BayouSlide

Tricksie warily eyes the approach of Hurricane Ida. She relaxed once I reassured her we had plenty of dog food on hand for her and Max and lots of Guinness for me ?

You know how to tell when the hurricane has finally passed? The roar of wind has been replaced with the buzz of mosquitos, the hum of generators and roar of chainsaws ?.

We need to get this hurricane over with so I can head out for some bird hunting. I'm gone the minute power is restored ?

Looks like a better selection than most tackle shops these days ?

I was supposed to be on the road to Montana yesterday with my bird dogs. Unfortunately a last minute failure in my trailer electrics derailed that plan until Amazon delivered a new DC power center yesterday. Now the hurricane is taking the whole train off the track. I think it was a Jewish proverb that said: "Man plans and God laughs ?" So I'm going to stay to take care of things until everything sorts out. Gas stations already running out of gas, but my 4Runner is full and have laid in plenty for the generator(s). Here on the Teche Ridge (a whopping 20 feet above sea level) we're safe from storm surge. The folks south of Hwy 90 here around the Atchafalaya are not so lucky. Hurricanes are the price we pay for living in the Sportsman's Paradise. We know the drill by heart. Just ask Catt and the folks in Lake Charles who have endured more than their fair share of misery in recent years.

The jazz connection was honest and deep with Charlie: from what I've read, he was self-taught, learning by playing along with his Charlie Parker and Duke Ellington records. And his "day job" would fund a lot of jazz projects.

Sometimes your only sensible choice is yielding the right of way ?

He was the "class" of a class act. Godspeed.

As a little lagniappe (a Louisiana term for "a little unexpected extra'), here's a final out west photo, appropriately of a road less traveled, my favorite kind, a scenic view from La Barge Creek Road in Wyoming.

Lots of Lews and a couple BPS with Winn Grips. Been using them for years without any issue and prefer them to EVA.

Only appropriate to wrap up the "out west" photo story with Max relaxing in "his" chair in Lewistown, Montana, last year after a day spent chasing sharptails and Hungarian patridges. Looking forward to being back there in about a week or so with Max and Tricksie and continuing our adventures.

Big Bite Baits Suicide Shad, on an Owner underspin.

SK Rage Tail Cut-R Worm, 6 in., black and blue flake

Since the western portions of Wyoming and Montana are grizzly country this is an essential piece of kit on my belt in the backcountry. Fortunately the only negative wildlife encounters were run-ins with a porcupine...no pictures since I had my hands full removing dozens of quills from each dog's face with my Leatherman and, then, keeping them from heading in for round two with the porky.

Our secluded base camp for forest grouse, among the high peaks in the Bridger-Teton National Forest near Big Piney, Wyo.

Somewhere in the expanse of this landscape in Farson, Wyo., sage grouse, might be found...or not. Depends on how much ground you and your dogs are willing to cover.

Chukar country in Green River, Wyo. It's said that shotguns don't fill the game bag, legs do. Especially with chukars that will lead you uphill and down over and over again, all day long.

Usually an Owner underspin with a Suicide Shad.

This scene is from the Big Horn National Forest in Buffalo, Wyo.

As I and my dogs prep for our annual bird hunting trip out west, I've enjoyed looking at scenes from last year, including this one from Tensleep, Wyo.

The postscript to a memorable day afield in Kansas a few years back.

For me, that sums up this entire discussion, leaving little to add.

All your work on the site, and all the information you impart in your videos, is greatly appreciated. Lots to learn and enjoy here.

I always a Zoom Trick Worm in blue sapphire on a shaky head permanently tied on one rod.