Darren.

I bought a cheap fly tying kit at BPS, some thread, a whip finisher. http://www.basspro.com/White-River-Fly-Shop-AA-Vise-and-Tool-Kit/product/1304200736413/ And pored over how to vids from InTheRiffle, but I experimented and came up with my own methods (using his, of course, the guy is a master):

Luxottica bought Ray Ban from Bausch & Lomb in 1999. I used to work IT at B&L in the mid 90s and just loved their glasses. It's just what happens with consolidation and all that. Smaller guys that make great products get gobbled up by the bigger guy. This doesn't really bother me. I've still got my Costas in a return box waiting to go in for repair (been sitting on my desk since early fall when I broke them). Just haven't wanted to pull the trigger on the repair cost just yet. Might have to now if the warranty will change (which I doubt). Like @J Francho says, Maui Jim is quality. I've also got friends who wear them....

Agree, but believe it or not, on the doctor thing, around here, doctor offices actually DID overbook in the late 90s and early 2000s. We know a now-retired MD, family friend, and until they got modernized, they double-booked and sometimes it took two hours to get in. Have to understand the area to see why it was the case. Transient, high military concentration, appointments got cancelled, no shows, etc. Thus double-booking... When we moved down here it was unreal. But things are 100% better now, thanks to modern efficiencies.

Yes, bigger spool will be better for straight FC. You'll be fine with the setup.

A beauty!

Gary Yamamoto does this, too. His reasoning is that he wants the leader knot on the reel when he's in closer combat trying to get the fish on the boat. I've not found the need for such a long leader. Guess it's whatever they feel most confident with.

Here's how I wrap my weedless hooks:

I'm in a welcoming mood tonight!

LOL, I'm caught not checking the dates!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard, Maddox! Best hooks by my estimation are: 1) Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap in #1, 1/0, 2/0 2) Gamakatsu Split Shot/Drop Shot #2, 1, 1/0, 2/0 There are other fine brands, but I've wandered and come back to Gammy... When it comes to weedless, I tie my own and use the same... My humble 2 cents.

I can go, sometimes, like @Team9nine, several trips if lucky w/o retying my leader. I also use lighter test lines, mostly uni-to-uni now though i will tie Alberto at times. Said it in another thread, there's the whole system in place that has to work together. You drag cannot be set too tight, and you should be using the proper rod strength for the technique. As well, the slicker the line, the more wraps I will tie. In all honesty, I can't remember the last time I broke at the uni-to-uni or Alberto leader knot. Using 10, 15, and 20# braid with anywhere from 4-15# test of various material. Finally, I do not fish moving baits as much, but I do fish a spinnerbait often lately, and have had no issues.

While I have 5 and 6" stick worms, I don't often fish them. BPS Stik-O in 6" is pretty weighty in and of itself, but with a 1/16th it should be a mighty fine worm. I like the shimmy of the Stik-O. The YUM Dinger would also be good on a weighted rig as it's, IMO, too light for weightless due to the lack of salt. So perfect for weighted. I normally throw 4" worms both weightless and on a jig.

Nope. Though obviously I didn't get to weigh her, I did get a great look at her literally inches from my net as she taildanced her way off my hook. That one hurt. She was much fatter than my 7.5 PB, so I put her est. in the 8+ range. Another one in the same area a year before, I caught one that blew up on a school of shad. I heard it behind me, threw a 5" senko and she hit it hard and gave me quite a fight, but I could never work her to the surface when suddenly my 10# Yo Zuri Hybrid leader snapped maybe 24-30 inches above the hook...

Welcome aboard! I'd recommend a M/XF rod if you can find one in your price range. Rod length is up to you. I prefer shorter rods 6' being the sweet spot for me, 6'6" being max. I also think you could get away with a Bass Pro Carbonlite MF. A stout rod for a manner of weighted lure situations. Reel: Pflueger makes fine spinning reels. I personally prefer Shimano, but that's me. Line: I use braid on every setup I have. 10 and 15# Power Pro (regular) and Power Pro Super Slick 8, both in bright yellow. I always tie on a leader...

I really like St. Croix in the ML action spec. Suggestion would be a Premier at that level, or Avid if willing to spend a little more. But as @fishnkamp asked, what size reel? Smaller the reel, the more tip-heavy (usually) the rod will be, esp. in the SC lineup. I'm a fan of shorter rods from my kayak, 6' being optimal, I'll go as long as 6'6". But length is relative to the fisherman, get what you feel comfortable with.

The trick is getting your butt off the back of the seat! Lucky for me as I did hundreds* of steps and never face planted. Though on other "stupid stunts" and going too fast on narrow singletrack, I've mauled my shins, endo'd, reverse endo'd, and other things there are no names for, LOL. Again, lucky I broke no bones in the sport. These dudes have trick-tuned full suspension bikes which help a lot with the stairs and such. MacKaskill has a number of vids, some where he uses a BMX to jump all over the place.

Same here. I tried to show my 3rd born son the ease of popping a wheelie on my "old" rigid Trek and I ended up going full-on my back with a nasty bruise to go along. Getting older ... sucks...

Here in Hampton Roads, as well. Just wish the wind would die down!! Full moon Tuesday, I believe!

It was very likely pre-staged and run through several times. Cordoned off by folks with the crew. It was well put together, it seems. The one I posted was by Red Bull, so also well-done and ridden through several times to get the proper shoot. Outtakes are funny painful.

Pretty good ride. I used to ride all over UNT (Univ. North Texas) back when I was a crazy MTBer. And I jumped and rode steps on a full rigid Trek!! My 3rd son races cross country MTB here in VA. I'm a big fan of the legend, Danny MacKaskill. Keep watching for the cringeworthy outtakes.

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard, Tom!

Very sad...not sure what to say. Don't want to diminish the tragedy...but be safe out there.

Beautiful beast. Sad outcome.