Somehow, I'd been lost from the list. But luck would have it--I stumbled across the bamboo (rodmakers and aficionadoes) gathering in Martell, WI, (Rush River) where I was fishing the trico hatch yesterday morning.

The crowd of, say, 35 cane freaks, brought lots of fine rods.
Duane Johnson had a particularly nice Leonard 50 DF--the John Alden Knight Model--with black wraps and cork seat. There was a fine Merrick Winston, an 8' 3", I believe, that casted like a dream. I casted an 8' Duracane that was a surprisingly well handling rod; a Granger Special 8-footer--I get the "Granger thing" now--that was absolutely perfect in performance; and an Edwards quad that shot line like a wrist rocket. Another rod of note was a 7'9" 4wt made by Dave Norling, who was in attendance.(I've got his number and address on a card somewhere; he makes a fine, classy looking rod). Quad master Mike Spittler weaved around the groups of casters, but I saw none of his fine rods. Silk line guy Olaf Borge was present, knoshing burgers in bib overalls, looking like a refugee from a Hee-Haw rerun. Overall, it was a fine conclusion to a crappy morning's fishing.