stocked fish, fiberglass, and birthday candles

Where to begin...I guess I'll begin with yesterday. They stocked the creek behind my house the other day with big fat stupid rainbows. I was able to sneak out in the evening before the upcoming onslaught of worm dunkers wading around in chunks of floating powerbait. I picked up quite a few slabs on a black bugger, including this nasty big guy with a hooked jaw.



 I also made it out later into the night and was hitting fish on a slow glassy pool with a size 4 foam stimulator at 10pm! It was one hell of a fun night. All fish were released in hopes of me finding them again in January when I'm bored and don't feel like driving 45 minutes for trout.

Then today came, and I unfortunately turned 37. I used to look forward to birthdays, but now they just depress me. Late 30s came way too fast. I did however get some sweet stuff including a new tippet post with floatant holder, a pair of New Balance 574s, and even some cash. I had the family over tonight for dinner, and to top off the night, my step-dad walks over, says happy birthday, and hands me a rod tube. Turns out it was his  Fenwick FF805 fiberglass rod he bought in the mid 70s, in MINT CONDITION. I almost teared up. I know this rod means a lot to him, and I was honored that he wanted me to have it. I'm going to take damn good care of it, and try to sting some fish with it this weekend.

Speaking of fiberglass, shout-out to Cameron over at The Fiberglass Manifesto for the badass bonus goodies that came with my T-shirt. My favorite fishing hat needs a TFM patch on it.