Bourbon Street Bowl Bash

It's been tradition around here for the last several years to get some wild caught Gulf Shrimp from my cousin's in South Texas for my Super Bowl Party. Since the Saints were in it this time around, some friends and I definitely thought it would be fitting to have a New Orleans themed party.... much like most of the rest of the world did, I'm sure. So we got 5 beautiful pounds of 10/15 brown Gulf Shimp shipped in from Riviera Red's Seafood (http://www.shrimpfishcrab.com/).

Here was the menu:

Shrimp Boil - shrimp, smoked sausage, potatos, onions, carrots, corn

Jambalaya in the crockpot

Bread Pudding in another crockpot - try this... even if just to make your house smell unreal!

Fried Oysters

Fried Catfish

Raw Oysters

Pulled Pork sammies - Colin used his Memphian skills the day before and smoked up about 6 lbs. of butt

Homeade slaw

We had this house of mine smellin' like an Oyster Bar, but it was worth it. Super good time, and nice to see the Saints perfom well and bring it home to their deserving fans.

That should mark the end of the gluttony season for this guy. It generally starts at Thanksgiving and ends at the Super Bowl. Probably sounds familiar to most Americans. I'm looking forward to getting some flies tied this week, and heading to the Big Horn at the end of the month. Hopefully we'll get lucky with some decent weather and hungry trout.

Bridger Bowl's Birthday - 1-15-10

I took Friday off on Jan. 15th to spend my b-day on the hill, and quickly learned that it was also Bridger Bowl's Birthday. Lift tickets were only $15 if you carpooled with 3 or more people. What a great idea to encourage carpooling, not to mention keep some vehicles off of the road to Bridger....with is often full over over-zealous skiers and riders who will risk their and other's lives when they pass you on the road, only to pull into the space right in front of you. Makes no sense. Anyway..... It was a beautiful day on the hill, pretty busy for a Friday, but I'm glad it was. It should have been busy for $15 a pop! There was some birthday cake at the mid-mountain lodge, and one of the nice fellas at the cafeteria bought me a beer since it was my b-day too. Not bad at all.

We're seeing some good accumulation of snow up there, which is what we want for a healthy run-off and hopefully 3rd straight solid fishing season. Cheers to Bridger's 55th, and of course to MLK Jr.!

Travel Chair InsectShield Camping Chair

From ABC's Good Morning America, Jan. 12, 2010

"The Good Housekeeping Research Institute tests thousands of products each year to find the ones that will improve your life in big ways and small ones. Carolyn Forte, who heads the institute's home appliances division, shared some of the most useful innovative 2010 products with "Good Morning America." They earned the institute's VIP designation as Very Important Products.

Price: $59.99 (chair) and $30 (bunk sack); www.powderfin.com
Whether you're camping in the wilderness or sitting on the sidelines of your child's soccer game, Forte says you'll want this portable chair.
There's an insect repellent from Insect Shield (CLICK HERE for more info) embedded into the fabric keeps biting bugs from ruining your good time.
It's also EPA-registered and safe for children and pregnant women to use.
The bunk sack has been similarly treated, and can be used by itself or as a sleeping bag cover for a no-itch night under the stars."

If you live in a buggy place, you know the value of a pest-free evening in the backyard! This chair will help reduce the need to cover yourself in chemicals while your enjoying a warm evening of family and friends.

Buy the Travel Chair Insect Shield Bug Repellant Chair at Powderfin.com!

New Sherpa Wool Winter Hats

We just added some new Sherpa Wool Winter Hats to our selection of Sherpa Adventure Gear hand-knit hats on Powderfin.com.

All hats are fleece lined for itch free warmth, and are super comfy! I wear the Namche pretty much every day here in the Montana winter, and it's the warmest hat I've ever own. At around $20... Sherpa hats are a good investment to keep your dome warm.

Here's a few of the new ones...

Sherpa Adventure Gear Pema Wool Winter Hat

This classic-style Sherpa winter hat has polar fleece lining for keeping you warm on the ski hill, or walking the dog in town. The Sherpa Pema Wool fleece-lined wool beanie�s cable knit style is equally at home on your precious head in the Montana backcountry or on your way to the brew pub.

Sherpa Adventure Gear Nima Wool Winter Hat

This classic-style Sherpa winter hat has polar fleece lining for keeping you warm on the ski hill, or walking the dog in town. Enjoy warmth in style wearing this fleece-lined traditional wool hat in bold colors. The Sherpa Nima lambswool winter hat is hand-knit in Nepal, providing superior warmth and comfort.

Sherpa Adventure Gear Kungha Wool Winter Hat

The Sherpa Khunga combines the warmth of wool with stripes and contemporary style. The Khunga hat, like all Sherpa hats, has polar fleece liner for itch-free warmth. All sherpa hats are hand-crafted in Nepal, made of the finest lambs wool. Each Khunga Hat has been individually carded and knit in the valley of Kathmandu, Nepal.

Riviera Reds Seafood Shop - Portland, TX

If you want to try something other than stuffing your face with turkey and gravy this holiday season, how about some fresh, wild caught gulf shrimp from down south?!

My cousin Brant and his wife Carol started Riviera Reds Seafood Shop in 1987 in the Corpus Christi Airport, and they now ship seafood across the country. You can order online at shrimpfishcrab.com or you can call direct - 1-866-905-9056.

I've been cookin' up a mess of big ol' Texas Prawns for my Super Bowl party for the past few years, and it's always a hit!

Give it a try, overnight seafood delivery is available for any occasion.

