November 7-9, 2024 – Over the years, Gina and I have had the pleasure of sharing many live music experiences, including season tickets to the Paul Mason Concert series. Live music has always been a big part of our lives, from our first real date at Grant Park—where we enjoyed a symphony practice over a…
I use to think that there was no place for politics in retirement. That I was too old to benefit from or get hurt by staying out of politics but I find myself more concerned about what’s at stake in this months election as a grandparent. I get it that abortion is a big…
Attending Fleet Week in San Francisco this year with Gina was a powerful experience, one that reminded us of the immense pride and respect we feel for the young men and women who have chosen to serve in our nation’s military. As we stood there, watching the magnificent ships glide across the bay, feeling the…
Having missed my annual Dorado escapade in Mexico last week, I was itching to cast a line somewhere, anywhere, to satiate that primal urge. So, I set my sights on the Lake and Forebay, which had been getting hotter than a firecracker on the Fourth of July. The mercury was rising, and the wind was…
To my Children, In-laws, and Grandchildren, June 6, 2024 On this 80th anniversary of D-Day, let me remind you of how significant this day is to your very lives. On this day, Nicholas Gray, grandfather to Mia and Mark, father to Gina Gray, landed on Omaha Beach, Easy Red Sector, in the first wave of…
Memorial Day Weekend 2024 – It’s trout season, comrades! Time to swap those massive stripers for some wild-eyed trout for a couple of months. Memorial Day weekend was supposed to be a pilgrimage to Wildhorse Reservoir in Nevada with Wayne and Michael. But the universe, in its infinite wisdom, had other plans. When we called…
March 8, 2024 – The recent spell of unusual weather, culminating in the largest hailstorm I’ve ever seen in Almaden, left me eagerly anticipating the first ideal day for fishing. The solunar tables predicted a favorable day, and the weather resembled a typical spring day – warm and tranquil. Despite our plans to leave for…
I had the pleasure of meeting Charlie Bunch for the first time while we were fishing the Sapsuk in 2021. Charlie left a lasting impression on me. He had a knack for bursting into song while we were out on the river, much like myself, and he shared my love for music. His kindness, infectious…
To celebrate 40 years of marital bliss and the final years leading to our semi retirement, Gina and I decided to enjoy life a bit and check out some of the Iconic Fairmont Hotels in Alberta-The Banff Springs Hotel and the Chateau Lake Louise both built in the 1800s by wealthy Railroad Tycoons. Our trip…
In the heart of Chicago, fate led the way, A meeting so fateful that forever would stay, Forty years past, we embarked hand in hand, Together we journeyed across life’s vast land. In the city’s embrace, I found my soulmate, Gina, your name whispered by destiny’s gate, Through the highs and the lows, side by…
It appears that fishermen aren’t the only ones using Livescope to find stuff in the water. I bet there is some really great technology thats even more powerful than the LV34 transducer and livescope sonar in perspective mode. Maybe someday there will be 360 degree livescope. The Google AI project was a project know…
May 10, 2022 – The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial is a World War II cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France, that honors American troops who died in Europe during World War II. Gina and I had planned a tour of Normandy to follow Gina’s Dad’s Battalion History through France for several years now. We wanted…
Its easy to forget about world events while fly fishing. Maybe its the reason why I fish – to forget about the stresses of life. A couple months ago, I heard about a new custom fly reel that was fully machined out of titanium — The VR Reel. These reels have the potential to be…
John Brezzo passed away at Good Samaritan hospital last Saturday 12/02/21, after a heroic fight against cancer. John has always been a “bigger than life” fly fisherman to me over the half a century that I have known him, as are many of the older flyfishermen I hang out with these days. When I…
Perhaps the most memorable clip of film and music I have ever heard, that brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it, especially in these dark days, is from Richard Harris at the end of the movie Camelot (1967). Arthur stumbles across a young boy who begs to fight in the “last” battle…
November 25-30 – One of the best things we did a couple years ago is purchase a fractional ownership at Fairmont Heritage Place. Originally we purchased it to use the membership for the excellent deals on Suites at Fairmonts all over the world as well as preferential treatment at property restaurants, golf courses and other…
Saturday November 15, 2020 -Fishing is the perfect escape and isolation from politics and covid. Out there on the lake, alone and focused is the most peace I get these days. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel with a Vaccine around the corner as I prepare to hunker…
In retrospect of all the presidential elections I actually voted in , I could be the ultimate cooler, having voted for almost every loser in the last 10 elections. I was in desperate need of some stress reduction today and a good day of fishing helped me realize that whatever happens tomorrow, I’m going to…
Friday March 20 2020 Day 4 of the Pandemic in California – I took my wife fishing on San Luis for the very first time. It was one of the most memorable fishing days of my life for many reason least of which was catching fish. On day 4 of the California Shelter…
The most Catastrophic event in my lifetime is freshly underway. Our family is being tested by a worldwide event that will change the way we live from here on out. What feels like a science fiction movie or the first episode of Fear the Walking Dead is now a reality. A new tiny piece of…