The O-rings were in the section where box sized storage boxes contained nuts, bolts, *, washers, automotive fasteners, and all sorts of convenient items. The classification was not in the plumbing section, although I have searched that area in the past. I am not sure if the big box stores sell the i...

Metal fly rod tubes are good protection, but eventually the O-rings get old, crack and fall off. Replacements O-rings are not generally expensive, but are typically a nuisance to find. Automotive versions are too small and the household applications only fit certain plumbing sizes. Hardware stores a...

My household supply of rubber bands expire before I can put them to any use. But, my fly fishing shirt works well to remove the fish slobber after several come to hand (and are released, of course). Then, new floatant gets applied and I keep fishing. If I want to catch more fish, the dry fly gets re...

Grips, reel seats, end caps, and reel hardware are usually assembled with two part epoxy glue. Some epoxy glues go mushy with heat gun heat, but not all. I can't tell which ones do, but others may know. During Rod building, it is easy to glue and shape a wooden dowel to fit into the hollow part of R...

A decision has been made and the rod is expected to arrive on Monday. The steps along the way we're entertaining. I enjoy history. This flyrod was never included in any Yellowstone Shootout for objective testing. I can also forget about any factory warranty. The used high end notable rods suggested ...

Thanks for the replies. As I read the replies, my thinking about the next rod is evolving. When many of the classic rods suggested by Brian were introduced, I was not even thinking about fly fishing. Many of my current rods come from the past 20-30 years so I have fun seeing what I missed at the tim...

Although I am quite happy with my existing 6/7 weight rods, all of them are two piece so the tube becomes a hazard while backpacking with them. The inventory includes: A pair of JK Fishers rods A Sage bass rod A T & T 7/8 weight graphite. I don't cast a lot of rods or spend much time reading abo...

Welcome to the retirement years!

May your time be healthy, varied, and filled with fun! A sign of a good retirement when you realize you are keeping so busy that you marvel about how you ever find time to work.

Seems like it will be fun to continue your fly fishing adventures.

Ants

My bucket list is to fish any stream I can find before I kick the bucket. Any time when I am on the road, I look ahead of time for likely spots, but I am usually surprised at what pops up as I travel down the road. The marketing concept of a once in a lifetime fish usually has once in a lifetime exp...

Nice list- but your travel budget seems much bigger than mine. For me, a modest kitty for travel expenses and all the time in the world (as long as I am still alive. Hey - quick inspiration! Can I be your travel agent so I can collect a portion of the fees and maybe work my way into Canada! Pardon m...

The philosophy of only catch a trout on a dry fly can be traced back to UK and some purists on chalk streams. In current times a drag free drift over a feeding lie, gives an opportunity to practice one technique. No need to stop there. Another technique is fishing a nymph or streamer in a deep pool ...

That looks like a grand place to return to......

But, you need to get back on the road so you can return. I can't imagine all the wanderlust was used up already!

Ants

As for Flybob's suggestion on getting a Gila Trout, good luck! Access to the wild trout areas in NM does not open until late summer. There was an area on one stream that had populations of Gila, Browns, and rainbow, but the hike from the trailhead is from 7-10 miles. Not a day hike unless you are in...

Jimbo is entitled to all the praise he receives. I was fortunate to hear the stories at the same time I was fishing the river and experiencing the decades of work. The cooperative effort is worth copying at any location. The workers include Jimbo ( and all the supporting folks from GRTU), the state ...

Typically, high end or high tech rods don't add distance or accuracy to my casting. The rods do a very effective job of pointing out and amplifying the deficiencies in my technique.

Ants