jstixrud

I started up an Ashton VSG Torpedo this afternoon. Horrible tunneling made me pitch it about 1" in so I grabbed my first Partagas 8-9-8 for a substitute. I wasn't blown away (since these are young) but I definately enjoyed the cigar.

Another vote for a month - minimum. They usually arrive on my doorstep a bit "wet". get them acclimated to your own storage conditions (you know, the conditions that "you" like best) and then take a sampling.

I would suggest a clinic as well. Some fly-shops do a combo guide/clinic session where you can talk about the mechanics of casting, then get out on a lake, pond, stream to put it into action. They'll usually have gear included in the package.

Sounds typical of the LFD line. I saw a box of these at the local B&M but just couldn't register the price point for a single. It doesn't help that the first quarter specials over here were in full swing. For LFD I'm partial to the Oscuro Lancero myself.

We still wouldn't listen because we'd be too busy changing frequencies, and/or song tracks. (motions with hands - turning two dials)

Some things being fake I wouldn't neccessarily say are a "bad" thing.

Nice Custom. I really love Sage blanks, they're just, ummm, "pricey". I'll have to post a few rods I've built.

Nice sailfish, I always wanted to CPR one. I had a chance at fishing them once. We were there the but the fish weren't. I made up for it by putting the hurtins to the albacore instead.

I'd also take out the cannister for the oasis and just use dry beads until you can get stabilized. It's winter here and that usually means the temperature drops and humidity climbs in my fridge-a-dor. If you happen to leave the wet cannister in your humidor it will still tend to evaporate water throughout the system. More than likey your boxes are at a "saturation" point (hence the high RH level), so remove anything that has water, and try to get a handle on the current condition before reintroducing an active humidity device such as the oasis. Ginseng hit the nail on the head if you have a larger storage system. If it's smaller I'd just say to dehydrate your beads somehow (either hairdryer or place in a low temp oven for 10-15 minutes) then place them in dry. I just went through this myself.

I'd volunteer to help but I think she'd require more "maintenance" per month than what I net per year.

As far as the company is concerned - I've been making these trips with a good friend of mine for years now. If we're not in my boat, we're in his. It's a vertual "mi casa, su casa" scenerio. Plus side is that he can row as well as I. I'm with you Ken. I've been known to bring a cigar or two on the trip but usually dont have time to smoke unless we're off the river. I just can't sit and give the cigar the attention it deserves. I absolutely will stop and smoke one when I get that personal record (20lbs or +). Now Shad season is a different story, and one I'll have to post about in a few months.

Thats one of my "to do's" when I get the opportunity. From what I understand you'll be catching the same strain of fish. I heard the broodstock came from the Eel river. However, I've been known to be wrong.

With the lack of rain this year we're dangerously looking at low water conditions. I figure this may be the only trip I get to plan. These are from the Eel River. We caught and released quite a few dandies, ranged sizes, with the largest going 15lbs and most averaging 10. The one I got on film was the smallest of the trip (for me). Its really tough trying to do 3 things at once (rowing,handling the camera, and fighting a fish), so I usually dont get that many pictures taken. I still think the trip is really all about the experience though. The views are spectacular.

Big, Great selection you have there. Can I ask what size Aristocrat that is? Is it the M THC or M plus THC (have a feeling M plus)? What's your total box count that you've been able to pack into it? I'm really close to pulling the trigger on one myself and am really riding the fence between the plus 48 THC and 2 above mention "M" cabinets.