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December 22, 2004 Newsletter |
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‘Tis the season to be jolly – fa, la, la, la, etc. etc. etc. ‘Tis the season I reflect on my past year and realize how blessed I have been with the relationships and business given me by my wonderful customers, my relatively good health, my much adored wife, and this year more than in previous years, the putting aside of family feuds and resolving hurt feelings. As I age I acknowledge more than ever personal feelings can be bruised by unintentioned remarks or deeds that go un-noticed and a simple apology can mend many burned out bridges. I am very proud of my wife pointing out my shortcomings even though my ridged backbone resists bending, and that maybe, just maybe, by sticking out my hand first and showing more maturity than testosterone, difficult relationships can once again flourish. ‘Tis the season’, and as Tiny Tim says – ‘God Bless You One and All’!
Coastal fishing reports have been sparce of late but a few customers have told of great catches of speckled trout, and one customer described one of those rare days in which he, his wife and two other couples landed over 40 red fish on fly! Winter fishing in our salt pastures can be very productive but you must watch the passage of the weather fronts. Many times after the front’s pass we get good sunlight, the north winds push out water from the bays, the winds subside (ya, right!) and return from the south, the sunlight warms the flats attracting baitfish and game fish to the warmer water. You just may experience one of those ‘rare’ days. . . . .
My wife’s employer, Ike Standley (Agee’s Heating and Air) recently accompanied Steven Charles to
This past Saturday a man and his wife were in shopping and he asked the question I hear so often, ‘why should I go through the effort and expense to fly fish in salt water’? My spiel is most often begun by explaining it is not a sport for everyone, and is generally difficult, but if a person is in pursuit of a challenge of hunting, locating, identifying, then accurately placing a little piece of fur and feather in front of strong fish, fooling it into eating the fly that is without scent and not their normal table food, then shallow water fly fishing is for you. Again using golf as an analogy, this is lowering your handicap and not simply enjoying the outing, but placing a certain amount of pressure on yourself to improve your game. You don’t begin by hitting 300 yard tee shots, you improve with practice and experience. If you are inclined to vacation and travel, fly fishing destinations abound and perhaps you may spend a day or two fly fishing rather than pool sitting.
Salt water fly fishing is not the only game I play here at Rodmakers, and I would be remiss not to mention our local waters for fly fishing in our rivers and the private waters of two beautiful ranches’s stocked with winter trout. Lefty Ray Chappa (www.leftyray.com) brought a photo of a 90 year old retired general with a 24” Rainbow Trout caught at the Shonto Ranch (www.shontoranch.com) while fishing with Lefty December 2nd. The Shonto has recently stocked a huge number of above average sized trout that early in the season are very catchable, and for a nominal fee of $60 for a half day is a deal that can’t be beat. Also, Joshua Creek Ranch has stocked a goodly number of trout (www.joshuacreek.com) and if you would like, Col. Randy Bland my casting instructor, would be happy to guide you. Both ranches have numerous bass and pan fish as well.
I have a good supply of rods I have built for sale only lacking an inscription. Spinning, Casting and Fly Rods. A good customer of mine just built the new Sage 10’ for 7 weight TCR in a four piece for use while sitting in his Kayak. The TCR is ‘ultra-fast’ action and with the added length can really shoot out line even from a low in the water position. I have a good supply of blanks for just about everything from Sage, including Sage spinning and casting blanks and am well stocked with St. Croix for spin and cast.
Monday’s are ‘Herb Mossman’ day for fly tyers with free open fly tying from 5 to 8: p.m. This could be another passion for those wanting to create something to fool a fish . . . . . . combine your own hand tied fly with a rod you custom build for yourself, present it to a fish, fool the fish, land it, and in my opinion, you have climbed at or near the top of the ladder!
I will close the shop at 1: p.m. on December 24th and will be closed on Christmas day. I will also close the shop at 1: p.m. on Friday December 31st and be closed on New Years Day.
Again, I am extremely grateful for all the support and encouragement given me by my friends/customers and I vow to continue to encourage everyone that will listen to me about the benefits of taking a little time out for ourselves.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Dennis O.
Freeman
RODMAKERS
210-479-3477