Dirty Stuff

WHAT'S A WATER SPOT WORTH?

Happy Anniversary

just another stick of grass ???

Mismatched cork, Water spots, Jordan Seat, Simple Walnut, Casts Great, Catches Fish

-------

.. Time was when utility was dismissed in favor of aesthetics.
.. Discounting utility for 'the pretty' is still a fairly common practice among fly fishers. Pretty fish, pretty flies, pretty cast, etc.
.. Members of the cult of Arundinaria Amabillis can be heard extolling the beauty of: grain, finish, craftsmanship, taper, uniformity of joints, etc. Oh, by the way it's possible to catch fish with it too.
.. The Orvis "99" rods sneak under the radar of pretty fishers. They look just like a conventional Orvis Impregnated Rod, (from a distance.) But upon closer inspection cult members dismiss the rods as substandard. Water spots in the bamboo are accentuated by the impregnating process, (ugh, dirty stuff.)

Serial Number - Duh

.. Red thread wraps scream abomination to the cult members that extol the aesthetic value of the dark brown thread that is "properly" used for the Orvis rods.
.. The NINETY NINE is a commemorative model. It was introduced in 1955 to commemorate Orvis's 99th anniversary. It's price point was below that of the then existing Battenkill models.
.. The quality of  bamboo, tapers, and construction is all the same. It just wasn't as pretty. There were water spots. You could see, infrequently, some small amounts of joint glue that barely was visible. It had Super Z ferrules, etc. Just not pretty. It catches fish though.
.. The 99's could be had with one or two tips and persisted in the Orvis offerings through 1966. This old friend is a late iteration and just had a birthday: April 1965, made by George Reid and Calvin Skinner. It's a fairly rare eight foot model with one tip section. It casts a 7 weight line and weighs a hefty 4 3/8 ounces. It catches fish just fine.
.. If you are not overwhelmed by pretty, this model can be had for, (in American Dollars,) far less than the pretty rods. It catches fish with the prettiest of them.
.. Orvis bamboo rods, (all of them, even the pretty ones,) are sturdy and meant to be fished. The lower grade rods feel just like a bamboo rod should feel. If you find one that matches your casting style, and can appreciate it's wonderful utility rather than it's pure beauty it can be had for a song in today's market. If you 'collect' sticks these are not for you. They catch fish.

-------

.. More dirty stuff. The Madison River in Yellowstone National Park is gaining a bit more color. We've had some blessed cool weather and some slow and soaking rains. The west side rivers are at, or below, their seasonal norms and still in the early runoff stage.
.. We suspect that they will all provide catching possibilities for the opening day this coming weekend. We're headed into the park on Thursday and Friday. We shall return with a final and late update. Check the sidebar links to feather merchants for the appropriate flies.

-------

Blue Collar Bamboo

THE ROD FOR THE REST OF US

Gentle On Ingrained Muscle Memory

as cheap as a bottom end modern rod

FUNNY NUMBERS ARE UNDER THE CLEAR PAINT - WE'LL SAND THEM OFF

 -------

.. We're not much of a gear junkie. We fish anything that gets the job done. We're embarrassed when conversations turn to the latest and greatest. We have so little to add.
.. The fancy materials continue to proliferate. The weights and actions and lengths, and designs seem to fascinate so many folks today that we're plumb out of the loop when the conversations turn.

.. We dusted off this old piece of bamboo in front of one of the "wise ones" in the neighborhood. The reaction was a bit much. It seems that we should be impressed that this old stick has in it's genealogy some names that grab others deep in their ichthio-id.
.. This old whip hearkens back to the Cross Rod Company, by way of Wes Jordan and Paul H. Young. Golly - Gee - Whizz, all of that and it catches fish too.
.. It's a post-war model, (probably late 40's,) that we picked up cheap in Pocatello, Idaho during the transition to fiberglass, (about '64 or '65.) It's been fished ever since - fancy names be damned. It caught a lot of fish on the Portnueff River back then. The South Fork too.
.. The little 7 1/2' rod sings with a six or seven weight line and feels just fine to us, given the way we cast. Either from a boat or from the bank it hits the water most of the time. And catches fish too.
.. The wise-one was quite taken aback at the thought that we found the great hoary divot in the handle, (we've been told to say 'grip',) was a bit grotesque. He explained that the divot was in fact a bit of fly fishing controversy and that the great names had all claimed it at one time or another. Wow that too and it catches fish?
.. The tip-tops are blued like a cheap gun. It has a cute pinkish reel seat and the cork handle, (oops - again,) has nifty blood grooves carved into it every so often. Probably helps to catch fish.
.. This stick sold for $9 or $10, (as much as $16 later in it's production,) and was considered a mid-grade rod. We have since fished it in over 20 states: and will fish it in one more come Thanksgiving time. It'll catch some fish too.
.. In keeping with it's blue collar heritage we're going to paint it with some shoe polish to get rid of the very twinkly finish. Dark cordovan or black should do the trick. Maybe we'll use some flat green acrylic left over from the patio table. There's a smidgen left in a spray can around here somewhere. It should still catch fish.
.. We might just sand it down to get rid of the writing and the black spots that look like candle burns, and paint it with some brown and green and black splotches so it's camouflaged a mite better than it is now.
.. And, certainly adding a fancy red or blue rubber handle, (oops - grip,) will dress it up. And, for sure, get rid of the divot in the handle - that should make it look pretty snazzy too. It may catch more fish if it gets all fixed up.
.. Maybe after we get it all customized we can sell it on eBay for the same price that it fetched when new. We'll take it to the Firehole River on Opening Day in Yellowstone National Park next weekend. Perhaps there is an unsuspecting buyer to be found there.

