Floating rod.
I get a call a few weeks ago from a guy that I built a rod for. Not a cheap rod, mind you (7' M/F St. Croix SCV casting). The conversation goes something like this:
Jim: Oh, master rod builder, I have some bad news and good news.
Me: Did you break your new rod?
Jim: No.
Me: (sigh of relief) That's good, what happened then?
Jim: Bad news......I threw it in the water.
Me: WHAT.....
Jim: I said......I threw it in the water.
Me: How deep?
Jim: Couple feet.
Me: So you were able to get it back?
Jim: Yep....it just floated there.....That's the good news.
Me: Floated?......you mean without the reel, right?
Jim: No....with the reel...and full spool of line....and a #10 X-Rap.
Me: Floated cork up?
Jim: No.....completely level....right next to the boat.
Fast forward to Friday......I was fishing with Jim. We run from Lampe to Hammermill and I set up to drift. He picks up his rod/reel and proceeds to toss it in the drink.....in 12' of water. I'll be darned if it didn't just float there, right next to the boat. I've never seen anything like it. That wasn't my intention when setting out to build this rod, he just wanted the lightest rod possible without bucking up for Ti guides.
There was really no point to this story, I just found it amazing.