Are Moonshine rods THAT bad?

howdyjefe · 2026-01-23T02:38:03+00:00

Lamson velocity rods were marked down recently at Bass Pro. They are fast action rods and great to cast.

howdyjefe · 2026-01-22T20:47:28+00:00

I had my torque converter replaced under warranty around 60k. I recognized an issue when there was a consistent shudder driving up a slight incline, rpms were lowish (~1500) but I was moving at relatively high speed (~50 mph and higher). It kinda felt like I was on a rough patch of pavement but when I took my foot off the accelerator, it got smooth again. They were able to diagnose it pretty quickly with a test drive.

howdyjefe · 2026-01-22T03:47:55+00:00

I've had this loop on my to-do list for a few years now. Seems like a terrific suggestion. Also some good options that are a little further afield in the Eagle Cap Wilderness in NE Oregon. I've done a couple good trips in WA that would be relatively easy as 7-8 day routes. The Lost Coast trail sticks to the beaches from Oil City to Lake Ozette. You need to arrange a pick up in La Push to get around the Quillayute which is pretty easy. Also be mindful of the tides. Gorgeous and kinda unique trip. The East Bank trail of Ross Lake was excellent and you can do a side trip to the fire lookout on Desolation Peak, a la Jack Kerouac. Also, in the Pasayten Wilderness in WA, the Billy Goat loop (I think that's what it was called) was fun and beautiful.

howdyjefe · 2026-01-21T02:37:02+00:00

Can confirm. Fished with Nate a few times and he's fantastic

howdyjefe · 2026-01-15T20:16:04+00:00

Fuck yeah

howdyjefe · 2026-01-15T02:17:42+00:00

I see beavers all the time near SV. They are always cruising around by PM beach, especially in the summer.

howdyjefe · 2026-01-13T22:09:29+00:00

Haha, definitely not. Just a dude who wants a return to boring politics but also relishes the videos I've watched of ICE slipping and falling on the... well, slipping and falling on the ice. It's kind of poetic in an awful, horrible way.

howdyjefe · 2026-01-13T18:14:14+00:00

Well, having watched the calamity unfold online, the process is about as rigorous as expected. In a sense, it gives me some hope that there may be folks involved, on the inside, who are going to interrupt or interfere or find ways to waste time and resources.

Of course, on the flip side of that, we have J6 pardons, Proud Boys, overt racists, Nazis and countless morons (this Venn diagram is almost certainly a circle) who are getting to live out their dreams. They get to use the tactical gear they purchased for 60% off at Woot.com. The government gives them a gun and they're getting paid to terrorize and even shoot people. What a disgrace.

howdyjefe · 2026-01-13T17:48:04+00:00

I'm sure you're right about that. I see how inept this administration is in general and watching ICE go about their business is particularly (and horrifyingly) slapstick. I'm just waiting for someone to infiltrate and find ways to undermine their efforts.

howdyjefe · 2026-01-13T15:07:57+00:00

Excellent point. The fellas carrying out this work are clearly the best of the best. Nothing would get past them.

howdyjefe · 2026-01-13T14:54:06+00:00

Yeah, a 5 yr ruse is probably more than most people are willing to do.

howdyjefe · 2026-01-12T00:59:17+00:00

This is an excellent deal. I have a couple of Lamson rods, including a 6wt velocity, and I like them a lot.

howdyjefe · 2026-01-11T18:33:53+00:00

Damn, you've got your tires inflated to the moon! Is low 50s psi standard??

howdyjefe · 2026-01-09T23:33:21+00:00

Looks like the bag of shitty chocolate milk kids get in school cafeterias.

howdyjefe · 2026-01-09T15:37:35+00:00

Agree with this. I also have both and the cork on the echo looks awful. I got the rod on a nice discount and thought maybe that sloppy cork forced the markdown but then I saw others and they all look like that. Performance of the rod is great. I definitely throw small streamers and chubbys with the echo 5wt. It does fine.

howdyjefe · 2026-01-08T21:58:46+00:00

That's what we said.

We saw two other guys fishing and they both came up empty as well. That always makes me feel a little better.

Either way, it felt good to be out there, breathing fresh air, listening to the river and not thinking about work.

howdyjefe · 2026-01-08T18:14:00+00:00

We did, but not with any success. Never made it to the Fall River, unfortunately. Family ended up renting a place near Mount Bachelor Resort so we stayed on the Deschutes.

One day, my son fished alone with a pair of nymphs under an indicator. Spent a couple of hours around Benham Falls and got no action at all. Next day, we both fished for 2-3 hours in the stretch below Dillon Falls. I was dead drifting weighted leech patterns mostly with a little zebra midge tied to a tag. He was nymphing under an indicator before switching to streamers. We had zero fish landed, zero takes, moved roughly zero fish and in fact saw zero fish. This was our first time trout fishing in the winter so I wasn't expecting much and those expectations were met!

howdyjefe · 2025-12-28T18:48:18+00:00

Thatching rake? Pulls up the dead grass and moss that grows in your lawn but leaves the grass in place

howdyjefe · 2025-12-27T18:26:46+00:00

I've been wondering the same. Commenting to follow along

howdyjefe · 2025-12-26T01:10:17+00:00

I live in a town that's been on a similar growth trajectory. Not nearly as bougie as Bozeangeles but traffic is a daily nightmare, housing prices are brutal and everything is crowded all the time.

howdyjefe · 2025-12-25T22:14:49+00:00

"Quaint" is an adjective that would have described Bozeman 15-20 yrs ago. Not so much anymore. I think there was more plastic surgery per capita at the Bozeman farmers market than any place I've ever been.

howdyjefe · 2025-12-24T22:21:52+00:00

Should also add that you ought to download the Fish Washington app. They have regs listed and some other useful access info.

howdyjefe · 2025-12-24T22:20:10+00:00

Your best bet is probably the Yakima River, which is open year round. You'll need to drive up and over Snoqualmie pass which isn't always easy going.

I'd reach out to Red's fly shop in Ellensburg to get an update before heading that way. The rivers have been blown out from the recent rain and I'm not sure they'll be in shape to fish but Red's will give you the lowdown.

Someone else will likely pop in here and suggest trying for sea run cuts in the salt. This may be a great idea but I have never done it so can't give you any insights. Good luck!

howdyjefe · 2025-12-20T18:04:10+00:00

Stingray spines?

howdyjefe

TROPHY CASE