jack

That cap may be just epoxied in. Put a pan of water on to boil, about 1/2" of water should do it, dip the butt end into the boiling water for about 45 seconds, remove then try and pull it off . There are fighting butt adapters available to install in the reelseat for removable fighting butts. http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/cork-fighting-butts/ j

They will be sent on Monday. And that's great, you have certainly put enough effort into this to make it successful. Good job. j

Soooo, Richard, did you want to email me the name and address of the winner, or do you want me to send it to you so you can play with it first ? j

"I think the idea of a cork composite grip, or something similar, too increase grip and durability when fishing in less than ideal situations is a great idea." The composite grip is absolutely the best thing to come along in awhile. Not only increases durability, it gets away from the increasingly cruddy cork that is available. AAAA cork is woth it's weight in gold, now. j

I like this one for an office: j

"Midge" blank finish, Dan j

Nope and no plans at the moment. Design and building is not an issue, producing them for a very small market is. In order to maintain a reasonable price structure, with a good warranty, there has to be a market for 100+ rods in Alberta and BC. To this point, I'm not convinced there is. j

"I have always liked the design where you can shorten the rod (say from 8'6" to 7'6") ...." Interesting.... so what do you visualize, a 4pc, let's say 9' that you could take off the lower mid-section(#2), exchange a 1' shorter section, to make it 8' ? Essentially a 5pc rod with one piece being interchangeable? j

"Hard Water Season" or as I put it: "Fly Rod Design Season" has begun. Have any of you identified any models of fly rods that aren't "out there", that you think should be? Let me know, with as much detail as you can. Not promising anything, because a lot of factors go into producing a new model of rod, but if you have ever thought your input might be constructive, here is your chance. Of course, anyone coming up with a viable rod configuration would obviously receive a prototype with their name on it. Tanks, guys/men/girls/ladies. Already on the design 'puter: 10' 4pc 4wt, 10' 4pc 6/7wt Saltwater Beach Rod, 13'6" 4pc 8wt spey.

Some St. Croix were made offshore and some are now made in their brand new facility in Fresnillo, Mexico.(page 60 of the latest issue of Fly Fusion) A large percentage of components are made "offshore" and many rods are technically "assembled in USA". j

I have an ingrained softness in the head for Islander Reels, obviously. This is a photo in my gallery entitled "Six Lovelies". In spite of the opportunistic collecting, they are all very well used. My stillwater favourite is the green IR4LA, it was a Christmas gift from two very special friends, Barry Stokes, GM of Islander and Brian Chan, a virtually unknown flyfisher who lives in Kamloops. He has TWO of them !! My "other favourite" is the FR3 Spey Reel, a gift (complete with spey rod) from my current wife, on our 30th Anniversary. j

This photo was taken by Kris Maier of Prince George, BC of my Wind Warrior spey rod and matching reel. Winter on the Nechako River. It was "commissioned' as a website and catalog photo. I thought it showed an unusual level of "artistic license" with the coiled line and subdued lighting effect. j

My activities are all spin-offs of my fly fishing obsession. Got into rod building, then after I retired 2+ years ago, got into designing fly rods, in particular for "niche markets", sort of stuff that none of the "names" produce ? Something to do during "hard water season". So now, I design for a small manufacturer, and they cover my expenses to test the prototypes during the fishing season. Keeps me out of jail. j

Fish Tales will have one to fondle and look at by Nov. 25 or there abouts. j

Their value has dropped significantly since people started cloning their own. http://vimeo.com/3207607 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh8cfZwZJvo...feature=related

I tried out the new Korkers "Klingon" sticky rubber soles with studs on the snot rocks of the North Thompson two weeks ago, I think that studded felts work a bit better, but I had no slipping issues with the studded rubber. No problems in the snow, either. j

Precision's fly hooks have never straightened on me. Used on steelhead, coho and a 33lb chum this fall. j

There is a guy who fishes in Bella Coola every fall, who builds them, has a shop in the Okanagan. I've looked at the one on his truck and looks bomb-proof. http://www.loadmyboat.com/ j

Funny, Don. You must have read my mind ! As I was posting, I thought "...except Don's bamboo rods, of course! " j

Any flies that I buy, I get from Precision Fly & Tackle in Puyallup, Wash. http://www.precisionflyandtackle.ecrater.com/ It's a group of medically discharged military vets who produce flies as a group. No the cheapest, but they are quality stuff and very durable. j

I'm not aware of any rods or even components that are made in Canada. Even guys that have innovative ideas for performance have the blanks custom made "somewhere else". j

On my recent birthday, when my son called, wished me a happy birthday, then said "Guess you're qualified o drive down the highway with your left turn signal on, huh, Dad ? " Damn, smartass kids. PS: Great to see you, Don ! j

Just a note for your consideration,(I will PM you with edited recommendations, also): During ice-over, when air temps are below freezing, rainbow trout should never be removed from water. Exposed to freezing air, their gills freeze almost instantly and are irreparably damaged. "Catch & Release Ice-fishing" just does not work. Yes, the fish may swim away, but it is usually dead within 20 minutes. Edited to add a reference: ".....Reducing the time you keep your catch out of the water takes on added importance when the air temperature is near or below freezing. Oxygen extraction occurs through the outermost layer of a fish's gills. That layer is only one cell thick, so it is easily damaged when exposed to freezing air temperatures. Minimize that exposure time. Better yet, keep the fish in the water while removing your hook. A few seconds of cold fingers is better than running the risk of damaging a fish's gills." http://www.wisconsintu.org/CPR/tabid/64/Default.aspx j

'Bout time you got here, John. Gotcha! j

Anyone who has eyes and frequents our streams, on either side of the rockpile, can see the wholesale dewatering of our flows. Apparently "water conservation measures" are only directed at urban lawns, yet the wholesale use of irrigation sprinkler system during the heat of the day, accounting for at least 50% evaporation just goes on. Water storage is frowned upon or even prohibited, while increased pumping from rivers with dropping levels is ignored. People have wake up and kick some political *ss. j