A couple of more comments about SuperBoo and cane rods. From much of the undertone that I heard yesterday. Joel's tutorial recently, opened a lot of eyes as to the construction of rods. I know it unlocked many mysteries for me.

And I must agree with Joel, the favorite rod was the one I was casting. Some were just more favorite than others, but they are all great.

That being said people put ownership of a cane rod at a level so out of reach that they short change themselves. Sure there are those rare retirement present to myself rods. But there are a lot of good deals out there. Rods that can be purchased for what mid to high end "plastic" rods are selling for. There certainly are plenty of knowledgeable friends on these boards to get an insight of what might be good for you.

Another thing about SuperBoo is the number of people from a long way from Maine that know about or have heard about this event. The last couple of years when I have been speaking with people at the NJ fly fishing show there have been many acknowledgments of SuperBoo. I know I had spoken with a couple of people from out of state that had spoke about making the journey up but that storm may have kept them from being here.

As for the Super Bowl I'll have to listen on the radio as I head south, but a SuperBoo event is always going to be a yearly scheduled "got to be there" for me.

Ron

I'll second 1weight's comment. A grand is a lot of money, no doubt, but when you consider all the crap that we fill our lives with (Wiis and whatever else), and the relative inexpensiveness of fishing itself, it's not outrageous. And for the price of a new Polaris Sportsman, you can fill a quiver with custom cane.

To the rods:

Like many other folks, I found the Halstead rod to be a pleasure.

I also confirmed--yet again--that I am a Garrison man. Kat's and Joela's 193s were beauties, and felt like old friends with the first stroke. The perfect combination of grace and power. I wish I could have cast each of them side by side for a half hour or so.

I also enjoyed Hutch's Payne 101, made by DVB. That thing is a canon. Not unpleasant in close, but it starts to sing at 40 feet. No false cast necessary. Just pick your line up and blast it to the mark.

And, as usual, I found that I just don't get the Payne 97. I also tried to figure out banjo's Powell, to no avail. I could get it to throw line, but I never quite felt like I was in the zone. It would be interesting to spend an hour with it, trying different things. I didn't want to hog a lane, and there were other rods on deck.

Thanks to all who make it happen. It really is a great event. Sorry the coffee was late. It helps to remember to bring cups.

i had a great time ... cast my first cane rod evah ... it was tracy's 4 wt ... oh my! i did cast several after that one, it remained my favorite tho ... thanks to kathy ...

This was my first time as well, my wife, son and I stopped in for a few. We bought some coffee from the kids to bring home (wow is that fantastic coffee, I wish we had gotten more).

I as quite intimidated to cast any of the rods, but I did check quite a few out.

My 6 year old wanted to cast, but I convinced him that it would be better to practice at home. Once we got home we started the casting lessons and he did a great job... just has a tendency to being the rod too far back and too far forward, but he overall technique was solid, must of been watching everyone cast there because I dont cast that good .

Great event, and someday I really hope to be able to get a bamboo rod. watching them and just holding them really turned me on the their potential.

Great event!

Thanks, you guys! But I'm going to insist that this is a "community" effort, and I'd really like to thank each one of you for your part, but then I'd leave someone out and I'd be mortified.

When I was standing looking back at the crowd while the Project Healing Waters presentation was going on, I couldn't help thinking what an amazing gathering of people was there in front of me.

I'm still smiling at the thought today.

And Matt, so like you to apologize, but really, you roasted the coffee and you and David bagged and labeled it, you stood there all day making it available instead of casting as many rods as you'd like, and you made a generous contribution to the high school club. wow

And Hunter, sorry to snag you out of the casting line but I knew you'd help Sam with his ferrule - with David's lamp and Ron's glue, the three of you were great role models for the neatest kid... Sante's appraisal of his yard sale rod made me smile, too (what little kid buys a bamboo rod at a yard sale, anyway?).

Everyone, for all the little gestures and the bigs ones, the miles traveled, the stories told, I just can't say enough.

As for the rods, I only cast RFMD's fiberglass and the Sweetgrass penta, both a joy. Tomorrow, David, Hutch and I will be in the high school gym at 6:30am, casting the Bacon quad MER (Mike) donated to the club, along with scads of fly tying maters, reels, and books.

On Sunday, the original art for the shadow casting ground hog SuperBoo t-shirt was hanging next to my writing desk. Such a surprise; thank you Tark

Hutch and I hoped that the kids club would see this as a service event, their contribution to the community of anglers. Your contribution directly to them was thoughtful and much appreciated... look for the dozen of them respectfully sharing their pools at GLS on May 21st or so.

Kat

Well, this was my fourth year coming up from Ct, and well worth it every time. My education in bamboo tapers grows every year, knowing what I like, and what doesn't quite suit me.

The personal feel and lack of commercialization in this event is something that draws me like a moth to a flame. It's pretty much just a bunch of people sharing, both rods and ideas. As big as it may get, I hope it never loses that.

Thanks to all involved for your hard work. Looking forward to next year already.

