Fly-Fishing the Gun Powder

On Saturday, Mike Q, Scotty P, and I went back up to the Gun Powder for another round of fly-fishing. Both Scotty and Q have improved their technique quite a bit and the fish seemed to agree. Q landed a handful of fish, and Scotty tricked several, bringing them up to his dry fly. Next time he will set the hook! We had a great day on the river!

Mike Q and a beautiful Brown Trout

Scotty P casting to a rising trout

The Gun Powder doesn't hold huge fish, but the browns are very active a are full of color.

Michael Q bringing one home

Another late night feeder, hit on a dry fly

The boys after a great day on the Gun Powder

Beautiful Lucy....

We recently added a new niece to our family! Jennie and Jamie brought another beautiful little girl into the world.

Here she is, the beautiful Lucy McCullough


The 3 McCullough girls: Lucy, Ellie, and Claire

Here are the 3 girls and their wonderful mother!

Back in the Saddle!

This week I got back on my bike to test out the healing clavicle. I was pleasantly surprised that it was strong and felt good. I rode, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The only time I feel a little week is when I go over lots of bumps in the road. Other than that, I just need to keep it loose while riding by stretching it. It tends to tighten up a little while riding. It feels really good to be back in the saddle, and just in time for the Tour de France!!

Taylor, Tami and Ava Come to DC..

Lizzy, Tami and Ava, and Taylor and I

Here is beautiful Ava with a big smile for the camera!

Taylor and Tami Leavitt and their new girl Ava came to DC to celebrate the 4th of July with their family. We got together with them to have dinner and had a great time. It was fun catching up with them and playing with their beautiful daughter Ava.

4th of July Celebration in the Nation's Capitol

On the 4th of July this year Elizabeth and I flew back from SLC from our vacation and arrived at 4:30pm. Scott Palmer picked us up and took us home and we quickly got unpacked and ready for our 4th of July bash at the Health and Human Services Building. Linda and Emily Dunn were in town and staying at our place, and Rob and Chelsae Wood came down from Philly to join us for the celebration. I also invited the Qualters and the Palmers to join us. We had a great celebration that included bbq, an incredible selection of desserts and an incredible view of the fireworks. Here are some pictures from our celebration.

Lizzy and I in front of the Capitol

Beautiful fireworks in over the Washington Monument

Here is a video of the fireworks that I took:
(It really isn't 1997 like I say, but 2007...)

The gang from L to R: Matt, Elaine and Mike Q, Me and Lizzy, Katie and Scott P

Lizzy and I with Emily and Linda Dunn

Scott P, Mike, Mike Q and Matt Q

Rob and Chelsae and Little Rob at the 4th of July party

The girls from L to R: Emily and Linda, Lizzy, Chelsae, and Katie P

Linda and Emily at the firework show

Vacation to Sun Valley and Salt Lake

How we love the west! Mountains, crisp air, and beautiful mountain streams full of trout! We just got back from our first vacation out west since Christmas. We flew into SLC and then drove up to Sun Valley, Idaho with Patrique Richards. We had a great time. My parents, Jane and her boyfriend Eric, Matt, Vanessa and Ava, and Pat, Julie, Preston and Colton were all up there. Here are some pics from our time in Sun Valley.

This was the first time I got to see both Colton and Ava. It was great spending time with them.

Big Colton and Mike hanging out

Elizabeth and beautiful Ava

Matt, Ava and Mike on the day we arrived in Sun Valley.

The fly fishing in Sun Valley was spectacular! The Green Drakes were out and the fishing couldn't have been better. I would fish twice a day, first, during the Drake hatch from 11 am until 3 pm. The fish were all over the drakes every day I went out. I would then go out fishing late in the evening. I would typically go out at around 8pm and fish until well past dark. One night I went out with my dad, Pat and Julie and we fished until almost midnight! It was so fun!

Elizabeth and one of the big rainbow trout she caught late at night!

Here is one of the big rainbow's Mike caught during the drake hatch

Patrique posing with a beautiful rainbow he caught with a drake

Dad and Mike getting ready to go head hunting

Doubles! The fishing was so hot, there were several times both Dad and I hooked fish at the same time!

While in Sun Valley we ate very well. Here is the crew at KB's Mexican restaurant.

Colton showing us a big smile

Lizzy and Mike

Here is the entire gang after eating delicious ice cream

Mom and Dad being romantic

Beautiful Jane and Eric

Preston and his proud mother Julie

The family at Rocky Mountain Pizza

Back to Salt Lake City...

After our time in Sun Valley we headed back to SLC to spend the rest of our vacation.

We were fortunate enough to be in SLC the weekend Nate and Cami Shipp were blessing their new daughter, Sadie. She is a beautiful little angel. Here I am with Nate and Todd at the after party.

Silje and Emma posing for the camera

Silje and Emma tried burying me with the grass. They did a pretty good job...I'm still pulling grass out of my ears.

Jefrilyn and the girls blowing out Jefrilyn's birthday candles

Todd and I went up to the Provo for some fly fishing. Todd figured he would bring respect back to fly fishing by fishing without his shirt. He quickly realized it was a mistake with all the bugs that were out and all the brush we had to walk through.

A beautiful brown I caught on the Middle Provo

Big Brownie

Todd at night nailed this beautiful brown

Silje and Mike at Hoggle Zoo posing in front of the elephants

Elizabeth, Silje and Emma posing in front of the zebras at Hoggle Zoo