Hi, FAOL-ers!
Haven’t visited here in 4 years, but looking thru many of the posts, it feels like I’m back home again. So many familiar names still active here!
I’ve been away from flyfishing all this time due to family illnesses and several orthopedic surgeries on my knees, feet…my “knee-monia” got worse and so I got a new left knee. For a couple years wading has been quite difficult for me, so I stayed outa the water. Just when I was ready to get back into it, I broke my left foot. Yup, the left one!..well, there goes another year to healing & rehab. But I did manage to get out in north-central PA a couple of times this year, so that’s progress!
Recently my 40-year long, very bestest fishing buddy had to hang up his boots due to failing health and advancing dementia. It’s a sad time for both him and me. He’s asked me to sell his rods and several rod blanks, so I 've been spending quite a bit of time online. During the course of trying to find out what this rod and that blank are, and what they’re reasonably worth, a light came on - - that maybe you folks could assist.
My immediate need is to identify several glass and graphite blanks that he has; the markings / ID’s for which I’m just not familiar. Soooo, my question is: where should I post some pics on FAOL with my request to you for some assistance on identification and reasonable, fair value?
Thank you in advance tight lines,
Paul
Nice that you have returned. I too had been away for a long while.
I have noticed that the boards are not as active as they once were
many of the old regulars are still here and listening in.
I cant help with your request , but I would bet you will get a direction
soon , Classic rod form is another that specializes in rods that may help.
FAOL is a favorite and I am very grateful it is still around.
Be safe and good luck.
Paul, how great to see your name on board again!! Welcome home!
Had hoped that the fiberglass board was still up, but they seem to have gone the way of so many of our old sites. Probably wouldn’t hurt to list/show some of them here on FAOL! Someone may recognize some of the old markings.
Again, so good to have you home!
May have spoken in haste … try http://fiberglassflyrodders.com/forum/index.php for the glass rods.
Hi Betty !!!
Hi, Steve!!! I always enjoyed your writings. Am currently using the Classic Rod Forum too. And on a couple suggestions, I’m going to ask for I.D. help on the Fiberglass forum, too. Yep, Betty - it’s still out there. 
This really does feel like home…
Paul
I just now made a couple posts with pics, pertaining to the rod blanks I mentioned…the posts are on the Rod Building board. P
Great pictures. I’ve asked someone I know to look at them, and make suggestions for identification.
Mudhole sells Lamiglass blanks … Maybe someone there would have ideas on the first two?
Betty, as usual…yer THE BEST!!!
Thank you. I’d forgotten about Mudhole.
Hi Paul. Good to see you. Jim
Hey Jim ! Good to hear from ya!!!
I hear you Jim … I just showed up myself today after a loooong time:)
Hi, Jim !!!
I have been gone a long time as well. I lost my wife a couple of years ago and I guess it kinda knocked the starch out of me. I haven’t been moping, but neither have I had ambition to maintain several hobbies and interests that kept me occupied in the past. FAOL was a casualty of my lethargy. This is the first year of my life since I was fourteen, that I haven’t bought a fishing license, and I’m 75 now. I haven’t tied a fly in a couple of years, and I fear I’ve lost dexterity as well as knowhow. I just covered up the boat for the winter that I bought last summer. I haven’t had it out since I bought it. I’ve determined that the quote from the “Shawshank Redemption” movie would be applicable to my case. “Get busy livin’, or get busy dyin’”. Maybe I can renew some old acquaintances here. Betty probably doesn’t remember me, and I haven’t had a chance to look around yet, but I will.
Lew, I understand your lethargy, dealing with change is so hard when you’re our age. Why don’t you try tying some “mop flies”? They’re so easy and effective and you can have fun collecting the materials.
The lethargy was eatin’ me up too, Lew…a combination of a symptom of depression and a symptom of low testosterone. Talked to medical folks, got fixed up, and now I’m much more energetic. But it all started in a very similar way for me, Lew.
You could summon up some of that defiance you surely have, and stare down that lethargy thing…see what your doctor says.
LEW!!! Of course I remember you!!! I’m thrilled to see you here again!! The house is starting to get some lights on again!
It is hard when life throws a challenge at us that absolutely takes the wind out of our sails. Hard to get one foot in front of the other, and keep moving. We’re all here to help in that movement, most of us having been there ourselves.
After not having tied flies for almost four years, the first ones I tied looked pretty scraggily … but the fish didn’t care! Give it a whirl!
It’s so good to have you home!
Warm fuzzies going on here! Thanks for the replies. I’ve seen a few things on mop flies, but haven’t pursued them. I’ll give it a look. I think you’re spot on PRM. I don’t feel depressed, but I know that it doesn’t necessesarily manifest that way. Don’t think I’ve had a hormone in years. I’ll ask next time in. Betty, I’ve loved lurking over your shoulder for a long time. How did your battle with the big C turn out? Hope you’re still going strong! I’ve got cabin fever, and it isn’t even winter, so I’m going to rely on the gang here for support and distraction. I joined a singles choir several months ago, and we’re working on about a dozen songs for our Christmas concert, so thats been keeping me busy on Sunday evenings. Need more physical activity.
The house is starting to get some lights on again!
Well put Betty
Good to hear from you Lew
This site is a comfort zone…
Be safe all.
LEW & PRM, hard to believe I joined this forum almost 12 years ago? Been through some major changes myself, I am looking forward to getting back to square one with some of the good parts of life. Start tying flies again, Lew its a good way to pass the time when its cold outside. Plan a trip, time to enjoy the simple things.