The End of 2024, As We Know It...

Well, I was extremely surprised to log in to my Blogger account this morning, the last morning of 2024, and see that I hadn't written a single blog post this year! I guess that is a testament to how 2024 was completely packed full of stuff going on in my life. Not to say that I didn't have a single moment of free time that I could have filled with writing, if I had wanted to. But, I did have a lot going on, and not all that much fishing stuff to write about... Let's see if I can remember it all...

Me, and all of the girls, in our softball uniforms...

The first 4.5 months of 2024 were filled with homework and student teaching, as I finished up my Master's degree in Elementary Education. Then, the summer months were filled with softball, as all three of our daughters played, and I coached the 12-year-old's team. Oh, and the Boy started his high school Marching Band career, which required him at school four nights a week in the Summer, as well as multiple Saturdays each month. We were driving to and from softball games and practices, and Band events pretty much every day from May through mid-August. It was a busy summer...

The Boy, in Marching Band...

Then, in the Fall, I started teaching, first as a Long-Term Sub in a 5th grade class, then as a Long-Term Sub as a Technology Specialist. I am really enjoying being a teacher, and the students seem to like me, most of the time, so that makes it even better...

All of this stuff made it difficult to get much fishing in during 2024. Add to that the fact that one of my most frequent fishing destinations, my mother-in-law's lake, was in the middle of its third straight sub-par year due to algae and weeds, and it all means that I didn't do a lot of fishing. I was able to satisfy my fishing needs by tying some flies for a local fly shop, and by acquiring the occasional rod or reel to add to my quiver. Hopefully 2025 will allow me the time to get some of those rods and reels out on the water!

I did catch a few fish this year...

Speaking of rods and reels, here is my current arsenal:

My current rod corner. I need to find a better way to store them...

Three Weights

7'0" Scott F703/2 - This is a fairly new acquisition. I formerly owned the black three-piece version of this, but sold it to my buddy, Peter, a few years ago. This one seems as smooth as can be, and a great caster, so I need to get it out and catch some fishies with it.

7'6" Steffen S-Glass - I love this rod, even though I don't fish it all that much. It is pretty much a perfect sunfish rod, and can cast surprisingly large flies.

8'0" Scott F803/3 - If the aforementioned Steffen isn't a perfect sunfish rod, then this longer Scott glass rod might be. I need to fish it more... Do you see a theme here yet?

Four Weights

6'6" Eagle Claw Featherlight - Officially, this is a rod I got for my kids to use, but I have to admit that it actually casts pretty well, so I use it myself every once in a while...

Proof that I do fish the Eagle Claw every once in a while...

6'9" Tiemco Fenwick DeLiar - This short rod is surprisingly strong, capable of casting pretty much any sized trout fly you may have. It is pretty much a perfect small stream rod.

7'0" Steffen S-Glass - This rare green Steffen is one of my faves. Every Steffen glass rod I have ever cast has been sweet!

7'0" Vince Cummings Superlite - Vince Cummings rods are quite rare, but if you can find one, it will become a favorite.

7'0" Ueda/UFM Super Pulser - This Japanese rod is a great caster, and it has one of the weirdest grips I have ever seen, with some kind of cord wrapped around the cork and then glued/laminated in place. It's actually pretty nice...

Weird grip on the Super Pulser...

7'0" Constable of Bromley Sceptre - Sceptre rods are very highly regarded amongst glass aficionados, and this one is super sweet. 

7'2" Scientific Angler System 4 - A lovely, quick glass rod that is a joy to cast. I love it.

7'6" Scott F754/3 - One of my first high-end glass rods, I got this from a friend who had hardly fished it. It is a perfect trout rod.

Love this Scott rod...

7'6" Scott Fibertouch F754/2 - Apparently my goal in life is to own every Scott glass rod that has ever been made, and this one is as sweet as any of them.

Scott Fibertouch, on the water.

