[Cowboy Tom]

Wanted to start this one early while the clave is still in progress. Tell us what were your highlights from this years clave (e.g. the rod that gave you another 20', the line that went into the trees on the far bank, someone you met.......) This is just a phenomenal event where you get to meet people and play with toys that you just don't see every day.

I'll start with the highlights from my Friday. Gary Anderson (ACR) 1446. He sent me to the river with a Vector 5/6 and it took virtually no effort to go right past 100' with a simple single spey. This could set the bar for the light and long summer steelhead sticks. (that is to say......this could get expensive)

Met Tom Dorsey (one of the Thomas's in Thomas & Thomas) this morning and what a gem of a guy. He actually took the time to give me about a 40 minute play by play of how Tom Dorsey makes a bamboo rod! All the details starting from the chunk of cane to the rods sitting on the rack! Oh my, this is not a pastime those with a short attention span.

On that note, Thomas and Thomas is back!!! The rods are once again BLUE, just as it should be, and the reel seats are big enough to hold any reel. Will be casting some of the newer models tomorrow. Can't wait.

What were your highlights for the day? Inquiring minds want to know.

CT

 

[SpeySpaz]

Best part for me yesterday was people. Awesome people. Bob Meiser and a whole gang of lovable ruffians buoyed my spirits up and stuffed my belly ! A whole rack o next-Gen Meisers to run through. OMG, there goes the grocery money!! LOL The new MKS are insane.

Gene Oswald freely gave me at least an hour of his time. I have a dip in my sweep that tested his patience:hihi: We started working through a veeeeery impressive rack of Bruce and Walkers, rods that challenge you to hit them harder. No, harder. Oh yeah? harder. Gene, the Beastmaster. Standing next to Gene when he really smacks a cast is crazy, man, it's like standing next to a rattlesnake striking. Humbling.

Poppy and his relaxed outlook and kind presence. Tyler and Sandy, quiet, intense, committed to the fish. Mark and Patty, how do you manage to be kind and helpful nonstop?

You know, the rods, the lines, and hawking the next greatest thing (and I love that too) are all awesome, but Spey Clave is fantastic due to fantastic people.

I hopped out of my truck after a long drive feeling pretty crappy, and just fell into the arms of the brothers and sisters of our community. I had a symptom flare and had to bail early, but what a memorable time. Burned into my brain.

 

[fredaevans]

Long time back Bob Larsell and I dreamed this up.

Was going to do this on the Rouge River, but too far, too few people. Called Mark and 'Game On' at Oxbow. Think there were about 50'ish people the first year. Last time I was able to make the 300+ mile drive (I'll be 73 in a few days) the place was packed. Old friends, even just via the Internet: Hugs, strong Hugs.

Been a few years that I could make that drive. Sit, talk. Another bit of Single Malt. 'Fur Face' sticking out the back window as we went through the Gate: Park People called my old Dog a 'Service Dog.'

fae

 

[MaeWest]

I enjoyed the diversity of the presenters - highly skilled individuals who have put their personal stamp on techniques and approaches to the sport, and so willing to share. Thanks to all.

 

[DH Drifter]

Rogue Builders

I tried the 1446 ACR and thought it was awesome. I'm not sure I would need it but it cast a mile and was so light in the hand.

I also tried Meiser's new 1196S rod. It cast very smoothly and might be just the ticket for my summer rod and has skaters written all over it.

Had a great time with great folks.

DH

 

[Speynube]

Great people

I had a great time visiting some good people in the morning. Since I was not able to get into class Friday afternoon, there was time to look around at everything the great vendors had to offer.
Then I started talking to Doug Easter at the T&T booth, he is a wealth of knowledge and I could listen to his stories all day. The next thing I new two hours or more had passed.
It's the best event around, to bad we can only attend once a year.

Thanks to "ALL" who make it happen,
speynube

 

[speyforsteel]

Some rods I liked, burkie 6126, sage 8119 method, pieroway 13'8" X, and last but definitely not least LTS across 15 10/11/12.
The LTS was a cannon:Eyecrazy:

 

[OkieDokie]

A great time with wonderful people. Thank you to all of the vendors, sponsors, and speakers. Many questions were answered, some line needs solved, and there are a couple serious threats to my present credit rating. Great also to see so many friends that one typically encounters only on the rivers.

