– TAKE IT OUTSIDE –
TAKE IT OUTSIDE – THE “POETS” OF MCFARLAND’S 2024 COBURN GATHERING
Ray Hunt
I’m beyond grateful to have been invited to my third Mcfarland Gathering of y rod zealots this year, and delighted that many of the same characters from last year are back for this 18th year. The seƫng in Coburn is idyllic and very special once again. The Feathered Hook Lodge looks the same, smells the same, and Jonas sɵll makes the best breakfast in Centre County. And the cast of characters gathered here is sɵll dramaɵc – the youngest sher a teen, the oldest beyond middle age. The conversaƟons are enjoyable and memorable – grandkids, kids, streams shed, rods built, and other milestones that seem parɵcularly appropriate to 2024’s band of scallywags who’ve made the trek from Utah, New York, the northeast, midatlanɵc and New England. It was a grand weekend in every sense.
Some sacred tradiɵons are ingrained into Mcfarland’s Coburn Gathering – the Friday and Saturday night dinners with Ray Schon from Piʃsburgh managing the kitchen and menu. Friday it’s an offthe-hook shrimp and veggie Alfredo that is the best I’ve ever had. The “hooch table” full of spirits – ne wines – reds and whites, whiskeys – Irish, Rye, Bourbon and Scotch, and a few boʃles of clear stuff (that really don’t deserve much aʃenɵon) are off the hook. And Saturday it’s ribeye’s that Bob Hallowell does sous-vide, and Ray sears on the grill for a perfect nish. The eats are bloody good.
I arrive Friday aōernoon and I may be the last one to get there that’s staying at the Lodge. But it doesn’t maʃer because ve minutes aōer I arrive the chatter is underway, as well as the rst High West Double Rye in a tumbler before heading just outside to say hi to the friends and casters. These rod makers have brought new treasures – Bob Hallowell has some cane rods he’s craōed from his shop in Dubois, Mike Mcfarland has glass and graphite rods he’s made at his Company’s shop in Bellwood, and other folks have brought stuff to trade and sell which lends to great storytelling, fellowship and barter throughout our weekend together.
The y rod casɵng has been going on since Wednesday and takes place on the grass easement alongside Jonah’s preʃy Lodge, and aōer a whisky or two, there’s always casɵng in the middle of the perfectly good two lanes of Main Street that runs right through town. We get some interesɵng looks from those who pass, but I think they know it’s a special occasion from the smiles on our faces, and theirs, too.
For the Coburn Gathering I’ve brought a couple of Hallowell Fly Rods (HFR’S) that Bob craōed for me this past year – a 9 weight, 8’ 1’’ 4-piece bamboo cannon for surf and steelhead shing, and a stunning bamboo 1 weight, 7’ 6” 2-piece to chase preʃy Brook Trout that are naɵve to north central PA’S small and stunning streams. The Gathering will provide all a chance to cast these and many other rods, and the reports are varied about tapers, materials, casɵng and acɵon. I’m also looking forward to picking up a custom rod that Mcfarland made for me – a 5 weight, 9’ 6-piece graphite that will work on virtually all trout streams in the country (and will pack easily), and it looks and casts like a dream! And as I had requested, it’s the color of red wine (think Zinfandel). Casɵng all of the rods at the Gathering makes me think of a way to describe this weekend’s acɵvity. It is poetry in moɵon to be sure. And my own context of poetry throughout my life has been about reading words or reciɵng them, but this year I realize that my vernacular of poetry extends to casɵng all of these beauɵful y rods, and to watching all at the Gathering whose talents are quite special, too. And casɵng the rods of these passionate arɵsans is one of the most amazing experiences I’ll ever be able to share. It’s really priceless.
All told, nobody got hurt. I got to pick up my new Mcfarland 5 weight, and also decide to pick up a Mcfarland 8’ 4 weight berglass that casts like a dream. As I drive home on Sunday morning I’m feeling really grateful, and I’m smiling thinking about what a great Ɵme we all had. And hoping I’ll be invited next year…