Monday, December 29, 2008

GillBilly Poor Man's New Year Tuna Finger Food

Shell macaroni are stuffed with a creamy tuna mixture in this easy to prepare, fun to eat appetizer. Serve on a bed of lettuce leaves with toothpicks, and make sure plenty of cocktail sauce is available! Be prepared with additional tuna ready to fill the serving dish as your guests make this great appetizer disappear quickly. GillBilly keeps extras in the fridge. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS
* 1 (8 ounce) package small seashell pasta
* 2 (6 ounce) cans or preferably fresh tuna, drained and flaked
* 1 stalk celery, diced
* 2 tablespoons diced green bell pepper
* 1 tablespoon diced onion
* 2/3 cup creamy salad dressing, e.g. Miracle Whip ™

DIRECTIONS
1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add shell macaroni and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and rinse with cool water.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the tuna, celery, green bell pepper, onion and creamy salad dressing.
3. Stuff the shell macaroni with the tuna mixture.

There is certainly something in angling that tends to produce a serenity of the mind.
Washington Irving

Sunday, December 28, 2008

GillBilly Slideshow: Baja Surf Photos 13



This is the thirteenth in a series of Baja surf photos captured by the GillBilly

Three-fourths of the Earth's surface is water, and one-fourth is land. It is quite clear that the good Lord intended us to spend triple the amount of time fishing as taking care of the lawn.
Chuck Clark

A GillBilly New Year Wish from Mexico


Reading about baseball is a lot more interesting than reading about chess, but you have to wonder: Don't any of these guys ever go fishing?
Dave Shiflett

Saturday, December 27, 2008

GillBilly Slideshow: Baja Surf Photos 12



This is the twelfth in a series of Baja surf photos captured by the GillBilly

Calling fishing a hobby is like calling brain surgery a job.
Paul Schullery

GillBilly Slideshow: Baja Surf Photos 11



This is the eleventh in a series of Baja surf photos captured by the GillBilly

The gods do not deduct from man's allotted span the hours spent in fishing.
Babylonian Proverb


GillBilly Slideshow: Baja Surf Photos 10



This is the tenth in a series of Baja surf photos captured by the GillBilly

Somebody just back of you while you are fishing is as bad as someone looking over your shoulder while you write a letter to your girl.
Ernest Hemingway

Friday, December 26, 2008

GillBilly Slideshow: Baja Surf Photos 9



This is the ninth in a series of Baja surf photos captured by the GillBilly

I fish better with a lit cigar; some people fish better with talent.
Nick Lyons, Bright Rivers, 1977

GillBilly Slideshow: Baja Surf Photos 8



This is the eighth in a series of Baja surf photos captured by the GillBilly

May the holes in your net be no larger than the fish in it.
Irish Blessing

GillBilly Slideshow: Baja Surf Photos 7



This is the seventh in a series of Baja surf photos captured by the GillBilly

My biggest worry is that my wife (when I'm dead) will sell my fishing gear for what I said I paid for it.
Koos Brandt

GillBilly Slideshow: Baja Surf Photos 6



This is the sixth in a series of Baja surf photos captured by the GillBilly

Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught.
Author Unknown

GillBilly Slideshow: Baja Surf Photos 5



This is the fifth in a series of Baja surf photos captured by the GillBilly

People who fish for food, and sport be damned, are called pot-fishermen. The more expert ones are called crack pot-fishermen. All other fishermen are called crackpot fishermen. This is confusing.
Ed Zern, 1947

GillBilly Slideshow: Baja Surf Photos 4



This is the forth in a series of Baja surf photos captured by the GillBilly

Bragging may not bring happiness, but no man having caught a large fish goes home through an alley.
Author Unknown

Thursday, December 25, 2008

GillBilly Slideshow: Baja Surf Photos 3



This is the third in a series of Baja surf photos captured by the GillBilly

It has always been my private conviction that any man who pits his intelligence against a fish and loses has it coming.
John Steinbeck

