New website coming soon!

I haven't posted much on this blog lately because I've been working hard moving the LeoLakes website to a new hosting site. The new site will have an improved look and better features. It has been a lot of work to move, but I think it will better serve the customers. Stay tuned for the official date when the site is ready. Also, holiday orders (personalized & custom)start picking up by the end of October, so don't wait too late.

Get away from the big screen and get on a big stream or at least put one on your wall!

Map your adventure?

Over the Labor Day weekend, I went on a kayak fishing trip to the Duck River. Instead of a long blog report about the activities, sites, fish etc... I decided to try something new, an adventure map!

Click on adventure map to enlarge!

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then an adventure map with words and pictures is priceless! I'm not discussing much about the trip, but am using this adventure map to convey the information. Most importantly, I'm experimenting with a new idea. Let me know what you think. To see more of my custom maps go to www.LeoLakes.com

 

 

Do River Otters Attack People?

Here's what flashed through my mind this weekend. "I suddenly thought about what would happen if this 20-30 lb. river otter attacked me in my kayak?" It all started last Saturday. I spent the day kayak fishing away from the big screen and on a big stream named the Duck River. Duck River is located in middle Tennessee and is the most biologically diverse river in North American. This river contains more fish varieties per mile than any other river in North America. The Duck is home to over 150 species of fish, 55 mussels, 22 species of snails and many aquatic animals. Anyway, I was lucky to capture a photo of this critter from my kayak.

 It's a North American River Otter. This is only my second sighting of a river otter, the other was on the Harpeth River, also located in Tennessee.

 These animals are very agile. In fact, I watched the otter twist and turn like a corkscrew while chasing minnows in and out of the reeds. The minnows were fast, but the otter was faster, often coming up with its catch. 

This otter was oblivious to my presence. Here I am, in a big blue kayak, slowly moving toward the otter, while taking photos. He was total focused on fishing. This made me believe that he was a fairly young otter.  

 Finally, I moved within 35 feet of the otter and he still didn't detect me. He would come up for air and I would snap a picture. 

I decided that I was too close and began to slowly move away because I don't like to disturb wildlife too much. I slowly paddled in reverse with one hand while holding the camera with the other, I was hoping that the otter would do something interesting.  

While backing up, the paddle lightly banged against the kayak. Bang, this got the otters attention and he looked up straight in my direction. For a few seconds we both stared at each other and then, he showed me his teeth. You know, it's funny what goes through your mind when a wild animal shows you his teeth. I suddenly thought about what would happen if a 20-30 lb.  river otter attacked, but quickly discounted the idea because I have never heard of otters attacking folks, right? Anyway, check out those teeth; they look like they could do some real damage. Can you believe how white they are? It appears that they've been whiten by the local dentist. Dang, they're bright! Then...

...the otter raised up aggressively and let out a big snort. I wondered if  this otter was on the edge of attack.  All of a sudden he quickly disappeared under the water heading in my direction. Oh crap, camera down and paddle up. After some time had passed, he apparently had moved on. Boy, did I feel relieved, but otters don't attack people, right? After the trip, I arrived home and the first thing I did was research otter attacks. To my surprise, I found that otters do attack people. Often times when they have small one's around, but sometimes for no known reason. The attacks are vicious; however no one has died from an otter attack. Luckily, it doesn't occur often. Now when I see an otter, I have more respect.

Need a unique Gift? Check-out my maps.

Shuswap Lake, my first international map painting!

Here's a lake that you have probably never have heard of, Shuswap Lake. I Just finished a custom canvas lake map of Shuswap Lake located in British Columbia, Canada. My first international map. 

This lake is located near Salmon Arm, B.C. and is a large lake. It's unlikely that I will ever see this lake in person, but from what I have read it's a beautiful lake with many recreational activities, including some great fishing.

Oh Yeah, I'm headed to the big stream this weekend, the Duck River. We will be kayak fishing for most of Saturday. I should have a report next week. Have a great holiday! LeoLakes.com

Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream, or at least enjoy one on your wall. Frame your favorite lake, river or bay... 

Check us out at click here: LeoLakes.com

Rusty, Red Hornet in the Studio!

The last few days (three to be exact), I have been battling a "RUSTY RED HORNET" in the studio. The hornet that I will call "Buzz" has been sneaky. I will be patiently working and Buzz will come out from some place and fly around my head like a bad dream. As soon as I go into a full all out attack, Buzz disappears.

Here's the problem, I am allergic to bee stings, I swell up like a pumpkin and can't get my breath. When I get stung, I take a double dose of benadryl and go to the hospital. Normally, I can wait in the hospital parking lot for about 30 minutes until the symptoms subside, if not it's into the hospital emergency and a shot of adrenalin. So... it's an understatement to say that I FREAK-OUT around bees. In fact, I scream like a little girl.

Lucky for me, I have a boat paddle in the studio and I will use it! Finally, Mr.Buzz came in range and with a few home runs, I nailed the bee. As you can see, not too much damage around, just a few maps out of sorts. I survived!

RIP, Mr Buzz!

 

 Life is short, get away from the big screen and can on a big stream!

Wall maps of Lakes, Rivers, & Bays

One of the fun things that I have been doing is personalizing my maps. I completed this beautiful personalized decor map of Greers Ferry Lake for a customer a few weeks ago. Also, I hide things in the waters of my maps, but more about that later. I used my watercolor painting of Greers Ferry and added the customers memories (photos) to the map. The map below was a gift for someone special that had fond memories of Greers Ferry Lake. The photos added a nice touch that turned a beautiful vintage style map into a wonderful family heirloom and a treasured map.

