Just wanted to let all of you know I have retired completely.
Conranch Hackle no longer exists.
The new Owner of my birds is Lars Benson of Clearwater Hackle.
I understand that he will join FAOL as a New Sponsor soon.
208-512-1705 larsbenson@hotmail.com http://www.clearwaterhackle.com/
He does have the birds all set up at his place and has undergone one successful period
of breeding. He does have inventory at this time. I am sure you will have the same high quality
dry fly and wet fly quality hackle that you have had from Conranch for the past 15 years.
I am also positive that you will also get the same top notch customer service.
His inventory of hackle may be a bit limited at this time but know he has a good offering of JV hens, and some very good Dry Fly stock. His new web site will be up and running shortly.
He is a New Member of FAOL. Please give him the same welcome and support that you all have given Liz & I over the years.
I have been retained as a consultant so know the same top quality hackle will continue.
Definately sorry to hear you no longer will be running Conranch but, be assured I understand about retirement. Congratulations and may you have plenty of time on the water as well as some quality time with the mrs.
I hope you enjoy your retirement. Thanks for providing a great product over the years and for all the work you do here to keep this site so successful.
Denny;
Still using some JV hens I got from you a few years ago. Makes great soft hackle. One is a color I never saw anywhere else.
Thanks and good luck
Peter
I managed to reach the golden age of 65, back in 1998. Had the opportunity to get my flock of genetic birds a year before. I had been involved with this flock for a very long time so was not new to what was involved.
I have enjoyed breeding these beautiful birds and if it had not been for liz and these past 6 years, Kenny. I would not have been able to handle it. I have had the wonderful opportunity to get to travel and fish places that I would never have been able to, because of the birds.
I came on board FAOL as a Sponsor but realized I wanted to be a part of the “People” side of Fly Fishing, more than Sponsor. I took on the chores of Chat room Host and sat in the chair for 12 years on Sunday night, 6 to 8 Pacific.
I have enjoyed all of it, even doing chores when it got down to -0 and had to thaw out frozen water. Fish Ins way too many to count.
For me it has not been just the birds but the people. Friends, not just customers is what is precious to me.
As I turn over a new page in my life I am enjoying more overnight outings. Yes, I do miss the birds at times but am enjoying a FULL retirement.
As many of you know I am first a trout bum, tier, rod maker, grouchy ole man. I started both fly fishing and tying at the age of 10. I am still learning and if I ever get it all figured out I will quit.
I want to thank all of you for the support you have given us over the years.
I did a lot of investigation and put a lot of thought into allowing the birds to go to into new hands.
Lars & his wife Sarah along with four Super Children (who are very precious to me) are the new Owners. They live in the outback of Idaho. Hopefully all of you will give them the support You have given me. Lars is continuing using my feed formula which is directly responsible for the high barb count I have reached. Feed prices (grain) continue to rise.
Please support Clearwater Hackle.
Denny, I hope that you will still post and hang out here. I have enjoyed using your hackle and hope to continue to enjoy using hackle from your line of birds. I hope that you get to enjoy yourself and do a lot of fishing, tying, and enjoying life.
Denny, I hope you have a long and happy retirement. I’m afraid if I quit acting like I’m working they will bury me. I hope you are able to do the things being a chicken wrangler kept you from doing. Raising any kind of animals is very demanding, dumb animals want to be fed regularly among other things. Congratulations and have fun!!
Thank you for providing us fly tyers an excellent product at a very fair price for so many years. Your customer service was the best! Enjoy retirement and your additionl time on the water and whatever adventures you wish to pursue. I look forward to supporting Lars and Clearwater Hackle with their new venture.
Denny, good for you…and thanks for every thing. You helped me immensely when I first started motorized furling.
I have been retired for some time now and remember when I first did people would ask me “What do you do with your time?” and I would say to them " You know when I get up in the morning I realize there is nothing I have to do …and then by the end of the day I realize I only got it half done."
