Fishing gear for sale.

“...because none of it is for backpacking.

Yesterday morning I looked into the gun cabinet to get my fishing net to catch a bat that fell down the chimney and into my wood stove. I moved my rods to get at the creel/net hanging on a hook and started to think. I sold my hunting book collection and a few guns during the hard times, but kept all my angling gear and books. However, I have some gear that I never use and thought someone on TT might be interested (I'm also e-mailing this to some friends). Also I have only fished once or twice a year in the last ten years -it just doesn't do it for me any more. I'll keep the Palakona and the rest of my gear in case the hunger returns just before my dotage.

I have two Orvis bamboo rods that I haven't used in almost twenty years (I use my 8½' Hardy Palakona exclusively).

The first is a single tip Limestone Special bought in 1978. Back then Battenkill grade rods could still be had with only one tip. The lower priced 'specialty' rods were called 'MCL' for 'Madison cork locking'. My rod has the walnut insert and the aluminium screw locking reel seat. It is 8½' long and weighs 4½ oz. It is listed for HDG line, but works best with DT5F. Is has a very slow action, but not soft. A good caster can easier cast the whole line and it casts a very tight loop and rollcasts beautifully.

Back in the beginning of the 80's, Bill Cairns, 'Thirty-Five Ways to Cast a Fly' (Stackpole?, Nick Lyons Books?) (we had got drunk the previous evening with Cairns and the publisher Frank Amato at the Hungry Trout in Wilmington, NY) cast the full line and separated the tip, pulled the whole line off the grass and cast it all out with just the tip after I had complained that the rod was soft. The original case has a scratch and a ding or two, but the rod is NRA Used, Excellent+ (US300$?)

The other is a two tipped 8' Battenkill. It weighs 4-1/4 oz. and has the newer alu screw seat and a walnut insert. I use a DT5F line and with it it has a crisp dry fly action. It is also in the original tube that shows wear, but the rod is Used, Unused condition (US500$?).

I also have a new, unused Hardy Marquis #8/9 in the original case in the original box. The Marquis series is no longer made, but parts are still stocked by Hardy (Hardy.co.uk and HardyUSA.com). It still has the original backing (Cortland (?) from L.L. Bean) and Air Cell line. The line is probably no longer good as it has never been unwound in twenty years(US100$?).

Also, I no longer tie my flies. I developped asthma right after getting equipped and am allergic to fur and feathers. I have a Thompson Pro vise and top quality tools, several (4?) #2 Metz half dry fly capes and fur and feathers of all kinds including natural seal and legal jungle cock as well as natural turkey in several shades gathered from the fields around home US100$?).

Is anyone interested?”

“...as Orvis no longer makes cane longer than 7'9", they are pretty well priceless - but still excellent fishing tools.”

“Wow, grem. If I understood any of that, I would be interested. I assume that's all fly fishing gear, right? Just lake and pond fishing here in North Alabammy.

I gotta get me a fishin' rig again, but I'm afraid that stuff would be wasted on me. Good luck and I hope you find a buyer who can put that fine gear to good use.”

“All fly fishing gear.”

“Twigeater is on vacation right now but may be interested when she gets back.
She fly fishes.”

“gremlin, I told a guy who used to post on this board about the thread and he's emailing you direct. Let me know if you don't get it. He just sent the email.”

“Thanks, Dayhiker, I got the e-mail, but I'm afraid his wife might kill him.”

“Its a tough choice.....

wife or fishing rod?
wife or fishing rod?
wife or fishing rod?
wife or fishing rod?
wife or fishing rod?
Aw, man. Thats a tough call.”

“Yeah, but I made the call a long time ago. Flyguy, I like your TT name, it reminds me of something Ed Zern wrote a long time ago, 'If the trout insist on a fly smaller the #16, or a tippet finer than 4X, they can damned well find themselves another fisherman.'”

“Yup, Grem... They're a real beyatch to tie when they get tiny. I use a 9ft tapered leader (4x) and just tie on the 6x.”

“Do you have pictures of any of the fly rods?

I am also intrested what books you have.

Email me at flyfishgal@prodigy.net”

“Thanks for thinking of me, Stomper. I just started fly fishing but already bought a rod and reel.

I had a lesson from the ranger in July (which was a riot) but also enough for me to think I'll enjoy it much more than fishing with a spinning rod. If not - it was so much fun hiking around the ponds in BSP carrying my tube the last coupla days, I may do just that all the time, LOL.

One thing I know for sure - I need to practice! :)”