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My name is Will Linginfelter. I am 22 years old and live in Benton, TN. I received my 8.5' 5-wt Fly Logic Rod was a graduation gift when I graduated from Carson-Newman College.
I had to make some casting adjustments from the 7.5' 3-wt [Brand X] that I was accustomed to, but it was an easy adjustment after some tips from Fly Logic's Master Casters Capt. Gary and Wanda Taylor. I have used my new rod several times and had caught a number of fish on it, but had never had that one spectacular trip to deem it worthy of my primary rod until Thu., Nov 18, 1999. It was on this day, on a trip to the Nantahala River just outside Bryson City, NC that my Fly Logic rod became a legend, at least among my family.
My dad and I were on the water by noon and had planned to fish until about 4:00 pm. Our first couple of hours were very productive and we had caught quite a few fish of better than average size, a good mixture of rainbows and brookies. Around 3:00 my
dad and I were fishing along the same stretch of water within 20 yards of each other, when I spotted a rather large fish come crusing by. I moved into position and placed my size 12 Royal Wulff right where I wanted it, but had no reaction from the big fish. I made several more casts, but nothing. Being a dry fly fisherman, I tried every dry in my
fly box, but to no avail.
Finally I surrendered and tied on a bead head hare's ear nymph. The trout showed a little interest. He would come over and inspect the fly, but refused it. My dad was now within 10 yards of the big fish. Suddenly he hooked a very frisky 12" rainbow that began jumping all around the pool. The big fish went over for a look. I figured that was the end; that the big fish would become spooked and dart away. To my surprise, just the opposite occurred. The big fish returned to his feeding lane, and took my nymph on the second cast.
I was standing in the edge of a pool about 10' x 10' and didn't have much room to work the fish. There was a large branch in the water at the upper end of the pool, but the rod had enough backbone to keep him out of that, yet enough flex to protect my tippet. I managed to work the fish over near my dad who was able to net him on about the third pass after the fish began to tire. After about 30 minutes of fishing for the trout and about 5 minutes of struggle, I landed a beautiful 21" rainbow. After the photograph, he was released, of course. Needless to say, I felt my Fly Logic rod had been properly baptized, and am now proud to call it my #1 rod.
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