South Bend History, ===> LINK
The 209, ===> LINK
Comficient Controversy, ===> LINK
Big and revered names, ===> LINK

-------

GODAWFUL DIVOT IN HANDLE - RED OR BLUE RUBBER HANDLE WILL FIX IT

 



We'll Miss Ya

AS GOOD AS IT GETS

Kind, Gentle, Competent

caught fish & built rods too

 

-------

.. We can't say much more than has already been said. Ralph Moon has passed on after 85 years on this earth. He enriched us all with his charm, wit, insight, and joy for life and fly fishing.
.. About 18 years ago we became enamored with Ralph's personal rod. A unique taper that allowed us to fish big water with a short rod. It just fit us. At that time it was a 7 1/2', one tip, six weight that seemed to cast itself.
.. During an afternoon session in the basement rod shop I opined that the rod was nearly perfect. Ralph asked what it needed to be better.
.. "The same thing in a 5 weight would knock the socks of all the little fish in the lonely stretches of small waters that we liked to fish," burst from our lips.
.. About a year later the rod was ours, a surprise gift from Ralph. It was now fitted with two tips and cradled in a soft corduroy sleeve that was lovingly hand made by Pat Moon.
.. The rod now casts both tips with the same precision, delicacy, and ease. That's the kind of guy that Ralph was. Thanks again, more than a bunch, Ralph.
.. You can read his newspaper remembrance in the Island Park News. It does barely scratch the surface of this once fine fellow. He lives in our memory and that of may others. We're enriched for having known him.

-------

.

Split Some

FFF GOES TO HIGH SCHOOL

Enjoys Wood Shop

builds bamboo rod

try it you'll like it

-------

.. The Federation of Fly Fishers is offering a bamboo rod building class at the West Yellowstone High School August 19 - 23, 2010, (tentative dates.)
.. Then the FFF will meet in conclave at their FLY FISHING FAIR in West Yellowstone, August 26 - 28, 2010, (actual dates.)
.. Full and complete details HERE (PDF.)

-------

.

Just For Tom

BAMBOOZLED COMPUTER

The Green Revolution

-------

.. Be the first on your block to own the ASUS bamboo computer. You must pre-order now.
.. We suspect that one of these will find it's way to The Bamboo Forest Near Mt. Shasta.

Cure For The Blahs

WE'VE SAID IT BEFORE

Now There Are Three

.. Even fly fishers get the BLAHS. When it happens here, we usually first turn to either the Trout Underground or The Horse's Mouth for pleasant diversion and good information. Now we can add the Best Fly Fishing Yellowstone Blog to our top three escapes into other points of view and fresh perspectives.
.. Each of these offerings has undergone evolutionary change and advanced through time. The erudition and scope of coverage of these three blogs is superlative. The information is timely and concise. The writing is at worst very readably, and at best a joy.
.. Years ago regional blogging was quick and dirty. Today some still is: but not these. As a "good read" these are worth your time - as are the others in our sidebar. Of course they all reflect our very idiosyncratic personal preference, yet they continue to provide a catholic perspective that is often missing in the minutiae of the reportage in regional news. We salute these efforts and continue to look forward to their posts. We hope that you do too.
.. There has been a surge in awareness of invasive species during the last 6 - 10 months. Much of this awareness has been due to the efforts of the Protect Your Waters website. This excellent site is a classic example of just how good our government can be: dedicated public servants, working with a focus and purpose that many private corporations should envy.
.. The site is part of the ANS Task Force, and is a cooperative venture of 10 federal agencies including the United States Coast Guard, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
.. The list of partners supporting this effort is impressive, and the results of the information campaign are very rewarding. Ranging from clubs and federal agencies, through state agencies and tribal governments, to schools, businesses, and blogs there is an impressive array of "Names We All Know" that are aiding the effort to become informed about invasive species and the possible ways of combating their threat to fishing and the environment.
.. Protect Your Waters provides frequent email alerts on news and efforts in this arena. To keep informed is a simple matter: just go to THE SITE, scroll down on the right and enter your email address. This is a spam-free mailing list and you can rest assured that there will soon appear news of interest in your email.
.. In the "Plan Ahead Department," (and as a special nod to Tom 'Bamboo' Chandler,) we offer this Bamboo Vest.
.. It's a Deung Guri, a Koreen undergarment made of finely split bamboo. It is usually worn in the summertime under silk to permit circulation of air. This is just the ticket for the sweltering warmth of summer fishing. And look at all the places to hang a zinger upon - or - tweezers? - forceps? - magnifying glass? - fly box? - gad, the possibilities are endless.

