The Fly Fishing Show, Denver

[PYochim]

Do any of the forum members plan on attending this show? COVID (or lack of) permitting, I plan on driving down Friday afternoon. I'll leave as soon as a friend gets done with work, attending the show Saturday and coming back Sunday.

[ted patlen]

I'll be there...stop by my table (tying). Why am I tying in Denver? Our son lives in Denver, so we do a two for one

[PYochim]

Ted, I’ll stop by. I’m also looking forward to meeting Jeff Hatton (Gnome) and pulling his chain.

[Hellmtflies]

I'm gonna pass again this year. Mostly due to the threat of Covid. I don't care to be around a ton of folks in closed in area.

[PYochim]

I attended the show today. There was a pretty good turnout. A lot of the exhibitors were from Colorado. Among the exhibitors was fly rod historian Jeff Hatton and the GTRS. Jeff is a wealth of knowledge and was kind enough to take me on a piece by piece tour of the exhibit he has assembled and researched. A wonderful experience.

Hats off and thank you to Jeff for his tireless pursuit in documenting and preserving the history of the sport we enjoy.

[PYochim]

Is anyone going this year? Weather permitting I plan on driving to Denver Friday, staying overnight and hitting the show Saturday. Hopefully it will be back to a full agenda.

I’m looking forward to visiting with our favorite Gnome.

[ted patlen]

Yep, there again.

[Arubey]

I will be there. Please stop by my booth and say hi. I'm looking forward to connecting a face with some (user) names.

cheers,
Andy

[PYochim]

Andy and Ted, see you there.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

You can see the Gnomes Traveling Rod Show in person!

At the Denver Show



Fascinating to see SO MANY historical rods in one place



Stop by and say Hello to Jeff

[Brian K. Shaffer]

Looking forward to seeing everyone - I am quite thankful for the couch.
Please say Hello and mention the forum if we meet.
Anyone else heading to the show ?

[ted patlen]

Flying out tomorrow afternoon. Looking forward to having fun tying and talking, although it is often taking more than tying. Look for my subdued shirts.

[PYochim]

Weather permitting I will be there Saturday. I’ll be the guy in the faded blue jeans.

[retro-1]

Plan to be there Saturday, wearing a tan suade shirt
with a large Brook Trout embroidery on the back.
Grab me & say Hi. Mike

[PYochim]

It was a good show and the weather was good for the drive back. I enjoyed visiting with Andy Rubey and his wife. Andy makes a very nice rod.

It would not have been a show without Jeff Hatton. He had a rod that he called “Snake Rod”that was a real beauty. The wooden grip gave the appearance of a snake wrapped around the butt of the rod.

[AlexP]

It would not have been a show without Jeff Hatton. He had a rod that he called “Snake Rod”that was a real beauty. The wooden grip gave the appearance of a snake wrapped around the butt of the rod.

This sounds amazing. I love wood grips. Hopefully somebody could post a photo of the rod.

Thanks and Tight Lines

[Brian K. Shaffer]

Jeff brought the show excitement!

[Tom Smithwick]

AlexP, here you go:










There are actually two snakes wrapped around the handle. One head ends up on top, the other directly underneath. The forked tongues double as hook keepers. The reel rings are actually little snakes, and there is another inlaid into the butt cap, which can't be seen in the photos. Note that the rod is a mortised 5 strip, possibly the only one ever made? Fiberglass ferrules as well. I have not handled it, but the grip is apparently extremely comfortable, as long as you are not afraid of snakes, I guess.
Jeff refers to rods like this as part of a Faberge inspired series of creative rod designs. I remain astonished by the creativity indeed, coupled with a continuing desire to make rods that cast extremely well.

[Tom Smithwick]

OH, I should have mentioned that the handle is carved from snakewood:)

[AlexP]

Thanks a lot for the photos and explanation Tom!

Amazing rod.

Tight Lines