The customer emailed me color photos, in which I converted to black and white to give them that vintage look. I carefully positioned the photos around the map for the best view. Also, a lot of customers like for me to add a small star and title near there lake home, or where they caught that trophy fish, or to denote a special location. If you look really close, you may find a tiny mermaid in the waters of all my maps.

Here's a letter from one of my customers:

"I was finally able to give my husband the map I bought for his birthday last night. I want you to know how beautiful it was and how touched he was by it. He loves this Lake. His family has a home there and when we are lucky we get away for a few days, it’s the only place we want to be. He actually had tears in his eyes. Thank you for the beautiful art work."

I don't hide snapping turtles, but I do hide a tiny mermaid/fish in the waters of all my lake map paintings that folks love to search for. I call my maps treasured maps because most folks have that special body of water that they treasure. These maps make great gifts for the lake house owner, lake lover, or fisherman. I have over two hundred on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalizes lake, river or bay maps, too. If you would like to see more and read about my treasured maps go to LeoMaps.com. 
 

As you can see, my maps make a great gift. To see more of my work click here www.LeoLakes.com. 

Remember: Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream, or at least enjoy one on the wall.

Raccoons!

A few days ago, we had a raccoon invasion in the ten acre woods. A mother and her three kids came by the ten acre woods. This little one in the picture is showing how bad he can be. Wifey couldn't resist these bandits and tossed out some bread.

The outside cat (Spot Nose) watched at a distance. Cats and Raccoons seem to get along okay. I know the cat will not attack the raccoons because raccoons are tough creatures. I have seem the cat swat at the raccoon and even get its claws hung in the raccoon fur, but the raccoon didn't even notice.

The mother raccoon was the boss. She could eat without interruption and even take food away from the little ones. The small raccoons would fight amongst themselves.

I love living in the woods because every day is an adventure. Remember: What's in your woods, river , lake or bay? Get out to find out!

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I'm an official Troutmanizer!

How did I became a troutmanizer, well first a little background. You ever wonder what "Mayfly on the grille with a little hummer means?" Well, hang around and I'll tell you. When I was 13, my dad purchased a fly rod and a box of flys. I halfway learned to use this fly rod in the waters around Nashville. I really enjoyed fishing with it for perch and bass. I quickly learned that there was an art to fly fishing and fly fishing was something special. Lately, I've been thinking about fly fishing again...So...a few weeks ago, I booked a trip to fly fish in the Great Smokey Mountains.

It's always more fun to have a partner, and here's mine, Pop, my father-in-law. A great fishermen, but like me, not much fly fishing experience. Oh yeah, Pop just turned 86 years old and is in great health. He can maneuver over rocks like a cougar. I hope I'm like Pop when I'm 86. Anyway, we met our guide, Eugene in Cherokee, North Carolina and drove a few miles to Bradley Fork Creek near Smokemont. We arrived, parking near the creek. Eugene is local, born and raised in the mountains. I knew I was going to like this guy when he asked..."Where "youns" from?" A mountain slang that is used all the way up into Pennsylvania. My go to word would have been... where "y'all from". Now if I had been up in New York, I may have been asked where "yous guys" from. Boy am I off track, lets get back to fishing.

Eugene has been fly fishing in these waters all his life and was very knowledgeable. In fact, Eugene has won many events, and set a couple state records in the process.He currently holds the NC State Record for Distance Fly Cast set with a 9′ 5 wt fly rod that sent a fly 114 ft. Dang, I was having trouble casting a fly 20 feet. Anyway, he has competed in numerous US National Fly Fishing Championships, and Regional Qualifiers, and has won numerous regional events. Now, why am I showing you a photo of the grille of a hummer?...Because it's dinner for the trout. Really, the flying bugs on the grille are what trout are eating at this moment, so match the fly to the flying creature and bingo bango, you have the blue plate special for trout. Now this brings up "What is for dinner?...Mayfly on the Grille with a little hummer." Oh yeah, here's my favorite bug joke: What's the last thing that goes through a bugs mind when it hits the grille?...His butt! He He!!!!

Here's Pop with a small trout. I believe catching trout in the relaxing cool waters (59 degrees) of a mountain stream will give you a "possum grin." Can you tell he's grinning like a possum? I think so.

Hey, check out my fish, a small rainbow trout! How do you like my trout net, fly fishing vest, flys etc...cool right? Well, that's not me, its Eugene the fishing guide. I'm the one taking the picture, just behind the camera. Oh yeah, I was fishing a dry fly and a dropper. All our catches were on the wet end, however I did get a few bites on the dry fly.

Eugene is giving Pop a few instructions on how to improve his technique. Both Pop and I were lucky that we stayed out of the trees and didn't lose any flys. Also, no one got a wet butt from stubbing over rocks, either. Check out that can of bear spray on Eugene's waist, just in case a black bear tries to still a trout.

Here it is "my first brown trout." Eugene indicated that he was a wild brown and the way you can tell is by the pattern. The wild trout are born in the stream and have more and deeper brown markings on each side that look like the images of fingers gripping the side of the trout, sort of. Eugene referred to this as the hand of God. I apologize for the crappy pictures, with mountains on each side and dense foliage, too much shade was around and my cell phone was just not up to the task. I brought my Nikon D80, but was afraid that I would drop it in the creek.

All good things must end and so does this trip. We did catch several rainbows and one brown trout, not large but fun. Now I think I have become a "Troutmanizer!" What is a Troutmanizer?

 

Remember: Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!