Question:

Sure, Mike would definately have a good opinion. What he posts is interesting and would surely get people thinking. L. Reznam

Response:

We do not know yet what impact the mud snail will have on the "trout of the Shining Mountains," the native cutthroat trout. What we do know is that they will have an impact, and that impact will be bad. No ecosystem can endure such a mass shift in biomass without serious impact. The Great Lakes provide examples. When the Welland Canal was constructed, it allowed access from the Atlantic Ocean, through the St. Lawrence River, to the Great Lakes for such newcomers as the sea lamprey and the alewife. The sea lampreys devastated the lakes’ native lake trout, and the alewife populations multiplied until their die-offs littered the shorelines. Federal control programs introduced the Pacific salmon and steel- head as apex predators to control the burgeoning alewife populations; other federal programs killed the lampreys in their river breeding grounds. The Great Lakes sportfishing bonanza ensued. Most young fisherman are totally unaware of these historic changes in our vast North American aquatic ecosystems. Many are aware that a new intruder-the zebra mussel-is now causing a massive biomass shift in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain, but few under- stand the implications for sportfish and sportfishing. Unfortunately, it will be decades before the scientific research is complete and the ecological changes to the lake fisheries are fully explained. The Pandora’s box of ecosystem invasions has been opened by world travel and commerce. The list of its dev- astations is long, but the Rogues Gallery of fishing invaders should become familiar to all fishermen, for in many cases fishermen have been the travel brokers for these agents of change, for good or bad. Bait pail biologists have intentionally and unintentionally introduced baitfish species to normative takes across the U.S., and some highly publicized sport fishery devastations have followed. Walleye enthusiasts have intentionally (and secretly) introduced walleyes to lakes and rivers where they have never existed before. The results have been devastating to some native and nonnative fish species. Northern pike have been secretly introduced to normative waters with similar results. And even brook, brown, and rainbow trout have been introduced to normative waters across the U.S., Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and South America, changing native fisheries wherever they were introduced. Fly fishers applaud these "successes," but they seldom see the other side of this coin. The rapid decline of the Yellowstone and greenback cutthroat species followed these introductions of normative trout into the Rockies. When I read the Lehmberg/Wiltshire piece, I had a frightening thought. The snail is easily carried to new waters on our wading shoes or boats: What if the New Zealand mud snail arrived in the Yellowstone-area waters in the felts of a world-traveling fly fisher? Serious food for thought. The Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF) has taken the lead in attempting to educate us that "invasives pose a great threat to angling opportunities." They have formed special task groups to shed light on the threats to our fisheries and to help in focusing our fisheries conservation efforts. We can assist the FFF by joining the organization and by taking the preventive measures (such as dipping our waders in hot water after use) that they recommend. We must join in efforts to help prevent the spread of the mud snail beyond its current limited geographic distribution. The Coldwater fisheries of the entire nation may be vulnerable to this new menace. For information on how to join the FFF, go to its website www.fedflyfishers.org. This is a conservation organization that deserves our full support. Tiny New Zealand mud snails, which range in size from a grain of sand to 1/8 inch long, were first found in 1987 in Idaho’s Snake River. They have since spread rapidly through the Yellowstone ecosystem. In Montana they are in the upper Yellowstone River and in the Madison River below Hebgen Lake, below Quake Lake, and in Darlington Spring Creek on the Lower Madison. In Idaho, they are in the Henry’s Fork, most of the waters in central Idaho that flow into the Snake River, and the Snake through Hell’s Canyon and downstream to the Columbia. They are also in Lake Ontario. Researchers are finding the snails in many areas. One reason that we don’t have more reports is that few researchers are currently looking for them. Although there are native snails in most of our waters, tiny New Zealand mud snails, which prefer the margins of slow water, are a problem because they can reach concentrations of up to 300,000 per square yard. At this level, they can have a serious impact and displace native species. Since the snails eat the same detritus that midges and other insects eat, a large concentration of New Zealand mud snails can result in fewer midges, mayflies, caddisflies, and possibly stoneflies. The mud