American Legacy News Flash September 19, 2010

This Issue: FREE $25 Gift Card, Loomis Warranty, Enhanced Trade-In Values, Nostalgia, Pictures of Your Boat, Much More….

Hi Folks,

 

Weird things happen when you go on vacation. And sometimes they only happen after you get back. So it has been with me. I have been visited by the nostalgia bug since returning from Minnesota. Could be my age or maybe it’s just the time of year. I don’t know. Whatever, these last few weeks have been filled with retrospective thoughts about past fishing trips, fishing buddies and, as I remember it, great fishing gear.

 

I suspect everyone has times like this, especially as we get older. Waxing nostalgic I think it’s called. The older you are the more material you have to work with. There are times when the world seems a little too complex. Life starts running a bit too fast for comfort. Instant information, opinions from one end of the spectrum to the other, TV, radio, cable. No wonder this happens every now and then. Maybe this is the way our mind retreats from “information overload”. Could nostalgia be the pause button for our brain? I don’t know.

 

“Why when I was young”……….Jeez, how many times in our youth did we dread hearing this from our parents or grandparents, aunts or uncles, or anyone older than ourselves? Here comes another boring (and likely irrelevant) story about walking 5 miles to school (both ways uphill) or some other reminiscence going back to the stone age. And being well disciplined offspring we would listen politely, most likely having heard the story many, many times before. If I am doing this I beg your forgiveness. Remember, I’m now an old guy myself. Read on.

 

Assuming I’m not yet in the habit of repeating myself I want to share the subject of my nostalgia: A Mitchell 300 spinning reel and a Heddon Pal Mark IV spinning rod. Yep, fishing gear! Now you have to understand, I started fishing just about the time I started walking. No, I don’t remember any specifics that far back, but from family pictures and stories (“when I was a boy” stuff) I know I was camping with my folks and aunt Aileen and uncle Bill on Pine Lake in Wisconsin before 1950. About 5 or 6 years after this Dad took me and my cousin Kenny to Lake Kabetogama in Minnesota, and a year or so after that we took a fly-in fishing trip to Rowan Lake in northwest Ontario. It was about this time I acquired my very first Mitchell 300 spinning reel. By the time I was in my teens I had several Heddon Pal Mark IV and Mark V rods as well as several Mitchells. Life was good!

 

In the 1960’s these were the crème de la crème of fishing rods. Made in the USA by the original Heddon Company, these rods had hardened “carboloy” guides, American walnut inserted handles with beautiful cork, and Allan aluminum reel seats. All accentuated by beautiful guide wraps and hand-written rod model and specifications on the light tan rod blank. In every respect, this rod was a work of art.

 

Coupled to this marvelous fishing tool was none other than a Mitchell 300 spinning reel. Made in France , Mitchell was “the” spinning reel and far superior to anything else offered at that time. Simple yet dependable save the bail spring which had a bad habit of breaking on a fairly regular basis. But no worry, every new reel came with a spare spring and replacement was a 60 second operation. We used monofilament line and just knew that with gear this good any fish was a potential victim of our fishing prowess. It was only a matter of time.

 

Eventually I accumulated about 6 outfits consisting of Heddon Pal rods and Mitchell reels. I had 308’s (ultra light), 400’s (high speed retrieve), and some other iterations who’s model numbers I have long since forgotten. We fished all over northwestern Ontario, Florida, and many locations in between. Never once did I consider there was a better combination for my piscatorial pursuits. Never once did I think that a rod used in the Canadian wilderness would be any less appropriate for the Gulf Coast. Heck, these were f-i-s-h-i-n-g rods and we were after, f-i-s-h. Logic 101. Right?

 

Now we all know change is inevitable. And so it is with fishing rods and reels. Sometime in the late 1970’s or early 1980’s I found newer, better performing rods and, lo and behold, newer, better reels. At about this time I also came to realize that my concept of “fits all” fishing outfits was misplaced and basically wrong. Rods and reels designed for specific technique and species were so much better. I started catching far more fish. Amazing. Soon my Heddon rods were left hanging in the garage. The Mitchell reels I had so loved were collecting dust on the shelf. At about this time both the rods and reels were given to our girls or their friends as Dixie and I continued our fishing exploits with newer, more up to date equipment. Catching fish was getting easier. Fancy that.

 

As I said, nostalgia recently bit me. I still fondly remember my Heddon’s and Mitchells.  So, I made it a point to seek out an unused Heddon Pal Mark IV rod and a pristine, unused Mitchell 300 spinning reel. After some frenzied bidding on Ebay I soon had both in my possession once again. Nostalgic remembrances fulfilled. Surprisingly, neither the rod nor reel was exactly as I remembered. Yes, the looked the same, but they were so functionally different from what I remembered. Had my memory faded this much? Was I selectively remembering what I wanted rather than what was reality 50 years ago?

