I got to meet up with my old friend Matt Schliske from Schliske Bamboo Fly Rods this past weekend to finally raise my first cane on the Poudre river in Fort Collins, Colorado. I met him and his family (thanks for the hospitality Marguerite) at their house and got a quick tour of the ‘shop’. After a quick mac & cheese lunch that mostly consisted of a conversation between his youngest daughter and her favorite color while she pushed a chair in my direction, as to scare me into a corner, we set out to fish a local spot with a few of his custom rods.

I’ll admit, my expectations were that of a sloppy noodle cast that was meant for only small creeks in tight spaces. Yeah, I was wrong. From the first time I picked up my favorite of the day – a 7952 7’9″ 5wt 2/1  Rio Grande – I was able to easily haul it for distance and accuracy. I never thought that bamboo had such a backbone to it. In fact, I was able to tie a few of my heavy streamers on it and cast with ease.

It had a blonde cane and spring green wraps tipped dark claret with a single dark claret intermediate wrap and triple tipping at the ferrules.  The ferrules were also over wrapped with spring green silk.  The reel seat was spalted maple with Struble nickle silver cap and ring.

While in awe of the pure craftsmanship and design of all the rods I fished that day, the fish just weren’t eating what I was throwing. A few hits, a few misses, but that was about it. That’s a December day in Colorado for you. Numb legs and the sun setting over the mountains after 4pm. Nevertheless, casting flies to fish that weren’t eating was better than sitting at home in front of the television watching my Broncos get beat.

Can’t wait to get one of these out on a late summer or fall day skating streamers to drifting dries. If you get a chance, take a look at the site. I’m completely sold on these custom bamboo rods and can’t wait to get one for myself.

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And that’s not all. Come see one of the best documentaries ever made by Felt Soul Media – Red Gold. For those of you that have seen it, it’s even better on a big screen (trust me). There will also be a panel from people directly involved in the fight to protect the people who have voted this project down – even though large mining companies continue to seek approval from government agencies to proceed – even after they said they would listen to the people.

Come out and show your support, learn about the proposed Pebble Mine, or to just enjoy a good time with friends.

Please RSVP through the following link. Get your name on the list now, as we’re expecting a large crowd!

Denver, Colorado
Oriental Theater
4335 West 44th Avenue
Denver, CO 80212
Free Admission

Hope to see you there!

The new This Is Fly release is a great read. And it introduced me to a new film I just might have to get from Sellfish Media & Smatis Films called A Backyard In Nowhere.

The Colorado CONNECT premier this past Thursday was awesome – standing room only! Check out The Greenbacks group from Colorado Trout Unlimited!

Photo: Tim Romano

You can’t ever fail putting a Yukon Goes Fishing film in here. This may be one of my favorites.

If you haven’t heard by now, The Greenbacks group from Colorado Trout Unlimited has a great event planned for this Thursday at the Oriental Theater. I’m a part of this group, and I’m happy to say that we’re looking at a large crowd of eager anglers. This film (not released until November) has sparked a lot of interest at other premiers around the country. We have a great list of sponsors for the event, plus there’s a large raffle during the intermission that includes products from Orvis, Montana Fly Company, fishpond, Redington, Costa, and more.

Let me know if you’re going to be there – come by and say hello. Or, you can just heckle me while on stage.

Here are the details:

OCTOBER 20TH, 2011 DOORS OPEN AT 6:00PM THE FILM STARTS AT 7:00PM

AT: THE ORIENTAL THEATER

BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE HERE

Just a few of our raffle items

See you there!

There’s a great little meet-up of writers in Colorado this weekend. The River Damsel has quarterbacked a great group of folks who will all participate in her Rocky Mountain Frenzy. I’ll be fishing with them Saturday, and I’m looking forward to seeing those I know and meeting others I don’t. We also have the pleasure of trying out a new Project Healing Waters benefit rod headed by Larry Snyder. I’m looking forward to casting that 8’6 4wt!

Check out the River Damsel’s post by clicking on the image below.