Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Southern Rod Gathering, Arkansas

The southern rod gathering was fantastic!  We saw many of the folks we've been seeing around the country and a few new people as well.  Once again, the time went to fast!  There was a lot of great information shared and a lot of fine rods cast.  We had the opportunity to meet with one of our customers, Steve Allen and it was nice to do so.  Steve is a delightful man who obviously has good taste in fly rods :).


Tuesday, October 29, 2013

September in Ennis and the Bozeman Rod Gathering

The month of September brought an opportunity to my father and I that really was unbelievable.  We were guests of Judi Shelton at her home on the Madison river near Ennis Montana.  From her front porch one could see the Varney bridge.  Luckily, the Bozeman bamboo rod gathering took place during our stay out there and we spent that day with a bunch of great guys.  We met Dave Delisi from Sweetgrass rods, eventually visiting Sweetgrass, meeting Glenn Bracket and the rest of the crew there as well.  They were generous with their time, warm and welcoming.



Somewhere over the rainbow...  Madison river, Ennis Montana


Dad thought he might have trouble getting those dogs back from Judi!


Tom Morgan, Gerri Carlson, Dave and Dave...

We met Bill Blackburn at the Bozeman gathering.  Bill works with Tom Morgan whom we also visited at a later time during the month where we enjoyed the company and lemonade of Gerri Carlson as well as Tom.  Once again, generous, warm, and welcoming.  A tour of Toms shop was fun and educational as well.


Danny Boy


Doc Lohse, Ennis MT. We met Doc in the cafe, 94 years old, full of energy.  He invited us to fish the spring creek that ran through his yard which we did!  Quite delightful.


Off the deck at Judi's, note; moose and Madison in the background!


And yes, even a Graying!







Dad caught this 18" Brookie in a small creek on the divide, south and west of Ennis.  The fish eluded him for two hours as he drifted every fly in the box. 


                                     


It's not all fly rods and rivers!  Time for a hike in the mountains!

Big Horn Video

More product testing...


We were fortunate to have an invitation from Brad Pole to join him on the Big Horn river in Montana after the rod gathering in Colorado.  Our friend Bob Marcue graciously provided his cabin as a stop over during this trip and that gave us not only a nice place to be, but a long dreamed of opportunity to explore the creeks of the Black Hills area.  Bobs generosity facilitated an ability to stay out west long enough to make the Big Horn trip.  Even more fortunately, Bob was able to spend that time with us on the Big Horn.  In the video you will see my father and I, Bob, Brad, and David Foster.

Special thanks to Brad for the nice camera work and production of this video!

Monday, October 28, 2013

Colorado Gathering and fishing west

On the way to the Colorado rod gathering this year, river access at the North Platte in northern Colorado.

Bob Taylor casting at the Colorado gathering

Jeff Hatton with his Dad

Product testing and development on the Eagle river, Colorado

Well, I guess it works :)

Tying a few flies along the way, Bob Marcue's place in the Black Hills

Product testing on the North Platte in Wyoming

Gray Rock Gathering

Our second rod gathering of the year was near Grayling Michigan.  This was my first "big" gathering, folks from across the country attended.  There was much to learn and many people to meet.  It was absolutely fantastic.  Here we bought a beveler from Dennis Bertram.  Great time had by all!

Jerry Drake, Dave Sr


Dennis Higham, Dave Sr, Mike Biondo, Wayne Cavanaugh

Preston MN Gathering

Our first rod gathering this year was in Preston MN where we met a number of the local guys and wound up at Mike Tomasheks where we were treated to various snacks and liquid refreshments.  Many rods were casted and a nice time was had by all.
This year started out with sadness for the Norling family as my Mother passed away.  Although she suffered all kinds of medical difficulties and she is no doubt in a better place for her, it is still hard to loose someone.

On a brighter note, Dad and I have been able to do quite a bit of traveling.  We thoroughly enjoyed a number of bamboo rod gatherings, met a lot of wonderful people, learned a lot, bought a few tools, and fished along the way!

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Hello and welcome to our new Blog!  We will be posting photo's and information regarding our past and current activities here soon!