Rod Reel Combo

Best spinning rod and reel combo?

I really would like to know what spinning rod and reel combo casts the furthest?

The US Reels company claims that their reels cast further than most any other spinning reel.

I have never tried any of their reels and they have had mixed reviews from various people.

Best to go to http://www.basspro.com AND http://www.cabelas.com and read reel reviews.

The best spinning reel brands are Shimano, Daiwa, Plfueger, Penn ( Metal Series SS).

Hope this helps ya? Good luck!

The Crappie Minnow school: Rigging Minnows For Crappie Fishing

Old School Crappie Fishing Family Secrets

Crappie Minnow Setups

Crappie are a very curious species of fish and they love to attack schools of minnows to satisfy their amazing live bait appetite. The following crappie fishing technique will create a small, tight little group of minnows, each one with a hook in it. If fished properly this small group of minnows can be amazingly successful, and a very productive way of filling your fish basket.

You must get a good rod and reel combo the reel being a small spin cast Variety that accepts 4 to 6lb dia. Test line. The rod needs to be over 8ft long preferably 10ft plus. I personally use a set up that consist of a small spin cast reel that is rated for 6lb test line. The reel is loaded with a braided :fireline that is rated for 10lb test but has a dia. of 4lb test line. My rod is a two piece fly rod 12ft long that I purchased from bass pro shop.

Steps To Success The “Crappie Minnow” Rigging Technique

Step#1 Get yourself (3) three small three way swivels that work for crappie fishing.

Step#2 Get yourself some 3 small spinner blades 6 beads. They make excellent crappie minnow baits.

Step#3 You will need to find some bass or egg sinkers that are 1/4oz. You can find them at any department store fishing tackle area or any local bait shop.

Step#4 Get yourself some 10lb test fire line, this will have the dia. Of 4lb test, now load your spin cast reel.

Step#5 Cut (3) 16” inch pieces of fire line use a Palomar knot to tie on a no1,1/0,2/0 gold Aberdeen crappie hook to each piece of line on one end only. The length needs to end up at approximately 12 inches.

Step#6 Cut (3) 8” inch pieces of fire line, do not tie anything on them at this time. These pieces will be used for spacing between each 3 way swivel, and leader.

Step#7 Release enough fire line out of your rod and reel combo and run it through the eyelets on your rod. Make sure you have enough line extending past the eyelets to work comfortably when you are tying on your crappie fishing rig tackle.

Step#8 Now orient your first three way swivel so when you tie the top eyelet to your fire line there is a second eyelet approximate 90degs located on the left hand side.

Step#9 Pick up one of the 12” leaders you made in step 5 and slide one bead up the line. Next slide one of the spinner blades up the line behind the first bead. Next, Slide another bead up the line behind the spinner blade. Now, tie the end of the leader without the hook to the free eyelet on the 3 way swivel that is on the left side 90degrees from the top.

Step#10 Tie one end of the 8” pieces of fire line you cut in step 6 to the bottom eyelet of the first 3 way swivel, then tie the other end of the line two your second 3 way swivel. Make sure the open eyelet that is 90degrees from the top on the second 3 way swivel is located on the right hand side. After your tying is done, you want to end up with approximately 6” of space between the first and second eyelet.

Step#11 Round up (2) of the beads and (1) of the spinner blades from step five, and slide one bead up the 12” inch leader and then slide on a spinner blade spinner blade. Next slide a second bead up the 12” leader behind the spinner blade. Now tie the end opposite the Aberdeen gold crappie hook. And tie it to the 90deg eyelet that is on the right hand side.

Step#12 Now pick up one of your 8” connecting pieces of fire line and tie one end to last remaining open eyelet of the second three way swivel , then tie the other end to the top eyelet of the third three way swivel, but make sure the open eyelet 90degs from the top is on the right hand side before you tie. When you have completed the tying process you should have approximately 6 inches between the two eyelets.

Step#13 Pick up the last 12” leader you made in step 5 and slide one bead up the line. Next slide one of the spinner blades up the line behind the first bead. Next, Slide another bead up the line behind the spinner blade. Now, tie the end of the leader without the hook to the free eyelet on the third 3 way swivel that is on the right side 90degrees from the top.

