I had quite a day yesterday

[Mark Griffin]

I headed out to Sullivan County, PA mostly to fish a small wild trout stream that I've had my eye on for a couple years now. The best way to reach the section I wanted to fish was to drop down 600 feet into the gorge from a small dirt road. When I finally got down there I was blown away by what I saw. There were so many waterfalls and deep pools, many loaded with brookies. After a few hours of prospecting, I made the slow hike back up to my vehicle. My next stop was an easy to fish little stream along a one lane dirt road. I didn't spend much time there, but I caught a couple small fish.

My next stop is when my day suddenly turned ugly. My flyrod was missing! OMG, I left it on top of my vehicle! I swore I would never do that, but that's exactly what I did. I drove like a maniac to get back to that little dirt road. I then remembered hearing it fall. I heard a noise shortly after I pulled out, but it sounded like it came from the side of my vehicle and I thought maybe I was dragging a branch from a small tree I had just run over on the road. I was back there in less than thirty minutes. I couldn't believe anyone would be on that road on a weekday afternoon in the short time I was gone and expected to find it with no trouble, but it was nowhere on the road. I walked down one side of the road and up the other for a long ways. It was gone. Could someone have picked it up already? While I was searching, a SUV came down the road and I gave a polite wave, hoping they had picked it up and would stop to ask what I had lost. It kept going. I'll never know what happened. At first I was devastated. This was not just any rod. It was the love of my life. A $600, 6.5 foot, Orvis One Ounce outfit. The sentimental value was worth more to me. I had it for nine years and the rod and reel had character scars from lots of use.

I then decided to look on the bright side. I lost it from my own stupidity and it was something I could replace. I had a second rod with me. My 7.5 foot, three weight would work just fine on a big hole on Elk Creek I planned to fish that evening. I got a few stocked browns and had a great time. I assure you I drove home with a smile.

Today I went to the new A&G Outfitters Orvis shop near the Wal-Mart and ordered the upgraded 2004 versions of the 6.5 foot One Ounce rod, and the CFO I reel. I got no charge express shipping and they'll be here Monday. I then went down to A&A Outfitters in Blakeslee to pick up a Cortland Lazerline. This new outfit is gonna be gorgeous, but I'll never pick it up without thinking of my old favorite. Live and learn my friends.

Here's some pics.
The view from above
Down in the gorge 1
Down in the gorge 2
Down in the gorge 3
Down in the gorge 4
Wild brookie 1
Wild brookie 2

 

[dcabarle]

You've outdone yourself with the photo's! Very nice! I also enjoy the documentation of your outtings. They're always nice reads!

On a lesser note, I'm sorry to hear about your lost rod. I will say though, many people have been finding lost rods and other fly fishing hardware then going out of their way to locate the owner. You just might get lucky, if someone with a conscience picks it up and does a little research. Get the word out and leave your name and number in the fly shops. Hey... You never know!

Either way, I hope the new outfit is as great as the old one!

 

[emerger]

Wow Mark, talk about a great day gone bad. I'm glad you came to terms with it. You will surely love the new rod.

Is the Orvis store the same one that was in Clarks Summit? I saw they are closed down.

Keep those great pictures coming!

 

[Mark Griffin]

Yes, I can now confirm that shop was indeed Abington Outfitters. The owner is a great guy. I said I also needed a braider leader and he handed me one for free. He also tried his best to give me a free Orvis Wonderline. I actually feel guilty about taking free stuff and assured him I was a big Lazerline fan. With that kind of service, he should do fine, no matter what happens at Wal-Mart. I'll be doing plenty of business with that shop in the future for sure.

 

[BEAMOC]

Mark,

I feel your pain. So far this year I have broken my Sage SP, twice (bought it used so it doesn't have a warrenty); almost lost my new reel after forgetting to tighten it down and it went down the Bkill (first time this season I have been taken into my backing); finally gave up on a pair of waders and had to buy new ones (Orvis pro guides for $89 at the outlet in NH); and have just plain lost several other things. Man, I love this stuff. Keep up the good fight.

Keith

 

[Dick Fogel]

Lost Rod

I had the same experience, slight noise and all, lost my Winston 5 wt, Hardy LRH and the works,hunted and moped a day or two then the wife suggested I put a note in the local newspapers "lost & Found" page, next day, guess what, I guy called and had my outfit. Make sure you
try that PS: The rod and reel were fine, ony marks were a slight chunk of cork nicked from the bottom of the grip. AMAZING

 

[Pete]

Hindsight:
Ancient tip from one of the "outdoor" magazines. It applies to fishing, hunting, or even grocery shopping.

If you have to set something on your car for a moment.
Put it on the hood.

 

[Michael M]

Mark, nice pictures. Always a pleasure to view landscape like that.

Sorry about the rod. I broke an old faithful on a fish this past weekend too. Stupid move by me, must have had a brain f*rt. It is irreplacable, first and only rod I ever made, it was a Ted Simroe boron blank, made it over twenty + years ago.

Michael M.

 

[emerger]

Good tip Pete -- "put it on the hood"



Hey Mark, I was at A&G Outfitters and was looking at some of the rods. The small stream rods like the one you ordered are real beauties!

 

[Mark Griffin]

Yeah, they look real nice. This is the first year that the Superfine rods are sanded smooth, and have a dark burgundy color. You can't really tell much from the catalog, you have to see them in person. I've always preferred black/charcoal rods and reels, but this new color goes great with the new bronze colored CFO reels.