I managed to assemble and install a Hollywood Bike Rack that is designed for recumbent bikes. I’m excited to use it but as you can see it is not horizontal as it has a lot of play in it. The frame is 1.25 inch and it has an adapter to fit in a 2 inch trailer hitch. However, the adapter didn’t appear to be steel and it didn’t reach to the end of the 2 inch gap. Therefore, the rack is loose and jiggles. I’m picking up a metal insert that fits in the 2 inch hole and reduces to a metal 1.25 inch gap. All should be well then. I also was confused as the hitch pin was threaded so I couldn’t use my locking hitch pin. I have a locking hitch pin on order so the rack should be firmed up soon.
I rode for 35 minutes yesterday after feeling yucky all day. Life is good on the bike but I only lost 3.2 pounds last month instead of the 5 pounds I’m hoping to lose each month. So, fewer beer and ice cream nights in October, and more time on the bike.
Tuesday is my one year anniversary of moving to Trinity County. I was so busy settling in last year that fishing was an afterthought. I stopped into the Trinity Fly Shop today and talked with Pat about the upcoming Steelhead season. I asked what flies I should use and was told that Burlaps and Silver Hiltons were good. I hate tying Silver Hiltons because I’m really horrible at tying that pattern. I have a box of size 8 burlaps all set to go….I just have to find them!!
Pat told me that the October Caddis were about to start coming out and that it would be a good pattern. She also told me to get out there before the leaves fall and enter the river, making it less clear with the tannin leaching from the leaves.
I picked up materials to make a box of October Caddis flies. I spent $24 and had to substitute the underwing flash (couldn’t find any of my 5 hanks of flashabou??), and I used Indian Hen Back for the tail and hackle (as the lighter partridge could only be found in a $50 full cape (same as online). If I fall in love the the October Caddis Fly I’ll spend the money and have enough partridge feathers to tie for a decade.
So, after tying my imitations I’m spending $2 a fly, or fly shop prices. When I tie another dozen my unit cost will be down to $1 per fly. I usually like to tie 4 dozen of any new pattern so I can get the cost down to about fifty cents per fly, just a little more than the cost of materials (unless one buys in BULK). Of course I have boxes of other fly patterns for Steelhead, but that is part of the joy of tying flies.
Tight Lines!