This past winter (2001-2002) the weather here in Michigan did not cooperate with the local ice fishermen. As a result I focused my energies else where and built my very own fly rod. I used a
St. Croix IV 8 ft. 4 wt blank, with titanium single foot guides, made my own burl cork handle, and placed a maple reel seat on it. This thing is a dream to cast. It has already paid for itself. It helped me land this Master Angler size
Blue Gill (11.25 inches long) along with this
Bass.
This particular fish (the 11.25 inch blue gill) )turned out to be the
FIFTH LARGEST CAUGHT IN THE STATE for 2002 and got me 2 minutes of fame on the outrageously popular local PBS show
"The Practical Sportsman". Follow this link to view
behind the scenes footage (7.02 MB in window media format) of my famous TV interview.