Tom’s Tales – Welcome 2014

Hi folks,

Welcome to 2014! The economy is improving, government is “slightly” less
dysfunctional, and there is an optimism that we haven’t seen for a while.
And yes, I have some New Year’s resolutions that this year I am going to see
through….

Now that I’m closer to 70 than 60 New Year’s resolutions seem to have taken
on a new found importance to me. So, as you might expect, I think sharing
these with all of you would be worthwhile if for no other reason than it
causes me to make a public commitment to stay on point and do what I say I
will do!

My very first resolution and one that all other will depend on is to get on
the water more often. You might think that anyone who is involved in the
recreational fishing business would be out there fishing more than most.
Boy, do I wish that were so. The bigger ALFC gets the tougher it has been
for me to get away from the store. Quite honestly, I just love working with
customers (and telling fishing stories) so much that last year my fishing
time was way less than I expected. There always seemed to be an excuse why I
couldn’t get out. This year I’m going to change that. Really, I am.

In 2014 I resolve to try new stuff. You would expect that from me since we
sell all the latest and greatest, but hey, I’m an old guy. Old guys are “set
in their ways” and I still don’t understand why a lure that caught fish like
crazy 40 or 50 years ago won’t work now. But, I will readily admit that
there are some kick-ass lures now available that just rock. My problem is
one of nostalgia as much as resistance to change. My tackle box is full of
Mepps spinners, Creek Chub Pikies, Musky Hawks, etc. and every time I pick
up one of these and tie it on my line the memories flood back of fishing
with our kids, summer trips to that special lake, and great times. But, I
promise to try the new stuff this year.

This year I’m going to move away from my comfort zone. Frankly, I’m best
described as a freshwater fisherman. I like fresh water and the scenery that
is included. Whether it’s a shield lake or a local pond, I like the fish,
the flora and fauna, and everything that has to do with fresh water. But I
will stretch this year and move into salt water, southern “big bass” lakes,
and anything else that is a substantial change away from my comfort zone. I
will fly on airplanes more (I really hate to fly) and put up with the
airline security hassles and mishandled luggage so I can try fishing for
peacock bass, Mexican largemouth’s, and any other fish that I have rarely
tested myself on.

I will become a better fly caster in 2014. Honestly, I’m an intermediate fly
caster at best, and that’s on my best day. I struggle with wind and tippets
and line weights, and – you name it – I am usually a frustrated angler when
fly fishing is involved. More than once I have been fly fishing on a bank
and reverted to my tried and true spinning rod after a few hours of casting
frustrations. This year I will stick with my fly rods and get better. Old
guys have experience and (hopefully) some knowledge of what it takes to get
good at something. Fly fishing takes practice and patience. I will develop
both this year. Yes I will!

Now that it is January and fishing in cold weather is something I dislike
with the greatest degree of disdain, in 2014 I will dive into my 10 or 15
tackle boxes (I’m actually not sure just how many I really have) and get my
gear organized. After 60 years of fishing and accumulating so much gear,
this is a project that is long overdue. My wife Dixie has commented on more
than one occasion, “I don’t see how you can find anything in that mess.” So,
I resolve to straighten our every single tackle box. I’ll make sure I have
each organized, perhaps by species or type of lake or whatever, but I will
get “that mess” straightened and no longer have to be made fun of by my
wife, friends, and kids. And in the bargain hopefully set a better example
for my grandkids. Shoot, I may even buy myself some new tackle boxes and
retire my old Umco’s and Plano’s.

2014 will be the year I systematically clean and service my reels and rods
before I set out on a fishing trip. Usually my maintenance occurs less than
24 hours before we head out for a trip. Truth be known, it’s more like 6 or
12 hours before. I end up in the garage sorting and servicing while the rest
of the family is grilling out or excitedly talking about the upcoming trip.
Me? I’m in a panic getting all the gear ready. Oiling reels, stringing on
new line, checking rod guides, etc. This year I’m going to prepare earlier
and enjoy the total experience of family and friends that invariably starts
a day or so before we depart.

In this new year I will actually get rid of some of my obsolete reels and
rods. You know, ALFC has an awesome rod and reel trade in program. But me,
hell, I’ve never used it! Nope, it’s the nostalgia thing again. I remember
when that old Daiwa or Shimano or Ambassadeur reel caught a real trophy.
Never mind that the new reels are far superior in every way. Nope, those old
reels are full of memories. This year I will get rid of many of those. I
will eliminate a lot of clutter and actually be fishing with some awesome
gear. Maybe I won’t trade them in – I’ll just retire them. But, I will be
using new gear. I promise.

Finally, 2014 will be the year that I actually take care of my boat and
motor ALL year. I have a nice Lund Mr. Pike that I dearly love. It’s a 2006
model and each spring I clean the boat from stem to stern. I wax it, vacuum
it, polish it, and service it. I tighten everything and make sure it looks
as close to new as possible for an 8 year old boat. But as the season
progresses I slip. I come home tired and there’s always tomorrow to do the
requisite maintenance and cleaning. Then there’s another tomorrow and
another and eventually it just doesn’t get done. This year I won’t let that
happen. I’ll clean up after each trip out. Hmmm, maybe I can talk Dixie into
helping me with this? Not.

There are probably a lot more change I need to make , but like I said, I’m
an old guy and this list seems pretty substantial and perhaps a bit
overwhelming to me. I hope you’ll stay tuned and help me stay on point. I
can assure you I will need all the help I can get. Like I said, old guys are
set in their ways!

This issue we have some exciting news and a brand new newsletter format for
2014. We think it’s cleaner and a lot more user friendly. Please take a few
minutes to look this issue over and let us know what you like and don’t
like. After all, this is your newsletter and we want to make sure you like
what you see!

Thank you for your wonderful friendship and support in 2013. It was a banner
year for American Legacy Fishing and we truly appreciate your continued
loyalty and support. We made a lot on new friends in 2013 and feel we are so
fortunate to have so many friends who share our joy and obsession with one
of the world’s greatest sports. We wish all of you a happy, healthy, and
prosperous 2014. Thank you once again for all you do!

Tight Lines,