[KcDano]

Hello,

Another fine time at the TU-MO meet. New faces from far away places and old friends unite again. Who would ever think the event in 3 short years would have international participation. As always it was a great group, couldn't think of a better way to spend 3 days! Nathan and Debbie pulled it off again, Thank You! Coley's fish is the best, he goes to alot of trouble to provide that for us, Thanks for all you did for me and the rest! Charlie Mitchell no more excuses you be there next time! Gene, sure was grand to meet with you again and see what the knife has created, top notch carver he is (Lincoya) First time I had the opportunity to meet the TU boss A.K.A. Redgator, Nice Guy thanks for all the gifts, Jerry, and hope you make it back this way again (I will bring more homebrew next year). As the plug swap goes, I made out like a bandit recieved some fine baits from the fellows! Dave was gracious enough to give a tour of his facillity and operational procedure, Thanks Dave!The meet just gets better every year, my only regret is 3 days isn't long enough! To all that attended this year, Thanks for the memories!

Dan

[reeves]

I have to agree with KC to the max. This past weekend was an event to remember. Finally got to match the faces with the names, a truley great group of new friends, even though through this forum it is like you have known them forever.

As I was driving to the meet, I was daydreaming some and had visions of passing a minivan. As I looked over at the minivan, low and behold there was a guy with a gray beard and a cheesehead hat. How weird! When I pulled into Nathan's yard, another vehicle had just pulled in ahead of me. The door opened and WOW . . . . this guy with a gray beard and a big yellow cheesehead hat steps out. I was only wrong about the minivan. The point is, there was no mistaking who this guy was. Good to have met you Bruce.

A huge thanks go out to Nathan and Debbie for being such wonderful hosts. Jerry also gets a thumbs up for supplying so much, with the help of Mrs. Red, and especially for this site which has brought the group together.

A special thank you to Emory who took the time to explain so much to me about the silicone mold process. PhilB, what a hoot you are,and I am glad you caught on so quick with the art of a buzzbait. It was great to meet Pete from Oz. KC Dano a real spokesman and fun guy to be around, just don't go into politics, stick with lures. And of course it was great to see my friend David again, I'll be calling you soon David.

To the guys chatting about doing the West Coast Meet, FOLLOW THROUGH WITH IT! It is an experience that will be unmatched ever.

Thanks again to all, I had a wonderful time and am already looking forward to next year.

[Spike-A-Pike]

Dano,

Don't forget ChampionBoatGuy; Josh looked like he had found the promised land (and maybe he had). One thing was for sure, he was in sponge mode and while he hasn't been building crankbaits long, I think his learning curve just shot through the roof; I can't wait to see the bait he'll be turning out in the future. Even the wives seemed to have blast, to say had a good time just comes up short... I think they're sisters of something called "Beadingunderground.com", a wives's support group for women married to the tacklemakers. My wife was telling me how next year, we'll getting there on Thursday, and gal's might bead swap... Nathan and Debbie, my hats off to you both for making every one feel right at home and the way the two of you shine when you get within a few feet of each other. Gene was having an off day fishing Saturday, the last count I heard was around 24 and it was still climbing. Coley and Zoe seem to have a real bond, I watched for several minutes, an activity that was new to me, "pig poking" and Zoe had a blast. Got a real time opportunity to watch Pete show us thinking out side the box, and everyone was happy it was a successful demonstration. George Reevses, a fellow wire bender, had me drooling over a box of toys he was passing a round, a word of warning for the spring Musky Hunt, be afraid big boys, Uncle Spike's got a few new toys to show you. PhilB and hazmail will be hitting Truman Res latter this week as international lure testers with Coach guiding them; I hope the weather is clear and fish are hammering everything they cast. Meeting the redg8r was pretty cool, kind of feel I have little more insight to his vision for the future of Tackleunderground and from what I understand, it's only going to continue to keep getting better. The TU attire that Mrs.redg8r as gifts will be enjoyed for a long time to come, thanks Missi for my new favorite cap. I've to agree with KcDano, in regards to the bait swap, I feel like I stoled the crown jewels (sorry Phil), what a haul. Dave, that is some operation you've got going there. There tour and live demonstration of how lead casting is done by Dave was IMPRESSIVE to say the least. I'm hoping that some the fly fishermen that were going through those tiny jigs will post those future creations. To all that attended, it was a pleasure to have met you, talked with you, break bread with you, and fished with you... I can't wait til the next because we're planning to attend. To the other 6,9xx of you, I hope you'll be at the next one too.

So, how many tacklemakers does it take to break into a car?

Thanks one and all, I think my future responses to posts to the new friends I made will take a little longer, now that I'll have a visual of the poster and the memories that will come to life.

Bruce

[KcDano]

It certainly was a pleasure to meet you and Buce also. I have a fine picture of the cheesehead in full headgear, HaHa!
We will get everybody covered! Yes, Josh is well on his way,for the few baits he has built you get indication as to what is to come and it looks all good to me!

[reeves]

My appologies to anyone I forgot to mention in my previous post. Gene, you would probably slap me if you were close enough for forgetting to mention you. What a remarkable guy, and a humble wealth of knowledge about the craft of carving and luremaking.
It was a pleasure to meet Josh, a young lad so full of energy and desire to learn quickly. A sponge you are Josh!

Thanks again all!

[Spike-A-Pike]

I have to admit, I keep replaying all the different conversations, explanations, and demonstrations that I saw over the weekend. So many new friends and fresh memories... I may have to take a nap and see if I can dream about my first meet (again).

[Coley]

"Coley and Zoe seem to have a real bond, I watched for several minutes, an activity that was new to me, "pig poking" and Zoe had a blast"

Bruce:

I don't appreciate this remark, period.

First of all I don't think you and I are close enough friends for
you to say something like this.

And you saw nothing of the sort!!!

You owe me and this forum an apology.

Coley

[KcDano]

Coley, glad to see you made it back safely!

[Spike-A-Pike]

Coley,

I wasn't trying to offend, that wasn't my intention at all. What I was trying to reference was the way I watched you and Zoe interact when she was standing next to you and you where gently poking her with the side of your foot and the way she was grunting back, I assumed you where playing her... That's all it was.

Coley, Please accept my apology on this matter, I value your friendship to much to have this come between us. Sorry.

[redg8r]

Hey Coley, you missed it Sunday, in a moment of pure genius, locked my keys in the rental car at Laery's shop.
It might have very well topped your midday baptism compliments of Dano

I gotta say, preparing for the trip, anticipating the event, I was expecting a nice time, but it's literally mindblowing how much fun it was to spend a few days with this group.

I won't go into my experience with each member, I'll do a more formal writeup when all the pictures come in, but pay attention to what these guys are saying, being able to sit down & talk shop with these business owners & enthusiasts takes the luremaking experience to a whole new level. Everyone had a unique talent & I'm humbled to say the least.

I do want to thank each & every one of you who came out, even the couple of you who I didn't get to meet. A special thanks to Nathan & Deb who are extraordinary hosts, and to Mr. Laery of Hook Solutions for opening up his shop for a private tour, Fascinating stuff. And who knew, he had enough spinnerbait wire to break into a 2008 SUV?

It was surreal heading back home, It didnt feel right leaving such good company.
I was so late heading back that I nearly missed my flight, (Evident below)

Thank you again, each & every one of you.
Till Next Year!!