bamboo rod class: day4

This trip is turning into the experience to remember. Not only I'm learning something new to build but the whole new cultural experience as well. The people I've met through this class has something wonderful to share and it has been very exciting as well as educational for me...

Today, our canes morphed into " almost fly rods" after the painstaking works.

Binded, glued, and baked rod.

Sanding and more Sanding...

Now that's what I'm talking about!

Attaching ferrule

Ferrule is glued on.

Practicing the "separation"

Stacking up cork rings for your grip.

Shaping of grip.

My "George the Asian cowboy" cigar style handle (don't ask)

Ken the mac daddy here graciously invited us for dinner to his very intriguing and beautiful self sustainable comune and treat us with an wonderful food and fellowship.

One of artwork from Ken's house.

bamboo rod class: day3

Today was the longest and strenuous day yet very rewarding as we now have binded blanks. a lot of elbow greasing went in today's work as it was all about planing after planing.

Ready to start the day.

Steve and Randy putting a lot of elbow grease and patience

Finished strips

Ready to be glued

Two part epoxy application

Barry binding his rod

Finally, we have something that resembles fly rod.

Tom displays his battle scar and new found respect for rod building

bamboo rod class: day2

using alcohol lamp to straighten canes.

straightened strips.

Planner specifically designed for bamboo rod building

After a couple of runs through the planner, isometric triangled strip

Strips gets baked for thirty minutes at 300 degree farenheit

Calibrated the planner block for further planning for tommorrow

Finished the day with local beer

bamboo rod class: day 1

Today was my first day of 6 days course of bamboo fly rod class. I arrived in Blue Ridge, Georgia last night and just came back from the first day of class. Today we spent all day flamming and splitting a cane which will be planed down tomorrow. I'm with five other gentlemen from all over the states. its good to be with other fishermen who are passionate about this sport.

I noticed that Pataguchi's new waders are being made in Korea now! I was told a few years ago that no one outside of china was producing waders(except Simms). I wonder who's making them?

Rio Azul Waders - Regular

$239.00 

Style No. 82185

Our lightest, most packable waders designed for the traveling or backcountry angler who requires lightweight performance.

This garment has a Relaxed Fit

Shown: 

Narwhal Grey (NHG-602)

When you're carrying everything you need for a week of hard fishing on your back-or in checked airline baggage-every inch and ounce counts. Our new Rio Azul Waders are built for extreme lightweight performance and max packability. The tough 4-layer, 5-oz polyester fabric with waterproof/breathable H2No® HydroStorm barrier and Deluge® DWR (durable water repellent) finish rolls up tight for travel and keeps you dry when you fish. Fully adjustable suspenders and anatomically designed left and right neoprene booties ensure comfortable fit for long days in the water. A waterproof interior pocket protects phone or car-alarm remote from the inevitable that-tailout-was-deeper-than-I-thought swimming sessions. Stretch Wading Belt with DuraFlex® Stealth-V buckle protects you from the same. Front utility keeper for convenient tool attachment. Field repair kit included.

Details

• Durable polyester plain weave fabric features our waterproof/breathable H2No Hydrostorm barrier and a Deluge DWR finish; with fully taped seams
• Adjustable suspenders
• Anatomically designed left and right neoprene fitted booties
• Laser cut Hypalon® utility keeper for easy access to tools, nippers, etc.
• Interior waterproof pocket
• Field repair kit included
• Main Body: 4-layer, 5-oz 100% polyester plain weave with a waterproof/breathable H2No® HydroStorm barrier and a Deluge® DWR (durable water repellent) finish
• 997 g (35.2 oz)
• Made in Korea.

Two guys from my home town trying to kickstart a new flyfishing comedy show. Kick em a few bucks if you'd like to see it happen...

Skunked in Paradise

Inspired by Charles, headed up to Paradise Springs for an afternoon. It was pretty as ever and those trout were picky as ever. Putting up a few photos anyway for mrLee, so he can remember what it looked like.

High-sticking in NJ

As I mentioned in the previous post, the Northeast area is going through the warmest winter ever. Today, I found myself high-sticking in Ken Lockwood Gorge for some trouts. Twenty plus anglers had the same ideas as I have... Could be the double digit unemployment rate...

Due to over crowd, I only had a few spots to fish. I even had a nasty altercation with a guy who casted his spinner to a pool which I was fishing.

I have been spoiled by creeks I'd been fishing which provide plenty of solitude experince and found myself being somewhat frustrated but it was nice to see some bigger stocked fish.

For your viewing pleasure

First Trip of the Year

Northeast is going through an exceptionally mild winter which I'm not complaining. However, I haven't been fishing due to busy schedule. Although I had to be back home by 4pm for my nephew's first birthday party, I couldn't resist the 49 degree weather...

The first sighting of the creek nailed me in my track and helped me unwind.

I used to catch a lot more brookies in this stream than browns but it seems though browns are taking over the creek as the most of my catch are brown. I've noticed this throughout the last year as I spent a lot time on this creek. I'm not sure if this is the survival of the fittest but this is somewhat disturbing for me because this creek is the closest creek from my house that holds abundances of the native fish at least used to be...

Fly Fishing Film

I went to a film screening yesterday which is held at one of the Patagonia store in the city. The film is about an epic journey to Kamchatka peninsula. I've shed some tears...

Eastern Rises | teaser from felt soul media on Vimeo.

Seeking suggestion

Patty and I are planning on a trip to Yellowstone this summer for two weeks. Initially thought about flying out to Jackson Hole and fish there for a couple of days and then move onto Cody, Cooke City and end our trip in West Yellowstone. Then I realize that we might not truly enjoy the experiences if we bounce around too much.

Currently, I'm just thinking about staging our trip in one or two area (West Yellowstone and Cody) and throw in as many different fishing experiences as possible.

Any suggestions on itinerary, timing, guide services and etc..? Thanks in advance for your help...

A Great Fishing Report

I recently came across a fishing report from Blake on their site, "Illinois Wisconsin Fishing" and was refreshed by the concise, generous, and thoughtful nature of the report. There seems to be thousands of fishing reports out there on even more blogs, but once in a while you see a good one like this. Thanks for a great report Blake & Team.

Check out this:
http://illinoiswisconsinfishing.blogspot.com/2012/01/trout-river-iowa-driftless-report.html

and more at:
http://illinoiswisconsinfishing.blogspot.com/

ANGLING WORLD 魔魚釣界

Damn! Wai Loong and his friends how to party! These guys are everywhere and everywhere they find the craziest fresh water beasts! Happy New Year Wai Loong, thanks for all the information. Can't wait to see your photos from the Thailand Jungle Trip.

Check out more at:
http://anglingworld.blogspot.com/

Swimming with Iphone

I had a dream last night where GF was wading ahead of me, lost his balance, and fell in. Rather than freak out and start gasping for air, like I would do, he started swimming gently across the pool with rod in hand. Good news for all you smart phone users...No more plastic bags, or worrying about taking a call streamside. I wonder if they can do it for cigarettes????

Things make you smile

Found this metal curb in Brooklyn. Near Pratt Institute to be exact.

Yes boys, Although I love seeing cool videos, we need to go fishing...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Always dress for the PAwty boys. Happy New Year