Up In the Air

I have always liked George Clooney and he is this movie also. Without him it would have been even slower than it was. I don't understand the hype about this one. Maybe the book was better. I can't understand why it produced two best supporting actresses nominations either. It is by no means a complete waste of time, but it's no movie of the year either. Just a so so movie, that's all.

Johan Theorin, The Darkest Room

Here's another up and coming crime writer from Sweden. Johan Theorin's two books are now both out in the U.S. I began with the second one "The Darkest Room". (Nattfåk). I have to say it begins real good and you get a feel for the wintry and dark setting of the Island of Öland, where the book takes place. After about the middle of the book, it begin to go down hill. I found myself hurrying to get to the end and when I did I didn't quite understand what was going on. The book is full of silly violence and no one would come out alive of it. It also have a series of ghost stories and paranormal activity which seem not to fit in. In all a slow and boring read. Not recommended in my humble opinion.

Flymfer & andra mjukhacklade flugor

This book is a gem, it is written by the well known fly fishing author and illustrator Gunnar Johnson from Bodafors, Sweden in conjunction with Anders Forsling. Gunnar had a friendship with the late Pete Hidy and thereby a connection of sorts to Jim Leisenring. "Big Jim from Allentown as he was affectionately called. Gunnar tells the story of the soft hackle and it's transplantation over the Atlantic and to Leisenring and his disciple Hidy. Gunnar is a good storyteller although the book is somewhat short on the subject. This is in part due to the fact that it was written at a time in Sweden when the popularity of soft hackles were in it's infancy. The book was published by the Scandinavian fly fishing magazine "Flugfiske I Norden" of which Gunnar was editor in chief at the time of publication of this book in 1989.

I read the book in one sitting, since it's only 128 pages but it is an entertaining read and it somehow makes you jealous if you are historically interested in the soft hackle evolution. It gives you a feeling of Wow, I wish I could have met Hidy. Leisenring et al. Highly recommended reading.

I'm now stuck on the Olympic ice hockey. Sweden playing Germany tonight in their first game of the Olympics.

Hans Lidmans Favoritflugor

I ordered this wonderful poster while I was in Sweden. I received it in the mail the other day. It is produced in a joint effort between the Hans Lidman Sällskapet (Hans Lidman Society), in Sweden and the Scandinavian fly fishing magazine Flugfiske I Norden. It has a quote under each fly and is from a book where Hans mention that particular fly. It is now hung on the wall next to my new Regal vise I also received this week. My Renzetti Aprentice vice broke. I somehow managed to shatter the jaws. I don't know if it was my own fault or just plain old bad quality. In either case, I don't want another Renzetti. I always thought Regal's one clasp is the better way to go. It also seem to hold hooks a lot better. Now I'm looking for a bobbin rest for it.

As you can see above I'm somewhat fascinated with Hans Lidman and his Hälsingland area. I think I need to visit Flaxnan for some grayling one of these days. I also heard that they have been working on restoring Voxnan river also. Back to tying Prince Nymphs.

Hurt Locker

Watched "Hurt Locker" yesterday. It was an ok movie but my attention waned after the first hours. The movie seeemed to have a good start up story but no real plot. I wouldn't go out of my way to see this.