Say Hello to My Little Friend

#18. Olive. Bring it.

The Answers

Sit back and learn. Don't be angry. Just accept.

Not just for breakfast anymore!

1) A "Stimulator" is:

1. Damn, you have a dirty mind....
2. An attractor fly pattern developed by Randall Kaufman though some say it was someone else.
3. ✓ A double shot of espresso and a PBR.
4. The mating dance of a Yellowstone Panda Bear

While I know that an undulating Yellowstone Panda can be quite intoxicating to those of you who have witnessed this rare beast, all the big guides know the way to burn off the morning fog is a double shot and a bit of the Hair o' the Dog. Now that's Stimulatin'! Especially if they have to spend a day rowing your sorry ass around the river catching nothin'.

The best of both worlds. And
 Grizzly's prefer it two to one
over Jack Daniels.

2) A rabbit's foot is best used for:

1. A high floating wing material for dry flies and emergers as made famous by Tom Rosenbauer, Orvis fly fishing expert, in his eponymous Rosenbauer Rabbit's Foot Emerger
2. Hopping down the bunny trail
3. ✓ Dipping in barbecue sauce and secretly placing in the back of your buddy's vest when a bear approaches.
4. A chew toy for your fishing dog.*

I've tried to use elk feet for such but have run into two problems: 1) They just don't soak up the barbecue sauce like bunny legs and B) try jamming one of those things in the back of a fly vest without being noticed. Stealth is the key. And being upwind of the walking dinner bell.

3) A Cutbow is:

1. A First Nation (i.e. Native American or, as John Wayne used to say, "Injun") tool used to perform minor oral surgery.
2. A hybrid of a Rainbow Trout and a Cutthroat Trout despised by conservationists and fisheries biologists and valued by apathetic anglers everywhere.
3. A new tool in the Leatherman™  lineup used by Idaho bow hunters during elk season.
4. ✓ There is no "d", the answer is above.

Why do you look at me so stupidly? Of course the answer is above. You are no expert.

4) When measuring the length of a fish one should:

1. Measure from the tip of the nose to the fork of the tail
2. Measure from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.
3. ✓ Why measure, you know how long it is.
4. Ask your buddy to measure it so as to get the most accurate, independent measurement.**

The opening on my net is 17 inches long. Any fish that fits in it is therefore 17 inches long. Everything that doesn't, is bigger, let's say 20 inches. Why is this so difficult?

Maybe there is a wrong way to
rig a hopper-dropper-dropper-
hopper

5) When fishing a dropper fly in a nymph rig it is best to:

1. Tie the fly to the bend of the hook on the upper fly
2. Tie the fly to the eye of the upper fly.
3. Tie the fly to the tag end of the tippet knot.
4. ✓ You think too much. Put the damn thing wherever you want. The fish don't give a crap.

Now I could cite the many quantitative studies that have been done to distinguish one set-up from another but they don't exist. I use method "a". But there's nothing anyone can say that would convince me that it's the right way. Or the wrong way for that matter. It's just the way I do it.

6) A strike indicator*** should be placed how far up the leader:

1. You use a strike indicator?! You should learn to euro nymph.
2. 1.5 times the water depth, more or less, depending on streamflow.
3. Who the hell cares! Halford didn't nymph fish and neither do I.
4. ✓ A far as you need to catch bottom. If you ain't losing flies, you're not catching fish.

Now I understand how much Hank, and you, regret losing an eighty-nine cent fly. But when the fishies are on nymphs, they're on the bottom. Get down. Get dirrrrty. Start with five BB split shot and add more as necessary. Use a larger bobber indicator if necessary.

What they're drinking when
you've gone home.

 7) Stream-cred often comes from the brands you chose. Which brand should you display to appear most credible to other anglers?

1. Simms
2. Orvis
3. ✓ Pabst Blue Ribbon
4. ✓ Macallan

You might have noticed that there are two correct answers here. That's because it's a reverse mullet answer; party in the front, business out back. When the sports, that's all of you, are around the guides are all "PBR". But when you're back at your cheap motel nursing your wounded psyches, they're drinking the good stuff. Scotch. Bourbon. Miller High Life.

8) You're fishing a spot of water and a guy walks by and asks you how it's going. You answer that you're catching a few. He asks you what they're hitting. You:

1. Vaguely describe the size and color
2. Tell him the specific pattern and size
3. ✓ Say, "Wooley Buggers and Pheasant Tails!", unless that's actually what they're hitting.
4. Give him your best crazy stare muttering unintelligibly while returning to your fishing.

