Originally Posted by Todd Poer (Post 249678)

You had an automatic reel! Had to save up for that. Started about same age using a 9' 6 wt brown glass tubular rod from Western Auto and it came with
Western Auto Revelation click and pawl reel. All made in the US of A. I have cast some cheap 90 year old bamboo rods that were stiffer. Have caught literally thousands of blue gill and bass with that rig.

Used to fish lakes and ponds that had brushy overhangs. With that soft rod and a tapered leader you could make such a tight loop it was like rolling a red carpet under those low limbs and presenting a fly right on top of that fish's kitchen table. Catching a 5 lb largemouth bass with bream fly on a soft 6 wt is a real hoot and you learn that bow to the king maneuver real fast if you have any hope of landing that bass.

Only reason I wanted an automatic reel is that we fished from Jon boat most times and this was before fancy trolling motors. We would sit on front of boat and take paddle and scull in a figure 8 motion with left arm while casting with right arm working those banks. Automatics were great for taking out slack while setting hook.

BTW that is amazing he learned to double haul. Probably had no problem picking up on strip set instead of using rod lift, which is something that needs to be unlearned for most of us that started out in fresh water but also working the salt water.

Great story Mark, thanks for sharing.

BTW inlaws live in Louisiana and we fish the Lake Borgne and La Marsh area. We don't wade fish in that water though. One of these days will make it to Texas to try that wade and fly fishing bit.