pardon yet another post, but this makes such a great forum to put a lot of pics Tom Kerr graciously provided me with some greenheart blanks that were made from recovered pilings from Philadelphia. Below is a pictorial of the making of a 7 ft, 2/2 4-strip rod from this wood. Reel seat is black walnut and handle is poplar. Ferrules and guides were made from brass. At the end of the day, I don't know how this rod will fish, but I will be able to report back next week after a trip to the mountains. Hopefully, it will still be a 2/2:
Well, I got some time on the water today with the fly rods...haven't caught a fish on the greenheart rod yet, but it casts fine. However, I did catch a nice trout on the pau ferro rod of the last post. I'm not Ron McAlpin with a camera in one hand and fighting a fish in the other, but this is the best I could do. That trout got about 3 ft of air just before that splash...maybe I'll be quicker next time...fish was release none the worse for the experience:
It's not really a fair test because the pau ferro rod is an 8ft 3/2 and the greenheart is a 7ft 2/2, but I like the feel of the pau ferro rod over the greenheart. Not surprisingly, the greenheart is a stiffer action. I'll have to put together a 3/2 of the latter and see how they compare.
Good to see that you've given that beautiful stick a proper christening. Hope you and your tribe are having a great time up there.
And if you are at, or near June Lake, you can give that stiffer greenheart rod a proper workout. Try drifting a streamer in the deeper water. Chances are you may nail one of the bigger guys and that should put a bend in that rod.
And if the fly doesn't entice them, then squish a glob of Zeke's on those feathers. Screw that purist stuff...whatever works is good!
And take pictures of some mountains while you're at it. And have fun.
thanks, guys...I'll try to add more pics and hopefully, a hook-up with the greenheart rod. Jim, spent the morning on June yesterday...real Victory At Sea morning...wind kicked up by about 8:30 and never let up! I figured that wasn't the best time to pull out the fly rod, but I like your idea! More later, I hope...
Obligatory annual pic of Silver Lake at sunrise...one of the most beautiful places for fishing, even when the catching isn't so good. Unfortunately, that was the case this AM, but we stuck it out 'til the wind kicked up strong enough to carry off the Flying Nun (younger readers...check with a nearby Crusty )
Thanks so much for the photos. And Silver Lake is beautiful as ever. Is Rush Creek fishable? Worth a try when the lakes are too choppy.
And you do have your priorities in order. Catching fish is fine, but there are some of us who would chew off a small toe to be where you are right now. So enjoy!
ah, the greenheart 7' 2/2 is a virgin no more! Here's a pic of a nice rainbow of about 2 lb that was brought in with no problems:
I quickly add that this was about testing the rod...caught in a stocked pond, with no claim to great fishing skills by the fisherman.
As would be expected, the 7' rod had a medium to fast action...just for pleasure of the cast and retrieve, I still think I prefer the slower 8' pau ferro rod, but both cast quite well and certainly laid out line to the limit of my abilities with these lengths.
Tom Kerr graciously provided me with some greenheart blanks that were made from recovered pilings from Philadelphia. Below is a pictorial of the making of a 7 ft, 2/2 4-strip rod from this wood. Reel seat is black walnut and handle is poplar. Ferrules and guides were made from brass. At the end of the day, I don't know how this rod will fish, but I will be able to report back next week after a trip to the mountains. Hopefully, it will still be a 2/2: 
