once upon a time

before I had the shoppe I worked in the backyard

and on the kitchen table

whatever it took

and sometimes...

the shoppe looks like tihis

somebody's calling my secret name

I'm working up to something here

I don't know how to get there

but I know where I'm going

so please bear w/ me

another fucking youtube video or two along the way

some folks think this shit sucks

I beg to differ...

tune in and you'll see

it wrock...

perusing the archives

I've got lotsa possibilities for posting

old shots from the old daze

back when ye olde rod shoppe that wrock 

wasn't but a glint on daddy's dick

interesting stuff 

to me at least and one day soon you'll see some here

today I've settled on this...

a preliminary design sketch for the afa logo

back in the day yo

fortunately I secured a professional(?) to finish the job

not again

yes we're doing it again

something we swore we'd never do

but twice in one week and three times total...

this is just too damn great to ignore

agate

unfortunately I'll be needing some of these soon

ye olde rod shoppe - the early years

things have sure changed since this ball started rolling...

well just because...

it is one of my all time favorite songs by one of my all time favorite bands...

a rather low keyed version

nevertheless it wrock

ignore the poor sound quality and

pay attention to the lyrics

despite the semi simpleton chorus

we love this shit

state of the craftsmanshit address #9 - autumn '10

wow

I've just had the unfortunate (and very disappointing) experience of dealing with a couple of industry giants

neither of which have the stones to stand behind their products

as a struggling craftsman working at starvation wages 

I will repair or replace any rod I built at no expense to the client save shipping costs

which likely means that I'll be eating replacement component cost and considerable labor

should a rebuild be necessary

why?  because it is my obligation to the customer

who trusts me to deliver the goods in exchange for their considerable investment in my skill 

(or lack thereof)

simply put it is my responsibility to do so to protect my reputation

(whatever the hell that may be)

so I contacted a very well known worldwide manufacturer of sunglasses

about replacing a broken pair of shades I had come across while cleaning up the flytying den

their response? 

 something like "we no longer manufacture that particular model so repair or replacement is not possible"

okay - that's kind of understandable

how about replacing w/ a similar current model?

nothing doing

instead they offer the terrific option of 25% off any pair of shades from their website

plus $6 handling fee (shipping is free if you order from the website)

what a bargain

though I do think I'll take them up on it for a trendy and stylish polarized model

nevertheless I don't like it

in all honesty I do not remember how I broke them

though I was probably at fault

our next industry giant is in the flyfishing industry

and is generally highly regarded though viewed w/ scorn by some

because of a patented design protection lawsuit or something like that

the details escape me

  

after contacting them about replacing the defective jaw

I was informed that they are covered by a LIMITED warranty 

and replacement jaw is priced at $30

so the limited warranty doesn't cover breakage of the main component?

that's just silly

anyways, again I'm just going to bite the bullet and replace them
because I really really enjoyed the product

I just don't like it 

not one little bit

remember I'm working at starvation wages albeit by my own choice

why?

because I think it is absurd to charge what I do for a fishing pole

any fishing pole made of any material out there

and would not feel comfortable charging the prices

others who shall remain nameless demand

am I comparing their skillset and experience to mine?

absolutely not

but to pay that much money for a got am fishing pole is assinine

I think I'm done now

cdc and elk

stumbled

across this while searching through the garage closet for a book or twelves

it's up to you loyal reader to tell me what it is

first look

granger deluxe taper - 7ft 4wt

pesky nodes

nodes are a pain in the ass to deal with

a weak link that is hard to deal with

that doesn't make a lotta sense to me

you work and work and work to get them flat and straight

shay has a nifty fucking node tool

I don't

the other day I stumbled upon a simple solution

stabbed right in the fuck

the badgers that's who got stabbed right in the fuck

they whooped the buckeyes right from the git go

until the beautiful end

so you beat the number one team in the nation

evening up yer records @ 6 - 1

and what do the fucking idiot pollsters do?

first all credit to the ap poll who have the badgers #10

osu #11

but the usa today/coaches poll and the bcs standings can fucking blow me

both have osu ahead of wisconsin

time to put down the pipe girls and stop sucking that glass dick

or maybe just maybe 

WATCH THE FUCKING GAME

until we have something from the shoppe (coming soon)

even though this pic is crap we love it anyways

p-nutt is afraid of the camera and it is hard to get a good shot of him

what a good boy

more soundtracking

just picked this one up

and first listen says it moves into frequent rotation

my niece was fortunate enough to see them last night in chicago

I suspect I'll never see them

nevertheless belle and sebastian make the most interesting exciting and creative pop music available

get some and see...

http://tinyurl.com/26gnd3a 

soundtrack

currently in hot rotation at ye olde rod shoppe

overseeding season sucks

home course is closed for overseeding

it will be closed three daze and opening in four

which seem right short to me

most courses are closed ten daze to a month

and while a I realize the necessity of the practice

it is an inconvenience and contributes absolutely nothing

when trying to shave down a handicap

and the weather has finally cooled down enough to enjoy 18 holes in the afternoon

unlikely

you'll see the shoppe this clean again for the rest of the rodbuilding season

nevertheless there's a lot going on here...

anyways - six butt strips awaiting nodal knockdown

scraping and sanding heating and smashing

then more of the same for three more rods

figure a day on each rod and we're hoggin' off bamboo and roughing those strips you see here

on friday

tomorrow we play golf  we'll tackle some of those nodes tomorrow morning though

also note the new bench on which the tormek sharpener sits

I wanted to get my work benches as cleared of and clean as possible

I am still working on it

ideally you could work from either side of both workbenches

that's highly unlikely

on hold until glue day

fe thomas 7ft 4wt 3pc

glue day arrives when the additional four 4wt are planed out
currently addressing node work on the first
we'll get there

on the bench

this is like my tribute to john lennon

who would have turned 70 the other day 

if he still lived

mini gurgler

first curls

not exactly up for grabs but open to offers

summer temperature + laziness = neglect

first up clean up this fucking mess

I'm seeing a ruined tent another tent some cots and other camping gear

 some folding chairs an air compressor step ladder

well shit you get the idea

the office

bench #2

bench #1

job list 

high time

I got off my lazy ass and clean up the shoppe and get this ball rolling again

tomorrow I'll post before and after shots of the shoppe

it's a fuggin' mess

magic?

wow

bivisible?

yes this fly is floating

fisheye!

I'm gonna try to get a brighter shot of this...

buggy?