Terry Beeson

Eric... Field testing samples... After I got the fish smell on it, I sold two dozen! Laker... You only want a fishing job (especially as a sales rep) if you already have a ton of money in the bank that you can live on... WAIT.... I don't have a ton of money... I don't have ANY money... But I do have a kewl net!!!

On a business trip today to Roaring River, I spent my lunch hour - 11 to 3 - in the park. Just so happened, I needed to do some field testing with one of the Hendrix Outdoors rods, so I took the opportunity to cast some flies in the river. Fishing was pretty good, not hot, but "warm" and kept my interest. A couple of good things came out of it... I took three fish on dry flies - one on a Royal Coachman, and two on an Adams. The other, was taking two hook jaws... The one below and another one just before I left. I had left the camera in the truck when I moved down to the spot where I fished last. But, it was this one's twin, only about an inch shorter. There was a 10 lb trout caught this morning. Wish I had been there to see it... Maybe next time I'll get to take its picture in my hands...

I would not put a semi-auto in the hands of a youngster just starting out. Several reasons - safety, accuracy, etc. That aside, bolt actions and pumps are best choices in my opinion, but lever actions are good as well. I'm not sure what your worry is about the hammer on a lever action. A reliable safe weapon is the key. I go along with Chief on the Henry Youth lever action - nice weapon that he can pass down to his son and his son's son, etc. Unless he has been shooting for a while, don't put a scope on the rifle. I am of the opinion that starting off any shooter with a scope is a big mistake. They will be a much better shot if they are forced to learn to shoot open sights first. Then go to a scope. Besides... scopes in the hands of a beginner can be unsafe due to the focus on one spot and not the surroundings outside the scopes field of view. I know... I know... both eyes open. But we're talking a beginner who may have difficulty with this and needs to develop this technique. The main thing to remember is to instill safety first in the youngster. I can still hear my dad asking me (for the millionth time that day) if my safety was on. But, I tell you... Every time I'm in the woods, I check my safety every five minutes and that thanks to my father. He also reminded me frequently about where the barrel was pointed - making sure it was not pointed at someone.

5' 6" 2pc Med action spinning 6' 6" 2pc Med action spinning 7' 2pc Med action casting Martin... Get with me and we'll set up something so you can use one of these rods to give me some feedback. Email me terry(at)hobotackle(dot)com

Dave... How is the clean up going down there? I know there were lots of limbs, stumps, etc. from the ice storm and flood this summer. I need to get down there soon... Nice pheesh!!!

Open 9 to 7. Lunch at 1pm - Dutch oven jambalaya by Dennis Slane. Party after 5 - BYOB. Discounts all day. Call Tim or Fred at 417-889-6548 for more details.

Wow... you got off light, Gator...

The rods are designed around fishing/trolling for Kokanee in the lakes out west, especially around the Sierra Madre mountain range... thus, Sierra. I'm thinking these rods would handle most Walleye and Stripers. I'd like to put one of the samples in the hands of someone who does that around here, but may not be a market for them. Then again, I can take them to WI, MI, IL, etc. and try to sell some...

I'll be at Fowkes Backcountry Outfitters in Springfield this Saturday for their Christmas party. I'll have my samples of Hendrix Outdoors gear so you can cast a rod, look at the waders, etc. Tim has quite a bit of Hendrix gear for sale at the store as well. Hope to see all of you there and come by and say hi. I'll be tying a few flies and offering some to those who come by and chat...

I just received some new samples from Hendrix Outdoors including a couple of Sierra Rod Lead Core series rods. I admit that I'm not familiar with lead core fishing. Anyone here familiar and use the method in this area?

Man that is looking SWWWWEEEEEETTTTT!!!!!!!!!!

I'll answer for Leonard... This is open to anyone and everyone. It's for OAF members, but anyone fishing or just hanging around there is invited since there usually is enough food to feed an army... We usually gather around 8 or 9am, but much depends on weather and fishing conditions. Some come early, fish, then come up for lunch. Some come later and fish after lunch. No real set rule on time. The last couple of years, we've had very cold and windy days. Many thanks to Phil for supplying tarps to set up wind blocks around the pavillion. I had a crowd watching me cook stuff in the fish cooker... LOL Lunch is around noonish... but there will be food around before and after. Fishing depends on a lot of things on this day, just like any other day. So it's hard to say what the fishing will be like. But the BS will be deep and we all have a really great time. Meeting guys from here and telling fish stories (the first liar never has a chance...) is what this is all about. The fishing is just the icing on the cake. I'll bring the fish cooker and oil. I'll make tortilla chips and anyone who wants to bring something to fry is welcome to use the cooker. Can't seem to find the fried corn nuggets anymore, but I'll keep looking. I'll probably bring my camp stove with a couple of coffee percolators as well. Here's a list of the usual things that show up or need to show up... 1. Plates and napkins 2. Plastic silverware 3. Mustard, mayo, ketchup 4. Donuts 5. Chips 6. Salsa (for the tortilla chips) 7. Cheese dip (ditto) 8. Coffee creamer and sugar 9. Cups - coffee and drink 10. Drinks 11. Ice 12. Bread / buns I'm sure there will be a good menu. Usually there are meatballs, stuffed jalapeno peppers, hot dogs, chili, brats, salads, baked beans, etc. If you have a special recipe you want to bring, just post it... Whatever you want to bring, you should let us know by posting here so we don't have a ton of napkins and no plates... Clean up is a biggie... So, the more who hang around and help with that, the better. Wonder what it would cost to get an OAF banner made to hang up? Maybe we could all pitch in a few bucks and Phil could get one made? I might even have a door prize if I can swing it...