I don't often tell another person what I'm using, but when I do, I lie. That's right, you need to lie. All the fish are yours and you're a fool if you share hard won intel on how to get 'em. The most convincing and confounding lie is the one that, even if it sounds like a lie, may actually be true. That's the beauty of "Wooley Buggers and Pheasant Tails". Sure you said it like the surly wise-ass that you are, but maybe, just maybe, it's what you're catching them on. Best said while you're tying on a large dry fly.

In order to fish for carp, you'll need
carp flies. Carp Flies. Get it? Carp...
flying... oh forget it.

9) When wade fishing for Carp what weight rod should you use:

1. Weight? What the hell does that mean?
2. A five weight. There's nothing like the sound of big golden bones snapping graphite.
3. ✓ Carp? Aren't those glorified gold fish? I can't believe people fish for them.
4. An eight weight with a reel with a solid drag.. You need some backbone to land freshwater bones.

Clearly they're goldfish. Exotic, mutantly large, strong, wily goldfish, but goldfish nonetheless. Sure they rip line off the reel like a bonefish and they're available to practically anyone, anywhere. And folks in Europe actually consider them a game fish. But what's so special? 

10) Tenkara is:

1. Fishing with a glorified radio antenna from a 1972 Dodge Dart.
2. A fly fishing technique from Japan practiced with a long telescoping rod and no reel. The word Tenkara means "from heaven"
3. Practiced only by slightly odd people.
4. ✓ Something we'll all eventually try so we might as well give in.

Tenkara is Japanese for
"Dodge Dart." Maybe
this can be the next Clyde

Like carp fishing, Tenkara is one of those fads that I absolutely want to resist but I feel the gravitational pull of.... something. I suppose it won't be too long before I'm losing those goofy looking Tenkara flies in stream side brush and whipping my Dodge Dart antenna about small streams everywhere. Tenkara Carp*, anyone?

Scoring

• Give yourself one point for every correct answer
• Subtract ten points for every incorrect answer
• Add 100 points to the total if you consider yourself an expert.

Results

• Less than zero points: Remedial action is clearly necessary. You should subscribe to this blog and follow my advice precisely.
• Zero or more points: Congratulations, you are an expert! As such you are approved to comment on this blog.

Enjoy your weekend, expert, you've earned it.

*Sorta sounds like something you'd find on the menu at a Japanese restaurant.

Hank Patterson ain't nothin'

The Man

I know Hank Patterson is quite the rage these days. From Boise all the way across to Butte and all the places in between people are Snapping It™ and fishing Mating Midge and Morgy flies based upon his advice.

I've always wanted to be a fly fishing expert but lacking experience I always felt like that might be an impediment to expertise. But the early lessons of T.J. Brayshaw and now the inspiration of Hank have caused me to revisit this conclusion.

As such, I'd like you to test your knowledge of fly fishing against mine. Hopefully you'll learn a thing or two and read this blog with a touch more respect and earnestness in the future. I'll provide the answer key tomorrow.

1) A "Stimulator" is:

1. Damn, you have a dirty mind....
2. An attractor fly pattern developed by Randall Kaufman though some say it was someone else.
3. A double shot of espresso and a PBR.
4. The mating dance of a Yellowstone Panda Bear

2) A rabbit's foot is best used for:

1. A high floating wing material for dry flies and emergers as made famous by Tom Rosenbauer, Orvis fly fishing expert, in his eponymous Rosenbauer Rabbit's Foot Emerger
2. Hopping down the bunny trail
3. Dipping in barbeque sauce and secretly placing in the back of your buddy's vest when a bear approaches.
4. A chew toy for your fishing dog.*

3) A Cutbow is:

1. A First Nation (i.e. Native American or, as John Wayne used to say, "Injun") tool used to perform minor oral surgery.
2. A hybrid of a Rainbow Trout and a Cutthroat Trout despised by conservationists and fisheries biologists and valued by apathetic anglers everywhere.
3. A new tool in the Leatherman™  lineup used by Idaho bow hunters during elk season.
4. There is no "d", the answer is above.