7'6" Sage SFL476 - A fast and powerful glass rod from Sage. This one rocks!

7'6" Winston Glass - Acquired from the estate of one of my favorite customers from when I worked at the fly shop. And, a great old rod!

7'6" Constable of Bromley Sceptre - Another sweet Sceptre glass rod, despite the gaudy thread wraps...

The 7'6" Sceptre, and its yellow wraps...

7'6" Tsuruya Glass Feel - This is a sweet Japanese rod that casts beautifully, however it also is currently for sale... Let me know if you are interested!

7'7" Tiemco Glass Master - An awesome Japanese rod, that isn't slow, noodly, or "sticky" like some other Japanese rods can be...

7'9" Larry Kenney 794 - Larry's rods are as nice as can be, and a lot like all the Scott rods I have owned, which makes sense, since Larry was the first employee at Scott.

7'9" McFarland Dirty Martini - A firm and powerful casting tool. 

7'10" Scott F794/4 - Yet another awesome Scott glass rod!

8'0" Unstructured Glass - Smooth, powerful, and lovely! A great rod!

8'6" Bozeman Rod Company glass prototype - A nice, long glass rod for when you need that added reach on your cast!

Five Weights

6'6" Cortland FR-2000 - A great rod for the small warmwater creeks near my house. Let's go!

7'0" Vince Cummings River Rat - Another awesome rod from Vince Cummings!

7'6" Cortland FR-2000 - I like old Cortland rods. Especially FR-2000s and the old poop-colored Pro Crests. Every one that I have owned has been smooth and powerful. This is pretty much a perfect trout/bass/panfish rod.

7'7" Scientific Angler System 5 - Crisp yet delicate, one of the best trout rods you could ask for. I should fish it more often!

7'10" Chris Barclay Progressive Series - A great all-around rod for the waters around here.

8'0" GlasTech - GlasTech rods are about as rare as a fiberglass fly rod could be. They were made by Dennis Franke in Mt. Horeb, WI, on blanks that were custom rolled by Mark Steffen. As far as I can recall, this is the only one I have ever seen listed for sale anywhere, although I have seen pics of others that weren't for sale, on Forums and such. This one is a little tip heavy in the hand, much like my beloved Scott glass rods. It can bomb a line, that's for sure! And it can present a fly nice and delicately at short distances. It is sweet!

8'0" Fenwick FF805 - An awesome old Fenwick rod.

8'0" Sage SFL580 - This particular rod is a little beat up, but it still casts beautifully. Strong and powerful, like all Sage glass rods...

8'0" Scott PowR-Ply Glass - Yet another awesome Scott glass rod, from way back.

8'0" NFC Iconoglass - A little on the soft side, but still an excellent casting tool. I like it a lot!

NFC Iconoglass 5wt and Ross Gunnison reel

8'6" Sage 586LL - My one and only graphite rod, it has been with me all over the country. What a great rod!

Six Weights

7'6" Vince Cummings River Rat - One of the best all-around fly rods you could ever hope to cast!

7'6" Scott PowR-Ply - A fairly new acquisition, I need to cast this old beauty more often!

7'6" Berkley Shadow S-Glass - Last time I had this one out, it didn't do much for me, so I think I need to find the right line for it...

7'9" Sage SFL679 - Another fast and powerful glass rod from Sage. A perfect bass rod!

8'0" Berkley Para-Metric - The glass rod that has been with me the longest! Light and crisp in the hand, it's an awesome casting tool!

8'0" Fenwick FF806-4 - One of the best all-around rods I have ever owned, and it's so easy to transport!

Seven Weights

8'6" Steffen S-Glass - Right now, this is my heaviest line weight rod, but it does everything I ask of it when casting big bass or pike flies. What a sweet rod!

OK, that brings my one and only 2024 blog post to an end. I promise I will at least try to post more in 2025, but who really knows what the future will bring... 

Whatever the case, I hope you have a very Happy New Year!