Harry,

Funny and sad at the same time; you really had ME hooked on the build up. I had something similar happen with a new rod that I had just finished many years ago. I attached the leader to the fly line with one of those barbed, push-in eyelets. Hooked a high tree on my first backcast and the eyelet pulled out leaving my only leader high in the tree. Nothing to do but go home.

Just remember it could have been worse. Your vise could have arrived with a missing part or jaws that would close tightly enough to hold your fly. Happy Birthdat, anyway! 8T

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You had better learn to be a happy camper. You only get one try at this campground and it's a real short camping season.