GLASS REFLECTIONS

To start off the new year, I asked in this T.F.M. post for everyone's 'Glass Reflections' on 2023 and also their 'Glass Resolutions' for 2024.  I was hoping for a few more responses but these are below are great.

If you still have a 'Glass Resolution' that you'd like to share, send me an email today since the next post will go up soon.

JASON FORMAN
"The past few years as a parent have been a whirlwind, leaving little time for my hobby of fishing. This year, I adjusted my approach, learning to make quick trips to urban ponds during lunch breaks with my glass 3wt. I involved my daughter, creating enjoyable memories working together netting and releasing feisty bluegill and scrappy pond bass .Adapting fishing expectations as a parent has been challenging. It's easy to get tunnel vision or become fixated on specific goals, inadvertently becoming a metaphor for life's challenges. Fortunately, I have a supportive partner who helps keep me grounded, offering a delicate balance between constructive criticism and providing the space for me to enjoy some personal time.

As I entered the new year, reflections on my dog, Scout, sparked a realization. Her enthusiasm, focus, determination, and absolute presence in the moment stood out. Unlike humans, she remains unfazed by the past or future, embodying a remarkable connection with emotions. Inspired by Scout, my resolution for 2024 is to seek a similar mindset."

"On New Year's Day, armed with my 5wt Eagle Claw, I joined a friend to fish a nearby urban lake. Despite initial doubts, especially when carp fishing proves challenging, I channeled my inner Scout. Instead of fixating on expectations, I embraced the joy of being on the water in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, my home. The deliberate casting of my heavy and slow glass rod served as a reminder to slow down, be present, and release expectations.

Like magic, the day unfolded with five fish landed, each one bending my yellow glass rod nearly in half. It turned out to be the most thrilling day of fishing I've had in a while, reinforcing the value of being in the moment and letting go of rigid expectations."

ANDY STIEBLER - STEFFEN BROTHERS FLY RODS
"My 'Glass Reflections' from 2023 was teaching my nine year old son to fly fish on a Steffen 5/6 weight."

"It has also been amazing reconnecting with Steffen Bros Fly Rod customers, and even getting a few cherished early 90’s Steffen Bros fly rods repaired or restored for some loyal fans.  Another highlight, has been rediscovering old mandrels and taper layups designs, it’s kinda like Christmas when this happens!

And of course, getting the new Steffen Brothers website refreshed and planning out for a fun-filled 2024 :) Lots to be excited about. We always appreciate you all bearing with us as we try to juggle too many things at once!"
 
JOHN CARPENTER - THOMAS & THOMAS FLY RODS
"Hi Cameron, nice to hear from you.  I'll attach a photo from Jurassic Lake (Lago Strobel) featuring the Lotic 7'10" 5-weight.  This small but mighty rod has proven itself countless times with the big rainbows there, and is a favorite of guides and guests alike."

"We do have some new glass projects in the works so stay tuned!"

PETER SCHULTZ

"Hey Cameron

A happy hoiidaze to you!

That was a nice read.

Kinda like casting a glass fly rod.

Smooth and mellow.

Like bourbon, but does have its limitations.

So today may have been the last fishing day of the year.
Maybe.

I've proposed an experiment to myself here in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Urban bluelines.

Any place with current.

Here it's tidal, or perhaps,  ditch runoff into ponds.

So far so good.

I wouldn't eat any of the fish coming from these places, but all are full of vigor.

The big rain this past Wednesday   and warm Temps, provided a wonderful topwater bite on the bass.

With the cool down today, it was a prince under an indicator that provided the fun in reduced water flow.

No new glass rod.

Still throwing the little Butter Stick in these places.

It is after all...urban bluelining.

Peace to the world.

Peace to you."

