Arrivaca May 25, 2011

Not the best shot in the world, but I only had my phone since I was using my daughter's truck. I could have taken a shot on the lake, but I envision the phone slipping out of my hand and slipping into the murky waters. Funny, the water seems murkier - I distinctly remember being able to see fish on the nests in years past - but I am sure that is just a flawed memory. It was before the big fish kill years ago. Anyway, the fish seem happy enough - I didn't arrive until 2. I saw few fish working on top, but neither foam hoppers nor deer hair frogs did any good. Around 5 I finally relented and tied on a chartreause crystal bugger on my 6 wt with the sink tip and hooked a very healthy 21" bass. It jumped twice, but luckily was well hooked. Working back I landed a nice sunfish, lost the fly and my root-beer crystal bugger took one out from some overhanging branches. This bass was "only" 18", but just as healthy. One more bluegill and I was off the water around 6:45 BUT I could hear fish working on top in the distance. I won't have a chance for topwater action unless I break down and go on a weekend. It will probably be busy here this weekend since I heard that Parker Canyon is closed.

H-I Governor, ready to fish

Okay, I was in a hurry and I had 3 jobs piled up but I still should have taken a "before" shot of this rod. A nice little H-I Governor, 8 1/2 foot, 3 piece with 2 good tips. It was in very bad shape, in fact I had to replace every guide as they pretty much rusted away. I see plenty of 9 footers in this model. It was nice to bring this one back, the maroon wraps popped nicely on the lighter colored cane.

Montague Ausable, H-I Pocono Restored

A couple of rods I recently finished. I found the Pocono in an Antique Mall, a 7.5 footer with a single short tip. The reel seat is red, I swear it's a Montegue, identical to one on a Flash (as well as the Ausable pictured) that I have and I've only seen these rods with black reel seats. The tip was horribly scarfed, but the glue was not to be undone. Unbelieveably, it still casts well - a very thin taper that will throw a 3 WF, but seems to prefer a 4 DT. I went ahead and used red wraps and added guides (matched an Orvis Battenkill pattern). I was going to trade this to a buddy, but he has health issues right now. I can't wait to try it on a small stream and will probably sell it at the next club swap meet.

The Ausable was in terrible shape, with horrendous sets. I switched cameras so "before" pictures are evident. As you can see, I replaced the first 2 cork rings, and I went with red thread instead of the red/yellow combination. This rod only had 2 guides per section, I redid it with 3. Oh, the tip was delaminated so I reglued that. My intent is to sell it as a display, but it casts surprisingly well. I don't doubt it would fish just fine. I'm not sure if I will post on eBay or wait for the swap meet.

My current project is a South Bend 323 that barely survived my flood. Then I will redo my 9 foot Granger - unknown model but a 9053 taper that I will wrap as a Favorite.