Summertime Reading — Limestone Legends

Reel seats

I got hold of some nice reel seats for my current and future rod-building projects. Pictured on the left are Struble D-2 and D-8 models, with blued and bright nickel silver hardware. My original plan was to bronze-tone the bright D-8, using the bronzing solution, but I decided to use it as is, for my half-finished McFarland blank.

I have also recently made this all cork down-locking seat, pictured on the top. I used some leftover parts, including the stainless steel ring, as well as the combination of Copano burl cork and the regular cork. It will probably be used in the upcoming months, perhaps for some short, light line glass rod.

Reel Seats, Streamer Flies

I have just received a couple of reel seats which will be used on my new glass rods. The hardware is modeled after Walton Powell seats, with an up-lock design and exposed grip slot. The inserts are satin finished curly walnut and buckeye burl. They will go nicely with honey-yellow and brown glass blanks.

We got more snow over the weekend in MN, so I tied some more streamers... The weather was perfect for fly tying. Pictured below are the Royal Coachman with the Spey twist and the Hollow Fly on the top of my old "Striper Killer" hip flask.