[david_dornblaser]

Just a quick update:  I just spent an hour talking with one of our soldiers in Iraq.  The donations were very much appreciated, although this year is a tough year for our soldiers.  I have copied a post which was just made to http://www.uppermidwestflyfishig.com showing some of the donations in our soldier’s hands.  The baggies have flies, tippet, leaders, snippers, etc. in them.  I am expecting more pictures in the next few days.  I understand that some pictures did not receive military permission to be posted because of casualties.  Those who donated will be receiving certificates (they have not been sent yet due to long missions.

I just wanted to pass along this thank you,
David Dornblaser

Hello everyone,

 I Have recieved a large shipment of Fly Fishing gear from UMFF a couple of weeks ago. I would like to thank all those that have participated from the bottom of my heart. It was my intent to get pictures posted alot sooner than this but missions at hand delayed me. I am now back and will post some pictures and will continue to post on our endevores of learning how to use the equipment. I would like to say that your donations have made a difference in my soldiers lives. The support and patriotism that you have dispalyed with such a wonderful gift will be forever in our hearts. Thank you and god bless you
SFC Joseph Little

[david_dornblaser]

Unless you are willing to start an access rights group then that idea is not viable.

[david_dornblaser]

Access to streams for stream habitat and environamental groups is like free speech is to democracies.  You cannot be on the fence on this issue, if you are then you may want to revisit the issues.

I would not underestimate the importance of this debate, many local chapters are considering withholding all funds to national.  At least one state may leave TU.

– David

[david_dornblaser]

Thanks NoBait.

[david_dornblaser]

One last post.

[david_dornblaser]

We are receiving the first round of donations, everything from new Winstons to well loved rods.

[david_dornblaser]

Ok, sometimes the boys have too much free time.

[david_dornblaser]

Shooting Iraqi birds to get tying materials!  Notice the home-made “hook”, that was before the first UMFF shipment.

Pre-hook delivery.

Real life.

UMFF is commited to continue to supply fly fishing tackle and tying materials to our troops in Iraq.  The soldiers that we supply are in the thick of it, special forces and Rangers.  If you have 5 – 7 wt rods, reels, tying materials, anything that you are not using, please consider to sending them to UMFF.  It will be in a US soldiers hands quickly.  We currently have a waiting list of soldiers who are interested in taking up fly fishing.

David Dornblaser
Iraqi Fly Fishing Donations
326 Anthony Street
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

[david_dornblaser]

The need for FFF instructors!

http://www.uppermidwestflyfishing.com/photos/data/500/DSCN2339.MOV

[david_dornblaser]

The professors who started Bar Bri, are from my law school.

[david_dornblaser]

It’s a Cabela’s reel.

[david_dornblaser]

OK, here is my Dave Norling 7’9″ 2/2 hollow-built 4wt.

[david_dornblaser]

I know of quite a few anglers who fish with nothing but cane on the spring creeks in WI & MN.

[david_dornblaser]

I like Patagonia’s Deep Wading jacket.

– David

[david_dornblaser]

1) First, what type of reels do you use for most of your fishing?  The best way to characterize these is by drag type, so available answers are click-and-pawl, gear-driven-disc, and draw-bar disc?  As a sub-question, do you think you have a good grasp of what those terms mean (subjectively)?

2) Second, what price range are most of your reels in?  My sources are telling me the major market component is the $100-$150 class, with only a relative handful of reels being sold that are more expensive than that.

3) Do you try to keep a particular pound test drag setting, or do you simply set the drag where it “feels right?”  Have you ever broken off a fish due to having it come tight against a reel that was set too tight?

4) Do you find yourself drawn to the more creative reel designs like the Lamson/Waterworks and Nautilus reels, or are you more likely to spend money on a more traditional Orvis Battenkill/Abel/Tibor?

5) How often do you ding your reels and how important is it to you that they remain un-dinged?  Several new reels are using an anodization process called “hard anodizing” or Type III that makes a much tougher surface on the reel than the old Type II, which was closer to paint.  Would you pay a premium for the harder coating?  What if it meant you could only have shades of gray or black?

6) Last, based on your subjective knowledge of the market, which is better: cork or synthetic?

1.  Most of my reels are clickers.  Spring Creeks to Spey.

2.  I am at the upper end, $300 – $800.00.

3.  I set all of reels just heavy enough so that they do not overrun.

4.  Mainly Hardy’s and Tibor Lights.

5.  Dings are the “patina” of the fly fishing reel.   😎  Hard anodization is a benefit, but not one that I would switch reels for.

6.  I think that the real issue is sealed vs. non-sealed.  

– David

[david_dornblaser]

Nice fish.

[david_dornblaser]

I have been switching to fluro in clear waters.

[david_dornblaser]

Yes,  www.robertcochrane.com and http://www.arnemason.com , but they both going to be more expensive.  We have a Sage 4″ for spey rods and it is showing it’s mileage pretty quickly.  We are considering a leather tube as well.  FWIW – we have had no problem carrying on our 4″ 43″ Sage when flying.

– David

[david_dornblaser]

We just received 12 + inches.

[david_dornblaser]

I tend to like lighter lines and longer bellies like Rio’s Selective Trout, both DT & WF, Windcutter lines on 5 & up BIIx, Steelhead tapers, etc.  Lynn likes the heavier lines.  Luckily, I am a line junkie and have multiple lines to choose from.   😎

dmk37363  I appreciate your comments.  

Peddler, as always.

– David

[Author]

Posts