snail is just the latest in a growing list of invasive species that threaten our native species, including trout. Consider the pyramid of numbers in a the food chain. At the bottom, the pyramid is broad. This is where we find the basis of M in a stream: the producers, the green algae that combine carbon dioxide and water to make plant tissue. The next step up the pyramid represents all of the creatures that eat those producers. They are called the primary consumers. Moving up the pyramid, we find the secondary consumers, and at the top are the predators. In a trout stream, many of the insect forms live their lives in the water as primary or secondary consumers. Small fish might be the secondary consumers. Large trout are the predators at the top of the pyramid. Notice that the pyramid narrows quickly at the top. This means it takes many pounds of algae to feed fewer pounds of insects to support one pound of trout. Now consider a stream in which New Zealand mud snails have gained supremacy as a primary consumer.The little snails are ravenous for algae, and they rasp it up from every surface on which it grows. This means the algae is not there for the insects, so eventually there are fewer insects avail- able for the trout and fewer pounds of trout produced per mile of stream. Although trout eat a lot of native snails, they don’t eat New Zealand mud snails. For some reason, our trout don’t digest the tiny mud snails as readily as they do our bigger native aquatic snails. Preliminary research indicates that mud snails can pass through a trout’s digestive system not only undigested, but also alive. Mud snails have a strong operculum, a sort of door across the opening of their shell that they can close when stressed or attacked. This operculum may keep out the trout’s digestive juices. When the snails enter a harsh environment, they retreat into their shell and batten down the hatches" In laboratory experiments, biologists have exposed the snails to 3,000 milligrams/liter of chlorine (which is equivalent to about one cup of bleach in one gallon of water) for 30,60, and 90 seconds, and some of the snails survived. Similar results occurred when the snails were exposed to copper sulfate. No one knows for sure how the snails are spread. If birds or other wildlife are vectors, little can be done to halt the spread. The snails live out of water for at least 25 days as long as they stay damp. This means that they can be spread in many ways. If they remain dry for a few days, they will die. Anglers moving from one fishing spot to another spread the snails by carrying them from stream to stream on damp waders or in felt wading boots. As soon as the snail reaches a new stream of the correct temperature, it starts reproducing because the snails can be parthenogenetic, meaning they don’t need to mate before giving birth. A single snail is all it takes to establish a population. Controlling the Spread TAKE PRECAUTIONS to avoid transferring snails and other pests by cleaning your boat, trailer, and waders before you travel to another stream or take. This limits (but will not prevent) the spread of many introduced species, such as hydrilla, whirling disease carriers, and the mud snail. A simple hot-water bath will kill any snails trying to catch a ride on your boots or waders. Researchers say that 113-degree (F.) water kills them if they are exposed for 60 seconds. In 120- degree water, it only takes 30 seconds to kill them. Water from many hot-water heaters can reach these temperatures, so boiling your boots is not necessary if you use really hot tap water to clean your gear. You can also dry your gear for several days before using it again. Damp gear can keep snails alive for weeks. ‘Young snails in particular are so small they are almost invisible," says Dr. Billie Kerans of the Montana State University biology department. "If you fish waters that hold the snail, you must assume some are attached to you" She adds that researchers use several pairs of waders, alternating them in different waters, and suggests that anglers consider the same precaution. Dr. Kerans is leading a research effort looking at the snail’s impact on the ecosystem. This is a difficult study to undertake and it will be several years before we have any definitive data. However, according to Dr. Kerans, there is little doubt that there will be impacts. For example, in Grand Teton National Park, a population of large native snails in Pole Cat Creek is threatened by mud snails that now outnumber the natives 2,000 to 1. One of the most interesting mud snail sites is Darlington Spring Creek in Montana. This creek runs next to the lower Madison at the CobblestoneFishing Access, and anglers who want to fish the river must cross the creek to get there. The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks has closed the access site to the public to prevent spread of the snail. The department is doing an environmental assessments to examine possible solutions to the mud snail invasion. One solution is to build a bridge across the creek and make the creek off … read more »

