I am a retired Bean-counter. Fly-fishing has been my avocation since college days in Indiana where I fished small lakes with my wife paternal grandfather's Cane fly-rod, circa 1940. It was a Shakespeare with 7 weight level line that had to be oiled to float. It had an automatic self-wind reel. He had received it as a birthday present and never used it, so I self-taught myself how to use it, cast, etc. and I was hooked for life.

A bad ticker, now "under repair," slowed down my fly-fishing (I have a LVAD installed so I am not allowed to wad).. The last real trout fishing I did was in June 2011 on the Moy River in Ireland (its supposed to be the best Atlantic Salmon River in Europe). It was a blast If you are interested I have the name, e-mail, and phone number of a very good guide in the Foxford Area who can set you up with bed and breakfast on the river. He can also supply all the gear if necessary.

Hi, to all,

Neal
Lake Delancy, FL (Ocala National Forrest)

Retired Air Force, 37 years.

I'm a Network Engineer for a web hosting company, not really an "engineer" per say- just a level of certification I acheived and it is my job title. I like my job but could hardly say I love it, I really miss doing installs of equipment though like in my last job at a school district. School districts pay peanuts to IT folks but there is something about going into an empy room with some racks and cables and then when your done it is filled with equipment allowing the campus to get online and work, I always took pride in that. I guess I have always liked working with my hands and just miss it.

At my job I just sit behind 4 monitors doing work tickets and putting out small fires that I find in our montoring systems, never get to put my hands on real equipment though (all work is done remotely). The job does allow me to get in some fishing and it pays the bills, so I'm happy.

Engineer for the Navy for about 10 yrs.

Fulltime police officer for 34 years. Part time rod butcher for half that. Full time fishing junkie forever.

Big D

Hello all. New to the board and fairly new to collecting rods. My desire to collect vintage rods/reels came after finding and inheriting my pap's(deceased) old fishing equipment. He passed away when I was 7, but I remember him taking me fishing when I was young because I liked it so much. As I was looking through his tackle box, fascinated by the old lures, my gram noticed an aluminum case in the joists. Inside was an unbranded bamboo fly rod that needed some tlc. With my pap having been a craftsman, I decided to put new guides on it. That was my first rebuild effort, and ever since I've been playing with any old rod I can get my hands on. haha

As far my occupations and trades, I'm currently a chef and a carpenter/roofer who contracts and sub-contracts. On top of that, I'm a full time fly fisherman who is building experience to guide and planning to open an outfitter/guide service down the road. Now I hope to incorporate the vintage rod building/rebuilding into it. I have my selection of newer model rods, but I love telling people not to spend a fortune on fly fishing equipment. Now I have several outstanding vintage rods/blanks to show them that I've spent as little as $2 on. Some are good as is and some need rebuilt, but all of the spun glass rod blanks that I find seem to be as strong as an ox.

New to the board, thanks for letting me join and looking forward to reading more.

Federal lobbyist by day.

Jeff (jgros001)

Hey guys. New to the board. I'm a fly fishing guide and a contract fly tyer. I've been working full time in the FF industry for around 15 years since I was just out of high school. I recently got into wrapping fly rods and if I get good enough in the following years, I might start selling a few of those on the side. I currently don't feel experienced enough to warrant asking people money for them, so mostly I just make them for myself, my clients and my friends. It's nice to meet you all.

Even though it's in jest ... the shutdown and congress' lack of doing anything, somehow has meant just as much if not more work. go figure ...

I am an account executive for a mortgage bank (I get smaller mortgage companies to sell their loans to my company), a fly fishing guide, and a Fly Rod Builder.

Dusty

I'm a cook. Been published once.

<180 days out from retiring from the Navy - Civil Engineer Corps (Seabees), Diver, Ocean/Mechanical Engineer.

The Navy has sent me to some unique places - the first 3/4 of my career I spent chasing waves in my off hours. The last few years I have spent casting graphite and now fiberglass rods.

Not sure where I'm going, but I know I'll be trying to fool fish with a magic fiberglass wand.

That's much better than to self sufficient dogs and two kids.

And welcome.