"the skinny" - chapter two - my first fly rod

so this rod I had been fishing

and old school orvis graphite model

presentation
9ft 3in 5wt

I continued practicing casting in the alley

and on some az small streams

again luckying out from time to time and sticking a fish or two

phildo asked me if I wanted to buy it

he had a handful of his father's bamboo rods

and didn't need this one

I said you betcha

he said find out what it's worth and make an offer

I couldn't find anything about the rod

still haven't 

I offered $125 he took it

the leather covered aluminum rod tube is worth twice that

I've still got that rod and probably always will have it

I use it up at lee's ferry where long extended drifts are the ticket

what does any of this nonsense have to do w/ bamboo?

nothing but we're working our way around to that

I wanted a little smaller rod

wanted this and that and next thing you know I've gotta quiver 

I'm fishing my ass off 

all over the southwest and four corners area

I start tying flies

they suck out loud - ugly as sin

I practice and practice and things finally turn

the flies are now beautiful

we move to a house on a pond

among over a dozen ponds

right out my back door

by now, we've traveled all over the west from california to washington 

to montana and back home

fishing has become more than a hobby or pastime

it's a lifestyle

at his point I've built a couple rods

well assembled is the more proper term

they're serviceable

I especially like the gatti

you know it really is ridiculous all the tackle we think we need...