Mariner

Last year we moved to a new state and I packed all my tying materials carefully in shrink-wrapped boxes. I waited to unpack them for several months and then when I did, discovered some sort of weevil—>moth was infesting almost all my necks, and I’ve accumulated a goodly supply. I noticed it when about 20 moths suddenly appeared after tying up one fly. It was easy to see that they originated in some cheap dyed necks I got just before we left from a no-name vendor at a time when I stored all my necks in a communal bin. Pretty much figuring I was going to end up having to pitch the entire crawling, creepy mess, I did a bit of last-gasp internet searching and saw many recovery schemes - some of them pretty wacky - but finally came across a YouTube video by an industry guy. He showed how to make a solution of laundry soap and borax, then soak for some period of time, and then rinse and dry. With many of the necks more expensive than a Fixter plug I decide to go through the process. I cleaned all 30 or so of them and can attest that the water was pretty congested with dead bugs in all stages of life (grim!), but I just kept rinsing gently until there was nothing left to find in close inspection. Then I laid them out all over the home on flat cardboard. They looked like drowned cats for a day or so, but after a few days, amazingly recovered their shape and other than a few chewed spots were just fine. I then further followed the guys advice and placed the skin side of each neck against a piece of poster board cut to fit inside a one or occasionally two gallon ziplock. They lay down nice and flat and are easy to access. I’ve been tying now for a couple of months and have had zero bugs. The borax is the key ingredient for the job, but you definitely have to be careful in your washing and handling.

Actually, I put up a request for permission to Surf Hunter a couple days before getting around to posting the message. I didn’t have anyone in mind other than somebody with size 13 feet and the desire to tinker with the leak.

OK - they are yours Moocks. I’ll PM you.

I’m posting this with permission from the forum Moderator. Short story: I just bought a new set of bootfoot waders and although my older pair has a leak in the left leg, they are basically in great shape, and if anybody here out on the West Coast wants them they are welcome to take them. I’ve fixed the leak a few times and it has lasted some months of use. I hate to just pitch 'em, as they are otherwise in great shape and top quality Gore-Tex. XL, size 13 boot Long story: Some years back I got a pair of Simms Gore-Tex boot foot waders. The boot failed at some point, and Simms stepped up and built me a brand new set at no charge. I used them and got great service for a few seasons as strictly a beach wader ( using a different set with hard soled booties for rock hopping), but the felt sole finally wore out as felt soles do, and and the end of a fall season I decided to send them to an outfit that claimed to specialize in putting vibram lug soles onto felt soled bootfoot waders. When they came back, it was obvious that they had been pretty hard on the point where the legs meet the boots, but I didn’t go fishing again until Spring, at which point I discovered that they now had a leak at the joint of the left boot and the leg material. I was irritated but the firm wouldn’t admit any fault and said the leak must have been there when they received them. I finally worked up a repair along that inside seam, prepping with alcohol, letting dry, applying Flex Seal Tape and then covering that with some sail repair material so that it wouldn’t catch on the leg. That let me stay dry through last season. Now the leak has returned and I finally decided to bite the bullet and get a new pair of breathable bootfoot waders. I think that if I were motivated I could repeat the repair process using the liquid flex seal instead of the tape, and again using the dacron sail repair tape over the top, but the thrill is gone and I just want to go fishing. If anyone want to take them and work up a repair using my ideas or something even better, they are welcome to have them. Other than that leaky spot, they are really great. - Stu

I went out yesterday - saw vast clouds of sand crabs in spots. 6 miles and lots of great rips and troughs, but just 1 fish, waaaay out. If I'd read this thread in time I maybe would have picked up a box of mashed potatoes on the way home.

Hi Jim: Unfortunately, the business closed down rather suddenly in October 2018 due to health issues of the owner. I do like the reels - they are easy to break down and maintain, and very strong, but as they are no longer made, are difficult to come across. At this point, I want to try and acquire additional reels so that I can have a quiver of rods with different line-weights ready to go, as well as providing a quick-swap option if a problem does happen to crop up in the middle of a fishing session.

Great post - and timely with the daylight savings change about to hit. The blobs tip is huge - I've always just sort of soldiered along going by the feel of the weight of the line, which has proven to be wildly inaccurate at times. I too wear clear polycarbonate shooting glasses and use barbless hooks, and use the roll-cast to set up the backcast. Also, maybe it just goes without saying, but when I'm single-handing I use an elliptical cast whenever practical.

Dig into the dusty shelves in your closets! I'm out here on the West Coast, looking for a Sea Level Tempest III fly reel in reasonable condition. If it has additional spools that would be great too.

After a fair struggle to be landed on a light-tackle setup this fish seemed content to sit there calmly while I fumbled for my pliers, so I decided to take my time and snap a few shots. Then he went completely ballistic when it was time for a release.

I have to agree with pokie. There is plenty of good availability out there for used rods. It helps to know what the flex characteristics you want and then find a rod that can match that. If you're going to be mostly nymphing and tossing streamers, a faster rod is likely more desirable - it's doable but harder than it should be to do those things with a rod better suited for dry flies, as is the reverse. For years I've been reading the "Shoot Out" reviews from George Anderson's fly shop, and found them to be accurate in their detailed evaluations of the rods.

Thanks - that's perfect - I'll take it for your price of $125 + shipping. Let me know how you want me to pay, and guess I should PM you my info at this point?? Sorry to be a bit of a newb, but it's my first time with WTB.

Thanks for the photos xp800! It looks totally fine though I do notice what appears to be a dent in the top of stripping guide or maybe its just the camera angle?? As long as the inner ring is solid that's certainly no problem. What would you like for it? I'm out on the West Coast, BTW...

Great - thanks for the heads-up.

Hey Guys. I'm looking for a used Temple Fork TiCr X 8wt.

Great post - thanks for sharing! After a forced break from activities I am headed to the beach right now for the first time this year, just itching to try out the flies I tied last winter. You definitely have me inspired!!