GillBilly Slideshow: Baja Surf Photos 2



This is the second in a series of Baja surf photos captured by the GillBilly

Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.
Henry David Thoreau

GillBilly Slideshow: Baja Surf Photos 1



This is the first in a series of Baja surf photos captured by the GillBilly

All fishermen are liars; it's an occupational disease with them like housemaid's knee or editor's ulcers.
Beatrice Cook, Till Fish Do Us Part, 1949

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

GillBilly Christmas Fantasy Fudge


Yes, this is the original Gillbilly Christmas Fantasy Fudge recipe from the back of the Kraft Marshmallow Creme jar. Gillbilly will never know why they changed the recipe on us, but we've preserved the recipe for you right here. Makes about 117 blocks of divinity sugar rush.

3 cups sugar
3/4 cup margarine
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1 12-oz. (340 g) package semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 7-oz. (198 g) jar Kraft Marshmallow creme
1 cup chopped nuts
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Traditional method:
Combine sugar, margarine and milk in heavy 2-1/2 quart saucepan; bring to full rolling bail, stirring constantly. Continue boiling 5 minutes over medium heat, stirring. Remove from heat, stir in chocolate till melted. Add marshmallow creme, nuts & vanilla beat till blended. Pour into greased 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Let cool and cut into 1-inch squares.

Microwave method:
Microwave margarine in 4-quart microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) 1 minute or until melted. Add sugar and milk; mix well. Microwave on HIGH 5 minutes or until mixture begins to boil, stirring after 3 minutes. Mix well; scrape bowl. Continue microwaving on HIGH 5-1/2 minutes; stir after 3 minutes. Stir in chips until melted. Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Pour into greased 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Cool at room temperature; cut into squares. Makes 3 pounds.

Note: Can be made in a smaller pan for thicker squares (yield will be reduced).

There will be days when the fishing is better than one's most optimistic forecast, others when it is far worse. Either is a gain over just staying home.
Roderick Haig-Brown, Fisherman's Spring, 1951

A GillBilly Christmas Wish from Mexico


Even if you've been fishing for three hours and haven't gotten anything except poison ivy and sunburn, you're still better off than the worm.
Author Unknown


Friday, December 19, 2008

GillBilly Slideshow: BETWEEN THE LINES DEBUT SHOWING AT HANSEN SURFBOARDS

NOW NOMINATED FOR A X DANCE AWARD!

"Launched in 2001, X-Dance runs alongside the Sundance Film Festival, and is widely considered the Academy Awards of the action sports world."



Surf film debut at Hansen Surfboards, Encinitas, California 6-26-2008

Narrated by JOHN MILIUS
(Apocalypse Now - Big Wednesday)

SYNOPSIS
BETWEEN THE LINES explores the Vietnam War through the prism of the surfing sub-culture. The film offers unique insight into the dramatic effect that the Vietnam War and draft had on young American men who rode waves.

Between the Lines explores the choice that most draft age surfers faced during the Vietnam War era: either go to war or evade the draft. It was one or the other. Between the Lines delves into the lives of two surfers who choose opposite paths. Pat Farley and Brant Page.

While following the lives of these two surfers the film chronicles the impact of the Vietnam War on the surfing lifestyle. From the peaceful shores of Hawaii to the canopy jungles of Vietnam, Between the Lines excavates the surfing cultures response to an extraordinary circumstance.

...trout that doesn't think two jumps and several runs ahead of the average fisherman is mighty apt to get fried.
Beatrice Cook

Friday, December 12, 2008

GillBilly Slideshow: Baja Girls Softball Part 4

GillBilly.com is a proud sponsor of this league at El Sauzal, Baja California, Mexico


ALL PHOTOS PROVIDED by Captain Lonnie Ryan at MexicoSoftball.com, GillBilly.com and TrueTraveler.com.

Scholars have long known that fishing eventually turns men into philosophers. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to buy decent tackle on a philosopher's salary.
Patrick F. McManus

Sunday, November 30, 2008

GillBilly Video: Todos Santos Surfing Adventure


A George Blair Video Production

There will be days when the fishing is better than one's most optimistic forecast, others when it is far worse. Either is a gain over just staying home.
Roderick Haig-Brown

GillBilly Slideshow: Baja Girls Softball Part 3


Even if you've been fishing for three hours and haven't gotten anything except poison ivy and sunburn, you're still better off than the worm.

