I never knew this. We used to play this game when I was in elementary school during recess. We used pocket knives but some had sheath knives also. That was back in the day when such things were allowed. No body ever got hurt.

Good suggestions from all above. I carry most everyday (I'm retired) what I call a "razor blade" knife. My fingers are not that handy anymore for a pocketknife and it leaves one hand free to hold on to whatever. It is cheap, like a buck or less, and it allows me to operate it with one hand where I slide the blade out with my thumb. It has sharp, pointy tips that can be broken off to start a new one. They come in all styles and prices but I prefer the cheapest orange plastic ones because I am always losing them. A good hardware store would have a selection of them. You may give thought to buying more than one for him if he is like me and prone to lay them somewhere and forget. And I have discovered I can sharpen those blades when they get dull with a small ceramic rod or fine stone. Enjoy the time together.

Good suggestions from all above. I carry most everyday (I'm retired) what I call a "razor blade" knife. My fingers are not that handy anymore for a pocketknife and it leaves one hand free to hold on to whatever. It is cheap, like a buck or less, and it allows me to operate it with one hand where I slide the blade out with my thumb. It has sharp, pointy tips that can be broken off to start a new one. They come in all styles and prices but I prefer the cheapest orange plastic ones because I am always losing them. A good hardware store would have a selection of them. You may give thought to buying more than one for him if he is like me and prone to lay them somewhere and forget. And I have discovered I can sharpen those blades when they get dull with a small ceramic rod or fine stone. Enjoy the time together.

Anticipation is half the fun! Build some good memories and share when you get back.

I suppose that most any fish that will take a minnow would take a streamer. I started using streamers up in northern Maine trolling for landlocked salmon from a canoe. The action of paddling the canoe gave the streamer a staggered movement. Depending on where you are located, I would expect walleye would be a good candidate.

Almost big enough to make a guy jealous!

Hey, Salesrep! You must be a young buck. We old farts like to remember the good times and these pieces of the past help us do that. Yes, there is some times a lot of emotion attached to them and that is a good thing when they remind us of love, joy, and respect --- things in short supply when we reach old age.

"I can hear her sorta sizzling, maybe she summons a demon?"

Nah, demons make gurgling sounds, not sizzling noises. But, as I think about it, both could be deadly!

Do you think that a picture of the "Mrs." on your phone would do the same thing?
Rusty Halo

I still have my Dad's "wonder rod" and reel. At the time, it was expensive for him and he treated it nicely --- too nice! --- I cannot remember him using it much. He stuck with his 12'-16' telescoping fiberglass poles which I still have. I have a 12' pole rigged up which I take fishing with me most every time when I'm on a lake. Whenever I throw out the line, I say to myself, "This one's for you, Dad!" Yup! Those were some good times!!

Yes, this helps. I would never have guessed using a rubber band in a million years! The thing in which the crank is attached slides up and down on the metal frame and is heavy so as to provide tension. I am still wanting to give it a try to see how it works. I have done, in times past, some decent work using the telephone book method you mentioned. You have increased my enjoyment of this old relic. Thank you.

I bought this old Herters rod wrap tool many years ago and never used it. Now I want to try my hand at it. I need some help to understand how the bottom part is to be used; the part with a crank handle and wheel. I understand the top part with the thread tensioner, but not the bottom. It would be a miracle if someone had an illustrated manual for this thing!

I saw this news article on the internet and just thought maybe others might like to see it also. Imagine what it must have been like to reel this trout in!

https://www.theepochtimes.com/fisherman-reels-in-giant-30-inch-yellowstone-cutthroat-trout-breaks-state-record_3532768.html

It is one of the great benefits of the sport of fishing to be able to take it to whatever level of skill and interest one may desire. I have friends who are ardent fly fishermen who can name most every fly pattern and call each insect by its scientific nomenclature. And yet, they are ready to celebrate the catch of that Norman Rockwell boy walking down the path with his simple cane pole with fish in hand. This is one of the reasons why I appreciate this website; where people of good spirit share the joy of the hunt and the catch. This was wonderfully displayed in this thread. Thanks Hfriedman1 for opening the discussion!

There is a diagnosis I have used for many years to describe such maladies; it is called WTS. The symptom always boils down to the idea that the more money that is spent, the better the quality must be; whether it be cars, college education, real estate, etc. My diagnosis WTS stands for "Wild Turkey Syndrome". It came from my experiment of buying several brands of whiskey for a blind taste test. As it turned out, I liked the cheap stuff while the most expensive came in dead last. When it comes to fishing rods, the question I ask myself is, "Which rod do I use the most?" Of course, I drive a beat up, rusting out 1999 Chevy Suburban too! Just sayin'!