Line #61 Main/RodAndReelRepurposed


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6	%% This list of examples has been alphabetized. Please add your example in the proper place. Thanks!
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13	[[quoteright:244:[[Anime/MazingerZ https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rod_and_reel_repurposed.jpg]]]]
14	[[caption-width-right:244:Nice catch.]]
15
16	The classic rod-and-reel combo has been the design of fishing rods for hundreds of years now. The even simpler design of a string hanging from a simple wooden stick even older. But what if you're not fishing exactly? This trope repurposes fishing poles to hook other objects.
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18	If you've dropped your keys down a hole, need to pull something from far away, or [[ImprovisedWeapon you're missing a weapon]], the fishing rod can do it all.
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20	Compare DangerousBackswing. Contrast FishingForSole, where the character ''intended'' to catch a fish, but caught something else instead. The hook may turn into a StrippingSnag.
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22
23	!!Examples
24
25	[[foldercontrol]]
26
27	[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
28	* In ''Manga/CaseClosed'', a fishing line is often used by the killer as a weapon or as part of a complicated mechanism.
29	* An episode of ''Manga/{{Doraemon}}'' has a random schoolboy admit that he once used one to lift Shizuka's skirt.
30	* The manga of ''Anime/DoraemonNobitaAndTheKingdomOfClouds'' has the leader of the EvilPoacher managing to steal Nobita's CoolCrown (which controls the titular kingdom) using a fishing rod, leading to the villains taking over. This was changed in the anime adaptation however, where the poachers instead snuck upon Nobita and Doraemon to snatch the crown up close while Nobita is distracted by a screen.
31	* In ''Manga/HunterXHunter'' Gon uses a fishing pole as a weapon before learning the Nen. However, he never uses it to directly attack an enemy.
32	* ''Anime/JewelpetKiraDeco'': Sapphie, who runs a large bookstore, uses a fishing rod to fetch books that her customers request.
33	* In ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureGoldenWind'': Pesci's Stand, Beach Boy, is a fishing rod capable of three things: it's capable of tracking people and literally fishing them out from other rooms, it can phase through any and all objects including skin, and [[AttackReflector attacking the line simply reflects all damage onto whoever it's hooked into]].
34	* In ''Anime/MajokkoMegChan'' Rabi twice uses this on her big sister Meg to lift her skirt and see her panties.
35	* In episode 52 of ''Anime/MazingerZ'' Shiro's toy ends up in Sayaka's bathroom while she's in there brushing her hair with just a ModestyTowel on. Not wanting to alert her, he tries using a fishing rod to get back his toy, but [[AccidentalPervert accidentally]] ends up hooking her towel instead and ends up [[StrippingSnag snagging it off her]].
36	* ''Manga/MissMachiko''
37	** The first episode has Kenta using his fishing rod to steal Machiko's panties forcing her to chase him half-dressed.
38	** An episode has three little kids use this to lift Machiko's skirt and distract her while one of them steals some food.
39	** Another has [[DirtyKid Kenta]] uses a fishing rod with multiple hooks to catch not only Machiko, but also the skirts of three schoolgirls.
40	%%* Episode 69 of ''Manga/OsomatsuKun''.
41	* ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf''
42	** The first movie has Ebiten, the main vassal and lieutenant to the antagonist, use a fishing rod to lash out opponents with the rod's line to slice their flesh. It earlier gets used to grab Akane by her arm and haul her up to where the enemy group is.
43	** The manga also has a "Koi Rod of Love" storyline where a child's fishing rod with a toy carp on the end has been turned into a magical device. You cast the line at whoever you want to fall in love with you and if the carp hits them, then they will. Ryouga unwisely tries this to win the love of Akane, unsurprisingly his cast only manages to reel in Ranma-in-girlform who immediately goes full {{Yandere}} in their love for Ryouga.
44	* In ''Anime/SpaceDandy'', the eponymous protagonist uses a retractile fishing rod to catch things or beings (like Meow in the first chapter) as well to hang on high places.
45	* Episode 54 of ''Anime/{{Yatterman}}'' has Boyakky try to use a fishing rod to hurt the heroes. Instead, the hook ends up twice affecting his comrade [[MsFanservice Doronjo]]'s costume showing, the first time, her breast.
46	* ''Manga/YuYuHakusho'': Ura Urashima, naturally being that he has modeled himself after the fairy tale fisherman Urashima Taro, uses a fishing rod as his weapon of choice (using it as an improvised whip).
