The Underground Christmas: What Did The Undergrounders Get?
By Tom Chandler on Dec 28, 2007 in Underground Entertainment
Fly fishing related gifts are fun to receive, but they come with a certain degree of danger.
After all, you could end up hitting the cold, wintry river with the fly rod you dropped seventy-odd hints about, but you might also end up looking for a place to store that gold-leafed “fly fisherman in a storm” snow globe.
Life, we can see, is not without significant risk.
So here’s your chance to weigh in about your fly fishing holidays. What was the haul, Undergrounders (good or bad)?
Who, Me?
I’ll just say it out loud — it was score time at the Underground. I received some absolutely vital, high-necked, long-sleeved wicking shirts — the base layer stuff that’s essential on cold, wintry rivers.
My existing supply was growing more threadbare by the trip — the seams threatening to go the way of all flesh — so the shiny new specimens are much appreciated
Also in the Holiday Haul were a trio of wire map racks, which the savvy fly fisher knows can become ideal upright rod tube storage. They’re the perfect addition to the roomy new Man Cave, which isn’t yet pretty, but it is big.
Soon to be assembled — upright rod tube racks.
Then, Alert Underground Reader and Fly Fishing Blogger Murdock threw us a big bone in the form of a flyfishmagazine.com streamer box — something I don’t have and clearly could use, what with streamers occupying a top spot on the 2008 “Learn how to fish these, stupid” list.
Murdock blessed us with a streamer box. (See below)
In addition, Alert Underground Reader and Rod Building Consultant Rich Margiotta — knowing of my love of all things chile verde — sent along a case of green chiles from the New Mexican Connection.
You’ll see more of these when the Underground publishes its Manly Chile Verde recipe. It’s not one of those whoossie tomatillo sauce versions — it’s the thick, hearty kind made with beer, and it fairly reeks of manly testosterone.
Don’t miss it. (And thanks, Rich.)
Despite the fact this is one of the few days of the year when you can legitimately expect to fish the Upper Sacramento and find your guides icing up, I’m stuck in the office writing an ad project.
This weekend I plan to put those new base layer shirts to the test on the river, hunting the by-now-elusive BWO hatch. Naturally, you’ll be the second to know how it goes.
Until then, let us know how it went. See you around the Xmas tree, Tom Chandler.
Don | Dec 28, 2007 | Reply
I was absolutely stunned on Christmas morning when I spied the Per Brandin 8′ HB 3/2 5wt. quad rod tube standing right next to the new Bob Summers 275, but then I awoke…
I did purchase a pack of Whiting 100s in size 16 ginger for myself last week, so I wasn’t exactly skunked on XMas.
Guido | Dec 28, 2007 | Reply
How ’bout a new Sony Cybershot HD fishin’ camera. Just right for the vest pocket and shooting all thiose missed trout in hi-def.
Sully | Dec 30, 2007 | Reply
Here’s a Heartwarming Christmas Tradition all Undergrounders are free to adopt.
Every Christmas I purchase a fishing item from Paul Redfern at Fish On in Butte. Something that, if not extravagant, is at least expensive. I’ve convinced myself, and more importantly my wife and children, that it is a “shared” gift; a hefty holiday sale for Pauly, something that he’s come to expect and welcome. Also, and this is important, the family is freed from the embarrassment of gift wrapping any cutesy angling related dreck. No dusty singing bass in our basement.
This year’s mutual present is a Waterworks Purist-2. You can read all about their design philosophy and better-than-you-deserve materials on the Waterworks website. It looks like something R2D2 would take to the prom, and their new Konic series is a much better value. But, this year, in addition to wishing you all peace and happiness, here’s looking forward to 2.75 ounces of milled aluminum and miniscule start-up inertia in ’08.
Tom Chandler | Dec 30, 2007 | Reply
Don: Your yen for a Brandin will probably remain just a dream — I’m hearing rumors that he’s stopped taking orders, though I can’t find confirmation on his Web site.