4) When measuring the length of a fish one should:

1. Measure from the tip of the nose to the fork of the tail
2. Measure from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.
3. Why measure, you know how long it is.
4. Ask your buddy to measure it so as to get the most accurate, independent measurement.**

5) When fishing a dropper fly in a nymph rig it is best to:

1. Tie the fly to the bend of the hook on the upper fly
2. Tie the fly to the eye of the upper fly.
3. Tie the fly to the tag end of the tippet knot.
4. You think too much. Put the damn thing wherever you want. The fish don't give a crap.

6) A strike indicator*** should be placed how far up the leader:

1. You use a strike indicator?! You should learn to euro nymph.
2. 1.5 times the water depth, more or less, depending on streamflow.
3. Who the hell cares! Halford didn't nymph fish and neither do I.
4. A far as you need to catch bottom. If you ain't losing flies, you're not catching fish.

 7) Stream-cred often comes from the brands you chose. Which brand should you display to appear most credible to other anglers?

1. Simms
2. Orvis
3. Pabst Blue Ribbon
4. Macallan

8) You're fishing a spot of water and a guy walks by and asks you how it's going. You answer that you're catching a few. He asks you what they're hitting. You:

1. Vaguely describe the size and color
2. Tell him the specific pattern and size
3. Say, "Wooley Buggers and Pheasant Tails!", unless that's actually what they're hitting.
4. Give him your best crazy stare muttering unintelligibly while returning to your fishing.

9) When wade fishing for Carp what weight rod should you use:

1. Weight? What the hell does that mean?
2. A five weight. There's nothing like the sound of big golden bones snapping graphite.
3. Carp? Aren't those glorified gold fish? I can't believe people fish for them.
4. An eight weight with a reel with a solid drag.. You need some backbone to land freshwater bones.

10) Tenkara is:

1. Fishing with a glorified radio antenna from a 1972 Dodge Dart.
2. A fly fishing technique from Japan practiced with a long telescoping rod and no reel. The word Tenkara means "from heaven"
3. Practiced only by slightly odd people.
4. Something we'll all eventually try so we might as well give in.

See you tomorrow for the answers!

* As fellow expert brethren John Gierach points out, there's no such thing as a fishing dog.
** But remember, this is the same guy you asked to watch your PBR and that didn't go so well.
*** Bobber

Trout Unlimited. Western Snobs?

One thing I like about Kirk Deeter is that he's about as direct a person as you'd want to meet. He doesn't do it in an in-your-face kind of way, there's a certain mid-west politeness about him, but when he has an opinion, you're going to hear about it.

Yesterday, he wrote on the TU Blog about a letter to the editor regarding the bias of Trout magazine for western stories. I've always felt this too though I have no facts to support it. My belief could be based solely upon a deep seated envy of western waters, vistas and trout.

I know that TU has a bias for coldwater fisheries because that's their charters (it will never be a bass organization) but do they really have a bias for western waters?

While I'd love your comments below, be sure to voice your opinion over on the TU Blog.

And the winner is....

#10 - goneflyfishing

Fishing mojo coming your way.

Shoot me your contact info on the Contact Me link above.

Tennessee

A view of the North Carolina side

Letters are dead.

In my archives, such as they are, there are no bundles of various sized envelopes bound with twine and filled with yellowed paper; remnants of relationships maintained over distances. Our generation, and the ones behind us, are mostly writers in the electronic form. Our words are bits and bytes trapped on some computer that will only be found by our heirs if they have the right password.

I wrote Marc and Mike after our fishing trip last weekend. It was a short thank you to two dear friends for a beautiful day of fishing on one of Tennessee's best tail waters. Their replies, archived forever in Google's virtual vault, will be a small treasure of a day well spent. Of course, the words below will also remain, yellowing as memory fades.

I came to North Carolina for the Trout Unlimited National Conference. It was what one would expect of any such gathering. A convening of the loyal to celebrate past successes, plot new ventures and to generally mill about, drink bourbon and embrace our shared passion for the organization and its mission.

During the weekend I tracked down a few folks I knew from the northeast, managed to spend some time with Kirk and Brennan, and spent a few bucks on raffle tickets and auction items. I did win an auction on a DeYoung print; one of those artists who's unique perspective is a real joy. Now I just need to find a place to hang the thing.

Of course, I had an ulterior motive in venturing south. There's some mighty good fishing to be had in the neighborhood of Asheville and both Marc and Mike live within a reasonable drive. It was a good opportunity to rekindle friendship in the manner that angler's do; a brief conference stream side and then going our own ways to find trout. The day is wrapped with a post-game chat that plumbs the deepest meanings of sport and life as well as tales of day's past.

