[Nathan]

It will be back in Clinton,Mo. the first weekend in May of 09...your more than welcome too come..Nathan

[hazmail]

Originally Posted by Lincoya

Pete,
Good to hear from you again! How's your head?


Gene

Gene
I have been getting weird looks (weirder than usual) all around the country. I have just completed the scab clearing, this morning.
Spent a few days last week with Vince (Fatfingers) in Ohio, fishing and talking, nice guy and like you and everyone else I have met, extremely generous with their time, I'm learning all the time and have loved it -I leave here on the 21st
Linda and Gene thanks again, you made it even more memorable. pete

[Spike-A-Pike]

Pete,
I had heard that you and Vince dropped in to say "Hello" to Cuttem Jack in PA. I know he's recovering from the two broken feet and he said that visit just made his day and got him to get back into his tackle making again. He also said that you and Vince had forgotten more about making tackle than he would ever know about it.

Hope you have a good, safe trip home next week.

[Lincoya]

Pete,
Linda & I are glad that you spent some time with us. We enjoyed your company. I'm sorry that we didn't catch more fish though. I want you to know that you are welcome at my house any time.

p.s.
I finally got the blood washed off the porch.

Gene

[hazmail]

Well I’m back, and compared to the beautiful Missouri weather when I left, it’s freezing here, it was -8C the other night (17F).
I have left this until I returned, because it was such a hassle posting from a borrowed laptop, by the time I typed the message, I would be logged off TU and have to start again.
I had an amazing time due mainly to the generosity of a lot of people who were good enough to show me around, and were so generous with their time.
Nathan and Deb, fed us, entertained and ‘Fishing Guided’ us all, for 3 full days, and I with all the other guys who have already posted would sincerely like to thank them. Coley’s cooking, which was a treat for me, and the ‘grits’ for breakfast, which were different.
Gene and Linda, put up with me for 3 days in Tennessee, fed me, rendered first aid when I bashed my head against their brick work - took me fishing for a day on a beautiful lake, tried to update my GPS so I would not get continually lost (I was more confused than the girl in the GPS sometimes) and gave me a personal tour of Gene’s work shop, with some of his secrets revealed – these 3 days were a testimony to ‘Southern hospitality’.
Dave, at ‘Hook Solutions’, showed us his little factory, and all the in’s and out’s of “Spin Casting” jigs – Dave I still marvel at the time you have spent on template’s and jigs, for making moulds etc, must have taken years of work to set up – thank you Dave it was very instructional, as was the “break and enter” on Jerry’s car.
Then there was the ‘bait’ swap’ which never seemed to end (I got all the wood, plastic and paints through customs) – it’s great to actually see and hold some of these gems in real life, masterpieces all of them, which I treasure, and will be mounting in a special case – I’m a bit embarrassed for not having enough lures with me.
Mrs Redg8r for all your work on the hats and shirts, thank you, and Jerry, I am sorry I could not get to Florida, maybe next time, when the copy lathe is finished???
It’s hard to imagine so many strangers meeting, and getting on so well, so many characters - Dan, I would love to have spent a couple of days talking s--t and drinking that concoction, you called beer, we could change the world. Bruce and his ‘Tin things’, amazing wire work here and George had all the knowledge on Jigs and wire. Josh, what a nice young guy, which I hardly had time to talk to, Coley and Gene, gave him the rounds of the workshop, shame you had only the one day, but boy were you taking it all in – Unfortunately, I missed Tally, who was in Clinton the day before Phil and I arrived, maybe next year.
Phil, what a nice guy (for a pom!!), we met for the first time at Kansas City Airport, and got on like a house on fire (even when I was late - lost again), his sense of humor and enthusiasm for anything, including lure building, is something to behold. I also saw “That Thing” in the shadows, when Jim (great guide) took us fishing on Truman Lake, another great day out, but still no fish.
From Gene’s place in Tennessee, I drove up to Lake Eerie and on the way stopped in and saw Vince (‘Fatfingers’) and Mark (Cuttem Jack), who lived nearby. Vince took me fishing, on another beautiful lake for a day (Silver Lake I think), I had a great time, talking, building, coatings, paints etc, this guy is an encyclopedia of lures, I can’t believe how many different shapes/styles he makes- I came away a few pounds heavier with all the paint flakes, plastic and lures he gave me for future experiments, thanks again for your time and knowledge Vince – no fish here either. As with every other day I fished with Gene in Tennessee, and all the guys on ‘the pond’, fishing is only part of the fun, being there was a privilege. Also, the ladies at the Clinton-Hampton Inn, looked after both Phil and I, like were their kin, this was great place to stay. Thank you all, you made an old man, very happy. Pete

[KcDano]

Yes, It certainly was a blast! Hope you can make it back this way next year!

[hazmail]

Oh yeah Dan, I did get to see Lone Jack and the Lexington town Hall with the cannon ball, beautiful little town too- thanks for all the tips . pete

[KcDano]

That cap and ball pistol I showed you at the meet was plowed up near the river and east of Lexington. I would have liked to take you around and showed you some of the spots around that area, however, circumstances didn't allow it. Glad to see you had the opportunity to visit those towns. If you make it here again, I will show you some spots not found on the travel guides and we will drink some of that swill too!

Dan

[hazmail]

Kc, I will hold you to that, and look forward to it - I'm saving up as I type. pete

[KcDano]

Sounds like a date mate!