flechero

in the same sense that setting hook when fish bite will lead to dulled hooks, or if you continually drive your car, you'll wear out the tires.

I'm truly humbled by the warm display of such Christian spiritual principles, as forgiveness and compassion. WWJD Flech? What makes you think I can't or haven't forgiven him? My forgiveness doesn't change what the act was, be it cowardly, selfish or irresponsible. I have much more compassion for those left behind to deal with the mess. I imagine JC wouldn't be so happy with it. It is discussed in scripture. Funny that you only addressed me in your post. Even funnier that you failed to consider my second post. In your obvious quest to champion all that is right in the world, your blinders must have gotten in the way of the rest of the text. You haven't thrown stones in a while... what made today so special?

Start here: http://www.rodguild.com/builderfinder.html choose rod repair, then search. each name is clickable for detailed info. If the refurb is specialized beyond modern repair techniques, those folks will know who you should call.

LBH wrote: http://www.legacyoutfitters.org/ While not Church specific, they are involved with several of the local Churches and charities. Legacy is an all outdoors group (at least our local chapters) they have a number of fishing, hunting, archery, charity and social events annually. They also have well known speakers at monthly meetings. This is where I met Alton Jones last year. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1163600378/0#0 Our church doesn't have an actual "club" but rather a group of fisherman who are close and will do fun or small $ tourney between ourself every so often. A club was discussed but we decided it would be too formal, and no one wanted to get saddled with the administrative duties. The thread it was mentioned in, is in a downward spiral so I figured it warranted a fresh look. Assume that since a Mod asked the question, it's ok to discuss. edited to add: NO THEOLOGY PLEASE, or this will get deleted.

True, it was reported on the local news as drug related, and implied it was suicide. I shouldn't have assumed they checked the facts... If it turns out that he was not responsible for it, I'll delete my post above. One can only hope that he had a will and had a provision for his daughter... if not- The state laws vary on intestacy.... the daughter is very likely (the or) a primary heir, and the courts would appoint a guardian to the minor for the financial oversight.

Among other things, he left a child without a father. :'( If it was suicide, what a selfish, cowardly act. If it was an accidental OD, what a selfish and irresponsible act.

Thanks for the update.

How many outfits so far? By your replies is seems you have gotten a bunch of messages... Just curious as to how many you have pledged and how many you think you'll give out this year?

Favre didn't play great but there were plenty of dropped balls that hit recievers in the hands (for both teams) that it shouldn't have even gone to OT.

Even people in east Tx. know that 38's won't float a truck. ...lol Looks like you tried swimming, not mudding.

To loosely quote Buck Perry "unless a body of water dries up or change dramatically, your grandchildren should enjoy the very same 'spots' that you have found productive."

Welcome, it's always good to see another fly fisherman around here! Maybe with a thousand more we'll finally get the fly fishing forum! I'm not holding my breath though. ...lol

For that money... no question about it, I would call ReelMech today and order a custom, built on the St. Croix blank you like. Also, complete BS. IMX is NOT brittle, just for the record. (unless you are comparing it to straight fiberglass.

Your "buddy" sounds like my brother. > Perhaps he owes you a chunk of his combat pay! I know it must have felt like you got sucker punched. Maybe we can fix you up... What reels are they? Can they be sent to ReelMech for some TLC and a rework? If so, you box them up and mail to him and I'll pay ReelMech's bill for you. What's wrong with the rods? Assuming he didn't lose or throw them away- if they are salvagable, I can replace some guides and make repairs. We all have extra tackle- Why don't you make a list of things you need and I bet we can either replace or substitute much of it. Fair enough?

