ONLY Red-Tailed Hawks make this call....all others sound similar to sea gulls....even Bald Eagles.

This is my favorite youtube video showing how awesome RT's are.

And if you don't know about Pale Male, a RT that moved into Central Park in the early 90's....this the trailer to the movie they made about him.

48D

[wallytoo]

"That's the beer that made Mel Fame walk us!":D:D:D

da-dun-dun!!