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Question:

I have noticed today that there are  some personal items of Gary LaFontaine up for auction. I know he is struggling with ALS (I believe) but I really hope that his family isn’t having to sell his personal possessions to meet medical costs associated with his illness. I don’t want to start a bitch session about HMOs and the like, but if this is the case it’s pretty bloody awful.

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I have noticed today that there are  some personal items of Gary LaFontaine up for auction. I know he is struggling with ALS (I believe) but I really hope that his family isn’t having to sell his personal possessions to meet medical costs associated with his illness. I don’t want to start a bitch session about HMOs and the like, but if this is the case it’s pretty bloody awful.

This is sad. There’s no cure for ALS and it’s a terrible, painful way to die. I recently read Gary’s book about fishing the high country lakes. I enjoyed it very much and recommend it highly. One thing that came across in the book was how much he loved the extreme physical exertion of that kind of fishing. I’d be honored to give one of Gary’s legendary fishing dogs a home, if it needs one. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

I read in the letters column of Flyfishing and Tying Journal that one of the publishers was hosting a fund for Gary.  I’ll try to pick up the address Scott

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have noticed today that there are  some personal items of Gary LaFontaine up for auction. I know he is struggling with ALS (I believe) but I really hope that his family isn’t having to sell his personal possessions to meet medical costs associated with his illness. I don’t want to start a bitch session about HMOs and the like, but if this is the case it’s pretty bloody awful. This is sad. There’s no cure for ALS and it’s a terrible, painful way to die. I recently read Gary’s book about fishing the high country lakes. I enjoyed it very much and recommend it highly. One thing that came across in the book was how much he loved the extreme physical exertion of that kind of fishing. I’d be honored to give one of Gary’s legendary fishing dogs a home, if it needs one. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

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Question:

I recall that a couple years back, the slang for "cool" or "really great" was "fly". Gives "fly fishing" a whole new cachet, dontcha think? — "If you want to live like a Republican, vote Democratic" — Harry S. Truman – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  I’m new too the sport of "Fly"

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            I’m new too the sport of "Fly", but an avid fisherman back on the East Coast. Will be out  around Col. Springs in early October.

The South Platte is legendary. I fished Eleven Mile canyon when I was out in CoSprings on business last year at this time and it is absolutely, unbelievably gorgeous. Plus I even caught a few fish. It is about 1.5 hours from the town as I recall. I don’t know how it compares to other stretches of the river as far as productivity goes, but I cannot imagine a more jaw-dropping locale than the 11-Mile stretch. –Steve

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Folks,             I’m new too the sport of "Fly", but an avid fisherman back on the East Coast. Will be out  around Col. Springs in early October. Was wondering if there is any appreciable Fly fishing in this part of the State? I have seen folks fishing in and around Breakenridge, Gunnison (sp?), and Vail on a previous bike trip. How does Col. Springs stack up to these places and the rest of the state for that matter? Thanks in advance for any and all info Dan

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Question:

