I couldn’t decide where to post this report. It has a little bit of rod building, fly tying and Salt water fishing in it.  So, I decided to be safe and go with just fly fishing.  
 
 Emily and I had a three day weekend and a lot of options but we couldn't make up our minds on where to go. After much deliberation we decided to stay semi- local.  Besides, we have rods to build and I had flies to finish tying for the CFR Fly donation (They'll be in the mail tomorrow Pete   ).  
So, Saturday night was date night . . . pizza and wine and rod building/ fly tying. We had a great time and I had to laugh at something Emily said.  
 "What do you think of this wrap, does it look a little off to you( she just finished doing a triple trim wrap with the gold metallic thread on the Ferrules)?"  
"I think . . . the fish won't be able to tell, Em." I said.  
"The fish won't, but Pete WILL." was her reply as she proceeded to unwrap it.      
 

 
They flies for the CFR donation are ready to Go!  

 
Sunday Morning found us bobbing the San Diego Bay. It was a bit cloudy and even sprinkled on us a little, but the weather held and it really wasn't bad at all.  I caught some Mackerel and Lizard Fish early on and then nothing for a while. Emily had a good hit but missed it. We made our way out to beneath the bridge and fished around the pillars. Emily was working her way around pillar 7 when I looked over and saw her rod bent over. I thought she was snagged for a moment, but then quickly realized she had a double. Her first double, ever! It was a good fight and fun to watch. One of the fish broke off the point fly but she was able to bring the other to hand, a nice spottie. It was one of the highlights of the trip! After another pass she brought in another Bass. Things were picking up and the Sun was beginning to burn off the clouds in the distance. As sometimes happens, the tip of her rod got tangled with the leader and line. I kicked over to help her out with the awkward tangling. I situated my rod so that it wouldn't interfere with the situation and after a few minutes the tip of her rod was free and clear. Alright, back to fishing!!  
 
I blindly reached for my rod which I had securely put in the space behind the seat of my float tube. I did put it Securely behind me . . . right?! Panic began to set in as I quickly glanced to where my rod was Supposed to be!  Then I urgently looked to my left and to my right.  .  .  . I felt a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach. All I could think and say was, "No, no, no, no, no NOOOO!!!" There aren't many places to check, re-check and re-check on such a small craft. I stared into the salty water in utter bewilderment trying to wrap my head around what had just happened. I felt as deflated as a float tube that has just had a12 inch serrated blade thrust into it . That brought a quick end to our morning of fishing. As we silently kicked back to shore I thought, ' I just bought an extra spool for that reel too!'  
 
Emily with a nice little Bendo in the 7 wt.  


 
The High , soon to be followed by the low  .

 
The day was not lost though. It just gave us more time to spend with our fellow SSFFC members and Good Friends Ron and Mary Beth Hayashi. We hadn't seen them for a while and it was sweet spending time with them again. They even sent us home with an assortment of citrus  . Sometimes it's good to slow down and remember once in a while that there are more important things in life than material obsessions. Things like family and friends and laughter, for as the day went on and I re-told the days story to Ron and Mary Beth, I couldn't help but laugh at the mishap. It still hurt, but it's not the end of the world . Besides, it'll give me a chance to work on my rod building skills, now which blank should I get??!!!!  
 
Thanks Ron and Mary Beth for your hospitality. You two are truly a blessing!  

 
When life gives you lemons try and make lemonade.  And, if it gives you limes. . . . get some nice tequila to go with it (which ever one may be more appropriate at the time LOL  )
 

 
All the Best, Dave

This is a beautiful thing.  
 
Fresh fruit, wine, fishing, san diego, float tubes, time with the gf..... livin the dream!
 

Like others, I'm sorry to hear about you losing your rod overboard. However, in spite of that momentary trouble, it looks like you and Emily had a great weekend. Hope to see you on the Bay again one of these days.

Thanks for the condolences and compliments, guys.  
I too liked the pic of Emily building her rod, Rob. I was just playing around with different settings and this one turned out alright  .
Charlie, that’s a good idea about putting the reel into the storage pocket and zipping it up. You can be sure I’ll be VERY careful the next time I'm out there.
Hope to join you again too, Richard. Maybe you can introduce us to some of the other parts of the SD Bay you’ve been exploring lately.  
 
All the Best, Dave

Rad Dave,
Looks like great times... and with your lost rod, you're sure to never forget this one!  
 
Val and I will have to Join you guys one day sooner than later.
 
Right on!
Cris

Chiaki - You humble me with your offer. It's definitely an offer I won't refuse!   Thank you.
 
Cris - I was just saying to Emily that day, "Well, I'll definitely remeber this day for the rest of my life!"    We would love to Fish with you and Val, brother! Sooner than later for sure.
 
Troutinator -  Our table is usually pretty cluttered too, but it was date night, had to make it a little nice.  
 
~ Dave

Thats sucks about losing your rod.  Sometimes that is just life's way of saying "HEY!!!!.......you can do this better!"  Then life always seems to show you why.  It has happened to me plenty of times.  $150 pair of sunglasses lost after taking about 5 steps into the water.........30 hour earlier I was standing in Guy's shop holding sunglasses retainers (?) in my hand!  Decided that I would just be careful instead.  Turns out that I like standing up more than I did those glasses!!!  
 
I have a buddy that has a rod holder on his tube, and I am probably going to be getting one before we start tubing a bunch this summer.
 
http://noadvertisingallowed/product/Cabelas-Fly-Rod-Holder-by-Scotty/709751.uts? Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dfloat%2Btube%2Brod%2Bholder%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=float+tube+rod+holder&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products
 
I also saw this rod leash and thought it might be a good idea.  $10 so that I don't lose a $700 rod......sounds like a good idea to me.  
 
http://noadvertisingallowed/product/Rod-Leash/709646.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&sea rchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Drod%2Bleash%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=rod+leash&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products
 
At least you were doing something worthwhile when you lost the rod.  Something to be said for any man that kicks over to his woman just to help her fix her rig!  
 
Jeremy

Sux about the gear but you guys are awsome! I have some if the steelhead wine too, pretty good stuff. I totally agree about the life lemons and tequila!