Whitney Gallery of Western Art Turns 50

The Whitney Gallery of Western Art in Cody, Wyoming turned fifty last week. The gallery which was started in 1959 by a donation from Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney, the son of Harry Payne Whitney and Gertrude Vanderbilt, both of which came from very wealthy and socially prominent eastern families. Among other contributions, Whitney helped finance the production of, "Gone with the Wind" as well as, "The Searchers" starring John Wayne and directed by John Ford.



But enough about the original benefactors, the Whitney Gallery houses one of the most comprehensive western art collections in the United States. The gallery includes works by artists such as Fredric Remington, Charles M. Russell, N.C. Wyeth, along with many other pieces from notable western artists. The majority of the pieces were donated by wealthy benefactors for the enjoyment of the, "Average Joe." Interestingly enough, a lot of the art work was donated by prominent eastern families, however, in the last few decades, the works have decidedly been coming from more and more western collectors.



I've been to Cody a couple of times in my life, however, I have not had the pleasure of visiting the gallery. Usually my group is in too big of a hurry to get into Yellowstone, to get down to the business of catching trout. Definitely a worthy goal. We usually only make two stops while hurriedly passing through Cody. One at Tim Wade's North Fork Angler fly shop, for some river information and flies, and one at the Walmart right on the edge of town, to pick up some supplies before we head into the familiar canyon leading the way to Yellowstone.

The works of art included in this journal entry, all of which currently reside at the gallery are as follows:

Fredric Remington - The Night Herder
Thomas Moran - Golden Gate of Yellowstone
Carl Preussl - Old Faithful

Fly of the Week - "Cantankerous Caddis"

This nymph is kind of a hybrid between a cased caddis and a zebra midge. I do not really know the name of this fly, or if it even has one, so for our purposes we will call it the "Cantankerous Caddis." I think the name works, even if it was just the first thing that popped in my mind. I like to fish this little variant when targeting fish feeding on on caddis larva. I usually like to start out with a cased caddis, for no reason other than I've had good luck with them in the past. If I'm not getting any bites, but I still feel that the fish are going for the larva, then I throw on the "Tank" (short for Cantankerous), because I like the added flash of the hologram wing.

Recipe:

Hook: TMC 2487
Thread: 8/0 Black
Head: Gold Bead Head (7/64)
Ribbing: Fine Copper Wire
Abdomen: Olive Ice Dubbing
Wing: Pearl Lateral Scale

Obama, Who Knew

Who knew president Obama was a fly-fisherman? I know I didn't. While cruising the internet the other day I came across this article (http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/local/rodricks/blog/2009/08/obama_fly_fishing_montana.html) with a couple of the usual, I'm a politician, and I am just having such a marvelous time pretending to be one of the people. I'm glad we seem to have chosen a somewhat athletic and coordinated president, its a shame I do not agree with his policies. I'm wondering though, if I am the only one who thinks it's a little odd to see a left-handed black man standing out in the middle of a river in Montana. Also, for such a supposedly cool guy and "Savior of America", he looks a lot like a yuppie dork. The left-handed thing always throws me for a loop I guess, no pun intended.

It seems that President Obama is in good presidential company when it comes to chucking a fly. Herbert Hoover, Jimmy Carter (not that impressive, just a president), and Grover Cleveland are just a few of the enthusiastic presidential fly fisherman. In fact, Grover Cleveland is said to be the most enamored with the sport. Cleveland, who was said would fish through any storm, was also ballsy enough to do a little fly fishing on his honeymoon. I can not imagine many of us could get away with that, if so you've done well for yourself.

I respect the fact that Obama was at least willing to give it a try. Hopefully, if nothing else, it will soften a place in his heart for the protection of the great rivers of the west. They are such a valuable resource not only to fly fisherman, but all Americans, and should be protected at all costs. On a side-note maybe the next time President Obama wants to go fly fishing he could reach across the aisle and take his good buddy Dick Cheney along to give him a few pointers.

Beginnings

I’m beginning this journal as a way of chronicling thoughts on my favorite activities throughout the year. Since I don’t have the ability to hunt or fish everyday as I would assume is the same for each of you, I need a means of reconnecting with the sports I love. I’ve found no better way than by writing. The act of putting ink to paper has a way of releasing memories and experiences from the bowels of consciousness.

As a young kid I did not have the opportunity to hunt very often. I did however, have the opportunity to bass fish a lot, at least when I was not playing baseball or grounded. The time I spent learning how to bass fish is where I gained my love and appreciation for the outdoors. Over the years, I have slowly been able to get into other areas of outdoor activity, like hunting, fly-fishing, and backpacking just to name a few. It is kind of sad to think that now that I have the opportunity to pursue these passions, I just don’t have the time, and when I was a child with all the time in the world, I didn’t have the ability. Kind of ironic, I am sure many of you can relate.

I am also adding art to this journal, because of the way art can connect our souls to the things we love. Sometimes all it takes is viewing a beautiful landscape to bring back memories of past trips and adventures. These feelings come from the core of who we are. As such, I feel it is important to share them.

I hope this journal brings a sense of peace and happiness to all who see it, and maybe just maybe help to reconnect with the activities we love.