kevin powell
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This has been a great discussion and thanks for all the great input. Today picked up a Martin Mountain Brook Fly Rod Combo for $50 and gave it to the Guy that was asking about starter rods. I let him know where I got it and he is going to pick up one for his son. This is really a sweet starter setup coming with a line, leader, nipper hemostats and a small box of flies. 9′ 3 piece 5 wt. – The reel is actually pretty sweet little reel with a sort wood looking insert on the rod. Aesthetically it is a pretty setup. It cast pretty good, the line is a bit stiff (but I am getting spoiled from a sharkskin line that I received from last years photo contest) and imagine that the cost of line that I use could get two people started into fly fishing. Or one of the line I usually buy. They make a combo that is only $15 and If I find one, I’ll get it just to give it a try – Cost less than going to a movie and I can always give it to someone wanting to start into the sport.
I gave this to him as a little gift to peddle some graphics work and I guess it worked because we signed the contracts today. Plus – the main reason – I wanted to see what sort of combo it was.
Mark? What is this Zebco outfit you are talking about? I believe Martin owned by Zebco? One thing I can say – Zebco makes stuff that does the job at a reasonable price.
This might be my gift to all the non fly fishing friends I know – this could be a way to hook them into this sport.
Let’s say this….
My mother is a seamstress and I used to go to fabric stores with her from time to time. (yeah – I admit it.)
Korkers…
I was talked into mine after me hawing about the price and now it is probably the best thing since wonder bread. The fact that you can customize the sole is cool (the system really works) and sounds like a need in your case but I love them for the Boa Dial – No need to untie wet laces. You rotate the dial to tighten them on and a click of the button and they come off. I wish they made something like it for a 1 year old little girl who cannot keep her shoes on.
They are also the most comfortable boot i have worn.
Simon Chu shoould be your “hookup”
and I believe Mike McKeown does a yearly trip there as well ( I think he posted pics from a trip). Sign into Mike’s site (http://www.theflyfisher.co.za) and post this same question. He is closer and could get you some closer to local advice. His forum is much like this one and they will give some great advice from a little closer to that part of the world.
I’m sorry Mark… You did not have to subject yourself to that.
Going into Walmart to myself is like dragging a kid into the bank. Not fun. Hope you got a chainsaw, a twelve of beer and some condoms.
Dusty’s first drawing (sorry man – but it really shows the progression)
Then after a little work and discussion
Then he stepped it up to another level. To let everyone know…. This was about in a weeks time.
Here was a quick sketch I did trying to explain shading and contrast to Dusty. There was a bunch of back and forth but it is good for everyone to see.
Jeff Kennedy and Paul also helped with sketching techniques. There have also been discussion on Color with Bob White. I cant wait to get back to that side of the creative.
Thanks Yall. I really had to give props to the guys who are really doing their art daily. I get torn from making money to being a starving artist.
A little history on my drawing. I found this old photo of Pop and it really described him to a T. He lived on Berkely Lake north of Atlanta in Gwinnett County and he would wake up every morning with his cigar and a cup of coffee – A set of binoculars by his side. He would sit on the porch and wait for the bass to start to rise. When he saw the first rise he would go straight to the boat and start chasing them around the lake – working the top with poppers, He didnt fly fish but his presentation was the same – That was the way he really liked to fish. He worried more about catching the fish that getting dressed and he would always have a button undone or his zipper was down, two different shoes on occasion. This particular morning he caught what he was after. He did not play the catch and release game because he was out for food. This fish did not make it to the table but it did make it to the wall – later t be donated to Gwinnett county to be displayed somewhere in the county seat.
He also had a place in Florida and he would basically fish for reds and specks the same way. Many time He would also fished “line in hand” with poppers and if you have never seen it, it is a sight that every fly fisherman needs to see. He would fish without a rod with the line and lure only. He said that you could really feel the strike and many times it is very slight. As a kid, To see him fight a big red line in hand was amazing and I wish there were a way I could share it with everyone.
BOB, PM me your address and I’ll put a check in the mail. Does that include shipping?
I bought one of the Marin Mountain Brook reels for my Dad and I have to say that it is a really decent reel for the money. I gave him an old St Croix and a line that I had and now he has a really good setup.
I am curious about their rods. Any experience with the Martins?
I forgot about Dusty Montgomery… I will not post his without his permission. He was our student on my website and I have to give him props as well. DAMN did he make a change over night in his ability to draw.
Why do folks call me out on this board???… Lando got me one day.
Thanks Neal… I really needed that. I am a little down about work right now because I have been goin about 18 hours a day on 3 – 200 page books that I have been working on. When I originally quit the day job my intent was to start doing work just like this and I have done 4 paintings. I miss it – but these books should give me the time to get the “real” gig started and start doing some of that again. Basically – I over booked myself and I am miserable, to put it in a nutshell.
This is what Neal Posted (And this CAN be yours from Orvis for about $250 – No Comments please because they are a new sponsor on this site)
This is a sample of one of my doodles
My grandfather – The reason I fishI would charge about $160 for this one (DISCLAIMER… it will be 2 months before I can even think about taking an order). If you wonder how I come up with that price. I charge $2 per square inch for pencil and this is an 8 x 10 drawing. $4 a square inch for paintings and I am actually cheap.
Paul Puckett is a member of this board and I want to show off what he has been doing. I am floored because it is just amazing work. He has great pencil work and paintings but he has found himself with the new etchings that he has been doing. Some of the Atlanta folks might know him from The Fish Hawk… I want to give him some props. Beautiful work.
I am not sure about his pricing.
http://www.paulpuckettart.com/
Then there is Mark Yuhina on this board as well.
Grant – Nice Catch.
Looking back. The whole experience can be daunting. I lucked out and had college roommates to get me started. They grew up fishing in Montana, worked here in a fly shop and it was second nature to them. I traded work for my first rod and reel and didnt know the price til a couple of years afters. They kept me away from the fly shop because they had everything we needed.
If I was to walk into a fly shop blind and not knowing what I learned from them, I would have probably never tried it but would have paddled a whole lot more and would probably be one of those Chattooga Five Falls Canyon statistics. The knowledge of the setup of the rod coupled with casting, knots, then throw in entomology and reading the water which I was already in pretty good shape. Then to price it all out –
The son is eleven and the dad does not fly fish – this is a new game for them. I’ll be doing a little teaching on this one.
Mark, what is the best fly to use when going after those big frogs in a retaining pond?
That would be a great catch, photo and story…
🙂
I was thinking about the Cortlands or SA’s but have never tried one out and was looking at the St Croix. Does anyone have experience with the Cabelas Combos?
Chad – I understand the sentiment. I have enough gear in my garage to buy a bass boat and the rod and tackle and pay for the insurance and taxes.
Plus Joel is taunting me with sending photos of the trip that I still need plan when life slows back down. Joel KEEP sending them because I just forward them to my wife saying… “YEP, This is what we are missing out on”
It will happen this year. We are in better shape to manage the baby during a trip as well.
