kemper

Maybe a spec sheet would interest some people... I build almost exclusively on Batson blanks - I've had nothing but excellent experiences and I have a great supplier with even better prices. Blank: Rainshadow RX7 IF1369-4 Reel Seat: Heavy Duty Spey, Aluminium, Double locking - Gunsmoke (RA 8.5L2-SG) Winding Check: .453 Aluminium winding check Hook Keeper - Ti Carb keeper Stripper Guides - Batson XTCMXNZG (TiCh, Zirconium ring, chrome gunsmoke finish) (20, 16, 12) Snake Guides - Batson XTCHSNGP (TiCH, Chrome gunsmoke finish) (6,5,5,4,4,4,4,4,4,4) Tip Top - Batson XTCFTL 6.0 Everything but the blank and the cork comes from a great supplier out west. Mark Light Valley Custom Rods www.valleycustomrods.com They will set you up with everything you need - quick service and any issues are dealt with the right way. My last build the shipment was lost somewhere and they sent me out a new order at no extra charge right away. I'm not sure about forum rules on posting non-sponsor links, so I'll remove if needed.

An update - rod is complete now less some detailing (blank info between hook keeper wrap and detail wrap above handle) that I'm going to leave until the deep of winter when I get bored. Here's a couple pictures - will try to get better ones in the daylight - finding it difficult to get good shots of the threadwraps... I had a minor problem on the first two sections - something on the new brush polluted my flex coat and left a bit of cloudiness. The thread seems to have mostly soaked it up, and after a second coat it really isn't noticeable unless under direct artificial light. This is by far my most "polished" build, but at the same time still a long way from where I would like to be. I find that I run out of patience quickly for wrapping guides, and make some mistakes on the trim bands that I simply don't care to fix. Cheers, Kemper

They do seem to be handsome out of that system, especially early season

I keep collecting old ones too - but I have yet to actually find a use for one...

No cp, it's turning nicely on the rack as we speak.

Nothing cryptic here, and certainly not calling anyone an idiot. As per the board rules, please avoid naming rivers (especially at this time of year). And before the "a river is no different than a lake" argument comes, consider that one of the places named has about 500m of water before a dam. Everyone comes on these boards and posts locations, and it always seems to be the same guys that are complaining the next weekend that more and more guys are "in their spot". Keep in mind that I live 200 km from any of these places, so I'm not trying to protect my backyard.

Thanks for the input on the wrap color Spiel, it's looking great

I used to think it didn't matter either, until I posted something I thought was harmless and a tiny creek got grenaded. I understand these places aren't a secret, but why directly mention names? There's a huge audience on this site, and we fish small systems where fish are essentially trapped in a barrel for 5 months a year. Just my opinion guys. Take it, leave it, flame me for it if you like.

Stripping guides are zirconium ring with TiCh frame, snake guides are TiCh too.

Please stop posting names, the ease of finding information just compounds the snagging idiot problem.

Don't have to twist my arm too much one that one... I think I'll give myself a season to learn how to not snag myself in the ars before getting too ambitious though

My quiver of long sticks continues to grow - although this time in a different method. My latest project is a 13'6" Rainshadow RX7 Spey rod (IST1369-4). Its a skagit cannon, grain window 600-650 and I can't wait to tame some Huron chrome with it. Here's the pictures - will update with more as I get close to finishing up. This morning I managed to get all the guides wrapped, so all that's left is flex coat. Cheers,

In my experience, whenever one of these pens opens up and there is an escape the rivers in the area get a push of goofy little cookie cutters that aren't exactly intelligent. They lack "fight" as well. My guess (and that's all it is) is that they are genetically different and undesirable as sport fish. I've heard a whack of opinions on whether they can actually reproduce or not - everyone on the river is an expert.

Any brookies you find there would be of the fully cooked variety...

Again, I'd like to reiterate that I don't intend to get into the debate on BSL. I was just surprised at the fact that such a one-sided barrage of information (political, as much as anything else) has been allowed to go on so long. That said, I shouldn't be clicking on threads that aren't of interest to me. I'll take my own advice, and stop reading. Good luck with your campaign. An unsolicited tip - consider having an inclusive discussion, instead of blasting folks with a loudspeaker. Cheers.

My comments weren't regarding BSL, Twocoda. I do have an opinion based on personal experience, but this certainly is not the forum for that discussion.

I can see that it's important to you that everyone in Vaughan and KW boot the Liberal MPP's (the last two of which in KW have stepped down...) in the by-elections but I wonder how the people who are actually voting feel? I'm having trouble understanding how you can write "it's important that everyone in Vaughan and KW vote my way" and "restore democracy in Ontario" in the same sentence. Did I miss the part where democracy was stuffed into a box and carted away? I've been trying to keep my yap shut on this one, but the one-sided political agenda pushing is baffling.

I forgot a good one...nature from the great INdoors! Sitting at the kitchen table having a coffee and looking out the window with my old man (we live in suburbia). All of the sudden this streak of grey flashes past the window and slams into the lawn, feathers flying everywhere. Some type of bird of prey (I don't know much about birds) had come down and knocked a smaller bird out of the air and pummelled it into the ground, killing it instantly. The hawk (falcon?) grabbed the victim in its talons and flew away. My dad and I were left staring in awe and couldn't manage to say anything other than "COOL!".

Fishing a Lake O river a few years ago right at dawn I was startled by what sounded like someone sneezing - only when I turned around it wasn't someone at all, it was a massive buck and he had a lady friend with him. Close enough that I could have touched either of them with my float rod, I knelt down and ignored the river for ten minutes while I watched these two munch on some vegetation seemingly unaware that I was there (though I'm certain they were watching)

You'll find both the East and West banks, from the lake to highway 407 and beyond to be excellent cleaning stations.

Just the guy I was hoping to hear from - confirmed my first thought Spiel, I think garnet is the answer unless someone can come up with something else I haven't thought of. On second thought... I did see a float rod with alternating pink and blue wraps - awful looking thing.

Hey guys, I've found myself knee-deep in another build - I keep convincing myself I need more rods somehow... Building on a spey blank that is burgundy in colour - I've built almost all my rods on blank or graphite, much easier colours to match up with hardware and thread. I was thinking garnet or a golden colour for the wraps on this one. Any suggestions? FYI the hardware is entirely a gunmetal/titanium colour. Cheers,

What Bill said - NY state annual for me. Only problem is that it renews in October, which I can't seem to remember

Managed to get to someone who had a list - there was an "arm" of a larger org. that operated the course in Oshawa. The place in Oshawa is gone, but the mothership still exists. New card should be here within 2 weeks. I'm sure I'll never be asked for it, but better safe than sorry. Thanks

I took a course Roy - it was two days of instruction (3 or 4 hours per day if I remember correctly) and a test at the end of the second course. As a 13 year old with limited boating experience it was absolutely imperative. I went with my old man, and we both learned a thing or two. Wouldn't have been safe for me to be on the water without it. As for keeping idiots on Sea-doos to a minimum, I agree with that also - but its nothing more than a pipe dream. Any idiot with an internet connection can cheat their way to a test in a couple hours. The problem is that the people who are serious about learning the rules aren't the ones that are dangerous on the water, and the idiots who are a hazard are going to learn nothing from the test. I'll probably just write the test again, and take better care of my card next time.