Updates…2024 year in review…
Chattin with the big guy…
#bighammer #costadelmar #zoleo #stealthcam #mustadfishing #leicasportoptics #gopro #simmsfishing #firstlite #sageflyfish #sitkagear #fourtharrowcameraarms #garmin #crosshollowoutfitters #feroxoutdoors #marsupialgear #stcroixrods #garmin #portlandflyshop #ArchersAfield, #BetterdaysWest, #MeatwithoutFeet
Tis the season for reflection and renewal…
2024 started with hope and the promise of new days. However, the year has been a journey I started out with a knee replacement and COVID-19 delta variant. Having had multiple knee surgeries, I knew the road to recovery would be long and arduous. And it was!!! Several complications and stepbacks made the first quarter challenging and frustrating, with little hunting, fishing, or outdoor adventures.
The second quarter of the year continued to be challenging and frustrating. Dealing with the hurdles of rebuilding the leg after knee replacement, not having the faithful war wagon undergoing a power station replacement. Last year I opted to replace the motor in the war wagon aka 1999 Chevy Suburban. Which has proved to have more setbacks than my knee replacement which is hard to believe. So without my trusty (not so trusty now) stead, down on fitness levels, and a wheel not working well, I turned my attention to long-term work… using my skills to pay the bills. I successfully landed a contract position with Bonneville Power Association, which has filled a large portion of my time and energy learning new systems and tons of acronyms (lol)… which has filled most of the second quarter of the year.
Beginning the third quarter on a positive note, I was able to get out on a few outdoor treks and build solid relationships with BetterDaysWest and MeatwithoutFeet. These co-labs have been extremely good and provided a lot of content in the can. Which will start being shown on my platform and is already available in some clips with BetterdaysWest.
In the third quarter I was also able to slide out on an epic cow elk hunt with BetterDaysWest and my great friends at CrosshollowOutfitters (shout out to Wyatt and Sean)… The lads were great as always and we had a super time despite my lack of mobility and stamina to hunt…
We saw every form of wildlife and ended up harvesting a nice Roosevelt cow elk, which unfortunately we did not get on camera..but that’s part of the game as an amateur hunter, fisherman, and content provider…lol, I have also learned over the quarter sometimes you need to focus on the mana first then the camera footage…
During the last quarter of the year. I spent the majority of time rehabbing my knee and my mana. The truck is still a work in progress… the knee continues to provide setbacks, but epic fishing with guide MeatwithoutFeet has helped clear the mana as well as several banner trips aboard the Piscivorous…
Ohana doing some bird huntin…
Mr Hankey visited us at the archery shop….
I also helped teach several others more about huntin, fishin, and the outdoors. It was amazing to see friends and students grow and excel to extremely successful seasons. the huntress and her husband were successful in taggin out on 2 significant representative bulls in eastern Oregon. While the resident professional Chef Andrew harvested a sweet cow elk in Idaho. While brother Tim arrowed an amazing blacktail with an incredible rack truly a buck of a lifetime!! Congrats all !
Mean while the journey of archery excellence and growth has continued with the ohana at Archers Afield. Where the crew, Brandon, Bob, Kris, Evan, Robert and I continue our mischief and the journey with fishin and huntin trips. With guest appearances from stars like Mr Hankey and others.
The ohana - the Siegel boys have also had productive years…
One of the time-honored traditions amongst the Siegel boys are the traditional nicknames that have been forged over the last decade and get passed around to the least successful sportsmen of the day are: “the Shitty Guide” and the dubious “netboy”, have unfortunately landed squarely on me….DOH…..
Capt Cavey- aka Jalen had a banner season of upland hunting, antelope huntin, fishin and learnin his new areas…(pic above on the 2 for 1 highlight reel)
While Gavin has been study-bound, practicing the dark arts of Jujstu,not too mention plannin for his upcoming wedding which has grown the ohana withnew members of o thee outdoor adventure club. Welcoming Sophie, Dave, and Trish (who puts up with our shinnagins..LOL)
Joey- has successfully graduated UCSD, and survived a whirlwind wedding adding Aida to the mix of mayhem.. now that his wedding plannin is over we hope to set up more adventures this year and gain updates from the San Diego branch of the family.
I have rekindled the rod building and fly tying this year as a way to pass time while not in the field and have taken a more critical view of the craft - taking guidance from the great crew at Southern Rod builders. Thanks for the guidance and support Mary!!! and the sweet Tiki Rod build.
Lastly, my computer has required some upgrading to keep up with the demands of editing and sharing the journey. So it has been done… and I continue to learn and improve on the dark arts of video productions, social media, and sharing the lifestyle.
Looking forward to watchin the seedlings continue to grow and reap their harvests. As well as the knee and truck back in action…
Cheers, and happy new year…
