This popped up in my Facebook memories today. Apparently, 13 year’s ago I was forced to put one of my favorite sayings into action: If it looks stupid, but it works, then it isn’t stupid. And yes, it worked for the rest of that day.
This would’ve been around the time I was 21-ish. I drove an old beat up Ford Ranger and this pole pretty much stayed in the bed all the time.
I would regularly stop by the lake, creek or pond on my way home from work. And I should note that this was a older, and lesser quality pole to begin with. I don’t remember the make / model. But probably a cheap Zebco or Shakespeare.
I believe this happened at Greenbo. Got there, got set up, ready to cast and relax in my lawn chair after work for a while. Then BOOM. First cast and the rod snaps.
Naturally, this was the only rod with me at the moment. I had a few options. 1. Call it quits. Just pack up and go home for the evening. I wasn’t terribly upset – after all it WAS a cheap rod. But that’s not me. I see a problem and I don’t like to just give up. 2. I could go home and get another rod. But that meant another 30-45 minutes before I’d be back on the water.
I went with option 3. Look for a fix. So I tucked the broken tip-end into the hollow of the broken reel-end. Found some sturdy, straight-ish sticks and made a splint using some monofilament.
Next thing ya know, I was casting away like nothing had ever happened. Much to my amazement, it held up and I was able to fish the rest of the evening.
I still keep a rod and reel in my truck about 90% of the time… just incase there’s a good spot I just can’t pass up, or feel the need to stop and cast a few for my sanity’s sake. But these days, I store it in the cab, and not the bed.
