Joel Thompson
Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Nice post on your blog Jay! Are those artic grayling? We have artic grayling here in Montana and they don’t get aware near that big. Also what species of trout is that your blog? It looks like a brook trout, but I wasn’t a 100% sure.
Moosedog
Great photo essay Travis. I have to admit, I am a little jealous! Got nothing but snow and cold up here in Montana so I am living thru all you southern boys right now for my fishing fix!
Graylings 18-20 inches? Didn’t know such beasts existed! I sure hope you brought your camera on this trip so we can see what the other side of the world and it’s fish look like!
Mike that is an interesting situation and one I am quite familiar with. I have a good buddy that I fish with that is so cheap that he could make copper wire out of a penny from holding on to it so tight. He too has purchased one of these cheap wal-mart rods. I was fishing with him this summer and he was giving me a hard time about spending so much money on my Sage XP and finally convinced me to try out his cheapo rod. I ain’t going to lie either, I was impressed. That said I never let my buddy know it.
I think we all reach a point in our lives when we reach a certain level in our jobs, our recreation, or even a relationship we began to add something that shows others we have made it to that level. An expensive rod, a nice suit, a fancy car, are they things that we really need? No, but sometimes they just make us feel good about where we are in life.
Ok, that said, I would also say that these cheapo rods have come a very long way. I use to fish cheapo rods and was spending 50 bucks every year for the same cheap rod that was falling apart from the year before. I finally bought a nicer St. Croix when I realized that I had probably spent more than that on all the cheapo rods that I bought year after year. And I think deep down inside I will always remember this when ever I am purchasing a new rod.
So your right it is perceived value. It’s just a matter of where your perception comes from.
My next rod is from a Winston Boron IIx blank that I am currently building….. 🙂
Have you cast the Winston Boron IIx yet in the 9ft 5wt. I too fish a sage xp but after casting the winston I decided to build one of these rods. Give it a try. I think you will be surprised.
Moosedog
Shoot Carter! Now you got me all freaked out that I am going to screw up my boron IIx! Hopefully because I am doing this in a class the instructor will keep me from messing anything up too bad.
I will make sure I am patient and my coffee consumtion is low on the days of class. 🙂Moosedog
Poudre, have you checked out the one made by fishpond? I just saw one for the first time yesterday and it looked like a pretty nice unit!
Moosedog
I’m with Sculpin! I have lived in Western Montana my whole life and see no reason to go any where else to fish! I would love to take a couple of months and fish the Big Horn, The Still Water, the Madison, the Ruby, the Gallatin (all forks), the Big Hole, the Beaverhead, the Yellowstone, the Missouri, the Smith, the North Fork of the Blackfoot, the Blackfoot, the North, South, and Middle Fork of the Flathead, the East, West and Main Fork of the Bitterroot….I think you get my point!
If I had to travel a long ways to fish Chile and Patagonia are certainly on my short list! Fish a ton and bag a few peaks while am down there sounds like way too much fun to me!
Moosedog
Sorry guys I should have been more specific. I need one for commercial use in a fly shop. I haven’t been able to find anything in any of my catalogs and the only ones I’ve been able to find on line thus far are more for personal use.
Moosedog
John I appreciate your insight on the XTI. It is very helpful. I would be taking a lot of still life and fishing pictures so this might be a good camera for me to start with. Thanks again John!
Moosedog
Thanks John! One of the cameras I have been giving a good hard look is the Canon Rebel XTI. Seems like a pretty sweet camera for the price. Any thoughts on this camera?
Moosedogg
I agree with what Lauren is saying bd. I would much rather see a gal out fly fishing then some dude! Plus almost all of the women that I have guide have been super enjoyable to have in my raft. They are great students and don’t let their egos get in the way of learning something new!
Zach, how do you feel about ebay for buying a camera? I am in the market for a digital slr and I have noticed what appear to be some sweet deals on cameras. I always worry a little buying electronic items this way though. Just curious as to what you think.
Moosedog
Zach when do you have time to watch TV?! With all the stuff you do for this post, all of the books you read, and you have to do that Lawyers thing on top of all of that!! How do you do it man?
Moosedog
Thanks for the info bd! I am planning a trip to B&N later this week and will see if they have a copy of Carp on the Fly.
I have been asking around to find out where some carp are here in Montana. So far no luck West of the divide. There is one spot just on the other side that would only be about a 2 1/2 hour drive for me so I will probably check that one out.Moosedog
Thanks for the feed back Lauren. If I were you I would stick with Simms if you have been happy with the ones you own right now. Their customer service is sooooo much better than Cloudveils. Plus Simms is made in the great state of Montana so it has to be good!
Thanks all for the good advice so far! Keep it coming!!! Lauren it is nice to hear from you on the post. My wife couldn’t agree with you more about the pink and purple. She is a huge fan on earth tones when it comes to outdoor clothing.
I will definitely look into the TFO rods Zach. I got my first chance to cast one about a month ago and was impressed.
As far as waders go I am sticking with Simms and Cloudveil. Lauren, have you tried out either one of these? If so which did you find nicer for a women?
BD my shop is only for the members of the ranch I work at. A very wealthy cliental. How do you think that will affect my marketing?I have a real challenge when it comes to filling this shop with goodies since I will only be selling to our members. I don’t want to be stuck with a bunch of stuff to carry over until the next year. That said I want the shop to always look full. My hope is to hold some kind of internet sell at the end of each season to get rid of remaining merchandise. Hell, maybe I will offer it to the members of this post first.
Ok, keep the good advice coming!
Moosedog
Brodin nets are awesome! The Brodins lived in Missoula MT. for quite a while and when I worked for UPS I use to do their daily pick-up and got to know them a little bit. Great people and very generous. I have about twelve of their nets that they just gave to me for being their UPS guy. My wife actually taught them spanish so they could communicate better with their employees at their shop in Costa Rica. I am really happy to see that they have the rubber nets now! Way better for the fish and the hooks never seem to get caught up in the stuff.
Moosedog
