dadofmolly

You get even stranger looks when you land a 14"-16" trout, even from the next guy over using his $800 Sage. Most fisherman who equate Tenkara to cane pole fishing have never tried a true Tenkara Rod, just make assumptions.

All of my fly reels are set up to reel left handed, as are my spinning reels. I haven't used a casting reel since I moved to CO in the 70s, but when I did use them I cast with the right, switched hands and reeled right handed. With Tenkara, there is no reel but I cast right handed.

Mark, Very well said. I've used the "stent" repair on several rods that were brought to me, both when just the tip was broken and when the middle section (3 pc rod) was snapped. I've even used it on a "crushed" rod when only a small (no more than an 1") was crushed. I don't think it alters the rod much if it is just the tip section, middle section gives a little different action IMO..

Norm; after seeing what you want reminded me that we had the same type patio/entertainment center put in in place of the old concrete slab. The guy we used was a bricklayer by trade and did small to medium size projects on weekends and evenings after his real job. His prices were pretty much middle of the road but he was very particular about the job. He removed the old concrete, put in road bed, then fine sand and then the pavers. He also built a fountain, firepit and retaining wall around about half of the patio. The pavers were installed so close that you had to pry them up. Have said all that to indicate how particular and exacting he was. If you haven't, you might try contacting bricklayers as well. As long as he was able to set his own schedule we got a triple AAA job preformed at a reasonable price.

The fact that it is perfect fishing day and I just made a great cast means the whole day has been a success. My days to get out are limited due to health reasons so any time I can get on the streams is a total day of successes, fish or no fish. I seldom keep any fish, I can spend the whole day casting and never get a strike and it is still a good day. If I'm not catching, then I can claim I'm working on my casting, presentation, etc. About the only time I will keep a fish is if I have hooked it deep and know it will not survive if put back in the water. Besides, isn't it called fly FISHING and not fly CATCHING? My 2 pennies worth.

Thank You. Very generous. The humpy is one of my top flies. Now I can try different ties for it.

Have you tried college kids on summer break?

I have used one similar to "Angies List" in the Denver area with less than positive results. Some of the referrals wanted a bigger job, none met my timeline request, or they were far the most expensive. I've had better results contacting on my own, although still some of the companies were not interested in a small job ( even though one company boasted in their ad "no job too small or too large"). I have other friends who swear by "angies list". Our neighborhood has some kind of web page that most neighbors participate in with people posting for small jobs or for people asking for recommendations. I have gotten positive feedback from that source.

Like just about everything asking for suggestions, ask 20 different people and you get 20 different answers. However many of the responses all say about the same for a beginner: Thompson "A" vise. I think flytire has put together a pretty good comprehensive list of things to cover most tying needs. One thing I haven't seen mentioned; if you have friends who hunt pheasant, grouse, deer or elk, you can get some materials that are used in many flies. If you know someone who knits, lifetime supply of yarns of various types and colors. Also, copper wire, and sometimes silver wire, can be gotten in a few different sizes just by salvaging from old motors or electronics. Some of the tools can be easily home made: bodkin, hair stacker, etc. and in my opinion, work just as well, if not better, than purchased tools. If you are so of a mind, a cheap coffee grinder for a thrift store can provide you with tons of dubbing made to you own specs. Thrift store can also provide some stuff good for tying. I started with a Herter's knock off of a Thompson "A", have added an India knock off of the "A" vise, which is now in my 'travel kit'. Went to a non-rotating Regal, then "true" rotating vise and now use a Nor-Vise. The nor-vise and rotating vise are nice for some things but the "A" vise works well for just about everything, just not as fancy, and the rotating vises are certainly not necessary. One thing I started just for the fun of it, and still do it once in a while. I pick up threads, yarn, bits of floss, bird feathers (just be careful about endangered species), bits of foam, etc. to see what I an tie with it, hooks (and maybe thread) being the only material purchased.

I carry 2 non-waterproof doubled sided boxes (one has a small chunk knocked out). One of the boxes has dries on one side and nymphs on the other. The other box has streamers on one side and terristerals on the other. I only use about a dozen different patterns for dries and for nymphs, and seldom carry more that 5 or 6 of each pattern. Streamers are about the same. Can fit each box into a shirt pocket if I want to go light. Back at the vehicle are additional flies if I am catching a lot of tree trout.