Jeff

I had not driven more than 35 miles twice since coming home from camp in June of 2008 and ending up hospitalized and diagnosed with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. The first time was actually Sept 09 when I had to go to the VA Hospital in Togus for a procedure and the second time was in Nov 09 when I treated myself to the last performance for the year of 2 Old Friends who I have not missed since before becoming ill. Convincing my wife to let that happen wasn’t easy and there would be times I questioned if I had really thought it through but thanks to my 2 guardian angels, Pete and Jeff, who drove me to SB VI last year, and stuck to me like glue the entire trip up and back I can now say I made the drive, and return, unscathed, albeit still exhausted.

Both Fri. and Sat. were beautiful sunny days with temp around 4F Sat. a.m. which is balmy for Feb. in ME. After a quick breakfast at the Comfort Inn Suites, where we stayed the past couple of SB’s I donned my usual uniform of Orvis Hounds-tooth Sport Jacket with leather elbow patches and fish tie and the new Project Healing Waters Cap given me the night before by David Hedrick, the NE Rep for PHW who would be accepting the Classic Fly Rod Forum Rod at 11:00 and off to Lawrence Jr. High we went.

There were already plenty of vehicles when we arrived which meant we would have another wonderful day as has always been the case. Walking through the doors is always a treat as the young folks who come to help were already busy handing out the T-Shirts, bags of coffee folks ordered and selling raffle tickets. Matt was very busy setting up all his coffee paraphernalia which even a confirmed java head like myself had a difficult time figuring what kind of alchemy he was about to perform. I talked with Mer briefly and next spotted Hutch, then Kat and David and David’s sister Barb, who with Sue were doing a yeoman's job of getting everyone to sign the logbook, get their name tags and fill out their door prize slips and I had a few moments to look at the huge variety of door prizes which I never win.

Kat had set a table up for me where I would display the Classic Fly Rod Forum Rod and the Willow made by rodmaker Jeff Hatton of Gnomish Rod Works. I also would help folks identify rods they brought in and give them a value for their treasure. While there were quite a few that fit that category 3 quickly come to mind, the first was a trade rod shown to me by CT rodmaker Art Leclair which I identified as being made by the FE Thomas Rod Co. with an optional Hardy reel seat, Art was trying to find out if it were restoring for a customer who brought it to him and was happy to know of its history and value. Another was actually a group of rods that came from Ireland and shown to me by a gent who had driven up from MA to find out a bit more about them and the last belonged to an 8 y/o young man who had purchased it at a yard sale for $18.00, they didn’t have yard sales when I was 8 y/o and I obviously didn’t have his eye since it was worth much more than what he paid.

I don’t get to cast many rods usually since I end up talking with old friends and meeting new ones but occasionally I do. I was talking to several folks when I heard “banjo they need you at the sign in tableâ€

We'll see you there, Banjo!

oh - does anyone have any pics of the high school kids from SBVII you could send me? The yearbook staff is asking. If you do, attaching to our hme email is easiest for us. Our camera was dropped at another school-related event, sigh. Thanks!

Kat

dpvbkjs@tdstelme.net

Once one has shared in Boo it's impossible not to attend in spirit even when not physically in attendance. A laid back, unassuming gathering of people filled with the same heart and soul found in the boo they seek.....Deservedly earned acknowledgements and success for the fly fishing club, those who take part in supporting them and those who work with them for certain.

I was happy and (surprised) to learn the Sage rod puzzle "whereabouts" had been solved.

And to Effie, (Kat and David) we wish you luck on Friday. Kelly's two compound fractures, (both legs) repaired with stainless several years ago has given her an active, full and spirited life and, we wish that for Effie as well!!!

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0dc29b3127ccef9059c5f23d600000040O00EcOWzhwzZsQe3nwg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/">

Emily (and Kelly)

No problem Kat. It was a pleasure. Someone else gave the lad a casting lesson. All I did was cut and paste. A little bit more and we probably could have had that rod looking like new.

Lots of very nice rods this year. Many more than I ever remember. I only ran across a few that left me scratching my head. The rod lineup seemed a bit more well rounded this year- with a fairly even number of rods on each of the sheets, sorted by length. Too many favorites to list completely- but many that will make the list someday. The Harms taper is a joy, as are the Payne 101 and 102. Still working on Dickersons, but fell in love with Sante's Paul Young "TU Banquet" rod. And the Penta- unbelievable what the Sweetgrass crew has put together with that one. Nice work Glenn, Jerry and crew. A set of penta forms is probably in my future.

It was good to see a lot of familiar, as well as new, friendly faces. Henry- I hope you got some sleep. Sante- I hope to see you next year. Art- stop lurking and start posting. I want to know more about those Halstead tapers. Sweet casting rods.

Today I ran across a reference for bamboo reinforced concrete. That one still has me scratching my head.

<img src="/assets/superboo_vii/image001.jpg">
Rack #1
<img src="/assets/superboo_vii/image002.jpg">
Rack #2
<img src="/assets/superboo_vii/image004.jpg">
<img src="/assets/superboo_vii/image006.jpg">
Full lanes
<img src="/assets/superboo_vii/image009.jpg">
Quite a crowd!
<img src="/assets/superboo_vii/image014.jpg">
Project Healing Waters Rod Presentation
<img src="/assets/superboo_vii/image025.jpg">
Kat getting the "Groundhog" drawing
<img src="/assets/superboo_vii/image031.jpg">

Special thanks to Brian O'Connor for sending along these pics for me to post.