Rodeo season is gearing up! So for both the serious competitor and the die-hard rodeo fan, we have the rodeo apparel you need, to get you noticed.
Kelsey from our Clothing department helped us out by modeling both of these outfits – thanks, Kelsey!
Stay cool in blue with these fun women’s rodeo outfits by rodeo fan favorites: Wrangler, Cowgirl Tuff, and Rock 47.
Rodeo Fan Outfit
This fun Cowgirl Tuff printed tee is perfect for the rodeo or everyday. Top it off with a 6X Seratelli hat!
For cheering in the stands or after the competition, the Cowgirl Tuff cap sleeve v-neck t-shirt is a fun compliment to any jean. I have this one in my closet!
These Sadie jeans from Wrangler look great – you’re ready to have FUN!
Wrangler’s Booty UP Sadie jeans are everything that any woman wants in one jean. These jeans lift and define the seat – which is flattering, but doesn’t compromise comfort. The right blend of cotton, polyester and spandex make them just downright comfy.
Rodeo Competitor Outfit
Gorgeous cobalt stitching and cobalt & silver sparkles make this cotton shirt stand out.
This Rock 47 shirt features black gem-cut snaps on the sleeves and front, with a top button.
This Wrangler Rock 47 embroidered and embellished woven long sleeve cotton top is the perfect combination of style and flash. It features diamond blue stitching on both the front and the back around blue and silver rhinestone spots.
Look cool in blue as you do breakaway or barrels with this tough-but-cute outfit. Pair with matching cowboy boots like blue-stitched Ariat Pro Baby Flame boots.
Top it off with a 6X Seratelli hat. Then, accessorize with jewelry & cowboy boots. Kelsey picked the Ariat Pro Baby Flame boots – you can get yours online here!
Are you looking to try something new this spring? Have you thought about looking into trolling for fish? Or maybe you’re already troll-savvy and are just wanting to gain knowledge or tips on how-to’s. I talked to Chris, our fishing guy here at Smith and Edwards, to get his TOP tips n’ tricks for trolling!
What Should I Know About Trolling?
The benefits of trolling in a boat vs. fishing from shore are apparent; your fishing range expands, making it easier to find hot spots and catch bigger fish in deeper waters. This can be a great way to get those deep-water Trout and Kokanee.
So what’s the perfect way to troll fish? Well, that may vary depending on your preferences, but here’s what Chris recommends:
1. Speed is Everything: It is very important you monitor how fast you are trolling. Try 1.5-3.5 mph at first and track your results. Different species may be attracted to different trolling speeds.
2. Monitor Speed and Fish with a Fish Finder: This can be a very useful accessory for trolling. It will show you how fast you’re going as well as alert you to fish in the area. A fish finder is a great to scope out schools of fish to drop your trolling line into… they simply won’t be able to resist! One of Chris’s favorites is the Elite Series by Lowrance. Chris’s favorite Elite Series fish finder is sold exclusively in stores, but check out what fish finders we offer online by clickinghere.
3. Spice Up Your Trolling Line!: Although trolling lures are made to specifically flash and flutter to attract fish, it can be extremely helpful to use another form of bait or attractant.
Mike’s Lunker Lotion or Berkley Gulp Spray can be a tempting add-on to your set-up. Not only will it give off a “fish friendly” smell, it will also cover up your scent you may have left behind on your lures. If the fish don’t sense a human, there’s nothing stopping them from taking that lure!
A couple family tricks of mine include using old rings or jewelry with your lures and coating them with your favorite fish attracting scent!
4. Try New Spots: Fishing success can be very lake specific. Some of Chris’s favorite trolling spots are Willard Bay and Flaming Gorge. Trying new places can further help you understand which fish take which bait and what time of day they are most likely to bite. (Although most people recommend mornings and late nights).
One of our favorites for trout – the flatfish by Yakima
Chris also recommends:
Squids or Flatfish for Trout
Squids or Kokanee King for Kokanee
Rapala, wedding rings or jewelry, or Warm Harness for Walleye and Wipers
Click here to see the lures you can get delivered to your house here. And you can find even more lures in-store in Chris’s Fishing department at Smith & Edwards!
