Bill's Chili Verde

This is a pure green chili gravy or sauce without meat to be eaten alone, on eggs, burritos or an old shoe if you like.  It makes everything better.

1 lb. ground pure pork sausage, mild

1 lb ground beef 80/20

1 lb roasted, chopped Hatch or Chimayo Green Chiles, hot or mild to taste

5 tbls. green chili powder

4 tbls. flour

1 tbls. coarse ground garlic powder

1 tbls. onion powder

4 tbls. canola oil

1 tbls. sea salt

1 tbls. coarse ground black pepper

4 cups water or chicken broth (use broth if you can) 

Brown sausage and ground beef together until done in an iron skillet.  Remove meat and put aside for filling in a burrito or enchilada.  The rendering should produce a little over a tablespoon of grease so add 4 tablespoons of canola oil and bring to a medium heat.  Whisk in flour to form a rue and cook until golden, then add chili powder, onion powder and garlic powder.  Whisk until smooth and add water or broth and bring to a boil.  Continue to whisk vigorously while bringing to a boil, then add salt and black pepper to taste and stir in fresh roasted chilies.  Simmer as long as you want, but at least two hours and get after it.

My Backyard During Winter

In looking at the long range weather forecasts, we are slated for warmer than normal temperatures this winter.  The Arkansas from Canon City to its headwaters, can be pretty icy in January and February, but may not be so much this year if that prediction holds out.   If we experience warming trends in late February, then early March can be excellent.  This is the time that stonefly nymphs begin to molt and that process literally turns on the switch for spring fishing.  Baetis nymphs begin to appear in mid March by adding the option of dry fly fishing with something other than Midges by the end of the month.  I love March fishing due to the fact that Southern Colorado can experience some really beautiful days and most people are still skiing instead of fishing.  Put the upper Arkansas on your March calendar.  Nymphing with Golden Stones, Rubberleg Stones, big Princes, and Baetis nymphs can lead to spectacular results.  Warmer overcast or snowy days can produce terrific Midge and BWO hatches.  Without a doubt, this river can be spring nymphing at its best.  Give the new habitat improvements a try on the riverwalk in Canon City.  This could be spectacular in late February and March.

The Arkansas below Pueblo Reservoir can provide a good winter fishing fix.  Even though it is not a “traditional” tailwater (it is not rated as quality water and bait fishing is allowed), you can have a lot fun catching big numbers of stocked Rainbows and a few Browns that can make your day.  Baetis hatches occur here almost every day during winter months and can really take off in March.  A #22 Parachute Adams or Hi Vis Baetis will do the trick. Most folks don’t think of the Arkansas as being all that productive this time of year, but if you will make a few calls and watch the weather reports you can be rewarded with some really good early season fly fishing. 

Welcome to Food and Fly Fishing

This new blog will encompass both my passions.....fly fishing and cooking, not necessarily in that order.  I've been fly fishing since I was 10 and cooking since about the same age.  I was raised on a farm in Texas and my Mother was the best cook I have ever met.  Her food was Southern with a definite Southwestern flair.  I still struggle making my chili taste like hers.  I grew up eating our own beef, chickens, eggs and vegetables.  I still prefer fresh, organic foods if I can find them and if I can't I make the stuff the best way possible.  Fly Fishing is a pure sport to me.  Even though I greatly admire the younger generations urge to catch big fish and the skill with which they do it, I do not share that urge.  I like to fish cane rods with dry flies, emergers, or wets.  I will play all day with fish that move within the top one foot of the water column, but if they are on the bottom......they're yours.  I figure that with over 50 years of fly fishing under my belt, I've earned the right to fish the way I want to.  If fish are not working the top, then I wait, take photographs, and drink single malt scotch. I've been known to work the same fish for a couple of hours.  If he beats me, I move on and if I beat him, I move on.  I love rivers and I love good food.  I love to eat good food next to a beautiful river with good friends.  The tips I'll impart in this blog will help you become a better fly fisher and a better cook.  The recipes will be ones that will make everyone happy on the river or in the lodge.  I'll share fly patterns, fly fishing tips and cooking tips.  I have owned a fly shop and guided for over 20 years, so I feel competent to discuss all manners of fly fishing, not just the ones I personally like.  I hope you enjoy and participate in this project.  It's all about having fun.

Tight Lines and Tasty Spoons

B