OK, I love my bamboo rod now.

[Abe Mathews]

Made it to the Clinch today for the generator shutoff at noon.  Only a few other folks there, the cooler temps seemed to keep them at bay for a bit.  I started out with a VERY long leader (for me), 5′ furled leader with about 5′ to a size 16 olive scud and then 2′ more down to a size 22 brassie.  I fished that for about an hour and didn’t see a fish, much less see my indicator move.  So I cut off the brassie, and decided to try something different.

For some reason I just love trying different crap with midges when I’m at the vise.  I’ll try about anything on a size 18 hook.  I tie them up, then promptly forget about them and tie on a zebra midge.  Well, today I figured I had nothing to lose.  Last night I’d tied up a midge with a root beer glass bead, a red thread body, and transparent orange vinyl ribbing (actually, beading tube from a craft store) on a size 22 TMC 2457.  I figured that the glass bead wouldn’t sink fast enough for the water speed, so I put on a size 6 split shot.  I rarely use split shot, I was lucky to find them in my bag.

First cast into a hole and I hooked up, hard.  When I finally saw the fish my heart stopped.  It was the largest rainbow I’ve hooked, probably about 18 – 20 inches.  Every time it shook, it didn’t flash silver – it flashed blood red.  The fish ran me around the pool for a bit then shook the hook.  Oh well, you can’t be this good looking AND lucky, I guess.

Next three casts brought two fish, both small rainbows.  Then I had another hit, and the fish was big enough to get the net.  I decided to shoot this one and send it to Dave (the guy who made my rod).

Nice rainbow, especially for a crappy fisherman like me.  Dang it was cool fighting it on bamboo – different feel than graphite for sure.  Better.

[Michael Phillippe]

Abe, Glad you like the cane rod. It IS a different experience. But, don’t necessarily get another rod from the same builder (not to take business away from the guy), because the rods all have personalities and you will come to appreciate them as individuals.

[Darrin Terry]

Nice, Abe. How about a pic of that fly? Congrats on solving the puzzle and finding joy with the new rod.

[Abe Mathews]

Nice, Abe. How about a pic of that fly? Congrats on solving the puzzle and finding joy with the new rod.

Darrin, I’d love to post a pic of the fly.

[Darrin Terry]

In that case…well done! ::)

It still amazes me how well the tiniest midges catch fish, and big fish at that. I often find myself experimenting with midge flies at the vise. I also find myself ignoring those experiments on the water. 🙂

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