What Other Fish Trolling Tips Can Help Me?
Chris’s favorite brand of downriggers, Cannon. Model #1901020.
Downriggers, mounts, rod-holders, and different lures or spoons can enhance your trolling experience with versatility and convenience.
Electric vs gas motors are more boat size and water depth specific. Electric downriggers may be more beneficial for deep water fishing areas, where as manual downriggers may be better suited for shallow depths. Chris finds Scotty or Cannon brand downriggers and Okuma Coldwater Reels to be his favorite!
Perfect Coldwater Trolling Reel by Okuma
Have Fun With It!
Try new trolling areas, new lures, and new equipment to find your favorite fish-catchin’ troll setup. The best way to learn is to experiment for yourself!
If you’ve ever been dummy ropin’, you know how FUN it is… and you don’t need to be a team roper on a horse to have fun with it.
Stick a steer head on a bale of hay, or hook up a Smarty dummy to your 4-wheeler – it’s as fun as the real thing.
But what about when it’s raining, or it’s dark out? How you gonna rope then?
Here it is: The living room Cowboy Toy. Born in Texas, our customers LOVE these mini steers! They come with their own rope, interchangeable horns, and the legs even move like a real dummy steer, so you can head ‘n heel with the whole family. Craig had to show Curtis with ABC4 Utah how it’s done:
This tabletop roping dummy’s as fun as it looks!
Gotta have one? Get your own Cowboy Ropin’ Toy (and see their big brothers) at SMITHandEDWARDS.com in our Roping Dummy section.
We get asked how to put a speed burner on a rope pretty often – so here’s a 2-minute video showing you how to do it at home! Speedburners are so quick to put on & easy to use.
How to put a Speedburner on Your Rope
Speed Burners come in different colors!
Like Marty showed, all you need is your speedburner, your rope with a honda (click here to see how to tie a honda), and a microwave with a cup of water. Some wide pliers will do the job – Marty uses a handy pair of channel locks.
The guys I see come in to Smith & Edwards who work a ranch, know what they like. They stick to the brands that work for them: Wrangler, Carhartt, Ariat. As a wife, it’s straightforward to get him a new shirt or new pair of jeans that I know he’ll love – because it’s just like his old ones.
Get your hard-working husband a good new vest or pair of pants for Easter: he’ll be blown away by how well you “get” what he likes.
From functional and practical, to classic and just good looking, this ranch-inspired outfit has the hard-working rancher covered.
Wrangler’s 47MWZ premium performance, advanced comfort jean was built with the working cowboy in mind. An update of the 13MWZ western original jean, the 47MWZ has a more comfortable waist, larger front pockets – for that all-important cell phone, 20% longer lasting denim, and smoother seams. All that and it looks good, too.
The Wrangler Painted Desert Basic Work shirt is a classic that is built to last. Made of 100% 5oz solid twill, it is perfect for the spring weather but heavy enough to hold up against everyday wear and tear. We carry it in white, tan, and black – as well as this vivid red dye. Here’s another look, ladies…
Then over that shirt, this Carhartt quilt-lined vest is a perfect spring layering piece that is as tough as the men that wear it.
Those Ariat roper-toe boots are made from premium leather, and have more technology in them than you’d expect from a cowboy boot, to stabilize him and keep his feet cushioned. See these boots online.
Remember to get him a new Wild Rag: a rancher doesn’t want to be caught without one. You can even get a matching silk wild rag for your son wanting to be just like dad: we carry both kids’ and adult sizes, here.
Awls are some of the handiest tools in a leather repair kit. A sewing awl can stitch up a leather bag, sew a canvas satchel, or even help you repair upholstery.
In this video, Marty, our Western Dept guy, shows you how to load a needle in the “Awl for All” sewing awl, get the thread ready, and begin sewing a basic lockstitch.
And now you know how to use a sewing awl!
What would you make with this tool? Leave a comment & let us know.
What leather working videos would you like to see us make? Let us know in the comments below. If you liked this video, please help us out by Tweeting about it or sharing on Facebook.
Nobody loves a good joke more than our Western department. They are infamous for their many pranks. Insomuch that when I joined Smith and Edwards I was even warned not to go over there on April Fool’s Day!
