Back in 2013 my shop burned to the ground in the Taylor Bridge fire, big lesson learned there! But that’s another story. 
Along with that were plenty of fishing rods and gear. Sage Rods and Mr. George Cooke to be exact offered me as many rods as needed to replace my loss.  Also, one particular client who has been a great friend for life Jim Passage sent me some he knew I’d like.
From that I acquired my favorite dry fly rod for trout a Sage One five wt and three great spey rods I use nearly every steelhead day. Jim sent me possibly the luckiest rod on the planet.

The story however is about one of the toughest rods ever, I acquired from Jim. An Orvis 8wt Helios of which I guided him into many steelhead while using. The amazing thing about this rod is it’s LUCK and TENACITY. Its been used by every guide I have hired since and myself. I noticed its luckiness right away and being a guide that’s the best thing to have! It just magically caught fish for whomever had it by the handle.

Andy Simon tells a story of it being wrapped around the oar with a giant Olympic Peninsula steelhead on the hook while going through rapids on the Sol Duc and still surviving. Myself, its been through the wringer with plenty of DIY action and loaner action with fish on, it’s of another world tough. 

At this point in life I’m thinking of retiring it just to forgo the heartbreak should it break. God knows us steel headers are being forced into Retirment anyway.