Fishing trip & Fly Fair 2008

The fishing trip I took last week was great. Great company, superb weather and slightly less than usual fishing. But nonetheless a memorable trip still. I'm waiting for the pictures from my friend Cees, so keep posted for the pictures as well as a more elaborate fishing report.

This weekend was the 2008 edition of the Fly Fair. Different location, old style fair with lots of tying as well as casting and shops showing their goods. It wasn't as extensively visited as the previous ones, which are by the way at least 5 years back. Not the fair with the big names like Charles Jardin, Dave Whitlock etc. Much more of the small cosy fair where people with the same game in mind come together.

Cane building @ Thomas and Thomas

Discovery Channel ran an episode from their 'How it is made' series on building cane rods at Thomas and Thomas. For who missed the show on TV, here it is. We see Tom Dorsey working on a rod. I always wondered how they made the distinctive tiger striping (flamed) on their rods. Well, pretty simple as you can see in the clip.



What surprised me in this clip is how efficient the whole process of rod making looks. Pretty much like a manufacturing plant. It's not the small garage type, work bench full of bamboo curls, cork dust and used tools I've seen often with individual bamboo makers. It also demystifies a bit the Thomas and Thomas bamboo rods have...