Step#14 Tie one end of the 8” pieces of fire line you cut in step 6 to the bottom eyelet of the third 3 way swivel, then tie the other end of the line too your 1/4oz egg or bass sinker. After your tying is done, you want to end up with approximately 6” of space between the third 3 way swivel and the sinker.

You have Now Completed your crappie fishing live bait rig! Good Job!

About the Author

Mark Fleagle is an Expert Author At Ezinearticles.com. and has over 30 years of fishing experience who has written 100's of useful fishing articles. Would you like to max out your catch on your next fishing trip? Blow your fishing buddies out of the water and get your bragging rights today! Also don't forget to get your free copy of "78 Fishing Discoveries Unleashed" http://www.oldfishinghole.com

Click Here For More Information About crappie fishing rig

Rod Reel Combo

• Rod Reel Combos
• Reels Rods Line

Sage Fly Rods

Are all ABEL fly reels direct drive or do any of them have a drag system?

Their website isn't opening for me, or else I would look for myself.

Which models are D/D and which are Drag? I want to get into fly fishing and want a DAMN GOOD fly reel.

I'm not putting some piece of crap Cabela's brand name reel or a puh-flooger on a 9 foot thousand-dollar Sage rod.
I might use it for trout, I'm not a big trout fisherman though, but I will definitely be using it for bass.
Custom built/wrapped 5/6 weight 9 foot, four-piece Sage Z-Axis Series.

they have three sizes of anti-reverse models, but these start at 7, 8 weight. they do have abel's famous cork drag.
unless they made some changes since l worked there several years ago, the only models that DO NOT have a cork drag are the TR series and the clear creek series. these are palmed. they have a standard pawl drag. the others have the absolute BEST drag on the market. steve abel designed the drag for his reels and he actually did stop a buick (in gear, rolling) with one of his big game reels.
if you plan to fish mainly for trout, the TR light, TR1, TR2 or TR3, or the clear creek 1 or 2 would be the one for you (depending on line weight).
l made them for 5 years but even if l didn't, l would still say they are the very best in the world. if it is going to be knocked around, try to find one in the "guide finish". an extra hard anodizing process on these, but flat black.

Organic Pest and Disease Control

A plant's main enemies are pests (such as rabbits, insects, slugs and snails, and nematodes) and diseases (like fungi, bacteria, and virus). Most can be controlled using ecologically friendly methods. Rather than setting a goal of a pest-free garden, learn how to work with nature to keep problems at an acceptable level. Vigilance is the key to growing good plants; paying close attention to how the plants are growing will pay off. Finding a pest or disease problem in the early stages, when it is relatively easy to deal with, is preferable to suddenly discovering that the crop or plant in question is seriously infected with some problem.

Pest control This can be approached in stages, depending on the problem. Animals (rabbits, gophers, etc.) can be kept away from food crops by surrounding the area with a wire fence with the base buried in the soil. In the flower garden, plant species they do not like to eat. Protect the stems of trees with a wire guard for the winter (make it high enough to allow for snow) and spray shrub stems with a hot pepper spray after the last rain in fall. Deer and elk are difficult to repel without enclosing the entire garden with a high fence, but there are plants that they are less likely to eat (see list on p. 68).

Large insects, such as caterpillars and beetles, can be picked off by hand and dropped into a bucket of soapy water. When larger plants, like trees, are attacked, the soil directly under their foliage can be covered with drop sheets and the plant shaken to dislodge the pests. The drop sheets can then be carefully lifted and the pests destroyed. Caterpillars that congregate in webbing "nests," like tent caterpillars and fall webworms, should be controlled during the day, when the young larvae have left the nest, by spraying them with Bacillus thuringiensis. Another alternative is to wait until evening when the caterpillars have returned to the nest. Prune off the nests and immerse them in a bucket of soapy water to kill the larvae.

Plants can be protected from damage by soil-dwelling caterpillars, like cutworms, by enclosing them in a barrier made from half a frozen juice can or a circle of heavy-grade tinfoil pushed slightly into the soil. Wireworms (orange and curl into a half circle) and millipedes (dark brown and curl into a spiral) both live in the soil and feed on plant roots or burrow into root crops. They are seldom numerous, except in reclaimed pastureland, but destroy them when digging.

