The Vermont Chronicles 16 March: Testing Rods and Looking for Spring

by Jess McGlothlin on March 16, 2014

in The Vermont Chronicles

Another week flown by. The absence of a post last week was entirely my fault, and partially to blame on the fact that days have been pretty routine. The past few weeks have fallen into a pattern of wake up, Fire Girl work, Orvis, yoga, more Fire Girl work, possibly some drinks at a local pub with some of the Orvis crew, sleep.

Then rinse and repeat.

It’s not a bad thing, and I’m enjoying the routine and somewhat relaxed pace, but it’s not necessarily noteworthy. Things officially get crazy starting March 31, and I don’t know when they’ll slow down (hopefully never!) so trying to get some freelance work wrapped while I can.

VC16M1I nipped out of the office Friday afternoon to go test-cast a new line with rod designer Shawn Combs and product development specialist Tim Daughton. Somehow casting flats-rigged rods on the pond behind the Orvis flagship store in Manchester doesn’t quite fit when it’s in the twenties and breezy. Made for a nice break from the office, though, and good fodder for several projects underway.

Earlier in the week we had a nice day of spring melt – temps nearly touched fifty, which is the warmest I’ve seen in my tenure here. Said melt resulted in my apartment becoming temporary lakefront property, and it took serious self control to not break out the five-weight and cast a bit after work.

Spring weather didn’t last long, though, as we were quickly ushered back to winter less than forty-eight hours later with freezing rain and then snow. Nothing like going out to start the car in the morning only to be greeted by enough ice on the Subaru that I had to take my hair dryer to the door to even get it open. Once we were up and running, the fun continued. I can’t say I’ve ever tapped my breaks and had absolutely nothing happen – that was one of the more interesting commutes I’ve ever undertaken.

Sometimes we’ve got to appreciate the little adventures.

I’m starting to prep camera gear for the trip to the Orvis Guide Rendezvous in Missoula in a few weeks. Hope to see some of you there!

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