At least once a week, but often twice, Iris and I go very early to our training less that fifteen minutes away. We have most of the elements we need–open pasture, willows, cattail-choked draws, and water! Year ’round, we can keep her in tune both physically and mentally. Iris loves her work, and I get great pleasure seeing her succeed. On top of that, her stylish retrieves are great fodder for future paintings.

My exhibit Eldridge Hardie-Art of a Life in Sport opened on June 16^th. How special is that for me to have 32 of my original paintings along with drawings and what you might call artifacts from my studio so beautifully displayed at The Wildlife Experience? I hadn’t seen many of the paintings for years. It was like a reunion of old friends. I had the great pleasure of giving a slide presentation at an evening reception attended by 132 people about fifty of whom were friends and family. Another reception was held for lenders of the paintings, who with their generous cooperation made the show possible, and for special friends of the museum. Only four of the originals and six limited edition prints are available for purchase, and my signed and out-of-print book is in the gift shop.

Following a winter of drought, there was virtually no runoff this spring. It’s troubling to think what’s ahead for the season. Nevertheless, last Friday’s fishing was very satisfying. The giant salmon flies hadn’t made it up to the ranch yet – we saw one adult all day – and nothing else was hatching, so that made the go-to rig a big streamer with an egg pattern trailing. The fish, mostly rainbows, liked both. Here is some of the action that my host had. I long-released  a cock  rainbow that easily went 24 inches. He made two spectacular jumps – sorry I can’t play fish and film at the same time.