beeker

@rickr Thanks. I see where I went wrong. I don't " know a few guys on the the front end of Amundson". I just bought a reel with out making a connection with the guys at the front end. Then when their piece of crap reel dies on me, tough, we don't know you. Seriously, 2 reels didn't last a total of 20 days on the water!!!! If "some company" wants to "seem to give to try to give back" then they can give me my hard earned cash back. I'm sure your friends at Amundson appreciate your effort. Maybe you'll get another rod or reel for your internet contribution. For the rest of you folks out there with Amundson reels that sound like gravel in a tin can, good luck!!! Beeker

@rickr Nice to hear that Amundson is so good for the community. But, it's not really charity, it's advertising. I still stand by my opinion. They made no attempt to do good by me. I know I sound bitter, but they got a $150 out of me and I've got nothing to show for it. I hope it went to a good cause. Beeker

Hey all, I thought I should share my experience with everyone after my dealing with Amundson. In Jan of 2010 I bought a Trend reel at WSS here in Edmonton. First trip of the year, Swan Lake, it starts to make a grinding noise when line is going out. I get it home, where it's warm and dry, No noise. Hmmm. Next trip, BC interior, drag fails completly. Sounds like it's full of gravel. The reel lasted a total of 6 days. I get home and ship it to Amundson. They get back to me by e-mail the day it arrives there, and offer to ship me a new one immediatley. I'm thinking, Wow, what service, this new company is trying really hard!! Now, 2011, new season, back at Swan Lake, reel drag totally fails again. Same symptons. The replacment lasted 9 days. I suppose you could say I had a 50% increase in durability. I'm not worried after how Amundson treated me last year. I'm thinking they must of had a bad batch/run and they will deal with it in a manner to keep their new customers happy. So, off to Amundson it goes. I check with Priority Post and my reel had arrived the day after I sent it. I wait 6 days, haven't heard a word from them, so I e-mail them to ask what the status of my warranty claim. 2 days after that they e-mail to say they're thinking about it. 4 days after that I get a call from them. I had asked for my money back, instead of anther disposable reel. The rep said they had to talk to WSS about a refund, and that they would get back to me a couple days. Say what? I wait 4 days, hear nothing. So e-mail to ask. Couple of days later I get a call. Amundson rep tells me they can't get me a refund from WSS. I tell the rep I'm not asking for a refund from WSS. I'm asking for a refund from Amundson, since it's less than a year since I got the replacement reel. Rep tells me they can't/won't do that. Then rep admits they had a problem with that line of reels, but the new version, the Trend G2, is much better. Great. I'm thinking they're going send me one of those as a replacement. WRONG! The rep tells me for $60 they will send me a G2. The rep tells me that a G2 costs over $200. I know for a fact that they are $150 at WSS. My old Trend was $145 new. By now I'm fairly choked because I'm not going to get my reel replaced and they want me to pony up for an inflated price on a new one. I told the rep to keep the old reel, and told them that I didn't like getting hosed on a new reel, and that I would tell my friends about their "quality" products and service. So friends, You've been told. I wouldn't recommend an Amundson reel to anyone. If you're in the market for a reel, I'd stay away from Amundson if I were you. Thanks for listening. Beeker

Chaisson, If it is the wading belt with the large panel on the back, yes I have one. Been using it for years. I had disc surgery about 10 years ago that fixed most of my issues, but I still can not stand around for any length of time without getting numbness in my legs. With the belt I can hike and fish all day without any problems. I figure it's an essential piece of gear for me. $100 seems a little steep, I think I only payed about $30, but that was along time ago. Then again, all that R & D,space age materials, warranty, etc, etc. Sorry, already beat that topic to death. Beeker

GrnDrake and Jayhad, I understand that an $800 rod is better than a $400 rod , is better than a $200 rod. My own gear proves it to me. What I'm saying is, by comparison, an $800 Remington has far more material costs, waaaaaay more machining costs and has almost as much hands on work as any fly rod. Almost all done in the USA and paid for in US dollars. So how are they able to keep the cost the same as what Sage, etal, charge for a graphite tube. Remington is not under charging, you don't stay in business for over 150 years by doing that. Ergo, rod companies, while producing many fine products, must be getting away with an incredible mark-up. Agreed? Beeker P.S. If I could smoke it past the missus, I have a Z-Axis in a heart beat.

