[Speybro]

That was a great gathering! Both Jim and I thoroughly enjoyed our weekend and cannot thank everyone enough.

I don't know what the official numbers are yet, but we were really happy with the turnout and it seemed that there was an endless number of people on the RIO booth asking questions and giving us great feedback. It was also nice to see how many complete beginners were at this clave and how many first time attendees there were - it just shows that word is out.

Our thanks also go to Mark and Patty for organising it, Tilda, Bob and Laura for keeping us so well entertained and fed, CD Clarke, Ray Phelps and Steve Choate for the other essential part of the clave - the single malts. Thanks to Way for the supply of beer, as always.

Finally, thanks to everyone who made the effort to come. Without your support there wouldn't be a clave or even an industry.

Congratulations to Jeff Putnam and Kirk Eberhard for passing the FFF spey certification - two more great casters and instructors to take note of.

I loved all the demos - what a range of talent, skills and styles. I wish I could have watched them all, but had other commitments. It was also nice to see John and Amy Hazel and always a huge pleasure to catch up with my old mate Andy Murray (despite the savage attack on us "southerners").

The only sad part is that I lost my favourite reel - an Old Florida Nautilus 12. I have only just got the reel and had rigged it up with a MidSpey 8/9 for people to try at the clave. I guess someone borrowed it who forgot to bring it back. If anyone knows where it is please send it back to me at RIO or to Mark at his store in Welches. I don't want this incident to sour the otherwise excellent event.

Tight lines
Simon and Jim

 

[kush]

Simon and Jim,

Nobuo had a similar situation after the Kaufman's Clave in January. It was just a mix-up, one of the other tackle guys gathered it up by mistake and it was re-united with its rightful owner at the Spey-O-Rama in San Francisco. I hope that this is a similar situation and that the network of honest anglers will get the message out and you will get your reel.

 

[Rob Estlund]

mixups

I'm kind of surprised this sort of thing doesn't happen more often. There's so much gear floating around its hard to keep track of whos is whos and what's what.

 

[lastcaststeve]

Hi Guys,

I opened my reel suitcase Sunday night and low and behold I found an Old Florida Nautilus sporting an 8/9 midspey. I have no idea how it ended up in my stuff, but I called and talked with Simon, and it is on it's way back to its' rightful owner this afternoon! He is definitely right, it is a beautiful reel...maybe I'll return a Redington or Teton and see if he notices?

steve

 

[fredaevans]

:>)

I think this 'story' goes to the heart of the Spey Casting community. Over the years at least 2500-3000 people have been at these events ...... and to my knowledge (another reel) is the ONLY thing that turned up/stayed missing.

A few rods broken ... but no missing equipment. Where else but at Mark's Sandy 'Clave would you consider handing over $1,000-$1,200 of equipment to a COMPLETE stranger ... and know you'll get it back?

A darned good thing!!!:smokin:

PS: Steve, send the Reddington .... see if he notices.:devil:

 

[Speybro]

Thanks Steve, but I will now look very closely at the reel when it gets back! This one is earmarked for my trip to the Dean at the end of July. Maybe looks is all it has, but I have a feeling I am going to be pretty happy with its performance!

Kush and Fred are dead right - what a great community!

 

[JEFF PUTNAM]

Spey Certification

A quick thanks to those that participated in my spey certification....Simon for setting the standard for certification testing and taking time to certify me (awesome job!) with assistance from Steve Choate (incredible caster and person), Al Buhr (super smooth spey caster, thanks buddy), as a witness to the testing process- Tim Rajeff (thanks for the good and bad news , and Way Yin for the preparation talk and use of rod (great to see ya). What an informative event this was and I'll be sure to visit next year! This event has inspired us to create the Sacramento Spey Clave, June 5th. Thanks again for your time guys, Jeff Putnam

 

[spey_bubba]

Thanks to all for a wonderful time at the 2004 SpeyClave.

Major Congratulations to Jeff and Kirk for passing the Certifcation test; it means a whole lot more if you passed and Simon was your tester.

Thanks especially to Bob and Laura and the Runners for extreme hospitality, all the Vendors for making it a festive affair, Mark and Patty for once again coming through on a great weekend, and to all the other presenters for the diversity of expertise adn exposure!

Simon: great to see you again - Steve had eyes on the reel, but I made him fess up.

Andy: the Sultan of Smooth, you rock. Can't wait for the Tay this summer! Thanks for the ghost tip line! The Zolotaya is calling....

Steve and Tim: I wish I could remember half of what you teach me; I might be decent by now. Katherine for putting up with the boys!

Aaron: thanks for letting us thrash your Carron!

Tyler, Scott and Mike: thanks for being Scott-Heads - nice fish Mike! I love that 1409 A2/Windcutter set-up!

George, Katie: great to see y'all again! Isn't Sage a plant? - Coz: thanks for the deli treats!

Rob Allen, Cary: Great to see you as always!

Chuck: you are crazy.

Brian O'Keefe: limits out in 6 casts. Stud. Is there a ___ in this story?

Jon Kovich: The tri-tips were yummy. All is forgiven!

Thanks also to everyone who came and indulged in a rather esoteric sickness. Pentacostal, almost.

Look forward to seeing everyone again soon. Thanks for everything.