Spooked: Elk Hunting in the Pacific Northwest Perry P. Perkins          The woods were still and silent in the predawn darkness, every twig that broke under our boots, or brushed our shoulders seemed deafening.  With each snap and crackle, we would freeze, my lips forming silent curses as we waited for the telltale thunder of a bull elk crashing down the canyon wall to cross the river and leave us far behind. A moment would pass, then two, and all would remain calm.  Taking a deep breath, we would…

  Chef's Tips for Better Burgers  Burgers might just be my favorite food.  Now, there's not a thing wrong with the good old-fashioned American Cheeseburger, in fact, it's awesome, but if you feel like expanding your horizons just a bit, here are my three favorites "gourmet" burger styles, as well as some tips for cooking a better burger.  All the patties for these recipes are prepped and grilled the same way, so it's easy to make a big batch of one recipe, or set up a burger-bar and let your guests…

Anyone who tells you fatherhood is the greatest thing that can happen to you, they are understating it.”– Mike Myers          So, you have a new dad (or are about to become) a new dad?  Becoming a new dad for the first time can often be a daunting prospect. Especially if you were void of a good role model in your own life growing up. Research tells us that around 47% of fathers today still believe that their role in those first three years of their child’s life is that of a “Helper” – rather than a “Primary…

  Obsession, it would seem, can do as much for one's reputation as talent.  When a friend approached me to say that her cousin was flying in from Oklahoma the next weekend, loved to fly fish, and needed someone to show him the local scene, I wasn't all that surprised, nervous yes, but not surprised.    Fly Fishing in OregonHere in Oregon, we have an amazing variety and selection of water. With several blue-ribbon rivers flowing through the state, the Deschutes, McKenzie, and Metolius just to name three…