So in light of April Fool’s Day coming up I’m going to share with you some of their pranks that you might want to use for your own April Fool’s pranks!
Drop for Drinks
When you bring up the topic of past pranks in the Western department, there is one that seems to be revered over all, even honored. If they had a Hall of Fame prank board, this would be at the top. They call it Drop for Drinks.
For this “game” you need a quarter, a funnel, and what’s a good prank without ice-cold water.
Start by telling your “victim” the rules of the game. Entice him by telling him the loser buys drinks for everyone else. The idea behind the game is that you drop a quarter from your forehead in a funnel that you are holding up in the waist of your pants. When you make it in, you get to step out of the circle. The last one to catch his quarter buys drinks for everyone else. (I realize it sounds like you’d actually have to be drunk to play this game, but truth is, most our guys are water drinkers!)
Everyone gets in a circle and has a “practice round.” When it’s time for your “friend” to take his turn, wait for him to lean back to get his quarter ready. That’s the time to pour ice-cold water down his funnel. But watch out. After the shock wears off you may need to run! Can you picture why this is a Western department favorite?
Arachnophobia
This next prank they were laughing so hard I couldn’t always understand them! It involves a tarantula, a plastic container, and a co-worker with some serious arachnophobia.
One early morning Shaun came to work with a tarantula in a plastic container. Marty, their fearless leader, made a tarantula look-alike with a sheepskin for the body and dangling leather for the legs – all painted black. They tied it to an unsuspecting, unnamed co-worker’s work apron. (They manufacture leather tack for their wholesale department right here in our store.)
When the man came in to work, Shaun was holding the tarantula in its case, looking around frantically. The co-worker asked what was wrong and Shaun told him that when he came to work that morning there were two tarantulas in that box and now there was only one! You could see the other guy glancing around nervously. He carefully went to his workbench and reached for his apron while still scanning the area anxiously. As he went to put his apron on he saw the tarantula Marty had made dangling off his apron.
Now at this point in the story they are laughing so hard it’s hard to tell what they’re saying.
The poor man couldn’t stretch his arms out long enough to keep that apron away from him as he was screeching and backing up into the middle of the store. (We weren’t open yet so there were no customers to watch the scene, thank heavens!)
He realized it was a joke when he finally noticed everyone laughing. In the words of Marty, “That’s when he started breathing again.”
More Drink Than You Bargain For
The next two pranks show that you should never leave your drink unattended back in the Western department.
Next time you see a fast food drink sitting around, try this favorite trick! All you need is the cup with a straw and lid, a packet of Arby’s sauce (feel free to use Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, or any other sauce you can find), and some tape.
While the owner is gone, take off the lid. Make a small slit in the Arby’s sauce so the straw can just fit through. Secure it to the straw with tape and replace it in the cup with the lid. When he comes back he’ll take a big swig and get a special surprise!
I love this one, but once again, you’ll need your running shoes on!
The Leaky Pop Can
Don’t let Marty get a hold of your pop can, or water bottle, or pretty much anything that you value.
Apparently he likes to use a razor blade to cut a horizontal slit about 1″ down from the rim, right below the drink opening. The “victim” doesn’t realize it’s there and when he drinks he dribbles all over himself!
Oreo Horseradish Cookies
The next three pranks are simply irresistible!
Start by gently taking off the top of your Oreo. Carefully scrape out the middle of the filling, leaving just a thin outer layer. Fill it in with horseradish sauce, or something similar.
Replace the top of your cookie and replace in the Oreo package. Now you are ready to serve your delightfully deceptive treats!
Tabasco Sauce Donuts
This idea is a pretty simple concept that really packs a punch! First you need a box of store-bought donuts. (I suggest maple bars, but only if you’re sharing with me.)
Fill a clean syringe with Tabasco sauce and carefully insert into the middle of some of the donuts. Your “victim” will see you eating donuts, so won’t think twice about it when you offer him a Tabasco-filled one. Watch the pleasure turn to horror when he starts eating!
Chocolate Cupcake Surprise
Here’s a story I’ve heard over and over again. I guess if they prank a manager it goes down in the history books!