47	[[/folder]]
48
49	[[folder:Comic Books]]
50	* ''ComicBook/{{Aquaman}}'' foe the Fisherman utilizes specialized lures and a fishing rod with a razor-sharp hook and titanium-steel line as weapons to "catch" his enemies.
51	* ''Comicbook/{{Batman}}'': The Cult of Zafub from ''Legends of the Dark Knight'' #128-131 are a group of assassins who specialize in killing their targets using that target's own greatest skill. So a stunt driver gets run off the road, an army guy might be forced into a SniperDuel, a master martial artist might be beaten by a better martial artist and, as we see in the comic, a fisherman gets killed by an assassin with -- you guessed it -- a fishing rod.
52	* In ''ComicBook/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica'' #6, the League investigates a series of apparently impossible museum thefts which turn to have been carried out by an expert fisherman casting a line through the museum window and "catching" valuable artifacts.
53	* In one old ''ComicBook/SupermansPalJimmyOlsen '' comic, Jimmy unravels a mystery involving some thieves partially by finding a fishing hook too big to be for any fish in the area. Therefore, he deduced that the crooks were hiding their loot underwater and went fishing for it. (Superman quickly slipped it on the hook to prevent it from taking as long as it might otherwise.)
54	* In ''Comicbook/{{Supreme}}'', the Fisherman (and his sidekick Skipper) uses a fishing rod as the Allies' {{Expy}} of Comicbook/GreenArrow (and Speedy).
55	[[/folder]]
56
57	[[folder:Film -- Animated]]
58	* In ''WesternAnimation/TheAristocats'', Edgar uses a fishing rod to retrieve incriminating evidence (the hat and umbrella he left behind while kidnapping the kittens) from the two farm dogs who chased after him.
59	* ''WesternAnimation/AGoofyMovie'' has Max Goof learn the ChekhovsSkill of the Perfect Cast from his father. This comes in handy when Max uses a fishing pole to rescue Goofy from certain doom at the bottom of a steep waterfall.
60	* ''Film/SpaceJam'' has Sylvester cast a fishing rod to [[StrippingSnag snag the shorts]] of Monstar Pound. [[DefeatByModesty Suddenly denuded, Pound cannot continue upcourt, instead sitting in place and pulling his jersey as far down as possible]]. "Nice butt!"
61	* ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory1'' has a character in Sid's house composed of a toy rod and reel with a pair of fashion doll's legs attached. Woody calls her Legs, and she acts as a winch to lower Ducky to a point where he can [[WeNeedADistraction ring the doorbell]].
62	[[/folder]]
63
64	[[folder:Film -- Live-Action]]
65	* In the prologue to ''Film/EmmetOttersJugbandChristmas'', Catfish uses his fishing pole to snatch Kermit's scarf from around his neck and steal it.
66	[[/folder]]
67
68	[[folder:Literature]]
69	* In ''Literature/DragonBrigade'', when visiting towns, Rodrigo thinks it's hilarious to "fish" off the side of the [[ZeppelinsFromAnotherWorld airship]] and try to snag people's hats. He throws back any hats he actually catches, he just enjoys the challenge and the outraged expressions.
70	* ''Literature/{{Newsflesh}}'': Irwin Ash North sits in trees with a fishing rod and raw meat to attract zombies.
71	* ''Literature/ThereIsNoEpicLootHereOnlyPuns'': Ruli's fishing rod is actually a legendary weapon, and when she gets a giant lizard instead of a fish, while Delta freaks out and starts ordering her monsters to run, Ruli simply hooks the back of the lizard's throat, smashes it against a wall, and tears out its brain.
72	--> '''Ruli:''' Lizards don't count in the fishing contest.
73	[[/folder]]
74
75	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
76	* ''Series/{{Angel}}'': In "Guise Will Be Guise", Angel uses a fishing rod to ensnare a villain who is standing in the sunlight to avoid the vampire.
77	* In ''Series/DoubutsuSentaiZyuohger'', Zyuoh The World's weapon, Zyuoh The Gunrod, is a fishing rod that can also be used as a gun or a spear.
78	* ''Series/GilligansIsland'': In "[[Recap/GilligansIslandS2E2BeautyIsAsBeautyDoes Beauty Is As Beauty Does]]", the Castaways decide to hold a BeautyContest. To provide isometric exercise, the Professor has Mary Ann swim in the lagoon while he holds onto her swimsuit with a fishing rod. Gilligan arrives, and, thinking the Professor is struggling with a huge fish, tries to help. As a result, Mary Ann's swimsuit comes flying off, to everyone's embarrassment.