This was the first time I had met Mike in person though I felt like I was well acquainted with him through his writing and reports of adventures with mutual friends. He came up the previous evening and suffered through TU's awards banquet so that we could get an early start the next morning. Hanging out and talking until the wee hours we cemented the common foundation that I am sure will be a friendship to last through many future trips.

The river Marc chose for us to fish was a tail water with a well published and reliable generation schedule. Fortunately the schedule called for a one hour pulse of water at eight a.m. This meant is was fruitless for Mike and I to try and make the drive for first light fishing so we awoke at a reasonable hour and headed west.

Mike and Marc plying the angle.

Mike drove so I had the opportunity to take in the landscape from the shotgun seat. For those who have gazed upon the Rockies and Tetons, the mountains of the Blue Ridge barely deserve the moniker. But driving through them you get a sense for their understated scale and magnificence. These wooded, rounded humps have a drama in lighting and topography that is both familiar and alien. They have a gravitas that the young'uns out west cannot match.

Practically every fold in these mountains holds running water but it was the wide valleys that we sought. A few legendary rivers carve broad swathes along the mountain's flanks and on the Tennessee side Marc told tales of thousands of fish per river mile; eastern waters along time worn mountains with trout measured in western terms. That's something that got our attention.

Walking to the banks of this river it was difficult to sense the magic of the place. Of course, that could be due to the stink of dead animal that greeted Mike and I at the parking lot. The river looked much like several I had fished most notably the Housatonic. But I soon learned that appearances had deceived me.

Upstream a guide herded several sports about. Obviously they were all new to fly angling and flogged about much like I did close to a decade ago. Downstream a long run was open and Mike and Marc moved into position. I took up residence in a slow pool where Marc had modest luck earlier and where he told of particularly finicky trout.

As many of these as you dared catch.

These trout were particular but using intel gleamed from Marc plus some past experience on a similar stretch of the Housy, I soon had takes on a variety of Sulphur dries and brown WD40. The trout were mostly Browns and a few Rainbows mixed in. In the space of an hour I took as many fish as I would normally take in a day of fishing back home. While I'd like to think that this spoke to my skill as an angler, this result largely spoke to the aforementioned density of trout in the water.

After missing two large fish from the deepest portion of the pool on an ant pattern -- one was stung in an brief hookup and the other lost to drag just at the moment he was about to strike -- I wandered upstream to find easier fish. I foul hooked the largest trout of the day, somewhere in the fourteen inch range at the first pool I met and Mike did me the kindness of netting the energetic Brown.

The pace of the fishing then slowed with fish coming regular enough to make it interesting but not the stupid good fishing of the first hour. I began to doubt the "thousands" number when a splashy rise upstream caused me to look over my shoulder. I was treated to a magic trick of light.

Along the sandy bottom of this pool clumps of algae created a mottled pattern. In the few brief moments that the sun poked through the cloudy gloom that had pervaded the day I was able to see a trout hovering above each clump. Before the light shifted I had counted a dozen, all within two rod lengths of where I stood. I no longer doubted the thousands claim. And I eyed each clump of algae with a new sense of respect.

There must be big fish in here somewhere.

The day was to end early due to another, longer generation surge at mid-afternoon. I decide to make my last stand at a quick run that was thick with rising fish. I tied on a large Adams Comparadun as the top fly in my WD40 rig and managed an eager Rainbow on the dry on my first cast. That led to a few hookups on the dropper but none to the net. What followed was close to an hour of frustration as I worked through the fly box to find something that would change the pattern of refusal and half-hearted strikes. No luck.

When the siren from the dam warbled through the air I had a dozen or more ineffective flies hanging on my lanyard drying. Fish continued to rise in front of me. I continued to dream of landing each.

The walk back to the truck with Marc and Mike was accompanied by the easy banter of old friends. I am still amazed at how this notion of friendship has changed in this new age of letters.

Our circles have grown geographically bigger. From Dunsmuir, Boise and Idaho Falls east to Guilford, Weston and Knoxville I've met folks, both virtually and in person, who really are friends, but not in the way that we once knew. We don't gather in front of the television to watch the Broncos game. But we do gather regularly to read. And we exchange letters of a sort our ancestors would not recognize.

