Winter DPR Float

I have been itching to get out on the Des Plains River (DPR) 1 last time this year, and I finally got my opportunity. After my morning workout, I loaded up my kayak, and headed toward the river. When I arrived at the launch, the sun was out blazing, and it was a very warm 35 degree's outside.

Paddled up river quite a ways. Pretty much my 2nd workout for the day - I was exhausted. My gear was kept to a minimum. It was hard for me to only bring my 10 wt fly rod, and 3 flies. The first 2 minutes of my float back to the landing, I had a very nice chunky 25+ inch northern pike sort of lazily explode out of the water in a terribly failed attempt to strike my fly. It kind of seemed like it didn't want to go after it, but had to. Sort of how I most of us feel about work sometimes. Don't really want to be there, but need to be. I anchored and casted like a billion times into the same area, but no dice...or pike.

That was the most action I received fishing on my float. I did, however, see a female deer standing near the bank, and soon after that,  I saw a raccoon walking the bank. They were probably just enjoying the beautiful weather just like me. 

Not wanting to end this beautiful day with a skunk. I loaded up my kayak, and headed towards an area I can get a decent cast from shore with my fly rod, not to mention, the spot is always good for at least 1 pike. Upon arrival I was happy to find no one else was there. The last few times I stopped here, there were some characters I didn't get a good vibe from.

If you look close, you can see the fly, flying.

Nothing on Side A, so, I flipped over to Side B.

Graffiti under the bridge.

Side B had the soothing sounds of thrashing water I was looking for.

These pike have dirty mouths.

Chorizo stuffed Jalapeño Poppers

If you have ever watched Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, you may have seen an episode where Guy Fieri was at a burger place in Chicago. The name of the place is Kuma's Corner, and the burgers there are outstanding! Not only are the burgers delicious, the appetizers are just as good, too.

Here's a step by step on how to make these poppers. I do them a bit differently than Kuma's, and they come out just as good...in my opinion.

Ingredients

• Jalapenos
• Chorizo
• Whipped Cream Cheese
• Panko
• 1 Egg
• Beer (Optional) 

Step One - Open beer and take a sip. (Optional.)

Step Two - Make sure you have all of the required ingredients. If you don't, then improvise. I forgot to get panko, and was too lazy to go back to the store, so, I improvised and used Italian bread crumbs instead.

Step Three - Cut the tops off of the jalapeno peppers and clean them out.

Step Four - Cook the chorizo sausage.

Step Five - In a bowl mix the cooked chorizo sausage with the whipped cream cheese.

Step Six - Drink Beer. (Optional.)

Step Seven - Fill the jalapenos with the chorizo sausage and cream cheese mixture.

Step Eight - Prepare a bowl with the 1 egg, and another bowl with panko.

Step Nine - Take a jalapeno and soak it with egg, then coat it with panko, and place on a baking tray. Repeat until finished.

Step Ten - Pre-heat oven to 400 degree's, and bake the jalapenos until golden.

Step Eleven - Take them out of the oven.

Step Twelve - Drink beer and eat.

Done.

Not pictured is the finished product. It's because my GF bought a deep fryer, and I tried to use it for the first time with these poppers, because, Kuma's Corner deep fry's theirs. In the past I have baked mine, because, I never had a deep fryer, and they have turned out awesome. Well, not the case with the deep fryer. I was very disappointed with the finished product. I chalk it up to it being my first time using the deep fryer. I will post a picture the next time I make them.

Shout out to my beautiful sister, Jennifer, for getting me a case of one of my favorite, hard to attain beers. Zombie Dust from 3 Floyds in Munster, Indiana.

Merry Christmas

I just want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. I hope you're all able to spend Christmas the way you would like to. I will be spending my time working both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but I will be out early enough to spend the evening with family, friends, and food. =)

Easy Daisy and Bo Marley, would also like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Bo, also, want it to be known that he is the ruffest toughest in the galaxy. Thunderdome rules applied to their battle, as Daisy watched. 2 men enter, 1 man leaves.