Sherpa Adventure Gear

Sherpa Adventure Gear

Need the perfect men's base layer... try the Sherpa Tsepun, or the Sherpa Baans. They're killer. Inexpensive, super comfortable, and effective base layers for any outdoor activity.

I recently left my Tsepun in Houston... laying across the back of a chair at a concert. Dumme. Time for a new one. Seriously, for right around $50.00, these things are a steal.

Pie Eating Contest - No Contest

One of Powderfin's PowderKin boldly entered the Steamboat Oktober West Cow Pie Eating Contest, proudly sporting his Powderfin logo tee for the action. I don't know what the Vegas odds were on this event, but as a longtime pal of the contestant known often as "the Grizzler", I would say they were pretty strong in favor of ol' Griz powering through a pie before anyone else willing to line up at the feeding table.

Look at the focus. After a full minute of mental preparation, our boy was ready to dive in.

Grrrrrrrrrrrr.....

Don't Be Denied

There's nothing quite like seeing a master excel at their craft. On this day, there would be no denying our champion his due. Congratulations Griz, and thanks for representing Powderfin in this historic event. Haha...

Today brought in about 13 inches of the white stuff, and it's still coming down here in Bozeman! With the onset of winter, we're featuring some great outdoor adventure clothing like the Sherpa Halka Rain Jacket, and the amazingly technical Ground ski clothing. Here are a few shots of the ski jackets we have currently available on Powderfin.com.

Ground Extension Shell

Sherpa Halka Rain Jacket

If you're looking for a comfortable and innovative ski pack to get your backcountry skiing season off right, look to the Deuter Freerider 30 Ski Pack. It fits well, has plenty of room for gear, and can be used with skis or a snowboard. Strap it on and go find your stash!

If the snow continues to fall like this, we'll be seeing the opening of Bridger Bowl and Big Sky before long... Bridger is reporting a 28" settled base and 10" of fresh so far for this storm.

Get geared up for a great season on the hill with backcountry ski gear from your friends at Powderfin.com!

Winter in Montana, the Gear is Here!

We got a few early October wintry days here in Montana, and the groans could be heard all over the Gallatin Valley. It's not that we don't expect winter to come early, or even that we don't like winter....but a few days of sub 20 degree weather surely had us thinking... really???!!!! Because our winters last until June most of the time. After a reprieve in the weather and some gorgeous 50-65 degree days, we've shaken the initial shock of winter's arrival and we're ready for the real deal.

And it's here! It snowed about 6 inches last night in Bozeman, and it's time to settle into the snow darkness and start thinking of powder days and empty lift lines.

And with that, we have some great new gear from our friends at Sherpa Adventure Gear and Ground that will help make winter activities more fun. Staying warm and dry is the key whether on the slopes at Big Sky, walking fields for pheasant, or snowshoeing up Bee Hive Basin.

The innovative designers at Ground have come up with some great new technical apparel, so if you're looking for a new shell or insulation layer, check out the new Ground outerwear and give us a call if you have questions.

Looking for a new base layer piece? Sherpa Adventure Gear base layers are great for everyday winter wear, but also technically efficient for backcountry adventure.

We're looking forward to a great season here at Powderfin, and we hope you'll get out there and enjoy it... we will!

Powderfin Outdoors
800-986-0656

Mountain Boy Sledworks now available on Powderfin.com

Powderfin is proud to add Silverton, Colorado's Mountain Boy Sledworks Wooden Sleds to the site. Mountain Boy makes a full range of hand-made wooden snow sleds. Among their offering are:

Mountain Boy Sledworks Wooden Flyer Sleds

Mountain Boy Sledworks Wooden Toboggans

Mountain Boy Sledworks Wooden Pull Sleds

Mountain Boy Sledworks Wooden Kicksleds

Many of their finest wooden sleds could easily become family heirlooms for generations!

And for an additional $9.99, you can have Mountain Boy engrave your sled with the name of your choice (limit 10 characters). Custom engraving delays your order only 1 business day, and makes these sleds a perfect gift!

Pilgrims

Cuttopotamus

If you live in Montana long enough, every once in a blue moon the planets align and you have one of those days that make all of the late spring depression and cabin fever worth the pain. A few weeks ago my buddy Erik and I were blessed with one of those days. After a decent hike though an equally beautiful and aromatic meadow, we found ourselves amidst a scene of giant cutthroats and a gin clear stream.

On the way to the fish, each step would send a grasshopper in one direction, and the mixed smell of sage, grass, and mint in another. After awhile we joked that we could easily find a unicorn in this area if we were quiet enough.

The cutties were patient and peaceful, and on this day they were also ready to eat. There's really nothing like late summer in Montana.

Levon

Henry's Fork Salmonfly Hatch

Phamily Reunion - Music and Camping

A friend of mine is putting on a musical festival of sorts July 30th - August 2nd at Van Eden Ranch outside of Idaho Springs, CO to celebrate the return of Phish to Red Rocks. If you're going to the shows, this would be a pretty good bet for a beautiful and safe place to stay, camp, and see some great live music. The deal includes rides to and from Red Rocks all day every day....

Check out details at the... Phamily Reunion Website

Armstrong Spring Creek

We got a little weather reprieve last week... a 65 degree day!!!! Jessica was kind enough to accompany me to Armstrong Spring Creek where the fish were feeling pretty good about the warm weather as well. Rainbows were eating gray scuds in pretty much every bucket, and the browns were chasing streamers. It was fun while it lasted...we're back to the 30's now. C'mon MAY!!!

I recently stumbled across a local fisherman/photograhper's blog and website...

http://joshuabergan.blogspot.com/

www.joshuabergan.com



Check them out,he has some great shots in there!