First, a huge thank you to all the great folks of Arkansas and Mountain Home, especially those who ran or helped with the Sowbug Roundup. My number one reason for going was to make good on a 6-7 year old promise to attend and tie to friend and mentor Tony Spezio who went out of his way in extreme fashion to make me feel special. Tony is one of a kind... a gifted tyer, rod maker, fly fisher and family man who I will always look up to.
Next, thanks to all my VFB and old FF@ buddies who excused my constant manic phase the entire weekend with an understanding air. Grandson ANTHONY Anselmi (gee-whiz Tony Spezio, how did that happen??) was born March 18th (my 50th birthday for the 1 person who might not know yet) and after missing my late Monday flight, I finally got to hold him for a few hours yesterday at the hospital (he was 8 lbs 11 oz and 20" but lost a bit of weight so they kept him until today) until mom said it was feeding time and he rumbled on me many a time.
Apologies to DonO for not living up to my promise to do the Baits Motel routine but I always fulfill my promises... years later in Tony's case! Jimmy D, you will never let me live down that remark so git yer sorry rawhide up here and I'll take you to some real fishin and Jody will finally have a meal worthy of her putting up with you. Mr. Fish, I know you like buggy but I was bugged out and wish I could have sat still long enough to... well, same to all you folks...sorry my mind was gone but was never there anyway. Oh... poor Kevin had to sit up and listen to me until the wee hours one night as I was so excited my mouth had hyperactivity. SHUSH, BYARD!!!
Big THANK YOU VERY MUCH to roomy's daughter Shelby who tied me a fly I will always treasure. Need a postal addy Kev. Oh!....Kev, the number for the hotel you gave me was a sex line but all you did was transpose the area code with a toll-free exchange. Hmmmm.....
DonO, I still need more rope dubbing lessons as the danged rope keeps pulling apart. Yes, I watched but with a weakened mind... oh!... that wasn't me, it was Paddy O'Botomy.
Nope, never fished but saw some cane of Tony's that wowed me big time. No matter, I'll be back and fish plenty.
Well, I could go on forever and say all the nice stuff about all you VFBers but it was just good to see you and prepare for Sowbug X. Yes, that little project is going out Jimmy D and I'll talk to you in a few days. Send me phone # off list please.
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