Quick-moving small pests, such as flea beetles, carrot flies, and leafhoppers, can be kept away from young plants -- the most vulnerable -- by covering them with a floating row cover supported on wire hoops made from cut-down clothes hangers. This also gives protection against late frost and against sunscald on newly planted plants.

Slow-moving small pests, like aphids and mites, can be washed off many plants with a strong stream of water, however, this should not be used on plants with large, soft foliage, or on the fragile growing tips of plants. Mites can also be kept to a minimum by spraying frequently with water, using a hand sprayer, and soaking the undersides of the foliage. Planting flowers that attract native predators also helps to control aphids and mites.

Insects can be lured to bright yellow or red traps coated with a nondrying sticky substance, which holds them. There are also traps baited with scent lures called pheromones. These are scents released by insects to attract others of their species. When used in a trap, they may imitate a female scent and entice many of the males to enter. The unbalanced population results in a large reduction in the number of eggs laid, and young hatching.

Many natural predators can be used to help solve a pest problem. They can be released into the garden and will target a specific pest or range of pests (see p. 546). Naturally, it takes time for the predator population to build up sufficiently to bring the problem under control, so there is always a lag between introducing the predator and solving the problem. They rarely completely kill off all the problem pests, but they will bring the population down to acceptable levels. Remember, spraying for pest control will often wipe out the beneficial insects as well.

Nematodes are microscopic wormlike creatures, some of which attack plants, but others are beneficial and attack plant pests. They are especially useful for controlling some lawn pests and are simply mixed with water and applied with a watering can. In warmer parts of the country, one application will give several years control, but in the North, the cold kills them and they need to be reapplied if the problem occurs again.

Bacteria are also weapons in the fight against plant pests. Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki, commonly known as BT or Dipel, was the original strain that attacks the caterpillars of certain species of moths and butterflies. There are now several other strains of this bacteria that can control Japanese beetle larvae, mosquito larvae, Colorado beetle larvae, and more. A large range of these predators and lures are available by mail or through your local nursery.

If none of the above methods control the problem to your satisfaction, you may have to resort to spraying with one of the organic controls listed on pp. 544–545.

Disease control. This is more difficult than pest control because the disease has usually got a hold on the plant before any symptoms appear. Many fungal diseases are spread by very small spores that float on the breeze and land on a plant leaf. They "germinate" and insert a small thread (called a hyphae) into the plant tissue. This feeds on the plant and grows, forming a network of hyphae between the cells inside the leaf. It is not until this point that the plant begins to show signs of stress -- different colored spots, wilting, or fungal tissue visible (as in mildew). Such leaves should be picked off as soon as noticed and put in the garbage -- not in the compost. If caught in time, this may be enough to stop the further spread of the disease.

Many plants, providing they are not under stress from poor growing conditions, can emit defensive secretions that can either kill fungal spores or limit the damage they can cause. It therefore makes sense to grow plants properly, giving them the soil conditions, acidity or alkalinity, and moisture they grow best in. In addition, allow good air circulation through plants, especially those, like phlox and bergamot, that are prone to mildew. Stagnant air in the middle of a large clump of stems is a mildew heaven.

Other fungi are great opportunists. Although they are not able to directly infect a plant, they can gain entry through stem and leaf wounds. Many cankers fall into this category. They can attack a plant only when it has been damaged by careless hoeing or gain entry through a wound caused by mower damage.

Fungi are important agents in plant decay, and most work in the gardener's favor. They help break down compost and are responsible for rotting wood in forests and returning the nutrients to the soil. Without them, the woods would be choked with dead trees. Some, such as coral spot, will also attack living material that is under stress from another cause. The appearance of small, bright coral-pink fungi on a branch indicates a problem.

Most of the fungicides listed in the chart on pp. 544–545 are preventative, rather than curative. They should be applied before the disease strikes to form a protective layer on the foliage that kills the fungal spores on contact.

