never the same

When I considered the legacy building around the Fall River combination as it travels the country this summer, I knew immediately I wanted to contribute some notion of what I love about my part of the Rocky Mountain West to those that come after. 

In my mind's eye, there are two treasures, each beyond price, intertwined so as to be inseparable.  

Hopefully never one without the other-  New Mexico's high country and Rio Grande Cutthroat trout.

Biologists tell us New Mexico's native fish now haunt but a scant five percent of their native range.  For we disciples of the long rod, that means most populations demand a hefty price in boot leather to reach.

trackless wilderness

But oh! they prove treasures well worth the coin paid.

liquid snow

Saturday found me rattling up a familiar backcountry two-track, miles upon miles from nowhere, on the threshold of a veritable trackless wilderness.

Cloud of dust settling around the trailhead, booting up, cinching pack straps tight, it's a familiar ritual.  This day, though, is different.

Fall River Fly Rod different.

match made in heaven?

Now officially introduced, I am absolutely certain some things will never be the same.

far and fine

Fall River rod combo proved a real trout slayer alright.  Together we held forth on some willing pupils~

here endeth the lesson

grass in da house

...bamboo that is!

Recently The Fates over at Outdoor Blogger Network cast my way a golden opportunity to gear test the stuff Dreams are made of: a bamboo* rod, reel, line outfit put together for an extended round-robin contest.   

    *(Yes you read that right: hand-picked. hand-split. cane bamboo.  And not that Kane BamBu you see on the end-aisle at wallyworld either)

Included in the package~

• 2 piece 8' 5wt bamboo rod handcrafted in ID by the good folks at Fall River Fly Rods, namely master craftsman Jason Zicha.  Mr Zicha sir, may I say right out of the gate, a finer thoroughbred has never graced our stables here at la casa de Heitman. It is a schweet stick indeed.
• Balancing the FR rod is a  Montana Fly Company large arbor Madison II reel, with stealth river camo anodizing.  You'll know MFC as the innovator behind the trout skin look applied to most everything we fly anglers hold dear.  Yes iPhones included.  Like Duh!
• Paired with the MFC Madison is a double-taper 5wt RIO Trout LT line, hand-selected for its ability to locate cutthroat trout much like those famous elvish daggers detect the minions of Darkness in LOTR.  OK, I might have made that last part up.  All I can say is it better deliver!  Kidding, RIO attorneys! (kinda?)

RE: contest? OBN summoned eighteen delirious bloggers to attend the 2012 OBN Hunger Games to circle around the Cornucopia and fight a bloody duel to the finish, winner take all, with the aforementioned ensemble awarded to the victor valiant.

OK, might have made that up too.  But that might be cool, no?  Let's just say, looking over the assemblage on my kitchen table, OBN- I'm willing to negotiate terms.   

Wait, Mrs Wulff says no, so I guess the Cornucopia idea is out, my apologiesYoutube! ;-)

In reality, the contest allows each lucky blogger a coupla weeks to drool over fish the combo, then send it along to the next contestant. Fellow blogger Ben Smith of AZWanderings fame received first crack at the combo the last coupla weeks.  I want to thank Mrs Smith for finding the strength, fortitude to finally pry the rod from my former friend's fingers, send it along.

Speaking of thanks, muchas gracias to OBN for this great opportunity, tres gracias to Fall River Rods, Montana Fly Co, RIO for their generosity! 

As for me, I've booked some time this weekend to get lost in the wilds of northern New Mexico.  If we should never meet again, forgive me my friends, please know the temptation was simply too great.