GillBilly Slideshow: Baja Girls Softball Part 2


Fishing is a... discipline in the equality of men - for all men are equal before fish.
Herbert Hoover

GillBilly Slideshow: Baja Girls Softball Part 1


I love fishing. You put that line in the water and you don't know what's on the other end. Your imagination is under there.
Robert Altman

Friday, November 28, 2008

GillBilly Slideshow: Punta Brava Tiger Woods Golf Development Adventure



An angler is a man who spends rainy days sitting around on the muddy banks of rivers doing nothing because his wife won't let him do it at home.

GillBilly Slideshow: Todos Santos Surfing Adventure


All fishermen are liars; it's an occupational disease with them like housemaid's knee or editor's ulcers.
Beatrice Cook

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

GillBilly Slideshow: Ensenada Baja 1000 Photos


Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.
Henry David Thoreau

Monday, November 24, 2008

GillBilly Style Turkey Day Tuna Surprise


Grilled Albacore with Peach Salsa

Tired of all the same board of fare on your plate at Thanksgiving? Do you still have a freezer full of fish from the summer and fall fishing season? How about a surprise for your visiting relatives this year. Southerners might be surprised to learn that California, not Georgia, produces more peaches than any other U.S. state. Oh sure, the South is long on peanuts, but whose ever heard of Goober Salsa? This recipe works well with any fruit in season – whatever looks good in market. The salsa is great on any fish, but GillBilly is partial to pairing it with freshly caught grilled albacore or yellowfin tuna.

Ingredients;

4 servings

4 6 - 8 ounce albacore steaks
olive oil
salt and freshly ground pepper
3 medium peaches; skin removed and flesh chopped into 1/2 inch cubes
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
2 green onions; white part and about half of the green part, minced
1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions: Rub fish with olive oil and season liberally with salt and pepper. Place on a medium-hot grill for 3 -4 minutes, flip over and cook 1 – 2 minutes more. To prepare salsa, combine remaining ingredients and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. To serve, place fish on plate and spoon salsa over middle half.

Calling fishing a hobby is like calling brain surgery a job.
Paul Schullery

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

GillBilly Chronicals: Olympic swimmer - Oceans need our help


It's no secret that U.S. Olympic swimmer and gold medalist Aaron Peirsol has a deep love for the water. That's why the California native has parlayed his interest — and status as a sports figure — into causes to save our planet's oceans. Here, he talks about environmental awareness, education, and his most recent project, Race for the Oceans.

Q: When did your relationship with the water really begin?

A: I have always had a very natural connection to the water, and that connection stems from the ocean itself. I think a more pertinent question would be “Did I ever not have a relationship with the water?”

Q: Can you give a quick rundown of the ocean/water preservation programs and organizations you’ve been involved with?

A: I began working with Oceana, which is the largest international organization that is dedicated to solving the oceans’ problems, about three years ago. As opposed to spreading themselves thin over many environmental issues, Oceana's decision to solely work on the world's oceans enables them to work toward achieving measurable change by conducting specific, fact-based campaigns with fixed deadlines and articulated goals.

Q: What made you decide to lend your time and effort to these causes? Why oceans?

A: I grew up in an area of a lot of growth, in Orange County, California, and spent most of my youth on the beach. I had witnessed the degradation of our Back Bay and the increased number of closed beach days over the years and had come to my own realization that people should make a stand for the things they love and want to see survive infinite generations.

Q: What are you trying to achieve with your involvement? What do you get out of it, personally?

A: I think the best thing I can hope to achieve is to educate, or make aware, as many people as possible on how the little things they do every day really do affect our environment, and how easy it is to fix some of those things. Bringing a canvas bag to the grocery store is a simple and incredibly effective solution. So is being aware of what you dump in your storm drains. Other things include knowing which fish you buy at the store are sustainable. It's no secret our fish populations are dwindling more every year.

Q: What made you decide to become a spokesperson for Oceana?