And as a treat, we occasionally gather in person, usually near water, with beer handy, to kindle and rekindle these friendships.

---------------------------------
Also, don't forget to throw your hat in the virtual ring for the Simms hat and stickers.

Simms Sticker Madness Giveaway (w/Bonus Trucker Cap)

It's been one of those weeks. It started out awesome, Sunday on a Tennessee tailwater chock full of trout with Marc and Mike, which will be the subject of Monday's post. But then it quickly fell into the abyss of work and more work; not many opportunities for writing I'm afraid.

So, in lieu of constructing something new for you to read, I've decided to unload my collection of Simms stickers sent to me by those lovable, hugable jesters in Bozeman, MT.

But wait, there's more.

I also received a stylish Simms trucker cap that would be a fine addition to my hat collection save for the fact that my hair abandoned ship two score years ago and that mesh doesn't provide enough protection from the sun's rays. I am assured by Rich Hohne that all Simms caps come with a double helping of angling mojo.

"Sure looks like a trout, but it don't smell like one"

Want this stuff? Leave a comment below. On Monday I'll random number generate a winner.

The Pickard 8024

I've done some more research on the Pickard that I bought in July. This rod was built prior to 2008 by John Pickard. This is known because John switched from using his own model numbers back to using the Dickerson model numbers when he purchased the Dickerson equipment in 2008. This 8024 is the Dickerson 8013 5 weight taper.

Lyle L. Dickerson, who worked out of Bellaire, Michigan, made bamboo fly rods from around 1930 through 1971 when he sold his operation to Tim Bedford of Oakland, California. In 1985, Jim Schaff bought it and moved the whole thing to Concord, California. And finally, the Dickerson operation returned home to Michigan in 2008 when John Pickard bought the old Dickerson equipment and materials lock, stock and barrel.

Pickard had been making rods in the Dickerson tapers for a number of years, one of which I own, and the purchase of the original Dickerson equipment would appear to bring a certain legitimacy to his work.

One of the things that Dickerson's are noted for is their simple, unadulterated finish. Dickerson cared most for function than aesthetics. It's one of the things about this rod that appeals to me.

The color is natural. The wrappings are simple and plainly done. The ferrules are purely functional. There's a Scandinavian simplicity to it all.

I suppose I've now taken that second step towards bamboo geekdom. First I bought one of the things and now I'm researched it's construction. Next I'll probably start thinking about the wisdom of hollow butts on this sort of taper. Until then, I think I'll climb out of the rabbit hole and just fish it a bunch.

It just seemed right to match this rod with an ancient Pflueger.

Dry

From a stopping invasives perspective my practice is to thoroughly dry equipment. Cleaning and Inspecting in my opinion is a tricky game but if things get bone dry then you can kill Didymo, the primary threat in my neighborhood.

After fishing the Farmy two weekends ago, I put my boots in their normal drying spot -- the oven that is my garage.

This past weekend I was going to try for Smallmouth on the Housy so before departing I checked my equipment. Dry waders. Check. Dry fly line. Check. Dry boots?

They feel dry. They're dusty.

But then I pull the insole.

Wet. Not just damp, but wet. So, now my boots are baking in the sun drying off.

Keep it clean out there folks. Keep it dry.

Wet

Oh, and there were Smallmouth too.

Review: Simms Headwaters Waders, First Impressions

Part of the loot I accumulated when I won the TU/Simms/OBN/YPF Blogger Tour was a goodie bag from Simms. Unfortunately, the gear didn't arrive in time for me to use any of it on the trip. Once home the gear sat in a pile as I waited for opportunities to fish during a particularly dry and hot summer. Being a trout snob, it was going to take some time.

Two weekends ago I finally pulled the trigger on a trout trip. I heard a rumor that the Farmington had cooled enough to fish and sure enough when I arrived late on a Saturday the water in this stretch was at sixty four degrees.

For this trip I selected the Headwaters Stockingfoot Waders as equipment for a trial. The Headwaters are the middle of the Simms wader line-up. They'll set you back $300 at list price.

I've worn Orvis Pro Guides ($400) for the past couple of years. I'm on my second pair but the first pair is still serviceable though it looks and smells like crap. While I realize that the Headwaters and Pro Guides are in a slightly different class, it's the only comparison I have.