MARK ERICKSON

"My 2023 began slowly but finished out as a pretty good fishing year.  Record high Sierra snowfalls forced a very late start for my headwaters explorations.  Once the water dropped enough to be fishable, I made a point of searching out new watersheds, lakes, and beats on creeks I had fished before.  I maintained enough physical fitness to push a few fairly long (for me) day hikes to explore less-fished waters within day-driving distance of my home.  The results were generally excellent.  I caught big Lahontan Cutthroat in a Sierra lake, explored new-to-me Sierra east-side creeks, and continued to check out new high-altitude tributaries of my home watershed."

"I also focused this year on expanding my fishing technique repertoire.  In particular, I put more focus on refining my single-handed Spey skills and I put effort into swinging soft-hackles and pulling small streamers.  I was rewarded with fewer-but-larger hookups (i.e., mighty 10” rainbows vs the usual 6”-8” risers in the headwaters creeks I often fish).  

Finally, I  was fortunate to be published (twice!) in the now-retired California Fly Fisher magazine - one article focusing on recent wildfires, and one focusing on (what else) fiberglass fly rods."

SANDY NELSON - SANDY'S CUSTOM FLY RODS
"The start of the year, as always, involved the building of several rods.  Always a variety and always fun.

As the season began, my trusty Barclay GP emerged from hibernation for opening day, resulting in a handsome pair of beautiful, overwintered browns in fantastic condition.

As the season went on there were a smattering of other builds including the new “Heart of Glass” Graphite’s from Dusty at Livingston Fly Rod Co.  The YS Graphite Dry fly 9-foot 5-weight quickly side-tracked much of my season as I helped with some shakedown testing and found a new friend. The extra length and light weight coupled with the wonderful deep action found it becoming my go to for the spring dry fly fishing.

A wonderful Highland adventure in northern Scotland in early June saw me catch a unicorn in the form of a native Arctic Char on the dry (I actually managed two of them!) however the excessively hot weather which dominated the rest of the month followed by a wet July and August killed the fishing here and saw me building some of my personal rainy-day rods. These included some original Steffen's I have been sitting on, a modern Sage and a pair of Barclays. The 5'8” 1/2wt two-piece Steffen is a remarkable little rod and huge fun, however when it came to the end of August and finally a fishing trip, it was a 7-foot Sakura that accompanied me and made the trip so special."

"As the year ended it was back to creating an eclectic mix of new glass friends for folk, but I managed to finally slip a Western Glass 865 on the list for myself. The post pandemic demand has settled back to normal so I might even catch up with a couple of other personal builds and perhaps finally fill my new fly box which I was gifted a couple of years ago."

MOODY WILLIAMSON
"I went out on the Owyhee River with my father this past May and I fished exclusively glass, as it's something I got back into in fall of 2022 after doing some small stream fishing with a glass 3wt. My first ever rod was glass, so it made sense to dive back in. On the Owyhee, fighting 20"+ browns and rainbows on a glass 5wt, and watching my father take those fish, as well, created this surreal connection with the fish, feeling every tilt and thrash of the head as I hooked up in deep, fast water on small nymphs, it really made me want to go deeper."

"So I went home, studied rod building for a few months, and ended up building my first ever rod, a fiberglass 5wt. My first time taking it out on local waters, I made sure to bring only flies I had tied.

Taking my first fish on a rod I built with a fly I had tied was a unique emotion that I'm still chasing today."

 
TOM BRODHEAD - 406 FLY LINES

"Well 2023 was a very good year for us.  We normally see a slowdown in orders at year's end but this season was very busy for which we are very grateful. 

We attended a number of bamboo gatherings last year, notably the Bamboo Bash in Tennesee, Grayrock in Michigan, and the Northern Rodmakers Gathering.  We got to make our annual trip to Silver Creek in Idaho and Flat Creek in Jackson, Wyoming and got caught in a snowstorm in Yellowstone Park in late October."

"High point was having you come out to fish Nelson's Spring Creek with us. It's such a special place and we love sharing it with people.  Also a special shoutout to all our customers who have been wonderful to work with."

Tom, a highlight of my year was our day on Nelson's Spring Creek.  I really appreciate the invitation.

Thanks to all who sent an email for this post and tomorrow you'll see a few 'Glass Resolutions'.