I traveled north to "Mecca" .....

[Uncle Grump]

otherwise known as Thorne Bros. "fishing emporium" last night. Met Pat Smith, the owner - we had a great talk about fishing.

You should have seen the look on his face when I said I had to travel to "Mecca" (his store) cause I had heard so much about his rods. A big grin broke across it.

While there I did pick up a 24" Sweetthing, going use it for jigging panfish this winter. I got to tell you, Pat showed me things about his rods that I wouldn't do to some of those I have now - like pulling down on the tip until the rod handle is almost 90 degrees to the blank, and all the time the rod portion showed almost no tendency to develope a flat spot.

He has a good product. Now for a Silstar
Tiny 20 and some 3# test line.

Ice - we need some ice.....

UG

PS: For those of you who want to look at toys for ice fishing, Pat estimates he'll have his shop "cut over" in about a week. He
has some stuff out on display right now.

[Guest]

Uncle Grump,
Where is this place? I am going thru the cities this weekend coming from Aitkin, would it be to far out of my way?

[Opie]

Chiro,

Thorne Bros. is in Fridley, on the west side of University Ave, just south of the Osborne intersection. It is between a Domino's pizza place and a Post Office. There is a Diving Equipment store in the same building.

Thorne Bothers is a great place to buy Ice Gear. Pat and the crew are very knowledgeable and as UncleGrump has found out, they make the best custom ice rods out there. Yes, they are a bit spendy if all you do is watch a bobber, but if you jig, they are a must (IMHO).

Opie

[Uncle Grump]

Chiro

Throne Bros is in Fridley, N of 694 on Hwy 47 (University Ave). Once you are on 47, take it up to 73rd (St or Ave - don't remember), take a left on 73rd, go past a gas station on the corner, then make a right on to a service road. Go about 1.5 - 2 blocks and you'll see it on the left.

UG

[WallEYES]

UNCLE GRUMP
Good choice in a t.b. rod. I have some of them and some 42 and 45 inch rods for lake trout. Amazing about the strength. Tip to rod butt without breaking. I talked to Pat last year at the ice show about fishing lakes out west while he was demonstrating bending rods in half to potential buyer/onlookers. You will be pleased with these rods.

[Guest]

I agree with WallEYES.....I only have one TB rod, it's a 28" Walleye II. I find it the best walleye fishing rod in my arsenal and it's not even top of the line and it's not a solid graphite rod. It handles a large fish very well. Also, TB's is a great place to find the harder to find jigs which always seem to be in stock. My new personal favorite for walleyes is the Red Neck Tech Hornets. I have fished along side others who weren't using them and they outfished them like crazy.......Yep, Pat Smith is a real character all right!.......T

[Kidd]

Uncle Grump, I have a TB Sweetthing and I just love it. Been using it for 4 yr's now and it's performed perfectly. Sensitive enough for those "4 to a pound" sunfish and strong enough for the 2 lb crappies. Unfortunately I've caught many many more "4 to a pound" than 2 lb. Best rod I've ever owned and is the perfect length for my Fish Trap.