79	* ''Series/TheGoodies'': In "Scoutrageous", Graeme and Bill use a fishing rod to snatch a toupee off a pedestrian while earning their [[MeritBadgesForEverything Wig Spotter's Badge]].
80	* ''Series/{{Hardball}}'': After Kevin's failed trial of digital locks puts the school into {{Lockdown}} in "The Odd Couple", Mikey and Tiffany work together to fashion a fishing rod, a tennis racquet, wire hangers and [[DuctTapeForEverything duct tape]] to fashion a reaching device to [[HookingTheKeys lift the key to the override box from the caretaker's storeroom]] so they can shut the system off.
81	* Invoked in ''Series/ImpracticalJokers''. One challenge has the Jokers attempt to grab bags in a mall with a comically oversized fishing hook.
82	* ''Series/KamenRiderDenO'' Rod Form, based on the Japanese folktale hero Urashima Taro, uses the [[SwissArmyWeapon DenGasher]]'s Rod configuration as a spear/staff, although it would sometimes conjure a laser "string" to swing at his opponents, the tip alone easily cutting them down.
83	* ''Series/TheNewAvengers'': The sentries in "The Eagle's Nest" are disguised as anglers, and use their fishing rods and weighted lures to kill any outsiders who come too close to discovering the island's secret.
84	* ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}'': In "The Rye," George uses a fishing rod to smuggle a loaf of marble rye bread in through his in-laws' second-story window.
85	[[/folder]]
86
87	[[folder:Manhua]]
88	* The ''Manhua/OldMasterQ'' spin-off, ''Master Q's Fantasy Zone Battle'' have Master Q and pals, Big Potato and Chin, with Fa Mulan in tow, facing a group of Shaolin monks in a soccer match ([[MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext don't ask]]). Partway through, a monk with the ability of flight managed to snatch the soccer ball by flying out of range, and Chin responds by pulling a fishing rod out of nowhere and [[https://youtu.be/ilZwuqdMLoI?t=1674 using it to yank off the monk's pants]].
89	[[/folder]]
90
91	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
92	* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' BD&D supplement ''The Book of Marvelous Magic''. There are several types of magical fishing poles. One can be used for catching fish, but the others have interesting abilities.
93	** The Pole of Exaggeration catches creatures, but causes whatever is caught to double in size.
94	** Pole of Levitation: when its hook is attached to the user, it causes the user to rise into the air.
95	** Pole of Monster Fishing: can catch monsters instead of fish.
96	** Pole of Rescue: Its hook can be sent down up to 40 yards. After it attaches itself, the target can be pulled up to safety.
97	** Pole of Treasure Fishing: the hook can be sent in search of treasure. Once it finds it, it signals the user with a tug.
98	[[/folder]]
99
100	[[folder:Video Games]]
101	* ''VideoGame/{{Chantelise}}'': You need to hit an enemy [[spoiler:who is the final boss]] with the fishing rod to get a treasure. And you can also use it as a weapon.
102	* Korcha from ''VideoGame/ChronoCross'' uses a fishing rod as a weapon.
103	* The Fisher Kings of ''VideoGame/FallenLondon'' are a StreetUrchin gang who keep to the roofs and gutters, and steal the hats and wigs of passers-by using fishing rods.
104	* The [[GameMod Fishing Creation]] bundled with the Anniversary Edition of ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'' always allows you to [[FishingForSole fish up junk along with actual fish]]. However, several of the quests in the creation specifically require you to use your fishing rod to retrieve objects from the murky depths.
105	* Lenox from ''VideoGame/EternalReturnBlackSurvival'' is a former mafiosa who retired to spend her days fishing. While on Lumina Island, she uses a fishing rod as her choice of weapon.
106	* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII'', Pulse tribesmen have complex rods that function as both weapons and lassos-slash-bridles for the various wild mounts flying around.
107	* In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'', you can use a fishing rod to distract a boss in the middle of the fight (he stares stupefied at the lure). This was likely a [[AscendedMeme nod]] to the fact that in two previous games, an inventory item was usable against bosses to deflect their attack.
108	* ''VideoGame/MakaiKingdom'' has Fishing rods as one of the more... out there weapons. Notably, one of their skills snags an enemy, and then flings them ''to the Moon''!
