Returning to my roots......

[huntschool]

It has been since the late 50's into the 60's that I fished boo. I must say at my current stage in life I missed it both for me now and the nostalgia of my youth in the East and of course the history of it all.

I have been thinking about this for a year now and finally found what I wanted and took the plunge today.

I am now the proud, and I do mean proud, owner of a Sweetgrass 8' 2-2 4/5 wt, 3 7/8 oz, 13/64 ferrules rod. To go with it I have a two spooled Bill Ballan 3", standing pillar, S handle reel.

I should have the rod within the week. I am so excited I cant wait. As I am sure you all know Sweetgrass is one hell of a rod. I consider myself lucky to have landed this rod.

And here is the reel:

Well, there she is.......

 

[afdavis11]

Awesome, quite a beauty. What is 2-2?

 

[huntschool]

afdavis11:

It means 2 piece rod with two tip sections.

 

[mka]

Wow...beautiful rod and reel outfit. No doubt, it will be a joy to fish!!!!

 

[CutThroat Leaders]

Great Set-up. Sweetgrass do make some fine rods. Looks like a rod /reel you will enjoy for many years to come. Congrats. It is always nice to get new toys, even as an adult.

 

[rockriver]

Looks fantastic. Enjoy.

 

[fredaevans]

New Boo is laying on my dinning room table. Reels next, no fish in the River so Mz Dog-Dog and I will practice casting.

 

[jeep.ster]

Looking good. I bet you remember your first fish with that setup forever.

I also have some boo on the table. Getting a 4 and 5 weight ready for the juan.

 

[huntschool]

Thanks guys. I am excited

Cutthroat I need to talk to you about some leaders.

 

[mcnerney]

Bruce: Wow, that is one beautiful outfit, getting a Sweetgrass bamboo rod is a dream of mine, but unfortunately it is way out of my price range. Hopefully, you will post some photos of the first fish you land.

 

[bob3700]

Bruce,

Beautiful rod and reel combination. I really like the 4/5wt combination.

Assume the reel is a hand made item. Looks like it will match the character of the rod perfectly.

That first fish will be exciting. Post some pics.

Bob

---------- Post added at 09:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:15 PM ----------

Bruce,

Almost forgot. When you get the rod, if you want to try one of the Wulff Long Belly Bamboo lines (5wt) on the rod let me know.

I have a brand new one that didn't cast well on my Blue Collar bamboo rod.

You can try it and see how it casts for you.

Bob

 

[huntschool]

Bob:

That would be great. I have been muddling over how to line this outfit. I did not even know Wullf TT made such a line. The Boo Boys at Sweetgrass like Cortland 444 DT. I have also been told that the rod will work well with lines true to weight in a WF configuration..... fine presentation and the other distance with size.

Yea, the Ballan reel is pretty much hand made. Some dont like them mostly because of how he left his business but I have used them and really like their classic looks and great operation. No, they are not Saracione, or Vom Hofe but then they are not $3000.00 reels either. The finish is really good and I have found them to be mechanically sound. This standing pillar reel fits the classic bamboo rod look.

Larry:

I have had some and been adding more "mad money" in the cookie jar for this purchase for some time. Did not know if I was ever going to get to spend it. The stars got lined up and here we are.....

 

[geordie41]

Nice rod! I've a similar Sweetgrass Mantra ( not as fancy as yours but built on the same blanks) 7ft9 4/5# ( penta) after playing around with a few lines I found a 5# DT silk was the best match . I tried a few 4# plastic lines including Cortland 444 DT and a silk but found the rod or maybe just me liked 5# lines the best. Enjoy your new rod and let us know what lines you like on yours.

 

[huntschool]

GEORDIE41
Do you mean a Cortland Sylk line or a real silk line?

Thanks

 

[geordie41]

Real silk mate , :thumbsup:

 

[bob3700]

Bruce,

I know what you mean about robbing the cookie jar's "Mad Money".

Ordered one of Chris Henshaws copies of a 3 1/8" Hardy Perfect with agate line guide.

He said the wait was one year so I figured I could sell a kidney and recover by then. Ha!

Bob

 

[dean_mt]

Congratulations man. That is just super cool.

 

[jeep.ster]

I wouldn't buy the cortland sylk without trying it out first on your bamboo rod. They are too light for me and can't load a rod well without going up a line or two. lol.

 

[geordie41]

Get yourself a Phoenix silk line DT5# you will not be disappointed .
They cost a fair bit more than plastic lines but if you look after it ,it will last you a long long time !

 

[huntschool]

I have several 4 and 5 wt lines spooled up waiting for the rod. (should arrive this afternoon) I am going to give them a try before anything else. My hopes were/still are, to be able to cast both a 4 wt and a 5 wt with this rod (could be a dream) but what the heck. I have spoken to one person off line that has a rod like this and he found a 1/2 wt heavy 4 wt did quite well. That being said he also likes a WF true to weight 4 wt. Go figure.......

Silk line is not out of the question but I think for right now its kinda low on my list. Sure, this is a bit of a nostalgic situation and to do it 100% I should go with silk but........

I guess I'll see what I see. I am not throwing anything out the window yet.

Thanks guys...... waiting for the mail man...... LOL