GLASS RESOLUTIONS

The New Year is already moving at a pace that I'm trying to keep up with and it was fun to read through the emails and DM's with the 'Glass Resolutions' that they have for the next twelve months.  It was neat to get insights from T.F.M. readers, fly rod builders, and others.  If you missed the 'Glass Reflections', circle back a couple of days to this T.F.M. post.

As for me, I have a couple of non-fly fishing milestones hitting this year with turning 50 years old in September and then being married for 25 years in October.  I'm not sure how either of these things could be happening and it's also a surprise that T.F.M. is over 15 years old now. 

Time sure does move quickly and it's been quite a ride which is making my resolution for the year to take on things I've always wanted to do but haven't yet whenever possible.  There are some angling aspects to this and I'm already keeping this resolution by saying yes last Monday to a very last-minute trip with Nomadic Waters to chase peacock bass which leaves next Friday.  This is a trip that I've wanted to do for a few years now and beyond stoked that I was able to wedge it into my family and work schedule.  I'm scrambling right now to assemble my "Jungle Kit", keep it all under 38 pounds, and be ready to board the plane to Brazil in a week and a half.  More on that in the coming days.

So, here are a few insightful 'Glass Resolutions' to check out...
 
GEORGE MINCULETE - TIGHT LOOPS FLY RODS

"I didn't get to fish much glass rods in 2023 besides my friend's T&T Lotic 744 which I've cast quite a bit in the spring at a local show, but I have a few coming up in 2024, a personal Tom Morgan Rodsmiths 8' 3-weight, wch I decided to turn into four pieces and had rod maker and friend Christian Horgren ferrule it.  And a couple more builds coming up like a Fisher Phenolic 765 and a NOS Winston 8045, probably the last ones I'll ever see of those blanks."

 

 

 
"What's interesting in 2024 is the Alternative Tackle collaboration that the so called "The Collective" of builders around (Nico, Christian, Paolo, Callum, etc.) and I think three or four special models that will be possibly be available on the Alternative Tackle website this year.

I've just finished this "Aether" 6'10" 3-weight and I've got a 7'3" 3-weight in progress called "The Minch".  I'm not sure if I can share where and by whom these special blanks were made so we'll just leave that out for now..."

BSHATCH
"Howdy Cameron, Happy New Year to ya and thanks for all the years of glassy info and fun.

Let's see, the main 'Glass Resolution' for the year, hmmm, going to go with utilizing a tippet ring, have yet to try one and am kind of mad I never looked into them.  They seem to make sense."

"The is a Bob Hallowell glass fly rod build that he was nice enough to paint a little chair t.v. on there for me, which is the signature for my artwork.  That rod is simply AWESOME for dry flies!"

MIKE CAPP
"I resolve not to let Cameron talk me into building any more fiberglass (or other) fly rods this year.  I thought I was done after building 4, 5 and 6-weight Epic kits and things lay fallow for a couple of seasons, but his 2022 Beaver Island report got me to thinking about a Bandit.  And then there was the discount associated with Epic ceasing their points plan and now there's an awesome Bandit in the basement which I haven't used as much as I'd planned.  I mean, Cameron wasn't wrong about it in any way, but did I really need it?  Probably not.  Am I addicted to building things?  Yes.  What am I going to build this winter to feed the beast if it's not going to be another fly rod?  Ahhg!"

SANDY NELSON - SANDY'S CUSTOM FLY RODS
"My resolutions for 2024 will hopefully provide some stable weather and a return to the window of opportunity for the springtime hatches, back to mid-July.

I will have my new Livingston Rod Co. Western Glass 865 to accompany me on my local waters, where it belongs, and I’m sure the 4-weight version of the YS DF will give it a good competition for being the go-to rod of the season.

Mind you, with some of the beasts I hope to encounter, having a 5-weight glass is always an advantage.

In the meantime, I have almost filled my fly box and still have 10 weeks to wait for the glorious 15th.

I wish everyone a safe and successful 2024, lang may yer Lum reek and deep may your glass bend."

NICO VREUGDENHIL - YAMAME FLY RODS
"Last year was a challenging year and 2024 will definitely be a challenging year too.  Some highlights...
- I have designed my own reel and the first ones will be ready in the spring.  Fully handcrafted and like my first rod series is going to be called "The Pure".  These will be 3 inches in size.
- I am busy getting an 8'2" 3-weight and a 5-weight finished now in addition to my model "The Rebel" 8'2" 4-weight that was launched recently.
- Every year I make a limited of four unique sets of rod and specially made reel.  Last year I did this with Tomo at Ijuin-Rods.  This year, Larry Kenney made four beautiful blanks for me and with them will come a beautiful reel with matching hardware.
- Last year, I was in Japan with my family and luckily I was able to go fishing with Tomo for a few days. There, we came up with the idea of designing a blank together. in the end, it will be a mix of Yomogi, Tomo's Hard Para, and The Pure. The blank will be a 7' 3-weight.  More on that...
- Also in the works, a collaboration with Alternative Tackle to build rods for them.
- Finally, soon my new website and webshop will be ready."

CHRIS BARCLAY - C. BARCLAY FLY RODS
"Hey Cameron, thanks for reaching out.  I have way too much going on to write out something.  I do have some new models coming, some already available, and will share that news with you soon to share on T.F.M."

MARK ERICKSON
"About 15 years ago, I made a New Year’s resolution to never make another one and I have kept it.  So I have no 'Glass Resolutions' this year.   I do, however, have some plans... 

First, I am continuing to work on my casting skills.  I’ve been hitting the park on many days to build double-haul muscle memory and kill my tendency to throw tailing loops with overpowered front strokes.  Improving my reach casts and stack mends are also on the list for 2024. 

Second, I’m looking to continue focusing on swinging soft hackles, pulling streamers, fishing nymphs during hatches, and other approaches to expand my bag of tricks. 

I’m also looking forward to pulling together multiple overnight backpack trips while I still have the fitness to get into the mountains. 

Other possibilities include rejuvenating my fly tying skills and maybe even building a rod this year."

ANDY STIEBLER - STEFFEN BROTHERS FLY RODS
"I hope to inspire more anglers to keep exploring waters near and far!  Sharing those memories and experiences with the people closest to them!

Also, tactically speaking from a business perspective, streamline our stock build processes and connect with more rod builders.  We plan to release a few limited offerings, including an alternative ferrule system on one particular glass taper we love."

"In short my resolution for the year is to get more Steffen fly rods into anglers hands through custom builders, fishing shows, online, and a couple of key partners!

Oh. And visit more fishy places across the American landscape.

Tight lines and Happy New Year."

MOODY WILLIAMSON
"My resolution for the. year is to build more glass rods, share more glass builds with buddies, and find more fish with glass!  I'm hoping this year to fish exclusively with glass."

TOM BRODHEAD -406 FLY LINES
"No new resolutions for 2024 except to continue to travel around to the various gatherings. This year's schedule includes the Bash, Northern Rodmakers, and the Catskill Rodmakers in the Fall.

Look for a new limited edition of a 7' 4-weight fly rod to be introduced sometime this summer."

Okay, let's all have a great year of glass fly rods and making memories on the water.