In my last post, Eric asked if I was testing any new bamboo rods, yes I am, how fortunate I feel to be entrusted with such fine works of art!
Well again I have been asked to test drive another bamboo rod for my dear friend Doug, this one is a 7' 2wt Quad face. I have been going to the local city lakes, catching little gills, green sunfish, and juvenile bass, testing new fly patterns practicing my casting techniques and just generally tormenting the fish population.
HAHA these little guys just won't leave me alone!
Ok, now we are getting somewhere!
So, one day last week on the way home from Mile Square Park, I sneak into a pretty good size reed lined reservoir very close to my home! I had to! Been driving by it for 23 years, and it just begged attention. It is split by the highway, and on one side the signs are posted "No Fishing" but on the other side there are no signs, so I feign ignorance. Well, first cast, and my suspicions were realized, a really nice dark gill slammed my black nymph and took me and the rod for a ride, the line buzzing off the reel until I put the breaks on with the rod, talk about a bendo! I fought it for about a minute, not having any leverage like I do in the tube to pull the beast away from the reeds, so I used the rod to muscle it in, nice backbone, and the 4x tippet held as well. I took pics of the gill, but I wish I could of got some pics of the bendo in the rod. Well, on the next cast, the scene repeated itself and this time, I saw a really big bass chasing the really big frantic gill. These fish fought harder than any of the larger gills I have previously caught, I think that they have never been hooked! This impoundment is just begging to be fished from a tube, but I fear I would be in cuffs in short order. Anyway, I called it quits after the second gill. My gut feeling proved correct, and now the temptation to break the law will have to be abated, safe to say, I know what lies in that tea colored water.
The rod impressed me, it has a nice delicate touch with a serious backbone.
First cast:
Second cast:
Now the big question of the day, Is it really POACHING if you don't take the fish?
Hope all is well with everyone,
bob
Hope to see that boo in action in the near future 