Wonderful, and I'll be back,

 

[Back Eddy]

My Two Cents

Was an excellent gathering with a ton of gear that was not being pushed down your throat, I had the feeling that sales are not really welcomed directly which is ok however managed to still drop a pile on a custom rod and reel, Thanks Gary and Tim :smokin:

Super informative and helped me realize I do belong to this fraternity all be it there are obviously a few arsses among us, but so many good people you do not even notice them.

Great time had by all and thanks for all I met who made me feel so welcome,

More on my week's adventure later collecting my thoughts'

a few pics

Saturday Full Swing



Grub was great



Dennis working his magic, my caddis patterns have improved a million percent Thanks Dennis



Some real masters out there




One of the most down to earth people I have ever met, thanks for being patient on my order Gary

 

[Jabrowning24]

Mercury, it really was a treat having you there! I can't wait for the next trip my friend! I sure dig your signature line now!! Hahahahahah it was a riot!

For me I could really care less about the latest and greatest and was really about meeting so many great people in person that I know so well through the internet AND spending the weekend at the fly fishing collaborative booth! Oh and the CANE! Playing with this modern cane was absolutely amazing and I am SOLD!!

There is too many people I was able to meet but I must say how great it was to finally meet Adrian and have a beverage with Wayne (mercury) these are two fellas I have spoken with more times than I can count and it was a pleasure to spend some time with them. Also a big shout to Zilliox for driving the entire time as I was in no state to from the Saturday night shenanigans!

 

[Jabrowning24]

Figured I should share at least one photo... the amazing work from the hands of the magician

 

[jspey]

First time at the clave and not the last!!

WOW!!!! That would be my first reaction, I heard that this was the woodstock of all things spey and it's the truth. It made the drive from Montana totally worth it and more. It was nice to catch up with old friends and meet new ones in the process. Some of the highlights for me were meeting the guys at Thomas and Thomas especially Neville. What a humble and down to earth guy, it's nice to know that he's running the T&T show. Plus their rods kick ass my favorites out of the clave came from T&T, the 13' 7wt and the 14" 9wt where absolute canons. I also tried the Loomis NRX 12' 6wt that was a sweet rod to cast and the Burkie 12'6" 6wt (i think) another nice rod. Also the guys at Beulah let me try out a 510 Aero head on my winston B2X that blew the doors of it (I now have a new line for that rod). It was nice talking to Gene about the Bruce and Walker rods and competing in spey casting, I wish we could have made it out on the river to throw a few cast with him. I guess the favorite part of all was all the people I got to meet during the clave, Craig from lewiston was a huge help with casting and technique and all things spey fishing regarding the clearwater. I also enjoyed the presentations on the water and in the tent, I wish i could have been in two places at once. Looking forward to next years clave. Thanks again to Welches fly shop and all the sponsors for putting on and running such a great event.

 

[Cowboy Tom]

Well, just got back about an hour ago and had plenty of time to recount the weekends events. I have to agree with the above, Neville from T&T is a gem of a guy as is Tom Dorsey. Listening to Tom and Capt. Bob go back and forth with jokes was endlessly entertaining. Good to see T&T there in force. Loved the 1338 XD and a couple of others of which I vowed not to speak.......that is until I own one.

This was the first time I'd met Capt. Bob and enjoyed his company immensely. Turns out he makes a classic style reel "The beauty and the beast", serpentine handle and all, that is deadly gorgeous. This thing can hold it's head high next to a loop classic, etc. at half the cost. Might need one of these as well.

Tried Meisers MKS 14' 6/7 with a Vector 8/9 and it was barking the reel at over 100'.

Watched a Josh (met him Sat) take a Loomis 15' 8/9 greased liner with an old SA XLT 7 and throw probably 100 consecutive single speys past the backing knot. This was the first time I've ever tried one and loved it.

Beulah Onyx 14' 8wt struck me as on the light side of an 8 but when I put the right line on it the real soul came out and it threw gorgeous, smooth loops. Sweet stick.

Can't wait till next year........and Poppy's clave in September.

CT