Back a couple of weeks ago, I contributed to a spey rod evaluation and
for my efforts, received an Orvis Clearwater 8 wt. 3 pce. spey rod. A
very nice rod but the section lengths are too long for the TDI so eBay
it went. Then, I located a brand new Loomis Trilogy 13' 9/10 4 pce.
on eBay and it arrived this week. So far so good, translated one good
rod that was not quite right into one that was perfect.

It's Grindstone Angling's open house today, and when I spoke to John
Valk, the owner, last week, he asked me if I was going. I mentioned
that this Saturday was a pretty full day with honeydos, wine bottling,
and a birthday party. He then darkly hinted that, "It is in your best
interest to attend." Curiosity was piqued as John has never said such
a thing before.

I digress. A little over a year ago, I tried to buy a Loop Blue Line
spey rod through John. We went through hell trying to get it as the
supplier didn't want to sell John just one rod. He wanted John to
sign up as a dealer and place a big order. After months of bull****
with the supplier, I gave up and cancelled the order.

Anyway, today I'm at the open house, drinking coffee, eating donuts,
watching Ian James tie neat little streamers, when John calls a halt
to the proceedings and demands everyone's attention. He then launches
into the saga of the Blue Line spey rod, but mentions that even after
I cancelled the order, he didn't give up. He then turns and gives me
the rod -- that's correct -- *gives* me the rod. I was dumbfounded,
flabbergasted, and the crowd's collective jaws dropped.

Man, I'm still buzzing . . . This sort of stuff doesn't happen to
me, ever!

Think I should buy some lottery tickets?

Peter

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