You should write a book of short stories! I love it.

Thank you Fixorfish!

Great advise. Thank you Big!

Thank you very much!

I live on the east side of Portland OR. The place I fish for trout, North Fork reservoir, is now closed to fishing as of 10/31. So where can I fish around here now for fall trout? I am just getting back into fishing after 40 plus years or so. So I am learning all over again. I have been fishing from the bank with my Ugly Stick combo. So that should tell you something about my current level of fishing. Using mostly power bait eggs. But have some other tackle just haven't been able to get it wet yet. Any suggestions would be a big help. Enjoy!

Well, I have been getting somewhat reacquainted with the fishing thing and i can attest that. The very first fish I "caught" this year broke my leader as I attempted to lift it out of the water on to the bank. I was done for the day. When I got home and inspected the line, I could clearly see that my line didn't break, it came untied. I watched the video again on how to tie the improved cinch knot and I realized I missed putting the tag through the second loop. I have been doing that ever since. No more have come untied. So, I am a believer. Although, there could have been other factors. Like I didn't know what the heck i was doing! But I am going with the knot thing. Haha

Here here! I stumbled onto this forum early one morning while camping and love it. I am not what you would call an avid fisherman, but since reading the pages here, it has awakened a whole new excitement inside of me for fishing. I too like it the way it is. I have learned a lot.

I double that!

Looks like a giant polywog. I wonder what the frog will look like!

I loved your description of what to use. Someday I hope to know what all that means. Until then I will assume it was Greek. Haha tight lines!

I couldn't agree more. Thank you for your service! Your grandson will always remember what you have done for him. Those rods will always have a special place in his heart I am sure!

I have never made a rod. But when I was young I used to enjoy watching dad work on them at the kitchen table. We didn't have a garage at the time. He would glue the cork on and then shape it. I remember him wrapping the guides with some sort of thread and then sealing them with a clear coat of something. He was good at it. He just past last year but he really didn't fish any more for probably the last 30 years. He would take us trout fishing when we were kids. But he would go sturgeon and salmon fishing with a few of his work buddies. Never took us when fishing for the bigger fish. I am just now getting back into it because our 6 year old grandson said he would like to go fishing. Can't say no to that! I am having a good time learning more about it it and teaching him. I am 58 now. My kids didn't really want to fish much. too slow pace for my son. But now says he will go with us. Looking forward to it.

My dad used to make his own rods. I remember him spiral wrapping some of his bigger, heavier rods and doing full cork grips on his lighter rods.

Is it bad when I am sitting in church this morning and the new back drop reminds me of this very conversation we are having? Haha. Zoom in on the back drop. Brought a smile to my face.

Personally I don't like the looks of the split grips. But obviously some do or the wouldn't make them.