JMB Spring Term Day 24

Date: May 13, 2009
Location: JMB, Masardis, Maine
 

Instead of heading out immediately we spent the day on the campsite at Mooseleuk Lake. I went for a long exploratory journey on the lake for much of the day. Tim gave an introduction to fly fishing, caught a brook trout, and showed us how to clean it. I made bannock in a reflector oven.

Accomplishments and Observations:
1) Worked on lake poling 

2) Learned about fly fishing

3) Learned how to clean brook trout

4) Made bannock in reflector oven

5) Sharpened crooked knife

Initial Reflections:
The lake was very interesting to explore. The area doesn't seem to get much use so the wildlife is quite active. My ability to pole around obstacles in flatwater is much improved.

Current Reflections:
Fly fishing, and angling too, are far more interesting than I had given them credit for. It was a "don't know what you don't know" kind of situation. I am no great fisherman but this experience awoke an interest in developing the skill.

JMB Spring Term Day 22

Date: May 11, 2009
Location: JMB, Masardis, Maine

Most of the day was preparation for the canoe trip. We planned the menu in the morning and spent much of the day acquiring the food we would need. In the evening I finished my crooked knife.

Accomplishments and Observations:
1) Planned trip menu
2) Bought trip food
3) Finished crooked knife

Initial Reflections:
I am really happy to have finished my crooked knife. I still need to sharpen it properly but it looks good.

Current Reflections:
Unfortunately, I STILL need to sharpen it properly. Its baseline functional but I should really have it going full steam by now. I am going to put it on my short term "to do" project list.

JMB Spring Term Day 13

Date: May 02, 2009
Location: Wolfboro Falls, Newhampsire, USA


Sourdough pancakes. There was a brief incident involving high heat and large quantities of bacon grease, lesson learned. We spent most of the day working on crooked knives, filing the bevels, carving handles, hardening and tempering. All that is left is a bit of handle shaping, lashing, and sharpening. We also loaded canoes onto the canoes onto the trailing. We go back to Masardis tomorrow.

Accomplishments and Observations:
1) Made sourdough pancakes
2) Finished crooked knife shaping
3) (Mostly) finished crooked knife handle

Initial Reflections:
After some more practice I discovered I could file more efficiently in a different position. I cut myself twice today, both in moments of frustration.  Staying calm and concentrating are vital.

Current Reflections:
Its funny how true all the tool safety information about "not working tired/angry/drunk" actually is. I didn't get seriously cut ever but the only times I got cut at all were strange unsafe positions when I was frustrated. The time I remember was trying to cut a branch for the knife handle. I was perched half way up a small tree and definitely not in a proper knife use position. I guess it was one of those lessons I needed to learn for myself. Ah well, better a Mora knife than a table saw!