The hunt is about to start..again.

[Leo Nguyen]

Big Bear Lake in Southern California reported in with good bites. So, armed with $100, went to the local Bass Pro (where all my fun money seem to be siphoned out on a regular basis) and grabbed some cheap replacement toys:

Bass Pro brand two-pieces Ultralite Glass 5'6" rod. Man, can that rod flex. Remember Kencor magnaglass series? Holy crap, this thing can do the same for $20, rather than $50. Same price can get a 7'6" rod for some major whipping action (crazier than the fly rod any day). 1lb gill are going to feel like 20lbs+ monsters. The reel is the the Quantum Micro for $20. Yeah yeah..I'm cheap. Love the reel's smoothness from the Signature Series combo without any snag during dragging, so, it's a good replacement. The flexibility of the rod is just..just..unreal.

Berkley Trout Dough Series (green) 7'6" ultralight for casting small flies with open reel, $35. Got a Browning ultra light reel for $25. Freaking awesome combo to cast flies with. Just sick! I can outcast my fly rod using a series of 3 nymph weights 10" above the fly, and wham! X mark the spot on every cast up to 30ft.

Okay..I'm itching to head out to one of the lake and give the rods the test run..Casting into a pool is not fun any more.

[Leo Nguyen]

Please do! Would love to learn from the master. You would give great mastery insights on flies.

[DAVID L EITUTIS]

I don't know about being a master at anything Leo, but after making 20,000 bugs anyone has to get good at something I guess. The pics are about a week away I hope and am going to try taking some pics of old pictures taken with an old 35 mm I got in japan in 1969. Can't buy hundred speed film anymore so I'm going high tech.
 Probably the best advise is to keep it simple on the flies anyway.
 TOOTY

[Leo Nguyen]

Anyone has more than five thousands of those flies under his/her belt, that is enough experience to call him/her a master. I have yet to even reach a thousand, and I have discover tons of insights to fly tying. I will truly like to learn anything you have to offer. I talked to the local fly tyers at the Bass Pro shop for hours. They gave me so much info to work on, I simply got astounded by the wisdom they've gained for every scenario.

An experienced person like you is truly a valuable asset to have, and be friend with.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

You are the man Leo - Ive been looking for some long, light casting rods.

[Leo Nguyen]

David, only if you can see what I saw as a sale's selection at Bass Pro..man, that glass rod is sick to the core for $20. Need to go back and get the 8' one. There's also a 12' crappie for $35, and the whipping action is lke a real whip. Bass Pro brand, Maxx Series.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Thanks, buddy - I already logged one!

[Jeff Soto]

Bass Pro Shops has a pretty nice inexpensive graphite panfish rod, which comes in different lengths and different line size ratings.  I like the "Micro-Lite" ML60ULS-2, a 6 foot spinning rod that is rated for 1 to 6 lb test line.  A little longer rod will let you cast tiny lures or baits out farther than a short rod.  Though this is a two-piece rod, and some people (me included) prefer the action that one-piece rods have, it is difficult to find ultralight spinning rods of 6 feet long or longer that are not two-piece.  Some of the more expensive rods builders like G. Loomis, St. Croix, and Phenix offer one-piece, long ultralight spinning rods.

[Leo Nguyen]

I was pondering on a few one piece myself, but at $70 and more, I went cheap this time out because I have to get two for the three that was decimated on the road..but, will get one later as the wife purchases as a birthday present..or is that the anniversary..hahahaha..i don't know.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Valentines Day, Leo. Thats a good one, too. You really gain points for that! ;-)

[Tony Livingston]

I just discovered yesterday that St.Croix has a new Panfish series of rods due out in February.... They're going to have one piece models in lengths from 5-7', light and ultralight actions, and 2 piece models from 8-11' in light action.

One of those 6'- 9" models was whispering my name as I slept.

[Leo Nguyen]

ROFL..you sure it's not your wife doing the whispering? "Baby..I need a new car..BMW..yes..BMW.."

[Tony Livingston]

THAT's why I have this compulsion to go shoe shopping!!   I thought I was cracking up!