Guido: That thing waterproof?
Sully: Brilliant! The self-gift. I applaud your choice of reels — given the ongoing problems with my big-dollar Ross San Miguel (which had problems right out of the box and has already been back to Ross once), I’ve been idly considering a Konic for the technical, long-leader fishing.
You want a singing bass?
Kent | Dec 30, 2007 | Reply
TC-Got two bamboo bath towels. That’s as close as I can come to a fishin gift.
Tom Chandler | Dec 30, 2007 | Reply
Scheez Kent — were they at least insanely expensive, handmade bamboo towels?
We’re going to whip up an “Accidental Wish List” form next year, so the Undergrounders can get what they want without the embarassment of having to ask for it.
I’m thinking about something printed on a piece of a grocery bag, carelessly left lying about…
Adam | Dec 30, 2007 | Reply
I am new to the underground, but have been reading with interest for the past two weeks. I received a Scott A2 9-foot eight weight with a Lamson Litespeed reel. Going to take it down to Baja California for some surf fishing.
taku | Dec 31, 2007 | Reply
Well, my more tolerant half got tired of buying me hooks and other assorted fly tying materials, so I opted for a list of books. Which I have duly received. So Tom, when you come out with your glossy coffee table book of big fish on small flies on the Sac, let me know! PS it wasn’t the cold water, it obviously was a foreign bug from your down south holiday trip…Here’s to feeling better in ‘08!!
Gerry | Jan 2, 2008 | Reply
I got the Original Coleman Fishpen Fish Pen Full Function Casting Reel As Seen On TV “The Worlds Smallest Fishing Pole”.
I was also in bed for three days with food poisoning on Christmas dinner.
Both gift were about equal.
Sully | Jan 2, 2008 | Reply
Gerry,
You, nay, all caring fly fishermen need to institute the Heartwarming Christmas Tradition described in my first post on this subject. Do it for your loved ones.
Tom Chandler | Jan 2, 2008 | Reply
Adam: You sure that 8wt will be enough? Our own saltwater correspondent (Troyer) suggests a 10wt as a good all-rounder for Baja…
Taku: We might someday see a book, though it won’t be overly glossy — most of my pics are shot with a point-and-shoot, so while they’re fine on the Internet, they might not hold up at higher resolutions. And besides, I’m a word guy. You’re supposed to be mesmerized by the words, not the pictures.
Gerry: Lucky bastard (the pen I mean, not the poisoning).
Sully: Truly you’ve done the fly fishing world a great service. If you can somehow script out the approach we should all take to present your plan to our spouses, I’ll publish it.
Don | Jan 2, 2008 | Reply
Tom,
I’ve heard that some dreams come true; however, I’m not holding my breath on ever owning a Brandin rod. And yet, I just may luck out.
Below is a Sept. 10, 2007 e-mail to me from the rod God.
**************************
Don,
I do have you on my list, indicating an interest in two rods, the 763-2 df HB and the 805-3 df HB, both in four strip configuration. I also have a note to do the 763-2 rod first and the date of this order is 2003. I may be ready to start your 763-2 df HB in the coming year, depending on how other work goes, but I will keep you posted. Please update me with current shipping info and contact phone numbers as necessary and confirm that the models I’ve stated are correct.
Thanks for checking in,
Per
Tom Chandler | Jan 2, 2008 | Reply
Don: Good — you’re already on the list. If it were me, I’d have him build the longer rod first. I think Brandin’s methods show off best on longer rods. Either way, good luck.
Don | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
I tried to have Per build the longer rod first! See the rest of our September e-mail below.
Don,
You can if you wish, but my production plans are to build a run of 763-2 rods in the coming year or so, while the 805-3 model is further out; let me know.
Per
Tom Chandler | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
Take what you can get. Didn’t realize Brandin was doing production runs.
Adam | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
Hopefully the eight weight will be enough. The A2 has a medium-fast action, but I like it that way. I’ll find out if its enough in a couple of days!