Summer 2014: A Tale of Two Summers

In the words of Charles Dickens, – “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times….” But that’s pretty much where Chuck and I part ways.  But, his "Tale of Two Cities" did come to mind as I was trying to figure out what the heck happened to Summer 2014!

First -  the Worst of Times - 

Beware the monster of the Polar Vortex, 2014

I recall that during the frigid times of the 2014 Polar Vortex I was making rods and tying flies in hopes of a warm spring, no floods and a summer filled with fish tales.  

As it turned out, the weather didn't cooperate as hoped, and the grass and hostas and shrubs started to grow and my honey do list grew as well, so trying to maintain my home and support my addiction to all things fishy…well, something had to give.  

I made the ultimate sacrifice and mowed when I hoped to pursue piscatorial pass times.

But, then the Best of Times kept me going – building rods through the winter!

Each rod I completed brought me a sense of pride and accomplishment.  

I had a list of rods that included one for:

• Nephew James – a Christmas gift gone astray – I sent a photo of the blank – just what you want to see under the tree!

• Daughter Kristin – I signed a blank 25 years ago for her and never had the time to finish it - or even start it.

• Daughter Meghan – Her Christmas present was picking the blank and trim – then I had to find time to make it.

• Capt’n Ron and Joe – my fishing buddies – matching rods for them and me – three more rods and the lawn kept growing!

• Wife Joyce – I buy her “Lots” of fishing stuff that she lets me use!  So a custom built fly rod just for her just plain made sense – to me at least!

• Niece Jeni – I made fly rods for her husband John (my nephew), and nephew Richard, and Niece Heather many years ago, and nephew Steve a few years ago, and knowing that Jeni loves to fish and had to borrow her husband’s fly rod – I, of course, had to make a fly rod for her.  

My other nieces have not expressed an interest in fly fishing, but if they do – I’ll make rods for them as well.
But all the rods in the world are useless unless you can use them – well, some are nice to look at, but ….. I like to use them too!

So, Memorial Day was approaching and the trout prospects on Oatka Creek were favorable.  Daughter Meghan was coming home for the long weekend, and we had a family fishing outing.  Her rod was not finished, so she used a rod my dad made 40 years ago – still a good rod. 

Meghan with a fly rod built by my Dad at our Memorial Day destination - Oatka Creek at Mumford, NY.

Kristin’s rod was finished and ready for action on the Oatka, and, I did manage to get out on Lake Erie twice with Capt’n Ron for Perch and Bass.

But, sadly – that’s all the fishing action I had for the entire summer of 2014.

Yes, it was the worst of times.

But, on to the Best of Times – I spent a great deal of time (too much time if you ask my wife) planning a family fishing trip to Bennett Spring State Park in Missouri.  

Here it is! Bennett Spring State Park -
one of Missouri's best Trout Parks.

My sister came across a photo album of my father’s that had fishing photos from a variety of places in the Midwest.  I thought it would be fun to fish places that my father fished before I was old enough to join him.  One of the places was Bennett Spring. 

Dad at Bennett Spring, April, 1948

My sister and her family fished there and at other MO state trout parks, and told me was a really great place.  So, we planned a family vacation to Bennett Spring. 

I had tons of fun researching, tying flies I’d never heard of and trying to figure out the odd rules of the park. 

We went to Bennett Spring and had such a great time that we have already booked time for 2015!

Well – that was my summer tale...or two!

And, since there wasn't time to go into detail on this post – I plan to expand on the “Summer of 2014 best of times” over the next few weeks and add details and lots of great photos.

So – I’ll leave you with a few of the photos of Summer 2014, 

and hope to see you on the water!

Rod components for James

Kristin's rod - her design - my nightmare!

Meghan's fishy Christmas present - still in pieces.

NY State Fish Hatchery at Caledonia, NY on
Clear Creek which flows into the Oatka.

Just getting started on Capt'n Ron's, Joe's and my custom spinning rods.

Capt'n Ron and the rod I made for him - nailed several
Lake Erie Jumbo Perch!

Meghan's rod (left) and Joyce's rod (right)
on the drying racks.

Ozark Mountain Streamer not quite ready to fish.

Mike's Mohair Leech on the vise.

Jeni's rod - ready for assembly

Bennett Spring Trout #1 - caught on a RGN beadhead nymph
designed and tied by my friend and Master fly tier Mike Ross and purchased at Larry's Sporting Goods in Lebanon, MO.

See you on the water!

Dave