109	* The fishing rod in ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}'' is usually used for fishing, but it can also be used to reel mobs, dropped items, and [[PlayerVersusPlayer other players]] closer to the user.
110	** By [[ItemCrafting combining a carrot with a fishing rod]], you can make a [[MotivationOnAStick carrot on a stick]], which is used to steer a saddled pig. The "warped fungus on a stick" serves much the same function for the [[LavaSurfing Strider]].
111	** Drowned zombies can be found wielding fishing rods as melee weapons.
112	* In ''VideoGame/MonkeyIsland2'', Guybrush uses a fishing rod to recover a map piece that's stuck in the middle of a cliff.
113	* In ''VideoGame/NightInTheWoods'', if you choose to tag along when Bea goes on a housecall to fix an old furnace, you can attempt to [[MacGyvering cobble together]] a fix of your own using various objects you find around the basement, including a fishing pole. All it does is fall apart, which is probably for the best.
114	* ''VideoGame/PlantsVsZombies2ItsAboutTime'': In Big Wave Beach, the Fisherman Zombie uses his rod to reel your plants towards him and the water, one tile at a time... and if most plants fall into the water, it's a OneHitKill.
115	* In the ''VideoGame/RuneFactory'' games, fishing rods can also be used as weapons.
116	* Nachi's signature weapon in ''VideoGame/SenranKagura'' is a fishing rod with a shuriken tied to the end. She's been known to hook a wad of bills on it for a ''CashLure'' too.
117	* In ''VideoGame/SesameStreetCountingCafe'' for the UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis, Oscar the Grouch has a fishing pole, which he uses to take whatever food Grover has on his plate from him, altering the order Grover has for Mr. Johnson. Grover can either time his movements to safely get past Oscar or bring some extra food for Oscar to take.
118	* ''VideoGame/ShadowGambitTheCursedCrew'': Quentin's fishing rod is used to hook objects in the environment, or to reel in dead bodies or even to pull allies to him.
119	* The ''VideoGame/SlyCooper'' games feature unique mechanics for the three main characters to pickpocket items off the enemy mooks. Bentley, the GadgeteerGenius, uses a magnet at the end of a fishing pole[[note]](in [[VideoGame/Sly3HonorAmongThieves the third game]] at least. His only other appearance in which he had the pickpocketing ability (VideoGame/SlyCooperThievesInTime), he uses a set of ComicBook/DoctorOctopus-style robotic limbs to perform it)[[/note]].
120	* Big the Cat from ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'':
121	** In ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'', while Big does use his fishing rod primarily for fishing, he can also use it to attack enemies from a distance if he aims it at them. He can also use his fishing rod as a club if he is standing next to an enemy.
122	** In ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'', Big can use his fishing rod as a bat and Amy and Cream as balls to attack enemies. He can also swing his fishing rod in a circle to attack enemies around him.
123	** In ''VideoGame/SonicChronicles'', Big's basic attack has him casting his fishing rod at enemies and reeling them in.
124	* ''VideoGame/SpyFox in: Dry Cereal'' begins with the titular hero skydiving from an airplane without a parachute, and needing to use one of his spy gadgets to make a safe landing on the island of Acidophilus. One of the gadgets Spy Fox can have with him is a fishing pole, which he can then use to latch onto a helicopter.
125	* The Fishing Rod in ''VideoGame/{{Stacklands}}'' not only is used for fishing on [[PalmtreePanic the Island]], but it also has combat stats since it can also be used as a weapon.
126	* Isabelle in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate'' uses the fishing rod from [[VideoGame/AnimalCrossing her home series]] to pull opponents closer and even as an alternate recovery move if she falls off the stage.
127	* In ''VideoGame/UmiharaKawase'', while the title character's fishing rod can catch the curiously terrestrial fish, it can also be thrown to cling to platforms like a GrapplingHookPistol.
128	[[/folder]]
129
130	[[folder:Web Animation]]
131	* ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'': Clover Ebi's weapon, Kingfisher, resembles a fishing pole, complete with the sound a fishing pole makes reeling and casting whenever the line winds and unwinds. Combined with his [[WindsOfDestinyChange Good Fortune semblance]], Clover can always be counted on to snare his target and bring them down. When his team captures and arrests the heroes at the beginning of Volume 7, Jaune grumbles about the way they were taken out "by that fishing pole guy".