You said in your 1st post that you used to fly fish but didn't say how proficient you were.... a "better" caster can normally get away with a lighter rod. The larger, heavier or more wind resistant the fly, the harder it is to cast. The heavier rod and line will cast those better. So we usually choose the rod wt for flies and the casting conditions, not the fish we expect to catch. I had a 5 wt for trout streams and ponds... but as I got better, I built a 4wt to use instead. I like it better, but it took a little more practice to do what I used to w/ the 5wt. I also built a 2 wt for no wind days... It's FUN! Length is part preference and part function. Most stream rods are shorter, due to over hanging trees and tree lined banks. I honestly don't think a 9' rod is needed in 5wt or less. (but I see those are river/stream rods) If you were going to use it mostly in lakes, then it might be better to go w/ 9'. My casting doesn't get better w/ 9' rods in 4 or 5 wt... it actually gets a little worse. Distance is about the same but I lose some accuracy and can't lay it down as softly. 2 pc. vs. 4 pc (or even 5pc.) is mostly a travelling convenience, IMO. (I don't think one is "better" as you could make a good arguement for either) I occasionally fly to my destinations so I have gone to all 4 pc rods for that reason. (I keep them in the hard case, with carry on luggage) Some airlines will let you put 2 pc rods in the coat closet between 1st class & coach but that's hit or miss and I am not willing to chance my trip on it. Generally speaking, today's rods will cast about the same and the joints will work (flex) in the cast so they all feel similar. I don't have any 4pc rods that cast "worse" than 2 pc... at least not that I can detect. Even my 6'6" 2 wt. is a 4 pc... overkill? yes, but it goes inside my back pack while hiking. I use a tube sock as a soft case ...lol I linked you to 2 pc. rods but only because I wanted to suggest a good rod that was affordable, and I wan't sure if your budget was "all gear" or just the rod/reel. My intent was not to write a book but I haven't talked flyrods in a while. ...lol

And practical, too! I have been looking all over for a reel that will take 3 lb test line! ;D

Links is on the right track... find the hook you like best and have a buddy that ties flies add a mono or fluoro loop to it. Takes about 60 seconds per hook. You can cover a lot of ground during halftime of a game! There are several types of loops. I prefer the kind you see on the gammy finesse weedless hooks but tied in with mono or fluoro.

I've got a several cold weather trips under my belt with Maxx in #14 and #17. I bought it to try as a cold weather alternative to XT. While it's much clearer and I think I'll like it in the warm water, it acted just like XT in the cold weather. It's harder bodied than I expected and than it's advertised as. Maxx may become my clear water line but it's not going to be my cold water line. Back to your question, we did some cranking and traps over hydrilla beds, and it was fine for that, but it was on the only warm day we had so that made it handle better. Also it will handle much better in #12, we just didn't use anything that light. If you are used to P-line, you might find Maxx to be a good step. Worth a spool to try out, for sure.

For fish in the size you mentioned, a 5 wt is plenty, and depending on your flycasting background and the type of trout waters, a 4 wt might also be a good choice. I will say this on flyrods/reels... unless you are going to fish saltwater or have a BIG budget, spend almost all of your money on the rod. A flyreel for this purpose rarely acts as anything more than a line storage spool. As a general rule, decent fly rods start at about $100- as a hard rule, TFO makes excellent fly rods for $100: http://www.templeforkflyrods.com/rods/signature.html#T There are lots of good rods available today and any decent fly shop will let you test cast any rod outside... I highly recommend you do this before buying, regardless of brand. I have no experience with TFO reels but they offer what looks like a nice reels w/ 2 spools for $50. Most of the $50 reels offered will do everything you need a 5 wt to do. Don't skimp on fly line. $60-$75 is not too much for line... it lasts for years and makes the difference between fair and great casting. I don't think I can help much with smallie advice- since our smallies are in a canyon lake and we use large streamers on 7-8 wt rods. (plus we normally fight a good wind) Smallies on the fly are awesome... good luck!!

Similar diameter lines will lay more evenly on the spool and make better joining knots... that's what I'd go with. I think the casting difference would be so small, I doubt anyone could detect the different effect of backing diameters.

Muddy- the All Star jig 1 and jig 2 are great rods

You read it wrong... I meant with glasses and a bad pic (head shot) the guy in the video could resemble avid

For the price, the rx6 and rx7 blanks are great. I have built on and use both. The worst experience I have had with them- has been excellent.

With a pair of oversized glasses and a cell phone pic, he could pass for avid.

nope... I wouldn't take a draw tite on the shin for a blooper tape! In most of those clips he has a second of shear terror (or real pain) on his face, I think that for 20+ years of taping there haven't been that many bloopers. I'm glad you don't have the last 20 years of tape on me!! ;D