Last May we had our second annual bamboo fling in mid-May. There were 10 or 12 of us that showed up and wiggled the rods and cast as many as we could. There were new rods, some old rods and a couple of very old rods. The important thing – we all had a good time and some of us went fishing afterwards.
It is time to think about our third annual bamboo fling. Early May is a good time, the local lakes still have a lot of fish and it is not yet too hot. I am looking for recommendations for a location. Last year’s event was on the west side of the sound so it makes since to have this year’s event on the Seattle side of the sound. Reeltrout has suggested Cascade View Park in Redmond, WA. I have never been there, so I don’t have an opinion as of yet. We need a lawn to cast the rods and a place to set up a couple of tables and a few chairs and we can’t forget about parking. The date and location is open.
Tim, you're talking about my favorite rods. I'll bring my 8' Phillipson Pacemaker "HEH", my WM Granger 7633 Aristocrat and to give you another rod to try a Heddon 8' 3/2 #20 in the 1-1/2f taper. I'll let someone else come up with the Gillum! Looking forward to the gathering.
I think I'll also bring two more rods. A Phillipson Master HEH 7-1/2' 5 weight fiberglass and my restored Heddon 8-1/2' #60 2f. The fiberglass Phillipson is a point and shoot caster. Just look at a spot 50-60 feet away and your line hits the target. My only issue with this rod is the way it puts my bamboo rods to shame. I hope it doesn't get me flung out of our fling. And my Heddon #60 is a functional work of art. It'll be fun to show and cast it. It really exemplifies how sweet the Heddon tapers can be.
I'm hoping to call in a Para 14 that my brother in-law bought that I made for shared casting, I love that taper myself. I'll have my Dickerson 7613 clone and also my first rod the Sir D. I also have a compound taper that I designed for a friend that is interesting to cast, short or long. Hard to explain, you just have to cast it.
With about 3 weeks to go it is nice to see the posts. I will be bringing a Granger Champion, a Heddon # 20, a Orvis Battenkill #75192 and a Dickerson and a couple of others. My back has been giving me fits for the last few months so I am not planning on bringing a boat or fishing this year, damn.
Sorry to hear about your back. The Dickerson will be quite the rod to show...is it a newer rod based on a Dickerson taper or an actual rod made by Dickerson? Either way the rod will be great to see.
My Dickerson has been refinished and none of the ID was saved. I was told it was an original Dickerson for what ever that is worth. Hopefully one of you more experienced guys can tell me more. I can live with the disappointment.
About 2 weeks to go. I got really interested in bamboo a couple of years ago when Steve Kokita was talking about a shorty challenge, rods 6 feet or under. I went out and ordered a 6' blank a put a rod together for the challenge. Now Steve comes up with an other twist a “stick rod” challenge. I hope Steve is able to come to the fling this year and show us his brand new "stick rod".
No way would I plant evasive tall weeds in my yard Tim! I said I found it in a brush pile lakeside....the last one was partially in the water! Back to working on the Payne 98....
I'm planning to come down for the Fling. This will be my first bamboo event since moving to Washington last summer. I'll bring a couple of my homemade everyday fishing rods.
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Frank Stetzer
Good to have you with us Frank. I am relatively new to bamboo myself. I have had a bamboo fly rod since the mid 50s when an uncle brought one back from Japan. But the fascination only kicked in a couple of years ago.
One week to go. I have been thinking a about Tim's comment about this being an informal group. This is true. I wouldn't mind if it became more formal. Bring you ideas and maybe be we can discuss how this might happen in the future. See you all next Sat.
That's too bad Steve, I was looking forward to casting the new hollow built you came up with. We'll miss your humor, presence and craftsmanship. I really wanted to find out more about your mortised grips.
Looks like a nice day Saturday, beating the odds. I'm looking forward to seeing old and meeting new friends, admiring the work of modern and classic rod makers and hopefully experiencing the joy of casting a few tapers I've never known before. Its like going to my favorite classic car show and actually getting to drive a few around the block. Sweet!
Tomorrow is the big day. Hope to see you all at Cascade View Park in Redmond at 10AM.
I will bring a cooler with a few sodas and water. If you want a beer or 2 bring your favorite (if the park allows).
Bring your ideas for dates and locations for 2020. I would like bring it back to west side of the sound next year.
Mike Monsos, you asked me to remind you to bring your wood form and the tools that you made to make your rods. I would like to see your work. I hope you bring one or two of your own creations.
I had hoped to attend this gathering. I have inherited a really nice old T&T rod. And I am looking for lines to try on it. But I am going to a friend's memorial service tomorrow. So I am wishing you all a great day.
I would like to suggest to everyone, that if you plan to cast some rods, pick a target of say 50 feet or less. Cast the rod for accuracy and presentation, not distance. Take some time to feel the rod's personality. Yes a bamboo fly rod can cast a lot of line, but that is not what it's all about. Leave the distance casting to the plastic rods and use the bamboo for the joy of the casting rhythm and presentation.
I agree 100%.
It is tremendously helpful to have a target. Bring a handful of paper plates and set them out starting at 25-30ft and ending at 50-55ft. Don't move on to the next one until you can hit the first one. If you're casting is off that day you might settle for just laying your line across the plate as opposed to landing your fly on the plate.
If possible set your plates out at random points in an arc. Pick the fly up off the plate at 10° to your left and land it on the plate 20° to your right with as few false casts as possible.
How about a silver dollar and if your fly lands on it you get to keep it...Tim, I'll let you donate the targets!
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