GOOD EATS - Pizza Nights Done Right with the Ooni Koda 12

Every time we set up the Ooni Koda 12 Pizza Oven on the back porch for family pizza night, it's a reminder that I've wanted to post up a quickie review in the "Good Eats" series.  We have a lot of ways to cook and grill and evenings using this pizza oven continues to be an all time family favorite.  

There are a few power options for the Ooni Pizza Ovens and we opted for gas, which matches convenience with very reliable heat.  There are several generations and four sizes of the Koda gas oven series and though ours is the smallest model at 12", I've never felt like it was too small.  In your own research, know that a larger oven is going to have more surface area of a pizza stone to bring to heat and maintain.  More heat means more propane used.  And, we like making a lot of small pizzas as opposed to a couple of larger ones.  

The Koda ovens are available in 12", 14", 16", 18", and 24".  The Pizza Oven Bundles make a lot of sense to get started with everything you need.  The slide-over carry cover works great for storage.

We've been using the Koda 12 pizza oven for a couple of years now and some first impressions that I posted on Instagram awhile back remain true along with some additional notes...

• There is a learning curve but you'll get the hang of it quickly.
• Your first pizza attempt likely won't be Instagram worthy.  If yours is like mine, it ended up being a ugly variation of a calzone.  Really, just a folded over mess.
• Be patient and always let the pizza stone reach full temperature.  This infrared thermometer is helpful in keeping track of how hot your oven is.
• I'll run full heat until I start putting pizzas in and then will usually will turn down the heat to low so that I don't char out the top, unless someone wants one a little more crisp.
• Flour is your friend from everything from preparing and rolling out your dough and even giving the peel a splash to help with the slide off transfer into the oven.
• Less is more with everything that you put on the pizza dough.  Light sauce.  Light toppings.  
• Once you get the hang of it, and it doesn't take long, you can knock out pizzas in less than two minutes.  Remember to give them a turn every 30 seconds or so. 
• Have fun and get the whole family involved in their own pizza creation.

We haven't deep dove into making our own dough or using fancy flour varieties.  Our local market has pizza dough balls that end up rolling out a half dozen or more small pizzas.  Sauces range from tomato base to olive oil to fresh pesto.  We're big fans of turkey pepperoni and spicy turkey sausage that I roll into tiny balls and smoke until done on the Traeger and then cut in half for a topping.  Our last batch of pizzas, we dripped dollops of stracciatella and laid garden fresh basil on top.  Oh, and don't forget a drizzle of hot honey.  You are only limited by your own tastes and creativity in your pizza making. 

I have dozens and dozens of pizza photos on my iPhone but here are several from our last couple pizza nights.  Yes, they are each imperfectly shaped but so damn good.

Visit the Ooni website to check out the entire family of Koda Gas Powered Pizza Ovens.  The bundles make a lot of sense and the only thing I'm still missing is the Pizza Turning Peel.

P.S.  It took me awhile to run down this article again from the internet archives but Michael Williams of A Continuous Lean has some spot on notes in Pizza Making 201.

OYSTER BAMBOO FLY RODS - Learning the Double Haul Cast

Hone up your double haul skills with this instructional video from Bill of Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods.



I could get lost on the Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods website and would dig attending one of their classes someday.  Click subscribe to their YouTube channel for videos like this and more.

ORVIS - A Look Back at Glass in 1976

I have been looking information on Orvis fiberglass fly rods from the past and when Vintage Trouts posted the Spring 1976 catalog (along with sharing with me a couple of page scans), I knew I just had to have it.  It's been great fun to leaf through and see what all they offered fifty years ago.  I'm blown away by all the bamboo fly rods and spining rods, which I'll share those pages in an upcoming post.  The copy for the products in the catalog was also top notch and an obvious time capsule of certain words that were used.

These are high quality scans and if you click on each image, you should be able to see and read the pages in their entirety.  