Bacteria are minute organisms that can be rod-shaped, spherical, or spiral, and there are several million in a typical teaspoon of soil. They are important in breaking down dead plant material, but a few attack living plants, generally causing plant tissue to disintegrate. Soft rot of iris is a typical bacterial disease. They are difficult to control and long-lived in the soil, but generally specific to one species or group of plants. Avoid replanting the same species in soil where a bacterial disease has been diagnosed. Some bacteria attack certain insects and are used as insecticides.

Virus are submicroscopic primitive life-forms that live inside cells of plants and animals. They tend to be very specific, limiting their attack to a single genus or plant family. Some virus are used as insecticides but others attack plants. There is no cure and infected plants should be dug up and disposed of in the garbage. Infected plants usually have foliage with strange mottling or streaks, and are often puckering as well. The recently discovered virus attacking hostas is typical in this way. Plant infections can be spread by hand, shears, and other gardening tools. Newly infected plants may take several years to show symptoms, during which time the virus can be spread to other plants. Virus are also spread by sapsucking insects, such as leafhoppers, so controlling these insects is very important. Many modern varieties of vegetables, especially tomatoes, have built-in resistance to some of the virus and other diseases that attack them. This information is usually indicated by a series of code letters in seed catalogs.

Compost Tea

Homemade compost or special compost preparations available from garden suppliers are the basis of this tea. Simply put a shovelful of finished compost in a burlap sack and immerse it in a bucket of water for about a week. Strain the resulting tea through cheesecloth or some other material to remove all solids. Use the tea full-strength to water any and all plants in your garden. Compost tea not only provides a wide range of nutrients, but it also boosts plants' natural defenses against disease. Spraying plants with aerated compost tea can convey even greater benefits. To make aerated compost tea, follow the instructions that come with the compost preparations procured from a garden supplier.

Herbal Sprays

While herbal sprays do not appear to actually kill insects, they do seem to act as an effective repellent, and spraying plants with a tea made of garden herbs may help to keep them pest-free. Sage, thyme, rosemary, and white clover seem to help ward off attacks from leaf-eating caterpillars. To make, either soak 1 cup of fresh leaves overnight in 2 cups of water or pour 2 cups of boiling water over 2 cups of fresh leaves. To use, strain, dilute with an equal amount of water, and add a few drops of liquid soap (not detergent) to act as a spreader.

Stinging Nettle Spray

Stinging nettles grow as weeds in the eastern parts of the country but they can be used to make a spray that helps plants resist disease attacks.

When collecting nettles to make the spray, wear long pants, cover the arms, and wear good work gloves. Place about 1 pound of nettle leaves and young stalks in a bag and soak it in 1 gallon of chlorine-free water (tap water that has stood uncovered for 48 hours). Cover the bucket and leave it in a warm place for a week. The mixture will have a strong smell when uncovered and may need straining through a cheesecloth. Dilute with five times its volume of chlorine-free water and spray plants that are known to be susceptible to fungus diseases. Spray every 2 weeks for continued coverage. It also helps deter aphids and acts as a foliar feed. Store any unused spray concentrate in a glass jar, it will keep for a month.

Starch Spray

This forms a sticky coating on the leaf surface, which traps the pests and holds them until they die. It works best on small pests like aphids and thrips, rather than on large beetles and caterpillars. Mix 2-4 tablespoons of potato flour (available in health food stores) in one quart of water and add a few drops of liquid soap as a sticker. Shake well and spray onto the plants, covering the entire leaves. It will wash off in rain or can be hosed off after a few days.

Garlic Oil Spray

A mix of garlic, mineral oil, and soap gives very good results against many sucking and chewing insects. These include aphids, cabbageworms, leafhoppers, larval mosquitoes, squash bugs, and whiteflies.

Some plants are sensitive, so try it on a single shoot first. If there is no damage after 48 hours, spray the entire plant. Soak 3 ounces of finely chopped garlic in 2 teaspoons of mineral oil for 24 hours. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of insecticidal soap in 2 cups of water and add it to the garlic and oil. Stir well and strain. To use, add 1-2 tablespoons to 2 cups of water and spray on the pests. Store the remainder in a glass container for future use.