A: I was incredibly impressed with their scope of what they could do on the international level for conservation. The fact that they used lobbying as a tool to get their message across also seemed extremely effective. And they were really receptive to me when I came to them and asked what I could do to help.

Q: What’s happening to the Earth’s oceans? Why is it so important to save them?

A: It's a case of many oceans around the world being degraded by negligence. The ocean is the lifeblood of our world. If we were to lose our fish that we appreciate so much by overfishing; or if we were to lose some of our favorite beaches to overbuilding and pollution, then how would we feel? It's become a case of not knowing what you've got until it's gone. But by no means is it too late. We can still maintain our coasts and oceans for the generations to come, who deserve what we have.

Q: What needs to happen to clean them up? What can the average person do to help?

A: I believe it's a matter of collective involvement. What I said about the little things making a big difference; I believe that to be very true. I’m a part of a program called Toyota’s Engines of Change Program. The message is that anyone can make a difference in their community or for whatever cause they feel strongly about. Everyone can be an Engine of Change.

For me, I work with Oceana to help save the oceans. But anyone can help. The canvas bags at the grocery market; the buying of sustainable fish at the market; and even the knowledge that every river does lead to an ocean. It really is the easy things that can add up to be a lot. They don't cost a lot of money, just a little time, and a willingness to make a change. It doesn't matter that you live in Oklahoma or Iowa; everyone has a profound effect on the ocean, and the environment in general. Recycling seems easy enough, but here in Austin we only just received recycling bins large enough to take all of our recyclables. There is still a long way to go.

Q: Your Race for the Oceans event just happened last weekend (congrats!). What was the goal of the event, and how did it turn out?

A: On top of just being able to spend a long weekend at Fort Myers Beach, the goal was to raise awareness of the state of our oceans, which I do feel looks incredibly promising. The Lee County government and their sports commission supported this event and helped us get it off the ground. That was a wonderful partnership for us and I can’t say enough great things about their support for this cause and this event. And sponsors like PureSport and B of A [Bank of America], who truly cared about this cause, made all the difference in the world. They had volunteers there to help and made donations to the cause. Truly those supports made all this possible, and hopefully will help us continue for many years to come. With this past weekend being the inaugural event, and it going as well as it did, I think that maybe I can make a positive impact on a much larger scale. The folks that showed up for the event and even the ones just on the beach seemed real receptive to the cause.

Q: Do you think your celebrity status has helped get your message out?

A: The original goal was to get the swimming community involved in the event as much as possible, and I think that my past accolades have helped a bit in that regard. Nonetheless, I think people would be receptive to this cause regardless. The folks at my Race for the Oceans last weekend seemed quite enthusiastic about the event and the cause it represents, to the point where it reinvigorates me to continue to make a difference.

Q: What’s next for you, as an activist? As an athlete?

A: This was only the first Race for the Oceans, and I hope and plan to have many more. As an athlete, I'll be wet, and I’ll be back in the water soon enough to train.

A scene from Peirsol's Race for the Oceans event at Fort Meyers Beach, Fla.


If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles.
Doug Larson

Thursday, November 13, 2008

GillBilly Style Catfish Wrap with Avocado and Tomato Salsa

How you cook the fish is your call, but GillBilly prefers the smoky flavor of grilled fish. However you decide to cook it, just don’t cook it too long! The coleslaw makes it cool, creamy and crunchy.
The biggest tortillas you can find work best. If all you can locate are smaller ones, allow two per person and go easy on the stuffing.

Ingredients
4 servings
1 1/2 pounds catfish fillets
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon pepper
1 lemon, juice only
1 lime, juice only
2 cups prepared coleslaw (I like the creamy kind)
hot sauce, Tabasco, etc.
1 cup shredded cheddar and Jack cheeses
4 large warm flour tortillas

Avocado and Tomato Salsa

2 ripe, but firm avocados, peeled and diced
2 limes, juice only
1 cup cherry or pear tomatoes, halved and drained (toss gently in a colander)
1/4 cup red onion, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper

