Trout Commander

I know I keep saying this but..... I have GOT to get back down there. It's been way too long.

Too bad the snake didn't bite Skeet "The Gill Raper" Reese on his butt.

Well I only have one real concern with this whole fiasco of a thread. Who is buying the beer? Cricket's concern should probably be who is going to be downstream to catch his new 'toon.

Don't encourage him, thats the last thing we all need.

Yes it is. It's when you can't remember things, like Alzheimers, but only some of the time. Sometimers. It was down around the bend with the high red clay bank you are thinking of. It was the high bank at the bend, a downed tree and then the root wad. I fished the shlt out of that tree laying down.

Maybe one day you can attain that oh so desirable look if you work at it. I tell you though, looking this good doesn't come easy!

Eventually?! If she didn't already the condition in which I arrived home from that trip sealed the deal! It sure was a good'n!

Horse feathers, Pops! Maybe the picture above will cure your sometimers.

What, like you never missed a hook set that day?! Oh wait, with no takes you probably didn't.

Sometimes the Kamikaze style pays off. What can I say? You have to remember that you are after trout and not bass though. Trout don't usually tuck up into root wads like bass do. However, most root wads do create or are themselves insides seams that will hold trout. Don't get caught up too much in fishing the root wad, but fish the seam, just like it were a rock.

Sounds like a good trip. Don't let the old man sandbag you out of your allowance though!

If I were in a position where I could do that I would be right there with ya! Actually, let's not kid. If I could take a sick day I would have already taken them all.

I have had 3. An Alpha and a Trout that I love and an Alpha II that I plan on loving after I fish with it. Hard to beat for the money. Especially when he is running a special. Not he is running a rod and reel combo at a pretty deep discount.

Nice work Brian. Now I'm jonesing.

Not the most common response to a double NWA reference.

Yeah, thanks for those extras.

As busy as we have both been it may have to wait until then. I hope to do it before though. I caught hell the last time I took Preston's rod to Crane! I'll let you know if I can make it by sometime when you are in town.

Not this time Brian. I myself own an old Gem, and old Medalist and just bought my son a new Medalist to go on his first fly rod. The Scott A3 that I was looking for the reel for is a little too "blingy" for a vintage reel. I did just win an eBay auction for a Ross CLA though. I have a few glass rods on my radar and if I can procure any of them I will hit you up about vintage reels.

Picky aren't I? I would actually budge on the weight and age but I am set on USA made and I want something more than a click and pawl, if you might have anything close to my original request. I like the Spring Creeks, but based on the MSRP of a new one I doubt it's going to be in the price range of the other reels I have been shopping. With the being said feel free to let me know the condition and an asking price. You can pm me if you prefer.

You have any modern, USA made, non-clicker, less than 5 oz. reels suitable for a 5wt line and a decent amount of backing?

Are you under the impression that all trout caught in January are caught off of redds?

I'm assuming you meant a 5wt Access and for everything you will do with a 5wt the drag will mostly be a moot point. With that being said I would mount a couple of different reels on the rod and see what weight range will balance well with it and go from there. The access rods aren't super lightweight so there will be a ton of reels that fall into an "acceptable" weight range to balance it out. Anything from a click and pawl to a Galvan will get the job done. You can spend as much or as little as you want on to get the brand and or aesthetic appeal you are after. The purpose of the warranty card is to fill it out and send it to the manufacturer. That way they "know you are the original purchaser" and it is registered to you as such. Hope this helps.

'Preciate ya keeping an eye peeled. The paddle wasn't mine. Since the paddle leash wrapped around my leg it stayed with me. Gear almost always out fishes the fly when it comes to smallmouth but, catching them on the fly is a ton more fun and a much greater challenge to me so I leave the gear at home.

Nice fish. A 17 incher is a ton of fun on a 4wt! Hold on tight to that TFO. The 11pt likes to eat them.