SilverDoctor

The net seems like a good deal, what I use right now is a piece of window screen placed on the bottom of my landing net. Just roll it up when not in use.

Nice ties, should be enticing

Here is a Google map I created showing most of the infected areas. We should take pains to clean all equipment between not only bodies of water but also Section of stream. https://drive.google.com/open?id=18h9C-q7sPbWPyecGwSDiK4Vgl04&usp=sharing

Cane Rods are an interesting subject. I've done appraisals on a good many from very valuable to tomato stakes and everything in between. Collector value is in the brand, that is, certain makers are more collectable than others. Rods made in England and America tend to top the market. The other thing is the condition, no gouges or marks, no frayed or rewrapped areas or bent guides. The original rod tube, sock and paperwork will go a long way to adding to the value. I've often looked at rods for people who where convinced that Grampas battered old Bamboo will bring enough to retire on. most of the time it might bring enough for a family trip to McDonalds. There is sometimes huge sentimental value in Cane and often people will pay to restore a product even though the value might not be there. More for the feeing of tradition and love than as a fishing tool. Something to hang on the wall and dream of the past. I have a couple of rods that both my Day and Gramps fished, and I still occasionally take them out to walk and fish the same way. Three generations of hands on the same cork is a nice feeling. If a fly rod was a high end product back in the day it was made and had a good name maker it could be valuable today. Not many could afford those rods back then, they are valuable now if in pristine condition. There was another class fo rods known to collectors as blue collar rods. These where affordable to the average Joe and many are remarkably wonderful casting fishing tools. They claim much less in the way of collector value. I have a few of of these and have re-wrapped a few abused cane rods to make nice products again. Some of the cheaper brands for example, might have good cane and tapers but had fewer guides and poor hardware. It's a bit of a rocky road and the price of all vintage products have dropped quite a bit in the last few years. Lastly are the many that where made with inferior bamboo, poor tapers, and often mass produced offshore post war. More for show and quick sale than for actual use. These might look nice and have a place hanging on a wall. I also might mention present day bamboo fly rod makers. Again there are a few who produce remarkable products and are craftsmen to the extreme. I have been lucky to fish a few of these magic sticks.

Tequela... you can buy the salt here.

Tough to say without sharp close up pictures of the rod, especially the grip area and wraps. Rods with no marking or logos don't tend to go for a much. There seems to be both a casting rod and a fly rod. It seems that the sections are all different lengths. normally rods are made to the same length and with 2w tips. Again it's really hard to tell what you have from this picture. Anyone who evaluates Bamboo will want good pix or ideally to see the rod. The hardware and wraps are often telling.

Yep nice products, and very comfy to wear all day. Lots of padding, this old guy appreciates it.

Best of the season

Oh yummies, that is a real beauty. Nice shovels.

Hi Skwala, yes can't wait to get out in the spring and chase those "risers" with you again. The man cave just has a whole bunch of old vintage Bamboo rods, Hardy reels and other old fishing stuff and collectibles. If anyone is interested I'll post a couple of pix.

That is really cool.

I agree Trailhead, when I had my boat (I sold it last spring) I was checked several times. Very thorough and friendly service, I was quite impressed. It was nice having the dog to sniff for evasive. But as you said its not a 24 hour thing. So if someone doesn’t want to get checked or is traveling late they slip through. I think there needs to be more public attention to this problem. There has been the knee jerk banning and then un-banning of felt boots as if they where the only solution to the disease. We need to have info in our fishing regulations on cleaning all equipment, bootlaces, waders and cloth nets, it all needs to be washed and dried between bodies if water. But what about others like rafters who just deflate their devices, Atv users running streams and lakes picking up mud (we’ve all seen them driving around proudly coated) and a host of other users that will transfer mud and other materials between streams and lakes and cross border. We have a great many water users besides those who fish.

Then there's us old buggers that just change flies and let the soggy one dry on a patch.

I wear my vest most of the time as its waxed and repells drizzel. I repack my waterproof sling for obvious rainly days, one or the other. Although I usually take it with me on trips as a backup in case the weather turns. Nice to have the option. Also if you carry a standard camera its great for protection it.

I sure hope so. I guess I'm getting syndical in my old age.

In this country we never close the barn door till the horses are long gone.

I've always fond it to be an excellent lake pattern for Rainbows. The fly is an old classic and comes in a variety of body colors. red and green are also excellent. I usually fish it deep with a hand twist retreve.

Nice find!!

Actually another thing I liked about the Thunderhead Sling was the integrated net holder. You can carry a nice long handled wading net with you. I was torn between the El Nino guide Pack as that looked nice also and waterproof.

Playing with a new Golden Stonefly pattern. Something I thought of after watching a hatch. Not quite there yet but I think its close. Need to add a bit of Elk Hair on the next test.

That is one thing that really surprised me, you can very quickly swivel it forward from the sling position to the front and make a front pack to get at stuff. And yes its like a pfd in a pinch.

With the waterproof zipper you do have to use a Silicon Lub yearly to prevent binding.

Starting to clean up years worth of stuff in the Mancave. Boxes of stuff I havn't looked at for years. Here's a #4 wt rod on a Matrix Blank I put together and virtually forgot about. Went a bit nuts on the handle and feather inlay detail but it was a fun project. will have to get it out this spring.

Black Doc Spratley

A shame his writing will be missed. Condolences to his family and friends.