Well, haven't posted in awhile but have done a couple of restorations. Tying Peacock Ladies & Reservoir Whores for Drycreek Fly shop has filled a lot of free time as well.
This rod is nice quality Horrocks Ibbotson, 4 piece with cane in great condition and what seemed like 100s of intermediate wraps. I am sorry I did not get better quality on the before shots. The rod had been exposed to heat and was gummy, dark & blistered in quite a few spots. I was able to match the orange thread exactly so that shows how much the varnish had darkened. I have to admit I undercharged for this restoration, but I feel good in bringing back a classic rod that is very fishable. I will post pics of an HI Chancellor I restored at the beginning of the year when I get done with my latest batch of flies.
Finally had time to do a rod that was going to be mine! I found this rod in a secondhand store when I first moved to Tucson about 17 years ago. My plan was to restore it and replace the Orvis Battenkill that I sold a couple years ago. Restoration jobs and rods that I restored to sell kept getting in line. The letters "AT" in gold on the butt section were a mystery, I posted pictures on The Classic Cane website and it baffled the members. This is a rod made by Montague, the cedar reel seat was offered in this model. Research showed that the company did make some Tournament Action rod and that remains the most likely explanation as all indications are that the letters are original.
This is a sweet casting rod and it will become small stream first choice. If I slow down, it handles a 4 weight, but for all-around use I wil string it up with a 5 wt. I will be very careful with it, but it is nice to know I have the backup tip. I will christen it on Grant's Creek in a couple of months.
This one took forever! I did several other jobs in between but honestly put off work on those infuriating intermediate wraps. I had to do 4-6 at a time and then put coat of preserver to keep from "exploding" (unwrapping, a common problem when you only do 4-5 wraps of thread). I have to admit I do like the signature wraps on the butt section and I really like this color combination, olive & red. Had to replace every guide and I re-stained the reel seat. From what I can find online, this was made by DAM of Germany (?). Tentative casting before I started work indicated a DT6 or maybe a WF5. I will try to add some notes after I cast it. Not sure if I will post this on EBay or try to sell it locally.
Recently finished another "Smuggler" pack rod. This one was missing the tip but the client had found a regular tip section that could be used. It kept the entire rod from being packed in a briefcase or suitcase as originally designed, but still cool. Wish I could have found a ferrule to make a replacement tip section, but they are so small and this is only the second I have come across in 20 years of restoring. Every ferrule was loose pinned on this rod, but it cleaned up nicely. Don't know if he plans to fish it, but a great conversation piece.
I also finished a dozen Peacock Ladies for the local Fly Shop, Dry Creek Outfitters. I was happy to help Eric who mentioned he didn't have a regular source for these. I used Super Glue Gel as an undercoat for the peacock herls hoping that it will help their durability. Hope they sell for him.
I was so happy to see the water levels back up and the State did a great job with the new dock. The day was a bit cooler that I expected and I think the water was not quite right for full fledged action, but I still had fun catching 5 14-15 inch bass, fat and healthy. All were taken on Crystal Buggers with a sink tip line. The fish would immediately burrow into the hydrilla necessitating the need to winch them out and peel away the greenery. All mine were taken in shallow water near the shore, but I did see some spin fishers taking them from the reeds. The water was a bit greenish, algae bloom? I don't think I will make it back before the fall unless I hear of the water rising and clearing. It should be a great fall here!
With only a couple of weeks left in the short fishing season for this special little creek, we braved the road and make the tough little hike. Snow on Mt. Graham made for a scenic approach and the numerous willows only made it more satisfying when I caught my first Gila Trout. I never touched or took it out of the water and was very lucky that stayed in the slower water long enough for me to get a couple of pictures. A very healthy, plump fish. I lost another one and we spent the rest of our time exploring to see how many pools were fish-worthy. Dead fall and thick willows on almost every pool mean the majority of these fish will lead unmolested lives. It was so nice to break in my Shakespeare Diana 6 1/2 rod (it will be restored to original colors later this year) and my Daisy Heddon Reel matched nicely. My special thanks to my fishing buddy Rod McLeod who led me in and actually was part of the team that helped stock these threatened fish into the stream 5 years ago!
It was time for a quick getaway and rain in the recent weeks meant water should be flowing into this small lake just 30 minutes from my house. It was, it was also cool and breezy. Despite the bright sun, I could see my breath most of the day. The fish were not working at the inflow, so I scouted the south shoreline. Saw a few working and brought in my first fish of the season (a brown, they get a bit bigger each year). Have to love technology, 45 minutes earlier I was printing my fishing license. I was the only one on the lake, and the view was so nice that I stopped to eat and just take in the views. I could tell the fish were starting to get a bit more active as it warmed, but decided to hike out and get down the mountain, there were scones to be made!
Here's a grand old Boat Rod from the Leonard Rod Company, a restoration for Robert Glennon. The reel seat is stamped with Wm Mills & Sons which acquired an interest in the company in 1878. What's cool is that the stamp indicates a manufacture date between 1879 - 1887. From what I've read these trumpet or bell guides were used up to the 1920's. Very honored to work on this rod, but I will say those intermediate wraps (4 wraps wide) were a total bitch to wrap and keep on. This one took forever and I appreciate Robert's patience.
