Rainshadow Soldier Build (pic heavy)

[Josh_Bovaird]

So I recently donated my boat and services to a Take a Soldier Fishing tournament on Oneida lake over the past weekend.  I wanted to do something special so I contacted Rainshadow and they were awesome and got everything right out to me.  I chose the Revelation 6'8" med fast spinning rod figuring it was a pretty universal rod any one could use, I wasn't sure who I would be paired with our they're fishing background.  I scratched my head for some days trying to figure out how to go about the build and to tie it all in.  I ended up finding a design I liked and had to give it a shot, I've never messed with any olive branches and this was my 6th build so I was nervous.  Overall the rod turned out awesome I paired it with a Pflueger President reel and it really drew some attention.  Well, little did I know I would be handing the rod out in front of 250-300 people during the morning breifing,  my soldier had no clue what was going on he was a young guy from Tennessee.  So when I called his name and he came up to receive the rod the look on his face made my day and the whole thing worth it.  He was amazed and in shock the rod was for him.  So after that we head to the boat and go to launch he's never been in a bass boat but loved to fish so I knew we were gonna have a good day.  We blasted off and headed to our beginning spot, he had a smile from ear to ear as we ripped across the lake.  It didn't take us long to get into some fish, he ended up landing his personal best smallmouth and his first pickerel.  We didn't win any prizes but man we had some fun and ill be doing the event again next year for sure.  If anyone is around the NY area the event is really a good time and they really take care of you.  They had coffee and doughnuts in the morning, had a launch service all you had to do was hop in the boat they did the rest, we came back to a killer bbq and tons off giveaways.  It felt so good to give back a little to the guys that protect this great country and make it possible to do the things we do.

 

[Longo]

What a great post.  Thank you for sharing! 

[Josh_Bovaird]

On May 4, 2017 at 1:29 AM, Longo said:

What a great post.  Thank you for sharing! 

Thanks I'm glad you like it!

[livin2fish]

I liked it!  You did a good thing.

[roadwarrior]

Great post!

 

[jbw252]

Kudos to you for what you did & for sharing it with us.  For all of our service men/women, we thank you for your dedicated service & for keeping us safe.

[.ghoti.]

Josh, great plan, great execution. Hat's off to you.

 

your first olive branches look better than my first six tries! LOL

[dmainor]

that's awesome and the rod looks great.....  From a 21 year vet  Salute!!

 

Dug

[Josh_Bovaird]

On May 4, 2017 at 5:07 AM, livin2fish said:

I liked it!  You did a good thing.

haha sorry didn't mean it like I'm glad someone liked it.  I was honored and proud to do the rod, it got a lot of attention and complements.

3 hours ago, dmainor said:

that's awesome and the rod looks great.....  From a 21 year vet  Salute!!

 

Dug

Thanks for your service!

On May 4, 2017 at 8:36 AM, .ghoti. said:

Josh, great plan, great execution. Hat's off to you.

 

your first olive branches look better than my first six tries! LOL

I really stressed over that wrap and was worried I couldn't do it but I surprised myself once I dove into it.  I was happy how it turned out for my first one.  

[J Francho]

Excellent.  I've done a couple of these events.  Burnie and Mike are friends of mine, and run a great event.

[Dwight Hottle]

Congrats on a great build & a great cause. Nice job Josh. 

[Hogsticker]

Very cool! 

[jr231]

Lol got him cheesin' in the one with the biggest smallmouth.. 

 

Awesome! 

[Josh_Bovaird]

 

Lol got him cheesin' in the one with the biggest smallmouth.. 

 

Awesome! 

He was pumped when he felt that beast on his line.  I kept telling him to hold on if one of them bites haha

[Alpster]

EXCELLENT!

[Stel-Lar]

I like the flag pattern you did above the reel seat.  very nice work!

[Josh_Bovaird]

On May 20, 2017 at 6:48 PM, Stel-Lar said:

I like the flag pattern you did above the reel seat.  very nice work!

Thanks I really enjoyed this project!

[Oregon Native]

You did good....awesome

[Josh_Bovaird]

On May 30, 2017 at 7:56 AM, Oregon Native said:

You did good....awesome

Thanks man it was an honor and I can't wait to do it again next year

[A-Jay]

A-Jay

[XpressJeff]

Awesome!!

 

Thank you donating your time, funds and talents to make that young man's day special!

[d-camarena]

Faith in humanity restored. Thanks man

[papajoe222]

  Hat's off to you.

Great to hear of fellow anglers sharing an angling experience with one of our soldiers. I, too, take part in a similar program to take vets fishing.  Sad to say it really hasn't taken off in my local. The rod build is going way above the call, it's 'fantasimo' (my grandson's description).  As I'm gaining more confidence in my own builds, I'm contemplating doing something similar.  The rod, however, wouldn't have the decorative thread work, possibly a decal or inscription.

[RB 77]

Awesome!

[Josh_Bovaird]

On July 6, 2017 at 10:39 PM, papajoe222 said:

  Hat's off to you.

Great to hear of fellow anglers sharing an angling experience with one of our soldiers. I, too, take part in a similar program to take vets fishing.  Sad to say it really hasn't taken off in my local. The rod build is going way above the call, it's 'fantasimo' (my grandson's description).  As I'm gaining more confidence in my own builds, I'm contemplating doing something similar.  The rod, however, wouldn't have the decorative thread work, possibly a decal or inscription.

Thanks I was honored to be able to take him fishing and it was great for Batson Enterprises and Team Rainshadow to step up donate everything for the build.