 

The Heddon Pal Mark IV rod was a 6’6″ model 7552 with “controlled flex action”. Hmm, controlled flex? This rod has zero backbone. I don’t remember that! If I had to describe the action of this rod in more modern terms it would be “wet noodle” or some other less than flattering term. It’s certainly as beautiful as I remember, but the action resembles a 0 power ultra light at best. This was my walleye and northern rod? And to think we actually caught fish on this rod. They must have hooked themselves, as there is no way a fisherman could actually set a hook with this flexible flyer, especially with stretchy mono line. And I probably had at least 2 of this model at one time!

 

And then there’s the Mitchell 300 reel. Still think it’s a damn good looking reel. But, compared to even a “cheapo” spinning reel sold at the local discount store this reel is a dinosaur. The handle crank pressure is immense when compared to any current reel. The balance is “iffy” at best, especially when turning the crank, which we all know must be done to retrieve line. I do like the quick change spool, but I am sure there is a very compelling reason why almost no spinning reels use this feature anymore. And the weight? Whoa. More on this later.

 

It didn’t take our resident pros long to venture into my office wondering just what was going on with my latest purchases. Had I discovered a secret new product line that would revolutionize the fishing world? Were we adding a line of antiques? Had I lost it and was regressing back to my childhood in one massive step? Nope, just waxing nostalgic. Going back about 50 years to “reconnect” with some of the best fishing gear that was available back then. “Whadda’ ya think?” I asked.

 

Snickers. Lots and lots of snickers. Adam, Brian, Jake, Devon, and Dane all reacted the same way. I didn’t even say anything to Nikki or Dixie least I be declared completely daft.  But the snickers I did receive were with respect. After all, I AM an older guy. Who knows what thoughts lurk in a mind of such great age. And I did appreciate that courtesy. Fair to say, however, they were less than impressed. “You actually fished with an outfit like this?” they asked.

 

“Yep, caught lots of fish, too.”

 

“How?”

 

I’m still not sure if that was a smart ass remark or an honest question. Admittedly, I asked myself that same question. How? I don’t really know. But we did, at least that’s what I remember. Reality check? No, I distinctly remember catching lots of walleye, northerns, and smallmouth. Maybe not so much “lots”, but at least a fair amount. I think. Age has a way of altering memory. So does selective thinking. I may not always be right, but I’m never in doubt. But now I am unsure about how many fish. Better check some old pictures. But I don’t remember just where I put them….

 

Here’s the reality. My “nostalgia” outfit weighs in at an astounding (by today’s standards) 1 lb, 3 oz. – that’s 19 ounces! The Mitchell reel alone weighs 12 ounces – that’s ¾ of a pound for a 3000 size spinning reel. The Heddon Pal Mark IV 7552 rod weighs 7 ounces – not bad, but certainly not good. Compare this to say a Shimano Stradic CI4-3000 at 7.2 ounces coupled to a G. Loomis SJR782 GL2 at 4 ounces and well, you get the picture. 18 ounces vs. 11.2 ounces throwing at fish. And to think we fished with these outfits for 8 to 10 hours per day when guiding. Wow! Manly men all! We were bad.

 

So here I sit today with my “antique” outfit here in my office, next to me, perhaps another “antique” of sorts. We’re actually very compatible. I only wish I was in the same “mint” condition as the Heddon Pal and the Mitchell. But alas, I’m a bit shopworn and come with some obvious scars and more than a little boat rash. But, as a more modern generation is so fond of saying, “it is what it is”. And so it is. Nostalgia has its place, but eventually we must all return to the present. In this case, the present isn’t all that bad, at least when you’re talking fishing rods and reels. Time does have a way of making thing better. Nostalgia, it seems, has a way of clouding many more recent improvements, whether we’re talking about fishing gear or otherwise. Such is life. Yes, such is life to be sure.

 

This newsletter we’re offering a great  “$25 Free Gift Card” Special along with lots of other information and fishing gear news. Be sure to take a few minutes to look at the customer boat pictures we received as well. We didn’t get as many as we had hoped, but what we did receive were really great and show just how diverse our “vessels of choice” really are.  We also have a detailed explanation regarding the G. Loomis warranty. Be sure to take a look. All good stuff.

 

Tight Lines,

 

Tom Ashby

 

 

WOW! Get A FREE $25 Gift Card With Any Order of $200 or More through 9.26.2010 Plus FREE USA Shipping………….

 

You know, we owe you, our great customers, a special you can ALL participate in. What better way to do that than offer everyone a $25 American Legacy Gift Card with any order for $200 or more. Plus, orders over $200 ship FREE to ANY USA address. Now this is A DEAL! No specific product or models. Everything, including sale items ARE included. If you’re trading in a rod as long as the difference is $200 or more then this qualifies for the gift card. Also, all purchases of trade-in rods are included as well. But, this is only good through September 26, 2010 (next Sunday) so don’t delay.

 

Here’s the “fine print”: Offer not good for ALFC Gift Cards or Ebay orders. Offer may be used only once. Offer not valid on previous purchases or on qualifying order. Offer has no cash value. Offer is valid through our web site, phone, or in our showroom. $25 gift card will be emailed or sent via post Monday, September 27, 2010.