One April Fool’s Day Dani decided to buy some chocolate cupcakes from the store and add a little something of her own – black food color. She injected it in the middle of the cupcake with a syringe. (Apparently a pretty handy tool to have back in the Western department!)
Most of the cupcakes were untouched, and everyone was eating them – so when one was offered to our co-worker, he jumped at the chance.
He started realizing there was a problem when he saw black dye on his hands. Too late. His lips and tongue were black the rest of the day!
Raccoon Eye
For this simple prank you just need an ink pad and some binoculars. Ink around the binocular lenses with the pad so that when the unsuspecting wearer looks into them, they leave him with a surprise he won’t notice til someone tells him – or he looks in a mirror.
The guys in Western did this to a co-worker one time and he went most the day with the “ink spectacles” around his eyes before a co-worker from another department told him about it. Not saying it’s nice, just saying it works. Hehehe
Glue Bottle Jump
I call this the Glue Bottle Jump because that’s exactly what I did when they did this to me! You just need an empty glue bottle and some white 1/8″ cotton cord.
Take an empty bottle of glue and clean out the nozzle well. Marty uses a big bottle of Tear Mender because that’s what he uses all the time. Cut a 1/8″ cotton cord about 12″-15″ long and tie a knot at one end.
With the knot on the inside of the lid, insert the other end through the nozzle and make another knot on the open end. Now it is securely in place so it won’t come out. Pull the thread back through the lid so only the knot is showing on the nozzle of the lid. Attach your nozzle back to the bottle.
Marty, the Western department manager is fabulous at telling stories. He leads you up to the prank by showing you some of his work, or how he makes something. Then, when the moment is just right and he is showing you the glue, he’ll squeeze the bottle right at you and watch you jump…..and sometimes yelp. I’ve seen him do this to others and this harmless joke is always fun for a good laugh! Our friend Jeff was the last victim to his prank so we recorded it and you can see it below. Jeff says he doesn’t get scared easily so we’re pretty proud that we got any reaction out of him.
Thanks for being a great sport Jeff!
These are really only the beginning of the pranks and tricks you might find around here in the Western department. Maybe it’ll give you some ideas for April Fools pranks you can use!
Got some fun April Fools pranks of your own? We’d love to hear them! Please share them below.
Love all things Western? Tom teaches us how to tie a honda in this informative and easy-to-understand video. Check it out here!
As a Western tack & lifestyle store and a tack manufacturer ourselves, Smith & Edwards loves spotlighting American companies who produce their wares in the U.S. This post is part of a series spotlighting American manufacturers.
Sliester is a well-known name for Western bits. Steve Dunn spoke with us about Sliester Bits’ history and where the company is today!
The bit builder: Sliester’s Steve Dunn, squeezing the rivets on a loose jawbit. Racks of bits behind him!
Tell us about Sliester’s history.
A pair of cowboys, Don & Vic Sliester, started the company in 1954 with their aluminum hackamore. At the time, my family (the Dunns) operated a deburring business. We had rock tumblers and de-burring equipment.
Don & Vic came to us to find a process to smooth and polish the bits they made. Each of the bits spends a few hours in our tumbling machines, which slowly sands the sand marks out.
As it turns out, my dad Earl Dunn wound up buying the business from Don & Vic in the 1980s, when I was 18.
Did anything change when the company changed hands?
Not much. It’s the same great quality and craftsmanship since the beginning. We’ve had the same bit builder for the last 35 years, and that’s me!
We’ve had more people helping at times, including my two brothers Jim and Earl, but I’m the one who’s stayed around from the beginning. My dad is still here with me and answers the phone and helps where he can.
All the bits are still made here in America. There’s a lot of competition now for overseas stuff. I believe in my product and I believe in keeping it American-made.
One of the many fine bits Sliester produces: this engraved snaffle bit features full silver & jeweler’s bronze rings.
The Sliester brothers started the company in Sanger, CA. In 1980 we moved the company here to Auberry, California, which is about 20 miles from Sanger. We still make all the bits here in Auberry.
The business has always been named Frontier Supplier Inc manufacturer of Sliester Bits & Spurs. My dad kept the name when we bought it.