Combine ingredients in a bowl and toss gently.
Instructions

Rub fish with olive oil and lemon pepper. Grill or cook in a hot well-oiled pan until just done. While cooking, squeeze lemon and lime juice over fish. To prepare wraps, lay out a warm tortilla and put cooked fish along the bottom third of the tortilla, leaving about 2 inches of space between the fish and the bottom edge of the tortilla. Stuffing ingredients must be flat, not mounded. Spoon some coleslaw onto the fish, add a dash or two of hot sauce and top with cheese. Spoon some of the salsa onto the cheese. Fold the bottom edge over the stuffing and fold one of the sides over towards the center to keep the stuffing from falling out. Continue rolling snugly from the bottom and serve with additional salsa on the side.

I love fishing. You put that line in the water and you don't know what's on the other end. Your imagination is under there.
Robert Altman

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

GillBilly Humor: Cosby for President


I HAVE DECIDED TO BECOME A WRITE-IN CANDIDATE.
HERE IS MY PLATFORM:

(1) "Press 1 for English" is immediately banned. English is the official language; speak it or wait at the border until you can.

(2) We will immediately go into a two year isolationist posture to straighten out the country's attitude. NO imports, no exports.
We will use the 'Wal-Mart's policy, 'If we ain't got it, you don't need it.'

(3) When imports are allowed, there will be a 100% import tax on it.

(4) All retired military personnel will be required to man one of our many observation towers on the southern border. (six month tour) They will be under strict orders not to fire on SOUTHBOUND aliens.

(5) Social security will immediately return to its original state. If you didn't put nuttin in, you ain't gettin nuttin out. The president nor any other politician will not be able to touch it.

(6) Welfare - Checks will be handed out on Fridays at the end of the 40 hour school week and the successful completion of urinalysis and a passing grade.

(7) Professional Athletes --Steroids - The FIRST time you check positive you're banned for life.

(8) Crime - We will adopt the Turkish method, the first time you steal, you lose your right hand. There is no more life sentences. If convicted, you will be put to death by the same method you chose for your victim; gun, knife, strangulation, etc.

(9) One export will be allowed; Wheat, The world needs to eat. A bushel of wheat will be the exact price of a barrel of oil.

(10) All foreign aid using American taxpayer money will immediately cease, and the saved money will pay off the national debt and ultimately lower taxes. When disasters occur around the world, we'll ask the American people if they want to donate to a disaster fund, and each citizen can make the decision whether it's a worthy cause.

(11) The Pledge of Allegiance will be said every day at school and every day in Congress.

(12) The National Anthem will be played at all appropriate ceremonies, sporting events, outings, etc.

Sorry if I stepped on anyone's toes but a vote for me will get you better than what you have, and better than what you're gonna get. Thanks for listening, and remember to write in my name on the ballot in November.
God Bless America !!!!!!!!!!!
Bill Cosby!!!!!!!!

I am not against golf, since I cannot but suspect it keeps armies of the unworthy from discovering trout...
Paul O'Neil

Monday, October 27, 2008

GillBilly Humor: Welcome to Canada!

Are you packed yet?

Enjoy thy stream, O harmless fish;
And when an angler for his dish,
Through gluttony's vile sin,
Attempts, the wretch, to pull thee out,
God give thee strength, O gentle trout,
To pull the rascal in!
John Wolcot

Sunday, October 26, 2008

GillBilly Chronicals: New GB Investment Stategy

GillBilly finally had the stomach to look at his 401K that has recently gone to hell in a hand basket. He’s done some research, found the following and has decided to change his investment strategy...

If you had purchased $1,000 of AIG stock one year ago, you would have $42 left.

With Lehman, you would have $6.60 left.

With Fannie or Freddie, you would have less than $5 left.

But if you had purchased $1,000 worth of beer one year ago, drank all of the beer, then turned in the cans for the aluminum recycling REFUND, you would have had $214.

Based on the above, the best current investment advice is to drink heavily and recycle.

It's called the 401-Keg program.

People who fish for food, and sport be damned, are called pot-fishermen. The more expert ones are called crack pot-fishermen. All other fishermen are called crackpot fishermen. This is confusing.
Ed Zern