Frogg Toggs Hellbender: The Beginning (3.3.14) + Orvis Streamline Wading Boots

I finally received my (correctly sized) Frogg Toggs Hellbender wading jacket priority mail today.





I ordered it on the 25th of January, a Saturday. On the very last day of the range of days that I'm supposed to receive the jacket, I see that eBay says it is "Undeliverable As Addressed."

I contact the guy, and he doesn't reply. The package goes down to San Diego, and then finally back to the seller in Wisconsin.

I finally have to file a case, and the guy finally replies, saying it's not his fault.

I finally get to where he ships the package back, and when I finally receive the package, I open it up, and lo and behold! He sent me the size Small, the WRONG SIZE!!!

So, after receiving his word that he'll refund my money for the return shipping, I shipped my Small back to him Priority.

Finally, after FIVE WEEKS and 2 DAYS, I receive the jacket. Now all I have to do is get the money for the Shipping...

the PRICE???
------> $67.99, a lot of headaches, and 37 days.
: ]

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I really, really do like the jacket. It's got a lot of pockets, adjustable hood (with brim), a rod holder (with velcro setting), 3 D-rings (placed perfectly, 2 on front and one on back for magnetic net), and neoprene cuffs! It's waterproof, windproof, and breathable!


This review and the reviews on Amazon sold me on it.



~KLC

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Oh, and I just got my Orvis (felt) Streamline wading boots, so we'll see how they hold up in the surf. Nick bought both the felt and studs, so time will tell! If they don't work out, I'll probably end up using them for the streams anyway, since I've fallen quite a bit with the Cabela's brand wading boots...

Fly Fishing the Surf: Day 1

Got to finally meet Geoff (happy bday Jota) at around 10:00. Got down to business right away. He took a look at my reel/rod combo and decided to set me up w/ 23 feet (I think) of the dense, fast-sink fly line. Then we went out to the casting lawn and he gauged my technique. This was part of it:


Before this clip starts, my casting/double haul was validated, and it felt pretty good!
I've essentially learned from one lesson with Pastor and a book. The main things I need to work on are stopping at 10 o'clock to let the line shoot, and to use more

On the cusp of Fly Fishing the Surf

So I've talked with Geoff Malloway of Central Coast Fly Fishing, and will finally meet him tomorrow to set up my 9' 8wt. fly rod for fishing the surf.

We're going to try the Carmel Beach tomorrow to see what we can see. Richard Gilliam's been doing well lately, so it'll be fun to try a new beach.

I finally get to meet Geoff and patronize his store!

Pastor's been a great help as well. Today, he lent me his stripping basket with Hilltop's design. I'll try it out to see if the 18 qt. is too large, or if I can get away with fishing with the 12 qt.

Time will tell!

Stripers and perch or bust!!!

I Won the Panther Martin Photo Contest!!!

Took the pics and thought I had a winner.
I did.
: )

Fishing/Events Update

It's been a while!

We started Surf Fishing in 2013, right after dad came back from his 36th wedding anniversary with mom. He was ultra inspired from watching a guy @ Morro Bay catch surf perch, and relayed it to us that he might be interested in doing the same.

He finally got out on the 6th of January, and caught his first surf perch!

Jr. caught his first Pacific Sanddab, which we mistook for a halibut/flounder:

...and I've had fun catching surf perch!

Teaching 2nd grade has definitely been exceedingly difficult, but, with God's help, I've been able to come to the end of myself and let God work. I had to say, "God, there's nothing more I can do, and if I can do this job it's because of Your help." Well, times will still be hard, but I've found my strength in Christ!

I just caught this 19" Brown (my largest Brown Trout to date) with mom:

This large stonefly was in his mouth, and I found a 1cm rock in his stomach!

I also had a nasty fall, with my right leg taking most of the fall. It's still hard to walk today...

All in all the end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014 have been exciting, and I can't wait to see what's up next!