Fishing – The Redfish Bum Diaries

The Indefinite Walkabout

November 16, 2017November 17, 2017Posted in Adventure CampingTagged Adobe, Adventure, App State, ASU, Cherokee, Clouds, Columbia, Conservation, Digital Photography, Education, exploring, Fishing, Florida, fly fishing, Future, Gatlinburg, Geocaching, Great Smoky Mountains, inspiration, jeep, Life, live, love, nature, Nikon, outdoors, Photography, Photograpy, Reflections, Relax, respect, Skinny Water Culture, Smoky Mountains, thoughts, Trucks, truth, WaterLeave a comment

As of recent I’ve had some significant life changes come about my way. Truthfully though they may have come about at the right time. I won’t speak directly of what they are just yet because you only need to know that they have humbled me and given me a second chance to venture even further into a life of what I cherish. When I was young I believe I started on a walkabout of sorts and simply put I’m seeing now that it may never be completed. Theres so much out there within this country (and beyond) that it would be an injustice to simply live stagnate and never explore it. Keep in mind this could simply be a walk to the store or a hike through the forest you pass ten times a day, just seeing it first hand and being within those moments I feel you’ll find that sense of reality, adventure and a deeper appreciation of life.

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The Numbers Game

April 21, 2017April 21, 2017Posted in Fishing, Gear, UncategorizedTagged Adventure, East Cape Skiffs, FFAD, Fishing, Florida, fly fishing, Fly Fishing After Dark, HCFT, How to catch redfish, orvis, Photography, Redfish, Redfish Bum, Saltwater Fishing, Skiff, Skinny Water Culture, TFO, TheRedfishBumDiaries3 Comments

Without a doubt this will be the downfall for those looking for a quick fix to their fishing game, I make no guarantees to improve anyones skill however, I may be able to adjust your mindset to a parallel perspective. Let me preface this with the ugly truth of reality. Fishing will become what you make of it, it’s your life and you choose the path of your vessel.

Several days ago I was enjoying the audio of a podcast known as Fly Fishing After Dark. It was within episode (what I believe to be episode #31) they laid their ever thick, bulging wisdom upon my mind. They discussed four stages that anglers seem to evolve into and I’d have to say its a solid observation of the very people we see on the water and in social media.

The stages are as follows: I apologize if I somehow screw this up..

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A Change In The Wind

April 13, 2017April 13, 2017Posted in Fishing, UncategorizedTagged Adventure, Digital Photography, Education, Fishing, Florida, fly fishing, flyfishing, Future, inspiration, Life, live, love, nature, orvis, outdoors, Photography, Redfish, redfishonfly, Salt water fly fishing, Skinny Water Culture, TFO, The Redfish Bum Diaries, thoughts, truth, WaterLeave a comment

You will begin to notice some changes, more writing and discussions on my trials and tribulations on the water to be precise. I figured what the hell? I’m usually documenting my outings each trip why not share them here in more detail. I will try to keep it interesting and although hunting for fish to eat a fly is nothing new, I’d like to offer my perspective for beginners looking for advise and experts looking for a laugh. I will be challenging myself to post a minimum of once a week, and it will be more of an article of sorts and explanations with hypothesis of what I believe worked or didn’t. Feel free to chime in and add to the mix when you’d like, I will never turn down humor and or advise from an expert or overlook a single comment if possible. I will keep a log of conditions each day on the water such as temperatures, Tides (coefficients and heights), moon phases and weather. If I do my part we’ll hopefully begin to find more truth and understanding through physical research and hopefully draw an understanding of what days are best for kitchen passes (for my friends with families and wives).

Sincerely,

Chris (The Redfish Bum)

Gear and Gadgets

July 26, 2016July 26, 2016Posted in Adventure Camping, Fishing, Gear, UncategorizedTagged Adobe, Anker, Cherokee, Cjsmithfl, exploring, Fishing, Florida, Forever Overland, Future, Gear, Getting started in photography, Guide, inspiration, jeep, jokes, Life, live, love, nature, Nikkor, Nikon, outdoors, outdoors photography, Photography, respect, Skinny Water Culture, Sknnywaterculture, The Chronicles of Christopher Smith, thoughts, Trucks, truth, VideographyLeave a comment

Over the past years I’ve had a lot of questions about my gear. More so about camera hardware and post processing software. I’m not a professional and the gear I have selected offered me the greatest value per dollar I could personally afford. Keep in mind I didn’t just buy all of this stuff in one sitting, I have accumulated this over several years through trial and error. I’m usually in less than favorable conditions for Photography and Videography so to speak. My gear is subjected to moisture, saltwater, dust, dirt, mud, sand, loose women, curious children and rain more often than not. Anyone who is interested in nature (fishing, hunting or exploring) can tell you this is a problem that will remain consistent.