Unless you see a fish swimming in circles Then it would be too much of he bubbly, or in the case of a dogfish, chasing it's own tail

When I load the reel I glue a tag to the underneath side of the reel foot that identifies the weight and the rod the reel is matched to. The only time I would change spools is from a WF to SF. I don't change spools with different weights.

This is one of those topics that is based entirely on opinions. It cannot be proven either way, only justified by an opinion: both for and against. Reminds me of the old story of a professor that unless he can see it, taste it or touch it then it does not exist; countered by a student who disagreed with him but made the argument that since he (student) could not see, touch or taste the professor's brain then the professor must not have a brain.

I've never had luck with the braided connectors, they always seem to come loose for whatever reason. Now I make a loop on the fly line, secure it down with several wraps of strong thread, whip finish and coat with super glue. This does leave a tag end that can catch on eyelets but has never really been a big problem. I tried UV instead of super glue, but never felt that it was secure as I have had it slide off the loop a couple times.

I've never used grease on any of my reels, except a little on the gears on my spinning reels and old bait casters. Can't remember putting grease on any fly reel, including my old ones. I use a little oil on the shafts seldom on the drag. Have never had a problem. Like you, when I get an old reel (usually a spinning reel) it is caked with grease and dirt.

Couple of rattlers that were at the lake. This one committed suicide. Crawled under the point of a shovel. There were three more sightings beside these two. The first one was captured by animal control and the second one decided to commit suicide. Two of the other sightings were captured by animal control and the 3rd went back into the weeds before AC could get there

Last Sat was the annual Kids Fishing Derby put on by the Arvada Reservoir Volunteer Rangers, all kids 3 - 14 yrs of age free. No adult fishing (Mom or Pop can help the little ones cast). Kids are divided in age groups with 1st, 2nd and 3rd trophys per group; numerous fishing items donated by sponsors or area companies as door prizes. Kids (and adults) are feed hot dogs, chips, granola bars, soda and popcicles. Had 223 kids registered, almost 300 hot dogs grilled. This year was kind of special as the kid who caught the largest fish overall was a 6 or 7 yr old -- catfish weighed in at 14lbs 2oz. After his fish was logged, he and his dad took the fish back to shore line and released it for others to catch. Little gal (5 or 6) who won a trophy and had caught 4 or 5 trout was asked by the Derby director what her secret was. Her response "I fish where the fish are". Had another little gal (guessing 4 yrs) brought in a little perch, 5 or 6", and was telling everyone "My Fish, My Fish). You could see the pride and joy on her face (as well as the parent) as she headed for the official weigh in, so much so that all the Rangers along her way were clapping and cheering for her. She didn't win a trophy but I think she was more proud of her 1st fish then any of the trophy winners.

We have had several rattlers at the lake this year, normally get only 2 or 3 that we know about for the entire season but have had numerous sightings and its only June. Couple were pretty aggressive (due to idiots teasing them). Keep animal control a little busy.

No, I only tie when I need replacements or if I am tying to give to friends.

I have one just like it, and without any markings, etc. I aquired it a couple of years ago in an bunch of stuf from an auction. Have never been able to find any info on it so far.

I have "cheap China" reels in 3wt, 5wt (2) and 6wt (2). Have used one of the 5wts for 7 or 8 yrs now without problems, wife has used 1 of the 6wts for roughly the last 4 yrs with no problems. The other 2 reels (5wt & 6wt) are matched to backup rods, but used very little. Just bought another 5wt for a new rod I acquired and an 8wt for another rod. Haven't used either of the new reels yet, due to some health issues, but don't expect to have any problems with either just playing with them in the house.

I think it really looks cool. I generally fish nymphs so can't really comment beyond looks as to how it will or will not float on a stream but the few flies I have tied with foam have all worked for me.

Have to agree with Meeshka ---- Flytire, you are very generous. Know there are others that are also very generous (Mark) but for me you stand out. I use "over the glasses" most every trip out as I don't want to lose Rx glasses in the stream or on the bank and I need the Rx ones.

Right now working on getting out of the hospital. Had a GI Bleed start last night which has ruined a planned trip. Should be out by the weekend but no trip.

I don't use the reel for anything more than line storage; never put a fish "on reel" so cheap reels are the only thing I use. Just bought 2 this past week for $31 total. Didn't get them as replacements but for 2 new rods that I just acquired. I've yet to have one fail on me or need parts.