 

G. Loomis Limited Lifetime Warranty Questions Answered…………….

 

Lately we have been hearing many rumors about changes in the G. Loomis Limited Lifetime Warranty. Surprisingly, most of what we have heard and seen simply is incorrect. We read many blogs on the Internet and the “information” posted regarding G. Loomis’ Limited Lifetime Warranty is so incorrect that you wonder just who got it so wrong and how they could take that info and post it.  Being G. Loomis’ only Superstore we figured now is a good time to separate the reality from rumor and misinformation.

 

First, the price for Xpeditor Service has been raised from $50 to $100. Considering that the price has been $50 for about 12 years this seems reasonable to us and is less than it would have been if Loomis had increased the price by $5 per year since this program was introduced. Obviously someone was asleep at the switch at Loomis regarding Xpeditor pricing, so it was raised this year. Shimano has owned G. Loomis for over 12 years, so these changes are not due to any recent acquisition, but simply an attempt to bring the costs of the G. Loomis warranty program up to date with current costs of shipping and handling.

 

We are not aware of ANY G. Loomis rods that are excluded from the Loomis warranty. If a rod is obsolete then it will be repaired or, if unrepairable, replaced by the closest current model which is the way it has always worked. If a rod has been broken by something other than structural failure (car door, ceiling fan, pickup tailgate, rod locker, etc.) we continue to recommend using Xpeditor as this is a sure fire way to get a new, replacement rod in just a few days.

 

Our experience with Loomis has been and continues to be absolutely wonderful regarding warranties. We always encourage customers to use us for any warranty rod replacements since we always have every current model available in stock. Xpeditor is now $100, normal warranty service is $25 through American Legacy Fishing Company.

 

Keep in mind that ALL G. Loomis rods come with a Limited Lifetime Warranty. If your rod is damaged or broken you can either send the rod to us, into the G. Loomis factory, or use Loomis’ Xpeditor Service direct or through us. If you send the rod into the factory Loomis will inspect the damaged rod and will, at Loomis’ discretion, either repair or replace the rod and ship it back to you at Loomis’ expense. If the damage is due to neglect Loomis will contact you with an estimate of repair (or replacement) cost.

 

If you use Loomis’ Xpeditor Service you can either contact G. Loomis online at www.gloomis.com, call the factory at 1-877-577-0600, or call American Legacy Fishing Company at 1-877-402-6350. Upon receipt of your Xpeditor request and payment of $100 ($125 CAD) Loomis (or ALFC) will ship you a new replacement rod along with a prepaid return shipping label for your damaged rod. Done deal.

 

For the new NRX rods you MUST REGISTER your rod. We cannot stress enough how important it is to register your new NRX rod. Go to www.gloomis.com for the appropriate form. Mail this form along with your purchase receipt to the indicated address. Shortly thereafter you will receive a “wild card” which you can use to replace your damaged NRX rod at no cost, no questions asked. This replacement must be handled by an authorized G. Loomis Dealer (such as American Legacy). Do not send your damaged NRX rod to the factory as long as you have your “wild card”. If your replacement NRX rod is then damaged you can send that damaged rod into the G. Loomis factory for replacement or repair. Conditions outlined above will apply. Xpeditor Service is not available for NRX rods.

 

To briefly summarize, NOTHING has changed with the G. Loomis limited lifetime warranty except that the Xpeditor Service has increased from $50 to $100 and the new NRX rods come with a “wild card” that allows you a free, one time replacement no questions asked. We are always happy to handle any Loomis warranty and can assure everyone the service you receive today will be the same (or better) than you have experienced in the past. We are always here to take care of G. Loomis customers any way we can.

 

Need a New rod or Reel? Our “Enhanced” Trade-In Values (+10% – 15%) are EXTENDED until September 26, 2010……..

 

We have decided to extend our “Enhanced” Trade In Values on your used rods and reel until September 26, 2010 (next Sunday). If you have already received a quote then we will honor those higher trade-in values until next Sunday. After that all trade in quotes revert back to our normal trade in values. Yes, we know the NRX rods are expensive. And yes, they’re definitely worth every penny. So, we’re trying to help you out. We believe that any serious fisherman Deserves to own at least one NRX rod or certainly any of the other premium rods we offer to make your fishing experience the best possible. So, to make this a wee bit easier we’ve “Enhanced” our trade in values on all G. Loomis and St. Croix rods another week. You’ll receive 10% to 15% MORE TRADE IN VALUE when you trade in any used G. Loomis or St. Croix rod from now until September 26, 2010.

 

These enhanced values will Expire September 26, 2010, so if you haven’t done your trade by the 26^th we will drop back to our usual (but liberal) trade in values we normally quote. So, as we say in southern Indiana, “time a’ wasting”. We’re doing all we can to get as many of you into these fantastic NRX rods, so drop us a note at [email protected] with what you want to trade in and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours with a trade in value quote that will be good against anything we sell, not just NRX rods. But, with these higher values there will never be a better time than now to score that NRX you’ve been considering ( and must have in our opinion!).

Posted via email from American Legacy Fishing’s posterous