Hot Pepper Dust

Grow your own hot peppers to provide the source for a repellent dust that will help protect plants from cabbage maggots, carrot root flies, ants, and other pests. Dry the harvested pepper first, and then grind them with a mortar and pestle (always wear protective eye gear and gloves when working with hot peppers because the dust can be very irritating to your eyes). Sprinkle the dust along plant rows just after seeding or around the base of young plants. Apply more dust after rainfall or watering.

The above is an excerpt from the book The All-New Illustrated Guide to Gardening: Planning - Selection - Propagation - Organic Solutions by Edited by Fern Marshall Bradley and Trevor Cole. The above excerpt is a digitally scanned reproduction of text from print. Although this excerpt has been proofread, occasional errors may appear due to the scanning process. Please refer to the finished book for accuracy.

Copyright © 2009 Fern Marshall Bradley and Trevor Cole, editors of The All-New Illustrated Guide to Gardening: Planning - Selection - Propagation - Organic Solutions

Author Bio
Fern Marshall Bradley, co-editor with Trevor Cole of The All-New Illustrated Guide to Gardening, is a writer and editor whose favorite topics are gardening and sustainable living. A co-author of Reader's Digest's Vegetable Gardening, she also conceived and edited The Organic Gardener's Handbook of Insect and Disease Control, The Expert's Book of Garden Hints, among others. Bradley is a former gardening books editor for Rodale.

Trevor Cole, co-editor with Fern Marshall Bradley of The All-New Illustrated Guide to Gardening, was curator of the Dominion Arboretum in Ottawa, Canada, for over 20 years. He was educated in horticultural science at the Royal Botanical Gardens in the U.K. Cole's previous offerings include numerous magazine articles and the books Care-Free Plants and The New Ottawa Gardener.

About the Author

For more, please visit http://www.amazon.com/Illustrated-Gardening-Editors-Readers-Digest/dp/0762102764/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239251831&sr=8-1

Sage Fly Rods

• Fly Fishing Tackle – What is It?
• Wild Water Tech2 Series , 9 Foot, 10 Weight, 4 Piece Fly Rod

Series Fly Rod

Will the red sox crack under the pressure to get that wild card spot now that the yankees own first place?

The yankee lead is now 7.5 games, the poor red sox nation is in total confusion as they battle to get that wild card spot from texas, but oh my my, the tampa bay rays are right there to, first they loose manny, big poppi turns up a steriod user, then the yankees fly right past them at super sonic speed, what can boston do for a encore ? The truth of the matter is boston has really bad management, they always have, thats why they could not win a world series in 86 years, they win in 04 as manny and big poppi take in more juice, now the juice foutain is dry and so are the bosox. if their management would wise up, they could have had cc, they could have had a-rod, they could have had tex, all they need to do was up the price of the hot dogs at fenway and they would have had the cash to get better players, go go yankees.

Red Sux fans will say that the Yankees only won because of Clemens, Giambi, Pettite, and Arod. Well You guys actually won from steriods. The Red Sux will choke this season. They started off great, but now they are really doing bad. 7.5 games back, almost losing the wild card, no pitching, no offense. You lost to a team like Texas. You shouldnt even want to go to the playoffs because your going to get stepped all over by the Yankees.

Hands of Sir Rod

 In 2004 I was taking a class in black and white photography at the downtown TCC campus.  The instructor was a former staff photographer with the Tulsa World & Tribune.  He wasn’t that much younger than I.  I really enjoyed the class and several of the other students were very serious as well as being very talented with unique perspectives.  It was a class of students filled with a variety of ages and experiences that made it interesting to us all.

My dad retired from the paper when they downsized and did away with the Tribune.  The paper settled for the one publication of the Tulsa World.  I think my dad and Mike had known of each other but I don’t think they worked closely together.  My dad died in July of 1999.

There were a series of objectives and the curriculum involved a wide list of subject matters to deal with for the gambit of possibilities.

In October we were given the assignment of using the subject of hands for our photograph. 

I immediately envisioned a series of shots I wanted using my friend, Rod, in Barnsdall, as my model.

