DONATIONS NEEDED - Operation Blakeway is Underway!!

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

All BBG members:

We are organizing a donation drive for one of our new members, Mathew Blakeway. He is a hardworking young man, although like all farmers he is strapped for cash. As it turns out, he was given a VERY basic fly fishing outfit, and has taken to the sport like a duck to water. He is one of us, folks, a proud new member of the Fishing Family.

There is one problem, however, which he cannot overcome: Mathew lives in a very rural section of SOUTH AFRICA. There are absolutely NO opportunities for him to add to his fly fishing equipment.

He currently has a 6/7 wt. rod, some worn line and about 8 ragged, tattered flies - and that is it! At his current rate of usage, the flies probably wont last the season. He doesn't lack the will, friends; he lacks the means.

So we are trying to organize a small "Goody Drive" for him. I've packed up some flies to send - they should go out next week. That is PHASE ONE.

Carl Hendrix is gathering some tools and other useful items from his stash, to begin PHASE TWO. After talking to Mathew, here are the things most needed, in order of priority:

1. BLUEGILL and LARGE MOUTH BASS flies

Brim flies, nymphs, small streamers, soft hackles, Wooly Buggers, small poppers and popping bugs - that sort of thing is needed

2. Spare 6/7 wt. WF line

3. Hook hone

4. Hook remover

5. Neck lanyard and/or retracts for tools

Optional items:

6. Furled and/or tapered leaders in bluegill/bass sizes.

NOTES: Through a weird twist of fate, large mouth bass and bluegill were widely distributed in South Africa in the 1930's. First came the large mouth bass, then bluegill were imported to feed them. In fact, South Africa's conservation folks now consider bluegill to be invasive. And, unlike here in the U.S., virtually no other native fish exist there! Bass and bluegill are about it!!

(Mathew occasionally has opportunity to fly fish for the only native South African sport fish, a species of barb called, "Yellowfish." They are distant cousins of our carp. They are found in only a few rivers, pretty far from his home. However, he can get to them once or twice a year.

While in the same family as carp, the yellowfish are predatory in habit. They live in deep holes and pools and feed on invertebrates, crustaceans and small fish. They can grow to pretty impressive proportions - imagine a cross between a small mouth and a carnivorous carp and you get the idea. If you have any deep patterns common to smallmouth bass, your donation of these would be greatly appreciated.)

Shipping to SA is not cheap, so the list is restricted to small and LIGHTWEIGHT items. Carl and I will work out the shipping between us. We are just requesting whatever you can spare from the list above... anything YOU wish YOU had were there no chance of restocking your fly fishing gear.

Send all donations to:

Carl Hendrix

525 Autumndale Drive

Gallatin, TN 37066

Remember, BASS (large and small mouth) and BLUEGILL flies! We are shooting for a donation deadline of February 7, so send your goodies SOON. And thanks in advance!

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Really, Angelo? Glad to hear your computer is up and going.

We probably have enough stuff to send. There is some scare now about customs - every country is different. Where do you draw the line between gift, or merchandise re-supply?? I dunno. Id say, let Carl tell you what we are up to and if he thinks we should have even more.

[carl hendrix]

I guess everybody take any thing that has a retail sticker- package listing- or any thing like it- off first!!   no name tags- like wal mart- bass pro shop- cabalas- gander mountain I guess also???  hmmmm taking some of the fun out !

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I suppose you can say that, Carl. Our notion of Christmas, as it were. But he makes a valid point about customs.

Over the years I've sent a lot of packages overseas from ebay sales. I've never had any issues of this type tha tI'm aware of, but I've always delegated the obligation to pay customs fees to the recipient. In that case, it was someone buying merchandise from me. In this case, we are giving a gift to a friend.

Odds are good nothing will come of it, as a gift. But better safe than sorry, for Mathews sake.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

UPDATE -

Fuzzy, aka Allen Morgan, came up with a good idea (as he so often does).

Its real simple: since we are sending Mathew a :gift" - why not gift wrap your donations?

No doubt at all, then, that it is an unsolicited gift. That should really be a big help for all those customs agents!... not to mention making Mathew feel good.

[carl hendrix]

way to go allen!!  I guess we could say its his birthday!!  great idea !

[carl hendrix]

guys- as I am told- operation Mathew is on! please send what you would like to donate to me;  the cut off date is Feb 7.  after that date; I will wait just a few days to see if any thing is still in the mail; then forward it to Mathew.  any thing you can send will be greatly appreciated.  hook removers; hook hone; line dressing; flies; jigs any thing you can think of.  THANKS EVERYBODY!!!

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

A reminder: donations should be focused on fly related items, or things associated.

[Lord of the Fly , Rods]

 Scruff, Well I didn't ship my pants, but I did ship my fly line dressing to Carl  , dropped it in the mail yesterday.   LOFR

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I noticed he wears only shorts, but pants are a nice gesture.
thanks for the dress any.

[carl hendrix]

just received the first donation to Mathew today from Dick  Tabbert!!!  thanks dicky!!

[Allen Morgan]

Ok, here's what I've got.  In addition to what I've previously posted, I've tied up four, size 6, Boa Yarn leaches (Black), six size 12 Green and Partridge Soft Hackles, six size 12 Orange and Partridge Soft Hackles, six size 8 Gurgle-Pops (yellow), and three size 2 Gurgle-Pops (yellow).

I'm going to try and find a suitable box for everything, as I doubt it will all fit into an Altoids Box.  Also going to look for some fishing-themed wrapping paper, and maybe a birthday card.

[Allen Morgan]

And this is why you don't leave bugs out overnight when you have cats!  SOMEONE couldn't resist the silly legs that I have on the Gurgle-Pops.  I get up this morning, and almost all of them were knocked off the cork plug that I put finished flies on.  I was able to recover all six of the size 8s, and two of the size 2s.  Went ahead and tied up another size 2 this morning.  Hopefully I find the stray bug soon, before someone steps on it and hooks their foot.