Henry Chappell

HOME RANGE: Notes on Literature, Nature, Working Dogs, History, Martial Arts, Other Obsessions and Sundry Annoyances by Henry Chappell

Texas Water Wars

August 1, 2013

Tags: water war, Texas, Marvin Nichols Reservoir, property rights

"Texas Water War" The American Conservative July/August 2013

Here's a little piece I wrote on a controversy that pits the thirsty Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex against rural landowners in northeast Texas. If you care about tradition, community, sustainability, wildlife, property rights, and the rights of rural folks, I hope you'll click on the image and take a look at "Texas Water War."

While you're at it, feel free to like, tweet, and comment. Likewise, please pass the link on to friends and associates who might be interested. Read More

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RIP John Graves

July 31, 2013

I'll have more to say in a day or two. Right now, I don't feel much like working.

Beloved Texas writer John Graves, author of Brazos Trilogy, dies at 92

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Literary Wisdom from a Fishing Writer

July 23, 2013

Tags: John Gierach, Fishing Writer, Southern Writers

"The trick to reading southern writers is simply to understand that they're not kidding."

John Gierach
No Shortage of Good Days

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Boy, Small Stream, Little Trout

July 16, 2013

Tags: trout, fly fishing, Cade

Cade with his first brook trout

Just got home from a weeklong trip to Northern Idaho with Jane and the grandkids. I took a six-weight rod thinking we'd try some of the bigger streams, but Cade much preferred the small, fast streams and high country lakes, which we had almost entirely to ourselves.

Having learned to fly fish by catching Read More

7 Comments

Comments

Jul 16, 2013 12:52 PM EDT

Excellent story !! (I think I lost my original reply)
So, I guess West Virginia is next.....right? I understand that we are in small stream heaven around here and I am in dire need of some expert, hands on instruction (Cade can decide whether to bring Grandpap or not) Hughes and Rosenbauer are great on paper, but I don't even know what rod to start with for these tight places.
Really excited that you had a great trip and and memory building time with the grand kids.
Truly PRICELESS!

(Quick aside....had a deer chase last week, two days later we found the dog. We are now proud owners of several Garmin/Tri-tronics combo collars)

- Gregg

Jul 16, 2013 2:28 PM EDT

Love it....I know boy sure loves his Grandpap!!!

- Jamie Chappell

Jul 20, 2013 11:39 AM EDT

Gregg, it's great hear from you. I showed Cade your reply, and he said, "I'm down for West Virginia." Much to my sadness, Cade and his little sister, Gracie, had to go back home to CA this past Tuesday. It sure is quiet around here. They'll be back for some squirrel hunting around Thanksgiving.

Good grief, if you're looking for expertise, you'll have to look elsewhere. However, if you're looking for somebody to go fishing with ... well ... be careful about making invitations. I'll take you up.

As far as tight water fly tackle, you might want to take a look at Chad Love's recent post and conversation at The Mallard of Discontent. He's talking about fishing for bream in small creeks, but I think all of the same concerns apply to trout fishing in small streams. Be advised, though, Chad and his readers are talking about very light tackle - 2 and three weight rods, in the 6-foot class. A 6-foot fly rod is a specialty tool, one that I don't think I could ever learn to cast well. If you're looking for an all-around small stream rod that might double as a good bluegill rod, I'd think about a 3 or 4 weight rod in the 7.5-foot range. You'll have a far easier time casting. Counter-intuitively, a longer rod - 9-feet, say - sometimes works best on small, quick streams where you need the extra reach to keep as much line off the water as possible. Often, the only way you can get a good drift with a dry fly is have only the leader, tipitt, and fly on the water. Otherwise, the currents will grab that fat fly line and drag your fly.

However, you also live in smallmouth bass heaven. If you have to get by with only one rod, I'd recommend a 9-foot 6-weight graphite rod. It'll handle the bigger smallmouth flies, and, in a pinch, serve on all but the smallest, brushiest streams. That's a start, but by all means, seek local expertise.

Ah, a deer chase. I'm just glad you got your dog back. I don't like the idea of electronics in the field, but sometimes there's no other solution. Maggie was a horrible deer chaser, and ruined a bunch of hunts before I broke her with an e-collar. Nowadays, nearly all serious hound/cur folks use the tracking collars. As my coon-hunting friend Wayne McCray says, "They sure do save a lot of steps."

- Henry Chappell

Jul 21, 2013 7:10 AM EDT

"However, if you're looking for somebody to go fishing with ... well ... be careful about making invitations. I'll take you up."

When! (Doing my very best Elwood P. Dowd impression)We have 130 acres and enough room for you, the lovely bride, and anyone else that would like to come.......Maggie is a must of course. No AC in the home but we are up high enough that we always have a good breeze . You would enjoy a trip to Old Hemlock and the George Bird Evans home. LeJay Graffious, a retired school superintendent and his wife live on the grounds and oversee the Trust. They are a wonderful couple and have been a real blessing in so many ways. You would have a blast going through the old home with everything intact, including Mr Evans library. Autographed volumes from so many likewise famous authors and his old guns. Sadly, the old Purdey that he received from the Dr Norris estate is not in residence here . But, I believe he promised Dr Norris that it would be passed along to another hunter for "using" not to be put on display (I like that)
Super advice on fly-rod selection. I am very anxious to get started, and now that the home in Texas is sold. Should be able to swing a modest set up.

We are a reasonable (well, in my book at least) side trip from Kentucky so, you can combine the trips

- Gregg

Jul 23, 2013 8:50 AM EDT

Hmmm...

Furthermore, Jane is spending a lot of time in Virginia, on business. Some ideas are beginning to form ...

I don't think I have your new email address. Shoot me a note.

- Henry Chappell

Jul 23, 2013 3:11 PM EDT

304-366-5333 (hardline) and the email address is gsbarrow@gmail.com

- Gregg

Oct 18, 2013 4:54 AM EDT

Soo is already asking about Christmas..............I had to come back here and read your advice on rod and reel. The best advice I've had so far and I really do appreciate it. Thank you. (I feel like I just ran back into the house because I forgot my keys and wallet )

- Gregg