Whole lotta South African goodness. Let the cutting and drilling begin.

Two jackets and a paddle have been delivered. What's left is:

1 neoprene outer kids life jackets 30-50 pounds (the blue one)


I'm currently in the mid peninsula area, but am often in Auburn as well. Drop off at points in between is a possibility.

My boys used and loved these but it’s time for them to move on. The blue jacket shows the use it received from James and Jonathon, but still has a tons of life in it. No flaws other than being a bit grimy from storage. I cleaned it up some just so see if was possible, and a little scrubbing with Dawn dish detergent worked wonders. I leave it to the next owner to finish it if desired.

PM me here
Scott

How about a one stop shop here for Covid-19 information, without any editorializing. The idea being to assimilate and disseminate information without bias.


Statistics:

Worldometer - global
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/


Worldometer - USA
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/us/


LA Times - California
https://www.latimes.com/projects/california-coronavirus-cases-tracking-outbreak/


Models for USA:

IMHE Covid-19 model updates
http://www.healthdata.org/covid/updates


IMHE Covid-19 model spreadsheet
http://www.healthdata.org/sites/default/files/files/Projects/COVID/summary_stats_deaths_April5release_April2release.xlsx


IMHE Covid-19 daily death predictions, USA and state by state.
http://www.healthdata.org/sites/default/files/files/Projects/COVID/comparing_dailydeathpredictions_byrelease_all_0.pdf



First hand sources:

Jan 20 Lancet article on first coronavirus cases in Wuhan. Important because first known case had no epidemiological connection to later cases from open air market.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30183-5/fulltext


2018 Chinese paper showing evidence suggesting direct bat->human SARS-CoV infection.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12250-018-0012-7


General info

MedCram Youtube Channel - general update information on the pandemic. Includes a lot of information on the mechanics of the disease

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG-iSMVtWbbwDDXgXXypARQ

I'm here in China for another few months at minimum. Might even be back next school year, but that's going to be it.

I've found Chinese fixed line (Keiryu type) rods here for bargoon prices. Not as nice as the made in Japan rods from Suntech, Nissin, Shimano etc... But still quite functional, and the casting equal to anything else made in China that's sold in the USA.

Most will throw a 3号 or 3.5号 fluoro level line nicely. All throw a Tenkara USA furled 13' line easily.  That's all lines I have to try here for now.

The nicest one so far is a 3.7-4.5m triple zoom rod of 80 grams, Only 9 sections, so a bit longer than most Tenkara rods, but not like the Honryu rods that are over a meter when collapsed.

I lost my TUSA Amago while bike riding, after being here for about 4-5 months. I was not bummed in the least. From a fishing standpoint, I had it's equivalent already, that cost me all of 60 RMB. Less than a ten-spot. While bait fishing, my older son caught a 1.25 kg "Chang Yu" on this rod. Imagine a 2.5 lb bluegill, and you'll have an idea of what he was fighting.

The nicer rods are running less than 240 RMB. Under $40....

Going to bring back a stash of these...

1) 5 CF Upright freezer. This thing worked great for us, but we've upgraded to a 15 CU. Light signs of use - dust, smudges.

2) 2 approximately 40 Quart coolers. One is a green ( olive drab-ish) Colman, the other is a blue/white Igloo. Both have a little bit of staining, but are in mechanically near new condition.

High Country Excalibur compound bow from about a gazillion years ago.  Last I shot it was back in 2009, and I was able to keep 5 arrows in 3" at 20 yards. Not pretty, but just about perfect for bowfishing if you have a long draw length - 28" or so.

Anyone that can pick any or all up, can have 'em - they're just taking up space in the tornado path garage.  I'm between Auburn and Grass Valley.

Email me at the address in my profile here - Scott

I know that this is an unlikely spot to sell this, but figure I ought to let the membership have a chance.

As to the kayak it's the Rip. A great little river runner, in decent condition. Structurally in good condition - plenty of rock rash, none deep though. And no cracks/holes/repairs. Light blue bow, fading into red.