On describing the Fullflex A Glass Fly Rods... "The distinction between bamboo and any synthetic is subtle but real.  However, the differences in rod taper design is equally real and not at all subtle.  Fundamentally, it is the design of the a rod's taper, which determines its "action"...which is a true of a glass rod as it is of bamboo." 

And, what I wouldn't give to find one of these Fullflex A Fly-and-Spin Glass Pack Rod complete with the "handsome" fitted Travel Satchel and Orvis spinning and fly reels.    

What do you wish that Orvis would consider bringing back?  I have a short list...

Check out Vintage Trouts, follow on Instagram, and subscribe to the Vintage Trouts Journal on Substack.

Sportsman's Journal with Andy Mill | Stu Apte Tarpon

Sunday mornings are the perfect time to press PLAY on a fishing show from yesteryear and it doesn't get much more old school than Stu Apte fly casting for tarpon in Florida as Andy Mill looks on.

 
For extra credit, you can listen to a podcast with Andy Mill interviewing Stu Apte on the Mill House podcast and subscribe to their YouTube channel, too.

SKWALA - Fusion Tactical Hoody: Three Essential Layers in One

One of the best parts of living in South Carolina is that it's typically temperate through the fall and winter but one of the worst parts has been waiting (impatiently) for a cool day to have a good excuse to put on the new Skwala Fusion Tactical Hoody and it's just been too warm to do so.  

That is, until this past week, though I had to drive three and a half hours north to Dave Fason's house for a quick overnight and day on his local carp junkie lake.  The day started in the low 50's with a blustery wind that never let up through the day.  This was a perfect first wear of this new Skwala layer and I was sure glad that I had tossed it in the gear bag before leaving.  I'll be spending a ton of time in this over the next few months on the water and around town.  



From the Skwala presser...
Skwala Fishing today announced the launch of its Fusion Tactical Hoody, a versatile mid-layer built to perform across a wide range of conditions. Combining the cozy breathability of a mid-layer fleece, the weather resistance and insulation of a micro-puffy, and the sun protection and fit of a technical hoody, the Fusion Tactical keeps anglers comfortable through variable conditions—from dawn to dark—without swapping layers.

Available in two colors—Earth and Black—the Fusion Tactical Hoody simplifies layering on cool to cold days. While anglers might not need another fleece, they will love this fishing focused fleece.

Expedition-weight waffle grid fleece provides breathable insulation. A Primeflex™ stretch-woven outer shell across the shoulders and down the sleeves cuts wind, sheds water, and improves durability without limiting movement. This unique design integrates with Skwala waders, providing protection where waders don’t and breathable insulation where they do. That means anglers can wear fewer layers while remaining warm, staying dry, and keeping comfortable. Additional fishy features include dual side dump pockets for essentials, a half-zip for venting, a full scuba hood for maximum coverage, and thumb loops for extended protection.

“Like everything we build at Skwala, the Fusion Tactical Hoody is the product of intentional design,” said Kevin Sloan, CEO and Founder of Skwala. “We use different materials in different parts of the garment to maximize performance where it matters most. It layers seamlessly under waders, keeps you warm and dry without overheating, and moves with you all day. It’s exactly the kind of thoughtful gear anglers have come to expect from us.”

Visit the Skwala website to learn more about the Fusion Tactical Hoody and try one on at a local retail partner near you.

P.S.  I am incorporating more and more pieces of various Skwala collections into my on the water and off wear, if you have questions, send an email or DM on social media.  I'm happy to share my opinion and experience.

LEFTY: The Greatest of All Time

I'm going to sit down and watch this one over the weekend.  You should too.



Thanks to Fly Fisherman for this film and subscribe to their YouTube channel if you haven't already.

YETI X HOWLER BROTHERS - The Dub Store Collection

This is a fun collaboration with YETI and Howler Brothers that I didn't see coming.  The shortie film in this post puts some storytelling and perspective on the Dub Store Collection.



Shop the Dub Store Collection on both the Howler Brothers and YETI websites.  What's in stock on one site might not be in stock on the other.  And, even though it just launched a day or so ago, some items are gone on both.  It's still fun to have a look.