Wow... NICE PHEESH!!!! I looked for them on opening day of C&R, but couldn't find anything near that size. Congrats!!!

Anyone happen to know where Sage, Winston, Scott, Thomas& Thomas, etc. get the graphite extrusions to make their rods? And what about the aluminum for Ross, Abel, Orvis, etc. reels?

Correct-a-mundo, FT... That's what CLA stands for.

If you care to look back at that post, the icon at the end of that statement was to lighten that phrase. In addition, I explained that being the HO rep, "...what did you expect me to say?" followed by a smilie. And, I do have experience with Ross, Lamson, Abel, Galvin, BassPro, SA, Okuma, and many other brands of reels. Yes, Ross does make a quality reel, as do Galvin, Abel, Tibor, Lamson, Okuma, Hendrix, and others. My apologies to anyone who was confused by my post. Inflections (mine and FT's) are sometimes misinterpreted. I merely wish to do my job and promote the product I sell. Those that know me personally would look at that post and chuckle. And as far as SA buying Ross, I expect it will be much better than the Shimano takeover of G Loomis. Let's hope so.

Before being critical of any product, be it from China, Mexico, the UK, or the US, maybe you should have some experience with it. All be it a political statement you are trying to make, and I truly empathize with the background of your statement, you should consider how this all came to be. The very computer you typed those words into is made up of "crap" from China and is transmitted through thousands of "crap" circuit boards over the net that came from China. Not to mention hundreds of other "crap" products that we all use every day that have origins in the Pacific Rim. I wish we could have all products made in the USA and get back to what this country was fifty years ago. However, we are no longer a nation of producers, but a nation of consumers. And we did that to ourselves. Off the political soapbox now... But again, indiscriminately calling something "crap" without any experience with it is simply uncalled for. Anyone who wants to try out any of the Hendrix Outdoors products can let me know and I'll try to set up something. You are all invited to the Christmas party at Fowkes Backcountry Outfitters in Springfield on December 4th where I will have HO rods, reels, tools, waders, jackets, etc. that you can put your hands on and try.

FT... I'm the sales rep for this area for Hendrix Outdoors, and they are for real and they stand behind their products. The website is scheduled to be up December 1st. Until then, if you need to put your hands on a reel, just let me know. I can tell you they are made in China to Hendrix specifications, not shelf items. They are made from aircraft grade aluminum. Warranty is simply a replacement of manufacturing defects. I should have samples of the 2011 models in a couple of weeks. Ross was just bought out by Scientific Anglers / 3M. Their future is questionable at this time. The industry is guessing and rumors are flying, but honestly, no hard evidence of anything yet. May not change a thing. But, all companies are at risk in this day and time, no matter how long they've been around.

I use 2 lb Vanish line for my tippet. Seems to work OK. Of course at night, I up that a bit to 8 or 12 lb.

Hmac... Go see Tim and Fred at Backcountry Outfitters across from Incredible Pizza on Campbell. They can show you the SUPERIOR Hendrix reels as well as those JUNK Ross, Lamson, etc. etc... (Hey... I'm the Hendrix sales rep... what did you expect me to say? )

OK... A true coon-a... uh... Cajun would put ALL of that in there... plus some chicken hawk, muskrat, and snake meat...

I'd like to put a Hendrix Outdoors HO1 in your hands. Fully machined reel, good looks, great reel for the money $100 for the 2010 model. Improved HO1 will be out in January with a better look, better drag, and $120 price tag. The HO2 is a cast aluminum with a great value if you don't mind the cast vs. machined. You didn't say where you are located, so can't tell you where to look at these reels.

"The Lord has blessed us all today... It's just that He has been particularly good to me." Rev. MacLean. I LOVE that quote...

You too, Chief... And that's what makes the world go 'round... If we were all the same, what fun would that be? Of course, if everyone were like ME we'd all be better off...

Another hint... "Buster wants to fish..." And quit lookin' in my pockets, XP!!