It will also come with a spray skirt, good for someone that is medium sized

Just the thing for playing around in the rivers, or for doing some surfing out in the ocean.

Personally, I'd like to keep it, but I have to get rid of one boat before obtaining another. I'm also just a tad long in the legs for this boat. So if you've got a 34" inseam, best to pass. As to the price, well it's about $100 low for what you're getting. But it would be good to have this gone. Makes for excellent WAF.

I'm in Auburn (ish) and could deliver to Sac area, or up to Truckee even.

Scott

Our family just spent a three day weekend up in Rocky Mountain National Park. On Thursday, the smoke from the High Park fire had me thinking of heading elsewhere, but the wind changed direction by Friday morning and there was no sign of smoke in Castle Rock, Denver, Boulder etc... so off we went up to Estes Park, and the National Park proper

We did a little sight seeing on our way up Trail Ridge road, and and did a short hike down the Cache la Poudre headwaters, in search of Greenback Cutthroat trout. These trout are only found in CO, and at one time were thought to be extinct. They need very high water quality, and in many cases have been pushed out by Brook, Brown and Rainbow trout. In the case of Rainbow, they may interbreed, producing cutbows. Greenbacks are a protected species, 100% catch and release, and in most areas there are additional  regulations (artificial lure/fly only, barbless single hooks)

As it turned out, I caught nothing but brookies. After later fishing "real" Greenback water, I can see why. I was fishing in the wrong type of geography.  We did see a bachelor group of elk, and had a good time all around. After about two hours though, the weather  though there was thunderstorm activity nearby, with it's associated rain and wind. Nothing too inclement where we were though.

Trail down Cache la Poudre


Elk (sorry for phone pic, left the real camera at home)


Due to the thunderstorm activity, and a less than Alpine start, we stayed in a cabin by the Big Thompson river in Estes Park Friday night. Saturday morning, I zipped into the Estes Angler, picked up some flies to replace the ones in the container that I dropped the day before, and got some better information on Greenbacks.

We drove on up the Fall River road to the Alluvial Falls area, pulled out the 4 wt fiberglass rod, and set to fishing some of the pools right there where hundreds of folks were walking by. I immediately hooked up with the most beautiful trout I've ever held in my hands. NO PICS!!! because Maggie didn't bring her camera/phone, the net was in the car, and I wanted to get the fish back in the water ASAP. It did look a lot like this, though the picture really doesn't do justice to how brilliant the colors are, nor does it capture the sparkle of the scales. A truly breathtakingly beautiful fish:

Greenback Cutthroat


James at Alluvial Falls, right before I started fishing.

I hooked up with a second fish, and this time James had my phone. Only, by the time he got to me, the fish had come off the barbless hook. Arghh.  I had a third take, but that one only stuck for a second.

The weather turned wet yet again, so off we went up the old Fall River road. Gravel, narrow, one way (uphill only) and a total blast. I would sooo like to bike this some time. Preferably before the official road opening, and downhill I'm not sure if this portion of the Fall River holds Greenbacks, but because it's a classic plunge/pool river, I'd not be surprised if it did.

Monday was our last shot to get Maggie on to a Greenback, and to get pictures. The Roaring River was our destination. The first 3/4 of a mile of the trail climbed 800 feet, and getting James and Jonathon up the slope was a bit of fun. James kept asking to take a break, Jonathon needed to be carried a bit. However, overall I'd say we've got two pretty darn good hikers, what with this being at fairly high altitude (starting at 8500 ft). The trail eventually levels off, and again we're presented with a fairly typical plunge/pool creek (rivers in CO are pretty darn small, all things considered).  I get Maggie using an attractor/nymph rig, and she hooks up in the very first pool.




There was a fish in her hands when I pushed the shutter button on my phone two seconds before:


I headed upstream, had a near miss by another very nice fish and spent the next half hour trying all sorts of other patterns, but to no avail. The fish would sometimes be within 6 feet of me, and was obviously feeding. Just not on anything I'd show it...

Back to CA in less than two weeks. I am going to miss the Rockies.

Scott