Hey there

Sometimes in my line of work I will receive an honorarium for funerals and weddings and such…in the past when I was restoring cars, I would us these funds to do whatever work was needed…Since I moved to the Ruby valley I have not had a car to work on and have just been using the funds for paying bills and taxes and such. This past month I perform two funerals, and had been carrying the checks in my wallet, I mentioned this to my lovely bride and she suggested I use the money for something related to my Fly fishing habit…. Not a bad Idea I thought … so a week ago Friday I took a little ride down the road and visited with one of our local rod makers…I wanted to shop locally…we talked at length as to what my needs were…and they actually let me cast a couple rods they had just laying around the shop..… after much deliberation and slobbering on rods…a decision was made and an order was placed and some money exchanged hands(more like a downpayment)……they told me to come back in a week and the rod would be ready (cool)
Needless to say I was a little anxious for Friday to come around…

we didn’t want to get caught up in Rush hourSo around 1pm Friday Mz. Ashley and I headed out on our road trip …

Traffic was not bad, Though Sheridan was bustling…



once we got out of town the traffic started to thin out…

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8 miles later we were enter the next metropolitan area…



on our left we would see the first of the local rod builders …



but we just continued on and headed downtown…

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on the other side of town our destination appeared on the left…

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I figured I would only get one shot in my life time at a rod such as this so I decided…. what the hell Nothing ventured nothing gained…Jerry, and Dave were really great..Their guidance and suggestion pointed me to this wonderful 7’9” 4/5 wt Bamboo rod…it is truly a work of art and passion…





My friend Paul and I had planned an outing for tomorrow, and I figured that would be the time to try the new Boo…but Monday was too far off so Friday evening Mz Ashley and I headed out to the ranch to Baptize the rod….casting this jewel in a proficient manner is gonna take sometime ..but on my sixth cast I not only caught my first brown on it, but I caught my first fish on a dry fly for 2012….

This ‘bow was the second fish caught…. Yes, I know
the plastic is supposed to be removed from the cork...I just did not want to get it dirty the first night...



Sadly I must confess, that I’m thoroughly enthralled with this work of Art and suspect it will soon be my go to dry fly rod ….this can only get more expensive for me…

Grace and peace

Ben

A+

Welcome to the wonderful addiction known as "bamboo," Ben. Yes, it can ruin your wallet, but it enhances your life in equal measure. A Sweetgrass is a great start. Enjoy!! You might want to think twice before carrying it on an ATV or doing any bushwhacking.:-)

Eric

thanks Eric for the advice...that Stretch of water you are refering to has only been fished once in the last two years...its time for you to pay a visit again...

Grace and peace

Ben

Awesome rod and fish.
Bamboo makes for a great rod. Ive made 4 so far and am working on the tip for my 5th rod. a 5/6 weight. but hell, bamboo bends to the grip no matter what size. my 12'4" 6/7 scandi rod is like a willow/noodle. ridiculous.

If i may suggest, check out purchasing a blank and finishing it up yourself, you don't have to make em from scratch like I do. There are some great bamboo blanks available out there.

Incidentally, Ben, I loved the references to "bustling" and "rush hour" with regard to Sheridan.

Eric

Ahhh...Twin. What a town!

Ben, the Gents at Sweetgrass are great! I'm hoping to see them up at our bamboo rodmaking gathering in May (up in Canada).

And I think I'm past due to come through your neck of the woods and say hi to Ms Ashley and you!

Oh yeah, that's a beautiful bamboo rod.

Scott T

So many things to like about this.Love the Sinclair sign in the background.

I always leave the plastic on a new rod until the first fish.

Fantastic ben,
like scott mentioned, its time to start thinking about an itinerary for fall.

Ben - I've enjoyed my love of bamboo rods for a very long time. The action takes a bit of adjustment, but well worth the time and effort.

That's some really nice wood on the reel seat. Is that some of Sam's personal stash?

I have one rod from the Boo Boys and while I treat it with great respect, it would be an insult to Glenn, Jerry, Wayne and the rest of the Boo Boys to leave it set in a closet and keep it pristine for show.

Maybe I should get a job so I can afford one of these rods. But I don't think so. All I can do is dream about one.

But I can back up his story about the traffic here. I went up on the Big Hole yesterday just to waste some gas. I put 75 miles on my truck and saw three other vehicles in them miles. .

I moved here from Washington where traffic is bumper to bumper on most days. I had a flat tire on one of Montana's many back roads. Needless to say nobody came by in the hour it took me to change my tire out.

I wouldn't move back to Washington state if my life depended on it.

yeah but its cold, tough driving, mean cowpoke, unfriendly rattlers, bears, and so many other things that should keep the population in montana down there in the bottom five or so...

Very nice. You won't regret your decision. But you are right, the bamboo WILL grow in you...

ChrisO

Ben, great pics, great story, beautiful boo... congrats

Ben,

I love it! Good for you and thank you for sharing!

Sincerely,
David Golobay