Lunch on the water!
- Thread starter flybill
- Start date
Yes, today was a lot of driving but a very relaxing day, at least until I got to Tukwila and Bellevue traffic.
So as I was about to leave Olalla and start heading home I got a call from a new friend John I met up at Avid 2 or 3 weeks ago.
He was calling to invite me tomorrow to Madigan ro tie with some vets. He's a vet as well. I told him I was actually down his way, so let's meet up. He doesn't drive so I picked him up at the group home he's currently in since it wasn't fsr away.
After meeting with a guy I was trading some stuff with earlier in the day, which is the actual reason I went to Tacoma i had stopped at Puget Sound Fly Co and cast some new 8wts. The Loomis was the standout to me and an Echo for a backup 8wt. I looked at some bomb assed saltwater, blue water reels too!
So I picked John up and he wanted to go to a farm a friend of his had mentioned in Orting, so we went. He's looking for some sheep hair, the under belly, and is a fantastic tier. Theres a picture of an Orange Heron Fly below.
The place we went didn't have sheep, but we saw some at a farm on the way back to Orting and stopped at the house we thought the sheep's owners lived. It happened to be the neighbor, but the nice lady said to go to the next driveway and ask for Steve.
So we did, John approached Steve, and after explaining what we were looking for, Steve took him to the trailer on his property. He didn't have any sheep hair atm, but gave John some badger and coyote hair. John gave them to me as a gift, pictured below.
Back through Orting, which btw is a cute little town, we stopped at Big Js Sporting goods and it was a cool little store with lots of nice stuff. Some Filson, Yeti and many other brands. No fly tying stuff, as I guessed it wouldn't. While I was using the restroom, John found a goat that was a full mount and got a little under fur from it. I didn't realize it until we got back to the car but found it funny! He's going to tie a little chronomid with it.
We went to Lake Spanaway on the way back to his house and fished for an hour or so. While driving we talked and he told me much about his life and struggles. It kind of reminded me of roaming around with OMJ for all of those years I did, minus the stinky waders of course.
On the way back he wanted to grab some Taco Bell and bought 3 bean burritos and offered me one. I actually didnt really want it but he wanted to pay me some gas money, which I refused since I didn't need it and turns out he couldn't really afford it.
On the ride back he told me he's on disability as a vet and only gets $100 as spending money plus $150 at the PX for food. The group home is covered and includes meals and rides for medical appointments and a few other things. It surprises me that he can't even get SNAP / EBT benefits. We really should take better care of our vets.. sad and true! He will eventually get a small pension, but he's 49 so it will be a while.
Anyway a full and fun day! Ended up even better hanging out with John and I made his day, probably his month.
I'll meet up with him in a few weeks and we'll fish somewhere.
Cheers!
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Bambooflyguy
Legend
Great day and story flybill! Glad you made his day and yours.
If you went to Orting, you likely passed by the old Alderton store. It’s closed now, but some folks are trying to open it again.
That was my go to place for beer and food back in the day when you could actually fish for and catch steelhead out of the Puyallup.
SF
That was my go to place for beer and food back in the day when you could actually fish for and catch steelhead out of the Puyallup.
SF
Yes we drove through it twice, and saw many interesting places for lunch / dinner.. probably some breakfast places too! What surprised me the most was how nice the buildings were, I assume they have updated them throughout the town and it looked so new and inviting! The kind of place I could take mom too that's not far away and roam through whatever shops she wants, plus grab a great meal! The Sporting Goods store was very nice, had great stuff from high end, to cowboy / cowgirl stuff.. fishing gear and a nice little gun section. I was going to look at shotguns, but John wanted to get going and it was really about him as far as I was concerned! I'll be back! For sure!
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wanderingrichard
Life of the Party
@flybill
There's a really good Mexican eatery called Los Pinos you should check out. Family owned and operated.
maps.app.goo.gl
There's a really good Mexican eatery called Los Pinos you should check out. Family owned and operated.
Google Maps
Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.
maps.app.goo.gl