Hands are so expressive and have so many stories to tell of a person.  I know that many believe the “eyes” are subjects for expressive model, but I’ve always had respect for what stories lay in viewing a person’s hands.

 I called Rod on the phone and set up a time when I could make the drive to Barnsdall as soon as I could leave campus.

It had been extremely difficult for me to leave Barnsdall back in 2001.  Part of what I was leaving behind me was much needed to be left.  But it wasn’t easy to leave behind the friendship, closeness, and respected concern between the two of us.  We had been a help to each other through the few years I lived in the community.  We both shared many of the same views on life and philosophy.

I remember spending relaxing hours in his garage, listening to music from our pasts, and learning how closely our lives has passed each other in the past without us actually meeting until we both ended up in the small community of Barnsdall.

I knew the area where he grew up near Buffalo, NY. 

After my dad died I convinced Rod to let me drive him back to NY to visit what was left of his family.  He had two sisters who were still living in the area.  One was a retired nun whom we visited just before a beautiful complex was to be constructed.  We toured the old residency that had become a landmark of the area. 

Rod refused to fly and I was more than glad to make the drive.  It was a real adventure for me as it had been several years since I had been in that part of the country.  I got to see an old friend of mine from my Air Force Days whom I hadn't seen in over thirty years, so it was an exciting experience for me.  I guess it was the last traveling experience he made.  I was grateful that he got to see his sisters and extended family members. 

I had been in Amarillo Texas during the same time he was in Amarillo.

There were more things (details) about our lives that had a connection which caused us to feel very comfortable with each other and a feeling as though we had known each other a life time.

I still miss him terribly and think of him often.

It was a briskly chilled late October afternoon, even with the sun poking through the scattered clouds from time to time.  I was concerned that the light would not be strong enough for the shots I wanted to get of his hands.  I had a few ideas of how I wanted to capture those very expressive hands with characteristics of intrigued stories from past experiences that seemed to encase worlds of wisdom.

I felt like I was going home.  You know the feeling.  It had been a very long time since I felt like I was going “home” to anywhere.  After I left my home back in 1968, a year after graduating from High School and after attending some college, my home changed and I never really returned to what I had known as “home” for me, again.  It just happens that way for some of us.  It’s progress, and probably best that some of us don’t return to the way things once were, or we would never get away from them and be able to progress.

After crossing the bridge that is the entrance on State Highway 11 into Barnsdall, I made the right turn, northbound, heading toward the well known Meiler home.  It hadn’t been too many months earlier that a sign on the Mieler yard announced that it was the yard of the month.

Rod always took great pride in his yard, as he did in all aspects of his life.  It was always the highest example of neighborhood adornment with the flowers, plants, and manicured lawn.  He was talented in so many areas.  I always enjoyed the spring when we would trek off to Bartlesville and get blooming plants to locate in the yard around the porch and walkways.  He was always careful with his selections and picked out only the healthiest of plants.

If it was needed we would stop at Poindexter’s Liquor Store on the return route home and get a bottle of Carlos Rossi Rhine and/or Burgundy.

When I turned the last corner I saw Rod sitting on the porch waiting for me.

I parked my car at the curb in front of the house, picked up my cameras and walked up to the porch where Rod was waiting for me.

I had taken my favorite Canon SLR vintage quick load 35mm camera given to me by my brother in law years ago when I was advisor to the year book staff back in Chandler in the late 80’s.  I had also taken an even older camera that had belonged to my dad.  It was a medium format that was really great for getting some distinctive results.  I really wish I had my new Canon automatic back then because I would have more pictures of that day.

This was at a time when I had experienced some changes with my eyesight.  I was displaying some difficulties in my focus with the manual cameras.  I have not gone into retirement because I am able to continue with the new camera that has the automatic focus.

Our eyes met and it was as if none of the time we had been separated in the past couple of years had transpired at all.  I really felt like I was at home again.  Here was my pal, my best friend, the big brother I had searched my lifetime and finally found. 

He didn’t say it, but I know from his smile, that bit of a twinkle in his eye, and his engaging contact that he was glad to see me.  I am convinced that he had been as eager as I to spend time together again.