What do you love about continuing the Sliester tradition?
My favorite part of the business is being self-employed and working with my hands. I have made bits for some famous people, but I don’t want to say names.
Family-owned and operated – these bits are not mass-produced. If you have ever owned one, you can feel the balance.
Thanks for talking with us, Steve! Find Sliester Bits online:
Need a little spring outfit inspiration? This outfit is all about turquoise and that fun, edgy Aztec pattern you see everywhere now. Dress it up with shiny or antiqued silver, while keeping warm in soft knit cardigan by Stetson. Check out your Aztec outfit inspiration for this month:
This is your perfect outfit going into spring!
Put this so-soft Stetson acrylic/wool blend Aztec cardigan on over a fun lightweight chiffon Aztec-print tank. Pair them with Cowgirl Tuff turquoise stitch amazing fit jeans.
Then, top it off with the perfect silver Aztec-inspired jewelry: pictured, Montana Silversmiths antiqued silver filigree cuff and Rock 47 Aztec chevron necklace and earrings set.
It’s all about the accessories: choose Tony Lama boots (get them online!) and a black leather belt with just the right amount of bling – this belt is studded with turquoise chips, crystals, and silver spots. Finish with a Nine West black bag and an Aztec beaded headband.
Wow, a little Aztec overload – but put it all together and it makes for a fun, stylish, comfortable go-to outfit.
When you come in to Smith & Edwards, you’ll find all these fun clothes in the Clothing department. You’ll get even more fun spring outfit ideas when you’re here! The gorgeous belt, headband, purse, & the Rock 47 and Montana Silversmiths jewelry are located in the Western department.
Love this outfit? Please remember to Pin it or share it on Facebook so you can come back to it again & again!
Did you hear about our first ever in-store Dummy Ropin’ contest? We had so much fun we’re already thinking about the next one! Check out what happened and see who won.Sign up for our emails just for horse enthusiasts so you don’t miss out on the next one!
Our western department has western rock stars as far as I’m concerned. Not only do they carry a great selection of quality products, they are also so knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely good people. They live the lifestyle they are talking about and have first hand experience.
Tom, Dave, Sam, Marty, Jess, Dani, Steve, Kyle, Shaun, Kris, and Sherm
Often they are asked how to do certain things, and how to tie a honda is a common request. Tom, one of our fabulous craftsmen from our manufacturing department (yes, they design and manufacture a lot of the tack they sell, and they do it right here in Smith and Edwards!) agreed to show us how to tie a honda. It must be effective because people keep coming back for more! (click here to skip to a written step-by-step how-to)
Watch How to Tie a Honda
Step by Step Tutorial on How to Tie a Honda
Tying a sturdy honda is really a two step process, but it really is quick and easy. First you make a stopper knot, then you can make your honda.
Begin by untying the strands in your rope about 6″ down and separate them. For our tutorial we’re using a 3 strand rope but you can easily do the same action with a 4 strand rope.
Take the middle back red strand and curve it to the left.
Take the blue strand on the left and go over and then under the middle red strand you just curved to the left.
Now take the right white strand and do the same over and under action you as you just did on the previous blue strand.
Grab the tip from this same white strand and insert it in the top loop you created with the first red middle strand.
Pull the end of each strand, making a tight knot at the bottom. Cut and burn the ends to seal it.
Now you’ve got your stopper knot ready for the next step. Look how great it turned out!
Time to tie your Honda
With about 18″ of rope, take the end that has your newly tied stopper knot. Working towards the right of your rope, loop it towards you til the knot faces away.
Grab the knot, take it to the left of the loop, then under and up, making an overhand knot.
It kind of looks like a pretzel now. Take your knot back behind the top of the loop and tuck it in the top loop of the overhand knot.
Make sure the upper loop you just made is the size you want and pull the bottom rope tight. Push the stopper knot up as you do this to keep it out of the way.
Now you’ve learned how to tie a honda like a pro, just like Tom and the rest of the crew.
Hope you enjoyed the tutorial and feel confident in tying your own hondas. If you have a question or there is something you’d like to know more about, let us know. Tom, Marty, Dani and others are happy to share their skills with us!
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