Shine Like a Diamond

 Lush.

 Diamonds and Flies Sales Manager.

Tiemco 2499SP-BL #18. Raffia wing-case.

Was approached by this guy on the river selling diamonds and flies. He also had copies of Rihanna's new single for sale, at a very reasonable price. Very handy to have these guys on most rivers, especially around Christmas. As I didn't have my wallet on me, I managed to do some bartering and swapped a peanut brownie bar for 3 flies. 

Apparently they are covering most trout streams in N.Z. this year. Keep an eye out for these guys when you're fishing! Diamonds and flies - N.Z's number one river-side out-let.

Hints of Summer.

A Brownie.

 Naughty Sheep eyeing up my Peas.

 River Worn.

Take Flight.

Published by a Friend.

Watanabe's Novel

Some interesting titles

A newspaper review

City Side

An old friend of mine has published a book of short stories, some of which reflect elements of his life in New Zealand when he lived here for a couple of years. He recently sent me a copy.

Book - The Moonlight Legacy.

 George Fairweather Moonlight - Miner, Explorer, Proprietor.

Arch Barclay worked on this for many years. He said there was very little written about this man. From Gabrielle's Gully to Moonlight Creek to Murchison, George Fairweather Moonlight truly was a hardy pioneer.

This book sets out to explain one of New Zealand's real characters. A man who spent time in America and found his way to New Zealand. He was responsible for the discovery of some of the richest gold fields in New Zealand. He was known for being a resilient bush man and a man who wasn't afraid to stretch the truth a little. This has been well researched and contains many links to today. A great read.

A new rod! Surely you must be joking?

 The Genwair Confidence 9ft #5 - A great rod.

Bright Yellow - The fish don't mind.

I picked up this 9ft 4 piece off the internet for $60.00, it's quite possibly one of the best rods I've cast. To my surprise it is graphite as I was expecting it to be glass and even more surprising is its action. Only 2 false casts and a longish line races hungrily out. Very gentle presentation too. The bright colour reminds me of Kilwell N.Z.'s Robin Hood Rod from the 70's which was a fairly unusual aqua-blue colour. What's the catch? There isn't one... or is there?

The brand is Genwair from Wales. I used to work with a Welshman once,  he was usually well presented too.

Lindsay a response to your question is on the Steans article. Cheers.

Otherwise Fine.

 Now where's my indicator?

Spring has arrived. Let the battle begin!

Sandwiches and Stoneflies.

 Tasty.

Tasty.

Boil Up.

 A simple bath.

 Make sure your glue oozes out!

 Old school.

 It works well.

 Old kiln Kyushu Japan.

Ha!

Over the winter I've been playing around with net building. I have been using Oak and Red Beech. It's a good contrast. Now I have made a couple of complete nets, it's back to the start to design a new shape and frame for wrapping the timber around. The first time I used epoxy resin, it's bloody messy stuff and involves mixing two separate parts. That may sound simple, but for someone who catches every piece of greenery on the river bank when fly casting, a real challenge. I found Titebond III from the states and this is much easier to use. It's a single application, water resistant glue.

F. Steans & Coy LTD

Planning to take on a few lakes with the old man this summer. He still uses the first reel he ever bought back in the 1970's. Made by an E.J. Brown. They were sold under the name F. Steans and Coy LTD - Chch NZ. I also have seen them with the name "Stream Fly" as well. The early models have no markings on them.

By chance I was chatting to a guy in a second hand shop in Ch-Ch and he knew E.J. Brown. I was so surprised as this story had always interested me. Unfortunately Mr. Brown had passed away, but this guy had been given Mr. Browns reels and parts. After some discussion he agreed to let me buy (actually trade some goods) for one of his reels.

 Front and rear The F. Stean & Coy Ltd.

Debatable - The F. Stean & Coy's a "Perfect " copy.

Centre back purchased from the dealer.

I had been using one of Mr. Browns reels for many seasons, but have now retired them for safe keeping. I am not a collector by any means and don't chase gear, but I was lucky to get these reels.

Hand Made.

I have been threatening to make this for the last few years. I made the frame out of some old Douglas Fir. The print was enlarged for me by a photographer I met in Kyushu Japan in January. He has a nice studio and some quality equipment. After messing up 4 mats, I finally got one that looks a little like the pros. I used a Logan push cutter, ( the cut over-lap is very important) the back edge of the cutter base should sit on a line 5cm away from where you want the cut. If the cut doesn't overlap it's near impossible to hand-cut into the corner and there's no way you can recut it using the Logan. 

I mounted the print slightly higher than centre, but in hindsight would raise it even a little more next time. I have an interesting print for the next one I'll do and with my teach yourself photoshop interest, I'm looking forward to it.

Learning Photoshop

I have started using some of my photos to create some arty effects in photoshop. The cat actually did have a yellow and blue eye. I will turn my attention to some fishing scenes soon. I enjoyed making these.

Wood Work Project - Display Box.

 Draws made from eucalyptus.

 Beautiful Cherry grain.

 I wonder how old the fish grippers are, 50s, 60s?

On to the next project.

Made from an old Cherry tree that blew over 4 years ago, this small cabinet is 4th I've made. Picked up the black metal decorations from Japan. 

I have had these lures for a long time and have always wanted to display them. I placed cork in the back of the cabinet with thin strips of cherry to hang the lures off.  I used a box join which I did on my router table to hold the sides together, by making a jig which I saw on youtube. The wood passes vertically over the router blade and has to be clamped with each pass. If it isn't clamped it kicks out ruining the cut. 

It's probably not the best way to cut a box joint, but a good result for a beginner. 

Reflection

 Advantage?

 Smoko time.

 Too many likely shapes!

The reward.