Between us were the things we had shared with each other, the times we had shared with each other.  The few times of holding differing opinions about something had only resulted in respect toward each other’s differences which somehow made us even more alike.

I will never be able to explain completely to those who have not had the experience of sharing and being so close with another human being, but there was such a relationship between us.

We knew very intimate details about each other that growing up brothers might share, and we had a closeness of knowing many psychological details between each other as well.  I think those things combined were what made the bond we shared even stronger than any other relationship we had ever experienced.  A “different” kind of relationship is what I’m identifying.  I’m not saying that we each didn’t have strong relationships otherwise in our lives.  We certainly did.  But it is the bond we had to which I refer, or attempt to shed some light onto it for you.

He inquired about my current activities and the new house I had moved into during Spring Break.  We exchanged small talk after he poured us both a glass of wine.

I took several pictures of his hands while he went about doing some menial tasks.  He held a cigarette in his hand, picked up his glass and sipped at the wine.  He took out some nail clippers and cut away at his fingernails.  There were many opportunities to snap a shot.

The clouds were scattered so the light on the front porch was not substantial, but I continued to take shots as we continued to visit.  He asked about the things I was doing in school, told me about the latest news in the neighborhood and updates on some of the former students I once had in class.

When the light was not strong enough for some good contrast, we got up and went inside the house and finished our visit.

Those hands continued to intrigue me.  They told so much about a man who had given so much in his lifetime and who was so caring, thoughtful, and truthful of others.  Those hands recorded it all.  They showed the hard work he had endured as a young boy growing up in a very strict German household.  Those hands held untold stories of experiences he endured after he left his home and went to the cold city of New York, New York, with all of the possibilities that befalls upon a young teenager becoming a young man of the world.  He endured and was successful.

There had been so many nights when we would visit and watch a program, or listen to the radio, sipping on a glass of wine, solving the worlds problems and our neighbors.  This would have been our reward for working in the yard during the summer heat, or helping a neighbor with their yard if they needed the help.  Rod was always like that.  If he knew that something needed to be done and someone wasn't able to do it he was there getting it done.

He would bake cheese cakes and take to families in need or for a celebration, or just because he felt like doing something for someone.  It didn't have to be a special reason.

The kids in the neighborhood knew that they could get a frozen treat from him by simply showing up in his yard.  There was an ice box and freezer in the garage that was often his sanctuary.  Many important decisions were reached in that area. 

Everyone knew that if the door was open Rod was ready for business.

Paintings, photographs and decorations were placed all around the garage as if it were a gallery.  It didn't matter that there was a washing machine and dryer there, it was always overlooked when viewing the artworks.

Some of the work was done by clients he had counseled in PA.  Others were from places of his past or from artist friends he had made at previous places where he and Sue had lived.

One story after another could be found in those hands, of the struggles and times of elated fortune as well as happiness in his lifetime.  He felt very rich in the fact that he knew his family loved him very much and he returned the status.  He was so very proud of all in his family.  Sue, who had endured so much from his stubbornness, yet continued to love him, filled a very special part of his heart.  His pride and joy were found in his love he had for his two sons.  He was so very proud of all of their accomplishments.  And he was very happy to have experienced becoming a grandfather. 

He showed such pride on that October day in 2004. 

He showed that he was satisfied his life had been filled with experiences and his responses to life that he was not regretful in any way.  Whatever it might have been, he would have done everything the same way. 

I’m not convinced that most others come to that conclusion about their life’s experience.  But, then, how would I know?

What I do know is that it was not easy for me to leave him on that day.

I had no choice.

This is how it was supposed to be.

Perhaps it was written somewhere that it was to be such.

Whatever!

The time did come that I had to leave.  We both knew it.

I very well could have spent the rest of the night filling our glasses with the wine, visiting, and sharing, but I could tell those times had long past us.  He tried not to show it but I could tell that he was tired and he didn’t want me to see it.  It was too obvious.  But I wanted to respect his wishes so, thinking of what he needed instead of what I wanted. 

We were in the living room.  He showed signs of being in need of some strength.  He stretched out on the couch and I told him it was time for him to take a nap.  I thanked him for letting me intrude on his afternoon, and then I hugged him for the last time before I gathered up my cameras and found my way to the street where my car was parked.