NEED HELP WITH POWERED PARACHUTES January 22,1997 Hi Folks,         My wife and I need all the help we can get–ideas?-advise-tips, etc. We are planning an environmental expedition into some uncharted jungles of Central America.  After four expeditions over the last nine years of trying to reach this particular area on foot we are seriously considering the use of back pack powered parachutes.         First, perhaps a little of our background would be helpful.  We are forty and fiftyish and in reasonable shape. We are both professionals-my wife is an Arthur and amateur photographer and one the best bushpersons I have ever met. She grew up on a farm where her father taught her hunting, fishing, and trapping. I am not big into guns but I’ve seen her shoot a six inch pattern at thirty yards (with a 44 magnum revolver!)  I have degrees in education, English, and Industrial Technology.  I am a licensed pilot (SEL) and have flown a paraplane trike. Spelunking is a hobby and I worked as a commercial diver a few years back(definitely a youngmans job).  I’ve worked in Mexico, the Caribbean, and we lived full time in Central America for a couple of years recently. (Stayed as long as the money and the luck held out).  We are back here in the States, in suburbia, working our tails off try to save or raise the money to get back South of the border and back to our work.  We have a non-profit tax exempt scientific and educational corporation and our Federal   tax exempt status for those that donate to the cause(we can furnish the 501 forms for tax purposes). Staying as independent as possible we have financed most of our expeditions out of our own pockets. So, who are we and what do we do?  Even though the term is about a hundred years out of date, perhaps the US Ambassador was the closest when he introduced at a banquet as Explorers.  Believe it or not there are still a few places left on this Earth that are still uncharted and unexplored.           Now a little about our work.  The area that we have tried (unsuccessfully) to reach overland has only been mapped from the air and some of those photographs were taken by Charles Lindberg in the thirties! So the Topo maps that do exist are notoriously wrong.  While cutting our way into this area we have in the past taken GPS readings, and collected samples of unusual plant life. (There is one vine that when boiled tastes just like coffee and another that if beaten into a pulp and put into relatively still waters will stun the fish enough to bring them to the surface and then when you gotten what you need you pull the vine out and stir the waters and the other fish revive).  Any archaeological ruins that we come across we get coordinates (GPS) sometimes do preliminary surveys and report to the authorities when we come out.  We don’t dig or loot.  Our next expedition is planned for the dry season in 1998 (February through April).  We will establish a base camp accessible by road and fly out of it.  We are currently working on a drag net that can be deployed and opened in the air and then retrieved while still in the air.  We will use this for the collection of insects above the canopy and up the river and stream valleys where we can.  If the back pack powered chutes work as I hope they will we should be able to land and take off from sand bars, clearings etc.  I’ve flown the valleys in a Cessna and am well aware of the variable winds, especially ridge drafts.  After almost being inverted twice I got back to altitude (prayerfully at that).  However, mornings and evenings are often calm-so if you don’t get stupid you might get away with it.         Now for the real reason for this E-mail.  Many questions??  We are considering building our first unit to train on here in the States as we don’t have the finances for a new or used unit at this time.  Has anyone had any experience with a company called "Easy Up".  They offer plans and recommend sources for new and used equipment.  I have also heard that there were tandem units on the market.  Not that we would fly tandem, but it would add a great measure of safety if a parachute, engine, or pilot were disabled.  What about climbing radius after take off (I’m sure it varies with thrust and chute design). My weight should be at about two hundred and my wives about a hundred and thirty.         What about Corporate sponsorship.  Any ideas on fundraising? There will obviously be a video produced.  Anyone know of anyone that has a unit stored that they would like to take a tax write-off on (or am I dreaming). Or a Patron or person of means who would fund the project-They might get a new bug or plant species named after them-Yeah, I know doesn’t seem like much incentive does it.  We will consider taking a few folks with us, but at this point it would have to be on a voluntary basis with them picking up their own expenses.  Experience and attitude would also be a very important considerations.   Well, thanks for taking the time to read this.  If you can’t help please pass it along to someone who may have suggestions or ideas. Thanks, John

Response:

Trevor, YOu could always try the news group rec.aviation.powerchutes. R. Williams – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – G’day I am looking for information on paramotoring. I can find plenty on paragliding but less or even nil on the powered para. Any info on clubs, competition or buying/selling would be appreciated especially in but not restricted to Australia . I travel to the USA and British Isles regularly with work too so any info from these countries would be welcome cheers Trev Mac —

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I suggest you to read Big Air ’s Accident Reports. There are a few Paramotor accident reports which can be benefitial to you. Regards, Kinsley Wong Big Air Paragliding http://www.web-partners.com/paragliding

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Hi Klaus, here is an other german paramotor pilot. Name here is Oscar and I am located near the city of Ulm. I fly a Fresh Breeze paramotor with Paratech wing…. Any other paramotor pilots from Germany here ??? Best regards, Oscar

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if you come to scotland try phil.

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if you come to scotland try phil.

I like that "Coudbusters" !

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Here’s another: http://www.poweredparaglider.com/ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – G’day I am looking for information on paramotoring. I can find plenty on paragliding but less or even nil on the powered para. Any info on clubs, competition or buying/selling would be appreciated especially in but not restricted to Australia . I travel to the USA and British Isles regularly with work too so any info from these countries would be welcome cheers Trev Mac —

Response:

G’day I am looking for information on paramotoring. I can find plenty on paragliding but less or even nil on the powered para. Any info on clubs, competition or buying/selling would be appreciated especially in but not restricted to Australia . I travel to the USA and British Isles regularly with work too so any info from these countries would be welcome cheers Trev Mac —

Response:

zum Thema "Re: paramotor": anyone here who is paragliding with paramotor ? I flied more than one hundred times powered PG.  When you tried to fly by Powered PG, you should never use high performance PG because it is difficult to take off.  Additionally, the high performance PG is easy to collapse, sometimes recovery of collapsed PG is difficult in the case of powered PG.

