Quote Originally Posted by tyger View Post
Speaking of rod-building. I make a pilgrimage to the Boundary Waters every year to fish smallmouth bass. There is anther guy who is there at the same time, and he has some really beautifully wrapped rods, with very fine wood handles. He told me about the Ministries, and how these works have turned lives around.


Haven't been to the Boundary waters since around 1987, although itching to go back, especially now that I have canoe (We-no-nah Royalex) and new fishing kayak and all my own gear for camping (only took 25 years to acquire all that stuff). Last time we only took fishing gear and clothes and the outfitters did a pretty poor job of setting us up with food and camping gear and noisy aluminum canoes. And then the last night out we got run off by a rogue bear in the camp who trashed our well hung food pack and sucked down our last rum and all remaining food, driving us out of camp to "sleep" under the stars and mosquitoes on a neighboring island. If you ever need a body to fill out a party let me know---I am closer than you and probably right on your way up there if you drive. Hve boats, will travel.

Interesting link to the ministry and rod builders---luckily I am all rodded up and could probably stand to shed a few if I ever get around to organizing it all.