Joel Thompson
Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Hey MendingMachine!
Not looking good at this point. 🙁 That may change though and if it does I will let you know.
Where are you driving from?
Moosedog
Hi Dave!
Are you a Helena boy? I guide out of Deer Lodge and live in Missoula during the winter. I with you on the cabin fever thing! I don’t think I have ever seen so much freakin ice on the Blackfoot in my life! Could be interesting when things warm up!
My B2x is a nine footer. I made the rod myself which is probably why I like it so much! Plus when building a rod you can manipulate the action a little by the number of wraps you put on your guides and the ferrule (sp?) ends of the rod.
I know exactly what you mean when it comes to throwing that small crap on the MO! I call it poke and hope! I suppose that is why I only fish the MO in the spring and the fall. Egg patterns in the spring for rainbows and lots of streamers in the fall for browns!
Moosedog
Dave I like your testing method. Were these rods all on lone or do you actually own them all? I think the new Z-AXIS is an amazing rod! I spent a half day on the Big Horn this past fall chucking tandum streamers at big browns with this rod and was amazed at how easy it was. That said I am also a huge fan of the BIIx. I own this rod in a 4wt and it is by far my favorite dry fly rod.
As it has been said on this board a 100 times before. It’s all about personal taste. What works for you may not work for the next guy and visa versa.
Moosedog
Great photos Zach! I especially like the sign that is from the United States Department of Agribulture. Is this a new department of our government that I am unaware of or was Cleatus doing there proof reading for them again?
Hey Poudre! How’s that snow treating you? Just remember the more snow the better the river flows in the summer.
Those Simms Dry Creek packs are pretty sweet. I have one for my camera that I love and just ordered the one your looking at on a pro-deal. If you are looking for a good deal check this out.
http://www.mrfc.com/MadisonRiverShopping/SearchResult.aspx
That should take you right to the pack you are looking for!
Moosedog
Hi Ralph! The ranch I work on is an 80,000 acre ranch in Western Montana. We currently run just over 5000 head of cattle on the ranch. I know, your still thinking what the hell does that have to do with fly fishing, right? Well we are putting in a small development on the ranch that will include a golf course, a fishing lodge, a fly shop, golf shop,fitness center, and 255 homesites. That is where you get the conection between the fly shop and the cattle ranch. If you care to read more about we have a web page. http://www.rockcreekcattlecompany.com
Hope that makes things a little clearer for you Ralph!
Moosedog
I have taken the logo to an embroider and they are making up two samples for me to approve before putting it on any clothing. Simms also has a copy of the logo and they will also make up a sample for me to approve before going any further with it. I also have a more simplified version of just the skull and cross bone fly rods. I will be using this one on a lot of hats and on the back of the neck on some shirts.
When I get these samples back from the embroider I will post pictures so you all can see what the final product is going to look like.Moosedog
Hey Pancho! It is funny that you mentioned dpreview as I was on that site when I got the email that someone replied to this post! A lot of good info on that site. Ya, I stuggle with the idea of needing both. It would be much less of a struggle if the SLR and lens weren’t so damn expensive! Then I would be able to justify it a whole lot more! I just don’t want to have buyers remorse if you know what I mean.
Hi All!
Well thanks to all of your help and Zach for introducing me to Ed Felker we have come up with a logo that I think is pretty damn cool! We may have to make a few minor changes after we get it back from the embroider, but this is basically what we have come up with. Let me know what you think!
Moosedog
Hey Mending Machine!
I don’t think you are a wuss for not making the drive up I think you’re smart! Fly fishing in the cold is fine…fly fishing in the wind one can deal with…but fly fishing in the cold and wind is just not very much fun!
Keep me posted on your plans as I might be able to make it work this weekend. Nice to get such a good report from Clint! 🙂
Moosedog
Hey Mending Machine! Long time no hear from! I am in Missoula at my home this weekend. So I am a little more than 2 hours away. I don’t know what your weather is like in Dillon today but it is snowing and blowing big time in Missoula!