I want to use my old parachute for flying with paramotor. I gave it back   to the company for changing to stronger ropes. For normal fly I want to buy a new modern high performance PG. I think that your have much experience in PG.  If not, you should learn how to control PG by PG flyer.  Powered PG is very intresting, but it is danger to fly without basic experience and knowledge about PG.  In Japan, there is one fatal accident in powered PG.  He was a ultralight flyer. Anyway, best way to safety flying is to learn how to control PG by PG (or Powered PG) flyer.

I spent lots of hours flying conventional PG, some hours Ultralight and in   past lots of hours soaring. But it is always a new experience to start flying in spring mfg KMW —   ,–.__,-.__,—-.__,-.__,–.  // Klaus Michael Weinreich

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Try this: http://hometown.aol.com/skybrake/brakeindex.html

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – G’day I am looking for information on paramotoring. I can find plenty on paragliding but less or even nil on the powered para. Any info on clubs, competition or buying/selling would be appreciated especially in but not restricted to Australia . I travel to the USA and British Isles regularly with work too so any info from these countries would be welcome cheers Trev Mac —

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good innit? he’s a very clever man.

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anyone here who is paragliding with paramotor ? I have bought one, second hand, but I still have no experience at all with   flying this funny thing, although I have licence for Ultralight etc. mfg KMW

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Try     rec.aviation.powerchutes R – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – G’day I am looking for information on paramotoring. I can find plenty on paragliding but less or even nil on the powered para. Any info on clubs, competition or buying/selling would be appreciated especially in but not restricted to Australia . I travel to the USA and British Isles regularly with work too so any info from these countries would be welcome cheers Trev Mac —

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Question:

I am planning a trip to the Bahamas in February.  I would like to know the proper procedure for checking into Bahamian waters and the procedures for documenting animals on board. Also the names of any good marinas would be appreciated. Thanks, John

Response:

Bahamas in February.  I would like to know the proper procedure for checking into Bahamian waters and the procedures for documenting animals on board. Also the names of any good marinas would be appreciated.

Everything (and more) can be found at:     http://www.bluewaterweb.com/ Good luck and good sailing. s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat (Remove BOAT) http://www.geocities.com/colosseum/sideline/8620

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Spring for a copy of the Yachtsmans Guide To The Bahamas by Meredith Fields (?).  It’s a very useful book for planning your cruise and finding your way around. What part(s) of the Bahamas are you going to?  (It’s a BIG place) I am planning a trip to the Bahamas in February.  I would like to know the proper procedure for checking into Bahamian waters and the procedures for documenting animals on board. Also the names of any good marinas would be appreciated. Thanks, John

Steve Kuiper, CPA Steve Kuiper & Co., P.A. Altamonte Springs, FL

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February.  I would like to know the proper procedure for checking into Bahamian waters and the procedures for documenting animals on board. Also the names of any good marinas would be appreciated. CruisingSailor.com  has a lot of free info in the  free World Cruising Guide, East Coast of US, Bahamas section.

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I am planning a trip to the Bahamas in February.  I would like to know the proper procedure for checking into Bahamian waters and the procedures for documenting animals on board. Also the names of any good marinas would be appreciated. Thanks, John

Fly your yellow quaranteen flag when you enter Bahamian waters and keep it up until you clear. Most marinas will allow you to tie up while you clear. In fact many will call customs for you.  You can go ashore with all the paper work but your crew must stay on board until the boat is cleared. You may want to get a fishing licence at the same time! You are supposed to obtain a permit for your pet before you arrive.  Rabies shots must be a month old and less than a year old. I have heard of those arriving with just a Rabies and Health Cert being allowed to fill in the forms but don’t count on it.  If you call the Freeport Animal Clinic and ask nicely, they may fax you the forms wich include instructions on how to complete the documentation. This is then sent to Nassau and I think you are supposed to receive something back.  Take copies of all this before you send it off as you may never get a reply!  At least you have something to show when you arrive. The Lucayan Marina at Freeport is world class! have a nice trip! .   Lyman K Duggan   Naval electonics inc   6717 Benjamin Road   Tampa Florida 33634 –Marine TV Antenna Systems– (813) 885 6091 fax 885 3789   http://www.naval.com

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Question:

I’ll be travelling to Atlanta and I was wondering if I should carry my FF equipment with me. Any help? If yes, I’d apreciatte any info about places, access, equipments recommended any other suggestion. Thanks a lot, Pablo. BS.AS-Argentina

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I’ll be travelling to Atlanta and I was wondering if I should carry my FF equipment with me.