The Pro Guides are heavy-duty, bullet proof waders. I am tough on equipment mostly because when I'm in the field care of equipment is secondary. I'm focused on the mission; briars, sharp rocks, and rabid beavers are merely distractions that waders should handle.

The first thing I noticed about the Headwaters is how trim they are. Compared to my Pro Guides, they're skinny jeans. Part of that is in the construction and part of that may be due to sizing.

The construction is lightweight but not thin. I get the sense that they'd suffer a wade through raspberry bushes but maybe not something spikier. I also think the styling seems to be a bit slimmer than the Orvis product. My ass doesn't look half as fat in these waders.

I got the Pro Guides in Orvis' Large/Long to accommodate my gun boat feet but the Headwaters arrived in Large (i.e. not Long). I've always found the Pro Guides a bit baggy. The Headwaters are just a titch snug but not too uncomfortable to wear. I suppose that's due to my odd body shape but definitely consult the sizing guides before you purchase a pair (and ideally try them on in a shop).

On the stream the Headwaters are comfortable. Plenty of give where you need give. Clambering over dead fall and doing unplanned splits whilst wading hasn't been a problem.

One design point I think is very good is the pocket on the front of the waders. Along the top edge of hand warmer pocket is a velcro strip. Pulling this apart opens up a huge front pocket that will easily hold a fly box (including a Bugger Barn) or a cigar case, a cutter, a lighter, and a smaller fly box if one were to carry such things.

A Bugger Barn inside the front pocket.

The Headwaters waders have opened up my eyes to lighter weight waders. I still think deep winter fishing requires something of robust build but I'm not sure I need that during spring, summer and fall angling.

If the Headwaters were going to be my only pair of waders, I'd return them and get a size bigger to allow for plenty of layers during cooler weather but I wouldn't get another model. They're a fine wader. After two trips these waders are now in the rotation as my "fair weather" waders.

I like the construction. I like the fit. And, so far, I've not been able to break them.

I'll post an update in a few months after I've had a chance to abuse these some more. We'll see if they can stand up to the true test.



---------------
Full Disclosure: As stated above, I got these waders for free. I also fished and shared beer with Rich Hohne, Simms Marketing Manager and had lunch and killed Lake Trout with KC Walsh, President of Simms. Regardless of what influence you think free stuff and friendship have on me, I stand by my words.

Casting Grass

In Lyons, Colorado there is a branch of Disney. I had heard of this place many years ago in one of Gierach's books and I had a mental vision of what it was like. I was wrong. It was better.

Lyons is a small burg that has had better days though it seems to be coming around again. It's one of those places that is on the way to somewhere else though it may yet become a destination on its own.

The downtown has undergone a transformation and nestled in the heart of downtown is Southcreek Limited, Mike Clark's bamboo rod making venture.

Prior to visiting the shop I had not cast a bamboo rod but as I discussed rods with Mike and Kathy I began to feel like maybe I should. And Mike recommended a few rods including a Pickard 8024 which cast well once I learned to slow down my casting stroke. I left the shop with a new friend and a line and reel to match.

Last night I brought the rod out on my home waters for the first time. The Upper Farmington is running in the mid-60s up near the dam and is probably one of the only rivers fishable at this point of the summer.

The trout were in the fast water and the 5 wt bamboo rod was perfect for casting dry-dropper rigs. The only hatch going on was a #8000 mayfly so I was surprised when the fish consistently wanted the #12 Ausable Bomber and not the tiny pheasant tail nymph.

The first fish to the net was a ten inch Brookie and was followed by a number of Browns all in the bantam weight class.

As darkness began to settle into the valley I moved downstream to a long pool where larger fish are known to cruise. I spoke with a gentleman fishing the head of the pool for a bit. He was switching between #22 and #24 emergers and having modest success. That's far smaller than I care to fish so I tied on a #18 wet fly and went to work swinging a fly in the slow current.

By now it was too dark to see anything though the rises were steady all over the place. I missed two tugs on the line before I finally connected with a nice fat Brown in the 12-13" range. Having had success in total dark I was tempted to stay for a bit and see what else would come but then I recalled just how early the alarm clock goes off and turned my headlamp on and made for the car.

I'm not swearing off of graphite rods but I expect the Pickard to have a solid place in the rotation. It casts well - light enough to not make it feel like work with plenty of feedback to make the casting stroke function - and it didn't put up a fuss when I added two nymphs and a small split shot to my dropper rig.

And I really like the bend when you put something lively on the hook end.