Hi all, I was in a sporting goods store in Victoria last week (looking for an Amundson wind warrior if anyone has any opinions?) while out there fishing and visiting. I very helpful young guy showed me a beautiful Sage Z-Axis. A very nice fishn' pole indeed. Then I saw the price tag!! EIGHT HUNDRED AND TEN FLIPPEN DOLLARS, plus taxes!!! The reason this seemed exceedingly steep was because I had just come from the other end of the store where they sold guns. For $810 I could have bought any one of a number of very well made, name brand ,new rifles or shotguns. Boys and Girls, there is no way that ANY fly rod could be more expensive to develope, manufacture and market, including the liabilty insurance issue, than even the simplest bolt action hunting rifle. So my my question is, are we getting hosed by the fishing equipment manufacturers? I think we are, but it has no bearing on whether I love to fish or not. What do you think? Beeker

Hi All, I need new wading boots. I'm going through a pair of yer garden variety Hodgman's in a season and a half or less. I know Simm's has a great reputation so I figure it's time to buck up and get something that's going to last awhile. I haven't decided between the G4 or the Rivershed, but for sure the Vibram sole. Does anyone have any comments or experience with either? Is the G4's worth the extra bucks? After surfing around I think Country Pleasures has the best price and delivery option for me here in the far north. Let's hear it! Thanks. Beeker

M, I forgot one very important detail. You have to have "Oarright" ( I think that's the brand name?) oar collars. They lock the oars in the oar locks so that the blade is always perpendicular to the water surface. Then they can act like a keel or rudder, not just spin in the oar locks. Your right about the solar panel. Way too much hassle for possibly no gain. Besides, an extra battry to swap out when required is cheaper. Beeker

M Sorry about that, I'll try again. I have a 9 foot Outcast Discovery with a 40# thrust Minnkota. I use a wheel chair battery I got at Battery World. It's a deep cycle but about 30% smaller than a regular battery. Cost was about $100. Be sure to get a case and the breaker panel that Minnkota reccomends. Both are inexpensive. As for steering, I have the oar keepers (available at Fishin Hole $20) that use velcro to attach at the rear of the frame. With the oars resting in these the blades hang in the water about even with the transom on the cargo deck. They act like two keels and directional control using the motor normally is a snap. If you lift and lock the motor about 45 degrees using the anchor pulley/lock is also not a problem. I hope that helps you. I love the idea about the solar panel, I gotta' check that out. Beeker

Hi All, I thought I would pass on some Kudeos on the board for a local guy. I put a big order into Icky's Fly Works on Wedensday eve. It was my first time dealing with him. I had them in my hand today, Monday, up here in the B'mont. Fast service, great quality and an unbeatable price. It does pay to shop local and support a local guy who supports our sport. I'm sure he'll get more of my business! Now all I need is some warm weather to open up our area lakes. Come on SPRING!! Beeker

I'm seriously thinking about purchasing one of Fishpond's Wasatch or Wildhorse pack vests. I'll have to do it online, but before I spend that kind of dough is there anyone out there that has any experience with them. Specifically, how do they stand up durability wise, are they comfortable, is the pack on the Wasatch big enough, etc? Thanks.

Most definitley been gutted and looks like scaled as well. It has white gums, so not a chinook. It has spots, so not a sockeye. Wrong eye for a chum/dog salmon. It has spots on the dorsal fin but it doesn't look like a pink salmon. So that leaves either a coho or a 'bow. If it still had scales you'd get a much better ID. Whatever it is, it's a very affective poster. I worked on a commercial salmon troller many many moons ago and I gutted more fish than I care to remember, so I think thats why became hooked on CAR fishing so long ago. Beeker

Just under 19". I got him high sticking a nymph in a bit of pocket water about half the size of a pool table. He faught like a demon and I figured it couldn't get any better that day, so I reeled in, checked out the scenery, and watched my buddies finish the day. Hope to see you next season, I'll bring the Glenmorangie. Bruce

Jim, Green Drakes?? Or perhaps something "Green Drake-ish" of your own making? GR Hare's Ears on the dropper also were working. I finished up with the best high country cuttie of my season on Friday afternoon. Went home to get ready for the next season with a big grin on my mug. Oh yea, it's not my spool.