rps

Interesting concept. Do you spline all four pieces the same way? Do you alternate as if you were balancing 180's? Do you quarter the circle? I have not a clue.

Every graphite blank I have ever used has a spine. They are no longer as pronounced, but they are still there.

I have never built a fly rod blank. I know nothing about the handle thingymabob. I know rod action. I know about fly guides. I would give it a try, but I would need your guidance on what action you want and how you want the handle - lock down or lock up and so on. Batson has a broad offering of blanks. Between the two of us, I bet we could come up with a custom job worth fishing.

I have enjoyed making fishing rods since the dark days before they came out with graphite blanks. In 197?, I made a yellow fiberglass rod with a brown and orange weave base and wraps for Ross Cooper (RIP). The look on his face when he caught his first bass on it was incredible. In retirement I seek fun things to do. I was wondering if there would be any interest in the following: a) Person who wants a high performance rod messages me with general purpose for the rod. b) We discuss and I recommend components, but person decides -> length, flex and power; regular vs. micro guides; spiral wrap or traditional; cork handle or Winn; split grip or traditional; etc. c) I build the rod and ship to the person. d) No show off wraps, colors, inserts, weaving, marbling, just functional. e) Person pays cost of components plus shipping. Even buying rod components one rod at a time and including shipping cost, the end performance, compared to retail purchase price, should be half again better or more. In other words, if we assume components cost of $175 and shipping costs of $50, the rod will be comparable in performance to a $350 rod. For many, buying a Falcon from Bill Babler would make better sense, but I suspect some of you itch for something different. I would love to build 4 to 6 rods a year. What do you think?

Sous vide pork tenderloin, dressing, brussels sprouts and bacon saute.

Can't match BH's pecan bacon upside down cake, but not bad for dinner. Beef short ribs in a reduction sauce with risotto and peas.

Every post is dead on perfect. However, I favor Dutch's post. Find a custom builder who is more than a thread winder and explain carefully what you want and what you intend to hang on the rod. You won't get a cheap rod, but you will have the equivalent of a rod twice the price and suited to your wants.

Burst tomato, snow peas, anchovies, capers, garlic pasta with shrimp.

Smoked sausage with onions, peppers, and tomatoes over polenta.

Plus one

My cousin Steve worked for AFGC his entire life. He also was an avid hunter. One fall he was out for turkey when a rafter of turkeys came within range. He fired. When he walked up, he discovered he had killed two gobblers. He wrote himself a ticket. The judge threw it out. Steve did taxidermy too. He mounted the second bird and donated it to the AFGC. He ate the other.

Daughter came for Sunday dinner. I braised a small part of the brisket flat (about 2.75 pounds) and added scalloped potatoes and sauteed spinach. I made a rub of salt, pepper, and paprika. Rubbed the brisket thoroughly and let it sit for a couple of hours. I thin sliced two onions and chunked a large carrot. I peeled and crushed four garlic cloves. I seared the brisket in the braising dish and moved the meat to the cutting board. I sauteed the onions and carrots until they had brown edges and the onions were soft. I deglazed the pan with a half cup of dry red wine and a half can of diced tomatoes. I threw the garlic in and added two bay leaves. I slid the beef back in and added chicken broth until only the top of the brisket showed. I covered the pot and put it in a 275 oven for five hours. When it was done, I removed the brisket and tented it with foil. I removed the bay leafs. I drained the juices through a sieve, but retained the veg. I defatted the juices and put the liquid back in the braising vessel. I added back the veg. I used a stick blender to puree the mix. I put the "gravy" on medium and brought it back to a simmer. I sliced the brisket and put the pieces back in the pan to reheat.

To prevent the problem of micros slipping out of the winding and breaking, I do two things. I buy the titanium Recoil guides and I tie them on with a Forhan locking wrap.

Tis the season...

I first heard this in a club in downtown Providence, RI. He was still doing club gigs then. A year or two later he was a headliner at the school's Spring music fest.

Well, that didn't work out.

I bought several Falcons in the early days at boat shows and later bought several others for purpose. They were great rods. All are gone now except for one. I cannot make a rod to replicate it. It is perfect for smaller trout jerk baits and trout bait rigs. I would post a picture but it is too nasty and beat up. I have a Stella on it. It was the rod my father used to catch his last trout, a brown in the 4 pound range. Pause. I say, with commitment, you can build what you want, on your own. Try it.

I have been lucky enough to do the rainbow, brown, cut, and brook on Norfolk. Twice. In those days the others were not around. I cannot imagine doing all.

Boat lunch? Sardines in mustard sauce, viennies, and cheese fish crackers.

We are not rich. We are upper middle class, and retired. I have more toys than I need. My wife has a "sewing machine" that costs what a small car costs, new. We do not worry about the bills. The only limits on what we do are good sense and safety. None of these things were true until 15 or 20 years ago. But, now that they are, we measure a different way. Have we done enough to make someone else smile? Have we increased the odds someone else has a chance to be where we are? Have we paid forward? Have we used our "power" for good? We have been blessed, and we know it. We hope all of you, and all you know, may one day find the same place. If you have or do, the world needs you to share. Not just the money. After all, it is the Christmas season.

P-no w-are Pour -chini We will make a gourmand of you, yet, if you just stop fighting and work with us.

pinot noir = pno nware Literal translation is black pine cone. Named that because of the grape color and the way the fruit bunches look. Good ones make great steak wines. puree = pure-a Made by whipping well cooked vegetables or fruit in their own or added juices. Basically the same thing a Gerber baby food without the additives. I love them, especially parsnip and turnip.

The man knows of what he speaks.

They came back in fashion about a decade ago because they have an innate slower response/reaction time than the graphite rods on the market, at the time, had. "Everyone" was fishing Fast and Extra Fast actions with cranks and setting the hook hard and fast. They missed bites as a result. Two things can help change this. Fish a Mod Fast action, which actually throws a wart better, and/or reel down fast until you feel the fish solid and lean back into him. @Bill Babler deceased tournament partner (name escapes me) tried to teach the patient approach. Most people, including me, do not have the instinct to do the latter so they want a tool that does it for them.

I am more inclined to agree with Dutch about the rod action. Especially since you are fishing clearer water with lighter lines. Further, I see no advantage to glass. Graphite blanks can be made to virtually any profile - speed, taper, and strength. On a side note you can build your own for $150. All you need are a phone book, a teacup, a popsicle stick, and a single edge razor blade. Mud Hole will sell you the blank, handle, guides, thread, and thread epoxy.