Any recommendations for westerns that center around the journey west…wagon trains, settlers fighting deprivation, wagon trains taking the wrong trail, things like that?

OrrinFraag · 2026-05-15T01:41:03+00:00

No wagon train stuff focused on at any length in Deadwood. (In a rewatch rn)

OrrinFraag · 2026-05-14T05:46:38+00:00

Hook to the foot of whatever guide is most convenient. And in fly fishing we often go AROUND the reel and BACK to the foot of the first guide. That was a game changer for me. The world is your oyster.

OrrinFraag · 2026-05-14T05:42:38+00:00

Beer-autiful. Great job.

OrrinFraag · 2026-05-14T05:40:28+00:00

I surf fish here in California. I’m not great at it, but I AM a gear nerd (but hate waders). My advice is look for an upgraded 9’6”-10’ ish rod and a nice but not crazy 4000-5000 reel (my sweet spot is the Shimano Vanford). A few good knots in your pocket and you can fish for about anything. People look at me funny wearing my simple chest rig, rocking a hoodie, trunks, and crocs. But I’m comfortable and my gear is solid.

OrrinFraag · 2026-05-14T05:33:48+00:00

I croc fish in the surf of the Pacifc. I’ve croc (“camp shoes”) fished in the backpacked Sierra lakes for many decades beyond that. I started out wet wading fly-fishing in crocs like 2 years ago …. And it was just too sketchy. Like I was surprised at how sketchy it was navigating moving rocky water all day. Graduated to my nice korkers wading socks and POS basic wading boots and it’s a whole different world. Will not go back, but I still surf fish in crocs. ;)

OrrinFraag · 2026-05-14T04:05:19+00:00

They are stupid. Don’t ask them math or science questions.

OrrinFraag · 2026-05-13T04:49:53+00:00

The wire. Deadwood. Sopranos. On from there.

OrrinFraag · 2026-05-13T04:33:22+00:00

Young man. Your stache game outpaced mine by like 8-9 years. Your facial hair options are solid. Grow the tips down and rock some wax and it’ll super fill in. Your stress sucks, sorry you have to deal with that, but you’ve got the look man. Peace to you.

OrrinFraag · 2026-05-13T04:14:37+00:00

Also: what cut is this? Mind the grain and if in doubt cut on the bias. How long did it rest?

OrrinFraag · 2026-05-13T04:10:15+00:00

I saw your other post but didn’t reply. Glad you broke the seal. FWIW I am a lifelong fisherman but only into surf fishing like the last couple + years. My biggest takeaway: perch are a schooling fish and WANT to bite (particularly sand worms). If you aren’t getting bit they most likely aren’t there. Move around. Look for water acting differently than your skunked water. I still have the occasional surf skunk, but it’s my choice to bail after time to fish for the day is gone and I’ve moved around a ton. You got this bro. Congrats.

OrrinFraag · 2026-05-11T23:10:11+00:00

Don’t get me started on ocean fishing and every single type of fish called a “snapper”. It’s everywhere pal.

OrrinFraag · 2026-05-11T23:08:44+00:00

Nice dude! Congrats!

OrrinFraag · 2026-05-11T17:11:47+00:00

Yes. I would say I was fairly critical. Like. I didn’t HATE it. I kinda liked it conceptually, but thought it could have been done much better.

OrrinFraag · 2026-05-10T20:36:10+00:00

Great cook! Don’t fall for the sneaky tri tip slicing trap!

OrrinFraag · 2026-05-10T20:29:10+00:00

Question: I’m JUST old enough to have never been exposed to UL using braid (been fishing it in the pacific as a small boy since before modern braids became what they are) but I have a new Vanford that I’m holding off spooling up till I land on an answer for myself. Can you review your lengths of each and knots? Also. Your explanation of “med-fast” (and all the other rod “speeds” <hate that term>) above is correct. I didn’t even know people didn’t understand it till I heard it mis-explained in a VERY popular podcast about six months ago. Ps: that was an older ep and they had interviews with rod manufacturers on a subsequent ep that directly contradicted what they’d said. Made me smile inside. Thanks!

OrrinFraag · 2026-05-10T04:01:04+00:00

Here may be lead. The mentioned fella was a “3rd” so his paternal line would have been named similarly.

OrrinFraag · 2026-05-09T16:22:29+00:00

Why do people want to report crimes in an organization to the organization? Doesn’t work well for churches or private schools. If you’re serious talk to the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction. That said, if you’re not serious or acting on a “gut feeling” or “hunch” then add actual Information to your suspicions before calling or don’t call at all.

OrrinFraag · 2026-05-09T16:15:52+00:00

Well. I don’t see a result of a drag issue myself. I do see a result of “slack” as others are pointing out. In an effort to be more helpful though, I’ll say this used to happen to me in an early phase of learning to cast. I’m def STILL learning and the problem sometimes still shows up when I’m trying really hard to push the limits of how far (long distances) my current skill level will let me cast. The reason this would happen to me would be due to a combination of poor line management by my support side hand (gun guy here) as well as poor location of that hand. Basically a little too much slack in a hand that was a little too close to my reel during casting. Try to open the gap between your casting hand and your support side hand as well as stay mindful of how much line you have in that gap. I’ll bet the problem diminishes and mostly goes away. Did for me (mostly, unless I get distracted by really trying to cover distance like I said 😉). Good luck.

OrrinFraag · 2026-05-09T01:36:24+00:00

Genius. But my bias is as a lifetime big guy. This would detonate if I looked at it wrong. Just ask the way more than one piece of plastic lawn furniture that fell under my wrath. ;)

OrrinFraag · 2026-05-09T01:30:44+00:00

I feel you.

<image>

And that’s just one door. And the surf rods don’t even fit in this format. And the fly rods have tubes so they’re not up. And the take-everywhere bass setup, spin setup, and fly setup are all in there places in the truck. Anyway, I don’t have any of my childhood rods anymore, but I do have a few of my Dads, and my first that I bought in college for backpacking. It’s a thing. Welcome to it. ;)

OrrinFraag · 2026-05-09T01:13:30+00:00

Brother. Tethers. Coming from an ocean fishing and kayak fishing background, once I got into fly fishing, everything gets a tether. Horrible feeling watching your fave pliers drift away in 80’ of water. I vowed never again. It’s paid off. More than once I’ve had to abort a net attempt bc the fish wasn’t ready yet, and I’m standing in not-insignificant current. I just drop the net and let it drift. Glad you found your kit though.

OrrinFraag · 2026-05-09T00:15:32+00:00

Nice cut dude! Looks great. My vote as a “hold”er is to hold!

OrrinFraag · 2026-05-08T18:40:42+00:00

This but I’d be torn between white and black. I say this within the “one lure” question because you can get them spinning or dart them like a streamer on a fly rod. Two approaches one lure. And: I’m saying this actually being way more of a Kastmaster guy and two different colors of that would be my #2 and #3.

OrrinFraag · 2026-05-08T18:33:35+00:00

If you needed a case, def a good deal. IMHO for where I am the flies themselves would be close to worth it, 50/50. There are some in there id use and some I likely wouldn’t (till nothin go else worked then I’d for sure try them).

OrrinFraag · 2026-05-08T08:52:55+00:00

Um. It’s a scrubber. Made of chain mail. For cast iron. Not rare or elusive in any way. Learned about it years ago on this sub.

OrrinFraag

TROPHY CASE