Popcorn Fart Creek and Other Little Known Hot Spots

For one reason or another, all throughout my life my brothers, friends and I have always nicknamed some of our favorite hunting and fishing spots, as I am sure many other folks have.  I have elk hunted at a place we called 'Area 51' because we new the elk were in there because of the amount of sign, but never actually saw one.  Another area I have hunted is called 'The Grassy Knoll'.  We had many other names, 'The Beaver Pond Draw', 'The Hidden Draw', 'The Nike Site', and many others that we could refer to, and unless you were part of our group, you wouldn't have a clue where we were talking about.  

My favorite all time name we came up with was 'Popcorn Fart Creek'.  One summer we found a great little fishing hole on Crab Creek, where an old bridge on a farm road crossed.  We fished this hole many times that summer and always had great luck.  However, the next summer, the first time we decided to go fishing there, we were shocked when we arrived and found no water at all in the hole.  You see, Crab Creek has a tendency to go underground in certain areas and reappear further down stream, and this apparently is what had happened that year.  That fishing hole was forever named that day when, while staring with disappointment at our previously great spot, a friend of mine said, "crap, it's dryer than a popcorn fart."  Several years later, the creek reappeared in that spot and I am quite certain people thought we were crazy when they heard us say "let's go fishing at Popcorn Fart Creek."

I am sure many of you have nicknamed some of your favorite hunting and fishing spots.  You don't have to tell us where it is, but I would love to here the different names you have come up with and how it happened.

Mythbusting - Custom versus Factory Fly Rods

MYTH #1 - Custom Fly Rods Are Very Expensive.

Many people assume that having a custom fly rod built is purely a luxury item only obtainable by millionaires who spend their time on catered, guided trips to the blue ribbon streams.  This couldn't be further from the truth.  Many custom fly rod builders, including myself can create a rod built to your specifications and preferences for a price very similar to that of a factory rod built on the exact same blank.  Often times, if blanks go on sale or we are able to find one on ebay for lower than normal pricing, one can acquire a custom fly rod below the price of a factory rod at a big box store.

Custom Built Matching Grip, Reel Seat and Fighting Butt

MYTH #2 - Only Factory Rods Come With a Warranty

Wrong again.  Custom fly rod builders use the exact same blanks that the factory rods are built on. The manufacturers extend the same warranty on their blanks as they do on their finished rods.  If a manufacturer extends an unlimited lifetime warranty on their rods, this also applies to their blanks. Many other blank only manufacturers extend limited lifetime warranties on there blanks, that is to say if something breaks due to a defect in their blank, it will be replaced at no charge.  Typically this involves the end customer contacting the blank manufacturer directly and explaining it is a custom built rod.  The blank manufacturer will send the replacement blank or section to the rod builder to do the repairs.  I cannot speak for all custom builders, but in these cases, I do the repair at no charge except shipping.

Custom Reel Seat Insert and Hand Machined Hardware

MYTH#3 - High End Fly Rod Companies Produce the Best Rods

I take complete exception to this.  I have toured the factory of one of the best known fly rod companies in the world.  While their 'assemblers' are good, they are good only at repeating the same process over and over again.  Custom rod builders spend countless hours mastering their ability to make one of a kind bench built works of art, and are completely obsessed with the details and take an immense amount of pride in the work.  The components used to build factory rods are mass produced and procured at a price point based upon cost reductions and pure profits.  I, as well as most custom builders will use superior hardware.  In my case I machine my own reel seat hardware to exacting tolerances, and make my own reel seat inserts from many types of materials including exotic woods, acrylic and even elk and deer antler.  The options available on one of my fly rods are only limited by your imagination and my abilities.

Custom Grip with Hand Checkered Walnut Inlay

The next time you are in need of a new fly rod (yes, new fly rods are a need), consider contacting a Custom Fly Rod Builder.  Having a personalized, one of a kind rod built by a custom rod builder will yield one that you helped design, performs as good as any factory rod, is backed by the same warranty, and might even save you a few dollars to boot.  

I can do better......

Every time I finish a fly rod, I say to myself, 'I can do better.'  And on every rod after, I honestly try and do that.  This philosophy holds true for all aspects of fly fishing for me.  After every cast, I think, 'I can do better' and I honestly try and do that.  Same for fly tying, same even for every knot I tie.  Every time I catch a fish, I say to myself, 'I can catch a bigger one', and I honestly try and do that.  

There is a great scene from A River Runs Through It, when after watching his brother land a large fish while being swept downstream in the current to avoid losing it, where Norman says, "At that moment, I knew, surely and clearly...that I was witnessing perfection."  Not to sound so arrogant as to challenge the literary greatness of Norman Maclean, but I do not believe perfection exists in fly fishing.  At least I hope it doesn't, because that would mean it is achievable, and if I could achieve perfection in fly fishing, what would be the point continuing after it is achieved, which would mean there is an end to it. 

Maybe the only thing perfect is the river

I guess my point here is that my obsession with everything fly fishing is a journey to achieve perfection when I know it cannot be achieved, which is OK with me.

Are all of the fly rods I build perfect, no.  Will I ever build the perfect fly rod, no.  Do I honestly try and achieve perfection when building a fly rod, YES!

Here is one of my favorite fly rods I have ever built, but still not perfect.

KB2 Custom Fly Rods - It's About Catchin' Fish and Makin' Stuff

I started fishing at a very early age, mostly gear fishing for Walleye, Bass, Trout and others in the lakes and rivers in Eastern Washington.  My wife and I were fortunate enough to buy property in North Idaho on one of the tributaries of the beautiful St. Joe River called Big Creek.  I spent most of my time in the first couple of years building a cabin, but every once in a while I would take a little time to go fly fishing. 

Our Cabin on Big Creek

Since that time, my obsession has grown to include tying my own flies, and building my own fly rods.  It has now evolved into the creation of KB2 Custom Fly Rods.  



For me fly fishing represents all that I enjoy in life.  Spending time with my family and friends, enjoying the beautiful outdoors, the excitement of the hunt while trying to entice a chunky 'westslope cuttie' to my fly, and for the stories we can tell.  KB2 Custom Fly Rods is a natural evolution, because now I can bring my professional aspirations in line with my love of fly fishing.

A Beautiful Westslope Cutthroat from Big Creek

I will use this blog to discuss the ins and outs of fly rods, and all other aspects of fly fishing.  If you have any questions about rods, or other topics you would like me to discuss, drop me I line, I have never been afraid to share my opinion. 

Regards and Tight Lines, 

Karl Webber 
kb2customflyrods.webstarts.com/ 
Email: kb2flyrods@outlook.com