Anyhow, thanks for touching base and next time you come up give me a little more notice and I’m sure we can hook up!
Moosedog
I use only Ross reels. No other reason than that was the reel I went with when I decided to get serious about fly fishing. I never saw any reason to change since they are a great reel. As far as drag goes I believe the Ross’s I have are all radial pawl. My understanding of the different types of drag are vague at best.
I usually pay between $100-$200 for reels, but that is with a pro deal. If I was not getting that kind of deal I would probably try to stay in that range by picking something up used.
I always test my drag by feel. And since I upgraded to Ross reels I can’t recall breaking off a fish because the drag was too tight. The old junky reels I use to have didn’t have good drag systems and I broke fish off all the time. It has been so long since I have had those reels I can’t remembe what they were, but I gaurentee you that I probably only spent $25 on them. You get what you pay for.
I am more on the traditional side. But if someone gave me something fancy I would use it!
Most of my stuff is dinged up and it doesn’t bother me at all. Nature of the game I guess. As long it doesn’t affect the proformance of the reel dings don’t matter much. I don’t think I would pay the extra cash for a the harder stuff.
Cork or synthetic….hmmm….good question! I guess I will look forward to seeing that one answered in your article! 🙂
Moosedog
Hey Zach,
Bummer about your hat man! I checked with both of the shops here in Missoula that sell Scott and neither of them had the hat in the Navy Blue. However, one of the shops had it in a tan. The owner of the shop that didn’t have anything said you should call Scott as their customer service is amazing when it comes to stuff like this. He said if you told them your story that if there was a hat around like yours they would find it for you. Scott’s customer service number is 1-800-728-7208.I will continue to keep my eyes open for one and keep you posted.
Moosedog
Thanks guys for all the good input. I think with the help of these web sites I should have all the info I need to pick this stuff up today and get started building these rods! I will try to get a picture of them when they are finished and post them for you all to see!
Thanks again!
MoosedogCongrats on a good year Zach! I find this site to be WAY more helpful then Flyfisherman magazine and the best part about it……IT”S ALL FREE!!!!!! 🙂 So thank you for taking the time in keeping this site as great as it is!
Moosedog
Poudre you can send some of that snow my way if you want! All we are getting in Montana right now is freezing ass cold and then it warms up only to rain and freeze hard again. If it’s going to be winter I would just as soon have snow so I can go play in it!
The ice fishing has been pretty good though.
I have been following this thread since it started and have not responded as of yet simply because I am by no means an expert when it comes to testing gear. That said, I would have to say that what Buzz is saying makes a lot of since to me. I have bought a lot of gear over the years that I am totally excited about when leaving the shop only to be dissappointed with six months down the road. You have to put gear thru the test of time and unfortunately as the consumer or the testers we are not always given that sort of time to test something.
Buzz I think your right on line and have really enjoyed your responses. Keep up the good work!
Moosedog
The spruce moth hatch is insane and it lasts for a solid 2-3 weeks. The nice thing about fishing them is that you don’t have to have a perfect drift. In fact you will have a lot better results if you give them lots of life and skate them across the water. This is a nice thing when your with rookie clients! 🙂 The other thing about fishing the spruce moth is don’t be afraid to play around with a few patterns. Just make sure they are in a size 10 to 12 and they have lots of white on them.
It’s almost sad for me to say this, but I have lived in western Montana all of me 38 years and I have never fished the Ruby. 🙁 It is on my short list of places to hit this spring so hopefully I will get my chance in 2007!
Moosedog
Great shots Corey! I take it you live in Utah? Never fished in Utah. How is it? I really loved the first picture in your thread. Very cool action shot!
You got to love the Beaverhead and the Big Hole. The ranch I guide for is only an hour or so from both of these rivers. I can’t guide on the Big Hole but do a few trips a year on the Beaverhead. Good stuff!
Moosedog