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Reflecting On Reality

July 19, 2016Posted in Fishing, UncategorizedTagged Bulow Creek, Cjsmithfl, Conservation, Crab, East Cape Canoe, East Cape Skiffs, exploring, Fiddler Crab, Fishing, Florida, Forever Overland, Gladesmen, inspiration, Life, live, love, nature, Nikon, Photography, Reflections, Relax, respect, Skiff, Skinny Water Culture, Sknnywaterculture, The Chronicles of Christopher Smith, thoughts, truth, WaterLeave a comment

Reflections can be scary and often they show you things in life that may often pass without acknowledgment. The truth is I was loosing a battle with technology and the social media applications that have hijacked our lives. Yes, in some instances they can be great and connect you with some great people. However the fact is it pulls you from the true meaning of life. I have completely lost any form of respect for most social media outlets. Its become a melting pot of attention and self-boasting egos larger than the applications that individuals themselves interact with.

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Wednesdays are for wondering

September 17, 2015July 19, 2016Posted in Adventure Camping, FishingTagged Adobe, Bulow Creek, Cjsmithfl, Clouds, Conservation, Custom Gheenoe, exploring, Fishing, Florida, Forever Overland, Future, Gheenoe, Life, live, love, Nikon, Photography, Relax, Skinny Water Culture, The Chronicles of Christopher Smith, thoughts, Wednesdays are for wondering1 Comment

A dry boat meets the water and the day’s worries are left behind. The trailer creeks and clunks every mile until its rest. the screech of metal taught friction from my right foot as I apply force to the brake petal. The vehicle slows and comes to a brief stop. For only seconds I wish for it to continue its mechanical existence. With the boat residing in the current, I park my vehicle in its resting place for several hours as I submerge myself amongst all things foreign to most. Those that keep themselves at home away from interaction with nature and the wild unknown, need not apply for friendship. If you are looking for a greater porpouse in life, grab a cold one and come aboard.

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The solution is everywhere.

August 30, 2015September 1, 2015Posted in Adventure Camping, FishingTagged exploring, Fishing, Florida, ForeverOverland, Gheenoe, inspiration, Life, love, Photography, SknnywatercultureLeave a comment

I see this everyday and yes at times I feel like a broken record. How have we come to such a terrible place in life where it seems the standard to click a like, share, and view atrocities that we only view on one side of a smart phone, tablet or computer. People are hurt, starving and being killed and often being exploited for this new common entertainment. Well this is what happens when someone starts being real and leaves the common calamities and finds himself.

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The Rescue

May 5, 2015May 6, 2015Posted in UncategorizedTagged 4runner, Big Scrub, Cjsmithfl, exploring, Fishing, Florida, Forever Overland, Hep's, inspiration, Life, love, nissan, Nissan xterra, Ocala, Ocala National Forest, Photography, Sknnywaterculture, Toyota, toyota four runnerLeave a comment

For those of you that are unfamiliar with the the Ocala National forest, It is the second largest nationally protected forest in the united states. According to wiki it makes up roughly 430,447 acres and was established in 1908. I’ve never been one to find pleasure in staying home over the weekend and apparently it was a mission between the two of us (Nate and myself) to makes sure we weren’t to miss out on an evening of star gazing, tossing back brews, chatting with friends, And laughing out loud.

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The Driving Force

March 5, 2015March 27, 2015Posted in UncategorizedTagged 4runner, Big Scrub, Cjsmithfl, exploring, Fishing, Florida, Forever Overland, Geocaching, Gheenoe, Hep's, inspiration, lawbreaker lake, Life, love, Nissan xterra, Ocala, Ocala National Forest, Photography, Redfish, Sknnywaterculture, Toyota, toyota four runner, Trail ride, truthLeave a comment

Have you ever awoken to find the world was just as you had left it ? Me either.

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Attempted Cache

March 3, 2015March 3, 2015Posted in UncategorizedTagged 4runner, Bass, Big Scrub, Cjsmithfl, exploring, Fishing, Florida, Forever Overland, ForeverOverland, Geocache, Geocaching, ladybug, lawbreaker lake, Nissan xterra, Ocala, Ocala National Forest, Photography, spider, Toyota, toyota four runner, Trail ride2 Comments

My day had started somewhat early with a quick walk outside checking the weather and scanning the forecast for the local weather conditions, I had all intentions of spending this afternoon on the water in my canoe. With the wind and possibility of rain I needed a backup plan. For myself spending the afternoon searching for spring fed ponds and Geocaching with a couple of friends sounded all too perfect. I knew of several good spots during the summer I like to visit when the humidity here in Florida is thick enough to sink your teeth into. With several phone calls and a couple of items loaded into my daily driver I was on my way to meet up with several hooligans.

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	Dylan Kuback on The Numbers Game
	cjsmithfl on The Numbers Game
	Donna Martin on The Numbers Game
	Marty on Wednesdays are for wondering
	cjsmithfl on Attempted Cache