Yes If yes, I’d apreciatte any info about places, access, equipments recommended any other suggestion.

Email me with what you’re interested in and I’ll try and help. You have your choice of wild or stocked, large tailwaters or small freestones, trout or bass…etc Wayne Knight Geneva IL                            

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Question:

Don’t be so insecure, Muskie; nobody’s looking down their nose at you. In terms of making the kinds of choices you describe, e.g. where to fish, what kind of fish to fish for and etc., the reason the vast majority of people fish the way they do is *not* ethics, its aesthetic preference

Question:

I have some St.Croix and other graphite blanks I want to sell. All are brand new and never used. No seconds. E-mail for a list…USA only please. Thank you Tony

Response:

Hi Tony, I’m interested. Please email information. Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products 3020 Secor Ave Bozeman, MT 59715

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Question:

Anybody knows where to get good flyfishing oriented programs? Thanks

Response:

Hi, My FlyFish software (DOS) can be downloaded from ftp.geo.mtu.edu by connecting in as anonymous, and changing directory to /pub/fishing/Software/dos. There are two files flyfish.txt and flyfish.exe, please read the flyfish.txt for installation instructions, one thing I forgot to mention was that it must be installed as a top level directory, preferably C: Have fun and let me know what you think, I am working on windows versions at the moment, Regards Chris Cox

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Question:

Today UPS showed at my door with my rod and a replacement tip. No Charge! What a surprise! It seems to be a much better tip than the first one as the spline is difficult to feel. Now it is back to the wrapping bench with a smile on my face and a BIG complement to Sage. What great service they have provided to me. I hope others have been just as satisified.

I was really pleased to hear this.  I use a custom built Sage rod and love it, but was thinking of going with Orvis on a new one because of warranty.  I hope the word gets to Sage haw important such service is to their sales.

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I have had a similarly positive experience with Sage. I broke the tip on my 366LL a couple of years ago and even though it was totally my fault, (slammed it with the truck tailgate) they fixed it for free. They have my loyalty. Kevin

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I had a positive (in my opinion) experience too.  I had a Nova (blemished Sage blank) 490LL and broke it while casting real hard.  Sage didn’t send me a free rod tip, but replced it at nominal expense (I forget the exact price, but it was like $25).  Given that it was a Nova and not a Sage, I was pleased.

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I have also had great service from SAGE, but at a price!  I broke the tip on a one year old 389LL and sent it to SAGE.  Much to my surprise, I received a replacement in 4 days.   Also to my surprise, I received a bill for $70 two weeks later.   Needless to say, my enthusiasm dropped.   With their "new" warranty policy, I guess I had bad timing.  

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Iguess I must be from the wrong side of the tracks. I broke the tip on a brand new Sage 4 piece, waited almost 6 weeks for a replacement ( most of the rest of my salmon season) and paid $34 US which  hurts after conversion to my currency. I can’t get too excited about this level of service.– Jack Botsford – Executive Director                      Tel (709) 722-3069 Newfoundland Alliance of Technical Industries           Fax (709) 722-3879 Box 41, Atlantic Place, 215 Water Street St. John’s, NF, CANADA  A1C 6C9

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Last June I purchased a Sage 4711 LLB blank from Patrick’s Fly Shop up in  Seattle, WA. I wrapped and finished it and a 497 RPL (I think). Took a month and a half to teach my wife (who says you can’t teach your honey) how to cast and went off to Northern Canada flyfishing. Came home and while over at the casting ponds, I asked if I could work with it. Well much to my surprise after a few casts it fractured just up from the joint. I’d been told that this might happen to two piece rods. None of this I blame on Sage’s part. I used 4wt line, but may have been casting too far. I called Patrick’s and asked about a replacement and was told to send it to Sage, which I did along with my story. And waited for a letter to advise me how much to send for the replacement. Today UPS showed at my door with my rod and a replacement tip. No Charge! What a surprise! It seems to be a much better tip than the first one as the spline is difficult to feel. Now it is back to the wrapping bench with a smile on my face and a BIG complement to Sage. What great service they have provided to me. I hope others have been just as satisified. —  Remember amateur astronomers: "keep looking for the next Universe"

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