I'm gonna miss you...

[wicklundrh]

I remember the first day I laid eyes on you. Our meeting wasn't by chance and I can't say that I was happy about having to go out and find you. Weeks earlier, a happy youngster managed to climb in the boat and step on your cousin. Imagine my dismay when I went to put together a $400.00 custom made Sage fishing rod and it limped over at the mid point. To add insult to injury, Sage no longer makes a two section rod blank so the possibility of rebuilding the broken half is out of the question. Besides, that was more than 25 years ago. I wasn't in to rod building at that time.

To find a replacment for such a fine fishing rod was going to take some doing. It isn't every day you come across one. Especially one that is hand built for the purpose to which your cousin was made. It also isn't common for a 14 year old to have $400.00 laying around to shell out for a new replacment. Steelhead season is around the corner and I don't have a rod.

We met simple enough. A tech rep was at a local gas station/parts store/bait shop/hunting store. My dad struck up a conversation with him and he said he had something to show him. There, in the back of his truck, tucked neatly in plastic wrapping, you were waiting. I laid my hands on your Michigan style steelhead grips, felt the balance in my hand, along with the light weight and moderate action that steelhead fishing demands. I knew you were the one. The representative said he had two of these rods. He was trying to find a place to display them but this little town might hold these rods for a year or more before they sold. The retail price was nearly $300.00. This man made a deal with my dad. Knowing that I was one of the youngest steelhead fisherman on the Manistee river, he decided to sell both of them for the price of $75.00. The only catch was that I had to submit photos to the fishing pole company.

Over the years that company received more photos from you and I than ever expected. I remember the first steelhead we landed on the river. The first limit of Salmon we put in the boat. I remember catching my limit on a cold February day when no one else could even conjur up a bite. We always utilized light 6lb test line and I let you do all the work. You were magic with 6lb test. I think that is why we caught so many fish. The water is clear, the fish are weary. Others utilize way to heavy line.

Over the years, you graduated from simply a steelhead rod to my all around go to. Walleye trolling, bottom bouncing, perch jigging, crappie. You name it. Through the years you have only had one reel. Diawa doesn't make the GS-15 gold anymore, but luckly I know someone that still works on them and gets parts for them. Any other reel simply wouldn't make it the same.

You have been to Canada more times than I can count, to each of the great lakes, the UP, and with me while I was in the Marines. We used to have some good times blasting the gills on there beds. One evening, I was careless. I took a little bit off from your tip. Not alot, just enough to cause me to purchase a new tip-top for you. You still worked great but you were not the same. Six months later, I was careless again. You lost nearly six inches this time. No more room for a new tip however I just couldn't put you up. I cut off the bare portion down to one eye. I've used you this way for the past 4 years. Unfortunately, you fell one day from your resting spot in the boat. While driving, you slid under the gas tank and lost too much to repair or replace. I was devistated.

While at the last Crappie outing, I was talking to my dad about that rod. To my surprise he said "I still have his brother". Down, in the basement, surviving two moves was your brother. His handle was still wrapped in plastic. The glue on his eyes were chipped and cracked because of the insuperior resin they used to use. I carefully transported him back to my workshop. I removed the old finish, stripped off the eyes and carefully retied them back on. I put the finishing touches on him and gently laid him next to you.

I promise to take care of him. To take him all the places I took you. Maybe we can survive another 25 years together. We have alot of memories to make.

[yankee doodler]

I like the feel of passion in the story Rich.

["G"]

Great story

[SeaRay]

Great story and a good ending, (if you don't slam it in the car trunk).

["G"]

need a picture of these rods then we could put this on the Home page as a article/story

[clfarms1]

Good story well told.

[skillett007]

i know that exact feeling, Rich great story!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[wicklundrh]

Thanks Guys. I'll get a couple of pictures tonight when I get home.

[wicklundrh]