I felt a presence with me as I put my things in the car and sat down.  One tear had already formed before I put the key into the ignition.

I knew I would never see my friend again.  But it was okay.  I knew he was happy with all in his life.

I believe that he too, knew it would be our last encounter.  I was just happy to have been a small part of his experience and one of many people who were recipients of his generous love.

I miss you, Rod.  We all do.

You taught us all much.

Although you were never knighted by any authority, there are many of us who feel you deserve the recognition of being Sir Rod, because you are to us.

I chose this frame to print because of the way the sun came through the trees onto his lap. I received outstanding critiques from those classmates and above perfect grade from the instructor.

About the Author

Series Fly Rod

• Wild Water Tech2 Series , 9 Foot, 10 Weight, 4 Piece Fly Rod
• Redington Crosswater Fly Fishing Outfits Model: OCW2 7642

Weight Fly Rod

What is a good fly rod brand for one who has taken 5 lessons and wants to seriously pursue the sport more?

Also, what type of line weight and rod size is good for a river?

Go to LLBean.com to see what you can afford. Then call to talk with someone in sporting goods. They'll advise on evrything you can think of to ask.

The house brand is good to very good. If you are going to get a kit go with $100.00 set or higher.

Tips on Fly Fishing for Pike

Pike are toothy fish found in reservoirs, lakes, and various rivers around the country.  They are very strong fighters and look ugly and ferocious.  If you plan on fly fishing for pike, there are a few things you need to know.  This article will give you a few tips to get you started.

Season

First and foremost, you will need to know the best time to catch these fish.  You want to time your trip when they move from deeper water into the shallows.  They do this in the early spring months, usually in May or June.  They prefer feeding and spawning in these shallow waters, so it's easier for you to get to them then.

Location

You'll also want to know where the pike are likely to be in the water.  Most of the time, you'll find them near reefs, logs, and weeds.  They are also found in shallow bays or near stream flow.  They can be hard to spot since they can blend in with their background.  You may have success casting your fly into cloudy water.

Rod Strength

When fly fishing for pike, it's important that you use a strong enough fly rod.  They are quite strong and will put up a big fight.  Also, the ideal flies to use to lure these fish are pretty big.  It's best to use at least an 8-weight fly rod.  A 10-weight rod is better, especially when fishing in waters with larger pike.

Flies

These fish will strike virtually anything that comes near them as they are ambush eaters.  This means that you can use a wide assortment of flies to lure them.  If what you're using isn't working, then you can just try something else in your box.  Different fish only like certain types of bait.

About the Author

These are a few tips on fly fishing for pike. If you're relatively new, there are many things you need to learn about fly fishing basics. So, click here now to pick up some general fly fishing tips to get you started.

Weight Fly Rod

• Fly Rod Outfit
• Fly Fishing Rod & Reel Starter Kit for Kids and Adults

Fly Rod Building

travel casting rod?

I am in the process of purchasing a 5 piece Stow-a-Way fly rod from Cabela's in order to try and build a 4 or 5 piece casting rod. I need one this short to pack away on my motorcycle. Anyone out there ever attempt this? Any and all answers, tips, etc. gratefully appreciated! Thanx in advance-flyfisher

Very interesting question. I have 2, 5 piece 9' blanks, one 8wt and the other 5wt. I played with both of them after reading your question and if I were to do this for you I would use the 8wt and use the top 4 sections and try to make it a 7' rod that would fish reasonably 6-10# line. You could cut the tip slightly but I would cut at the butt section to bring it down to 7'. Sections will be uneven in length, but no way around this. For guides I would use a Fuji or Pac Bay casting guide with a high frame, to minimize the number of guides needed. Start with a #12 and work down to a #6 or #7. I would guess that 9 guides + tip. I'm basing my answer from your question and that you are attempting to convert a fly rod into a conventional bait casting rod.

I will add that most of my attempts at doing this type of rod have not been overly successful. If you have any further information please feel free to contact me directly. This is a fun question, and interesting project.

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Fly Rod Building

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• Fly Fishing Gear- Top 10 Essentials For Fly Fishing