Arundinaria Amabilis (aka: Pseudosasa amabilis)

photo by Samuel J. Lawrence

BAMBOO'S COOL
Should'a Heard Us 40 Years Ago
what goes around comes around

.. The resurgence of Bamboo in the last 15 years has brought a resurgence of 'mystic' to the fly fishing world - as if it needed it.
.. The "now-mainstream-again" rod material is drawing attention from news sources, bloggers, and of course fisher folks. It has all the elements to make it desirable.
.. It's exotic, it's beautiful, it's elegant, it's full of mystery, it's functional, it's rare, it's expensive, it's diverse, it's - - - well, it's heavenly.
.. TC over at The Trout Underground is busy extolling the virtues of his Phillipson rods, and is currently in mid series, (#1, #2, #?) The Times Herald Record recently had a couple of articles on the tea stick wands: Nothing Compares To Bamboo Rods, and All About Fly-Fishing's Bamboo Guys. And, of course, Business Week has been pushing the rods as perfect executive gifts.
.. Forty years ago, many were eschewing the grass for glass. Fenwick was in, Leonard was out. Ahhh, how times change. Now, again, it's glass and grass: rightly so. Not, we dare say, for all fishing - but certainly for trout.
.. We have some nice old double and triple built deep sea rods but more modern materials are a bit more substantial when hauling in a giant Black Marlin. How did "Papa" and "Zane" do it?
.. Look carefully at the prices of all kinds of fly rods. Machine made and hand wrapped for $1,000, (with a klutz-proof lifetime guarantee,) OR the same for a pre-loved classic with a lifetime of love - no contest!
.. From the beginning the split cane rod is American - what a blessing. From the shop of a master gunsmith came the first rent bamboo rod. It has been a desirable object ever since.
.. We have far too many of the damn things and have watched the monetary aspect of them fluctuate wildly in the last 50 or so years.
.. But, it's not the money; it's the memory. Each is personal, and has it's own story. A gift, a find, a trade, a treasure sought, etc. From the early Calcutta to the recent Tonkin all are mysterious and fine tools. They fish with us as friends, and their maker's ghosts are happy about it.
.. Over the years we've gathered up reels and rods that "go together." Some exotic and fancy, others mundane and pedestrian; they give us a bit of nostalgic pleasure as we fish. We could only wish that each fly fisher would gather up a period piece or two, and fish it. The blue-collar rods of the past are still around; the same for the reels. Seek and ye shall find. It's not expensive, it's enlightening.
.. The various actions - from terrible to superb - will enlighten you. The length and noodle like qualities of some, will astound you. Fish an early Calcutta rod for a day. Adjust to it's idiosyncrasies. Become friends with it. And in the process you will discover more about the sport. You will adapt, you will cuss, you will long for something better, and you will be hooked. Then get something better.
.. The curious thing about these things is their individuality. No cookie cutters here. Sort of like the fly fishers we've met. The arguments about "best" are interesting. Craftsmanship can be objectified: -- feel, and personal fit -- well to each his own.
.. We've not met a fisher on the streams that wasn't curious about our outfits. We, certainly, try to be obliging. However there is no knowledge like first hand knowledge. Go get one and try it.
.. Use you mouse to visit the Bamboo Broker, click over to see about the way bamboo grows, it's even come full circle and the Hexagraph is a modern mimic - now there's a compliment!
.. Buy one, borrow one, or whatever - no guarantees - but the trip will be worth the price of admission.
.. We can't wish to be buried with our old rods, like TC can: we couldn't afford all the other caskets.

Yellowstone's Gift

STILL SOME FISHING TO DO

pick your spots with care

.. The snow has come and gone several times in the last week. Fishing has been very good on the west side of Yellowstone National Park. The casuals have left the room, and left some room. The thin water of the upper reaches of the spawning streams are beginning to see large fish, and the lighter gravels of the Redd's are apparent from a distance.
.. Large fish are still moving, and the neighbors know where they are. We suggest that you visit the Madison River Outfitter's Report, and Blue Ribbon Flies Report, for exceptionally accurate and up-to-date information. There is good fishing to be had, and the snow is just mildly irritating. Frosty guides will be less of a nuisance if you use a bit of WD-40.
.. We are beginning to clean and store our light gear. When we lived on the ocean it was simple enough - just take a shower with your stuff. The cleaning of cane is easy, just a damp cloth and some carnuba. The reels need some lighter fluid and then light machine oil or a dab of c-moly grease. Wipe them on the outside with a soft rag with a bit of pledge, (just a bit!) We store ours in clean cotton sweat socks. The rods have their ferrules cleaned and then are softly joined and hung by the tip-top.
.. We discovered another use for Tonkin Cane - A "WOODY" - what a treat.
.. The big fish of the NW Coast call. We're listening.
.. The gift that Yellowstone gives is one of reflection and anticipation. We can now reflect on the past year and anticipate the next. We can let the fish rest and turn our attention to other - related - activities. There's several gross of flies to tie. There is everything we put off to catch up with. There is maintenance and repair. And, there is the park in winter - a gift in itself.