132	[[/folder]]
133
134	[[folder:Web Videos]]
135	* ''WebVideo/DoubleLifeSMP'': Much of Day 4 is dedicated to every other person on the server playing around with fishing rods by flinging entities far into the air with them. While it is indeed fun, it carries a strong risk to it in that the entity in question can be [[NotTheFallThatKillsYou killed]] if they don't land in the VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}ian SoftWater or have enough health to survive the fall -- first demonstrated by the "Ranchers' Revenge" Warden at the start of the episode, then [[spoiler:[[CantLiveWithoutYou soulbound pair]] Etho and Joel]] in the middle of it, causing [[spoiler:the two to become [[RedIsViolent Red Names]], players on their final lives whose [[OmnicidalManiac main purpose is to kill everyone else on the server]].]]
136	* ''WebVideo/VGMyths'': This is mentioned in "Hyrule Myths -- Can You Kill Ganon With A Cucco?", [[https://youtu.be/ot53M4UCWG8?list=PLfDC5d996dRH4StrfmU1SEqXjhpstgoML&t=38 talking]] about how in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'', you can use a fishing rod to distract a boss in the middle of the fight (he stares stupefied at the lure):
137	-->or even try to fish the final boss to death, which is actually a decent distraction it turns out.
138	[[/folder]]
139
140	[[folder:Western Animation]]
141	* ''WesternAnimation/BackToTheFuture'': An accidental example occurs in "[[Recap/BackToTheFutureTheAnimatedSeriesS1E11GoneFishin Gone Fishin']]". While the boys and Marty are visiting Doc's childhood, he casts his fishing line and it catches on a low-flying plane. It acts as a rope and starts his career as "Daredevil Brown" when someone sees it.
142	* ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'': The Fenton Fisher fishing pole, which has a fishing line coated in a resin that ghosts can't break, falls under this trope in both of its appearances:
143	** In "Parental Bonding", Jack casts into his ghost portal to fish for ghosts. It actually gets a bite in the form of the Dragon Ghost while Jack is out of the room.
144	** In "Shades of Grey", Danny uses the fishing line to tether a ghost dog (who is currently in oversized guard dog mode) to a large tree. It works... until the dog notices Danny's fight with Valerie and takes off, easily uprooting the tree and dragging it behind him.
145	* On the ''WesternAnimation/DonaldDuck'' cartoon "Donald's Happy Birthday", Donald takes his nephews' piggy bank away from them, so they use a fishing rod try to fish it out of his hands while he's napping.
146	* ''WesternAnimation/HeyArnold'': In "Helga's Locket", Helga loses her titular locket and it ends up in Grandpa Phil's possession. At one point, she tries to get the locket back by using a fishing pole with [[SelectiveMagnetism a magnet]] on the end. She is unable to get the locket off of Phil's neck and Phil's weight holds her back, causing her to stumble into Abner's litter box.
147	* ''WesternAnimation/InspectorGadget'' between his many gadgets, he has a fishing rod, used for fishing but also to catch criminals... or simply it appears when it's not needed. Also seen in [[Film/InspectorGadget1999 the movie]].
148	* ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes''
149	** In ''Rabbit Romeo'', Elmer Fudd uses a carrot on a hook to lure Bugs Bunny into being a mate for his Slobovian rabbit Millicent.
150	** Elmer also used it in ''Stage Door Cartoon'', where i.e. tried to trap Bugs by lowering a carrot down his rabbit hole.
151	** Wile E. Coyote was fond of such a resource, usually with a lit TNT stick.
152	* In the ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse'' episode, "Two Boys and a Baby", when Lincoln and Clyde [[TheDiaperChange change Lily's diaper]], Lincoln attempts to dispose of the dirty diaper with a fishing pole. Unfortunately, Lily's dirty diaper accidentally hits the ceiling fan and [[NauseaFuel makes a mess of Lily and Lisa's room]] ([[DiscretionShot which, thankfully, isn't shown to the viewers]]).
153	* ''WesternAnimation/TheNewAdventuresOfSuperman'': In "Luminians on the Loose", Superman uses a fishing rod to snatch a kryptonite necklace off Lex Luthor from a safe distance.
154	* ''WesternAnimation/Rugrats1991'': In "[[Recap/RugratsS4E12SendInTheCloudsInTheNaval Send in the Clouds]]", the babies believe Tommy's house to be up in the clouds during foggy weather, and they try to prevent Stu and Didi from leaving the house until they can get it back on the ground. To keep Stu from leaving the house, Tommy drops Stu's keys down the bathtub drain. Stu uses Lou's fishing pole to fish them out, and although he succeeds, he gives himself a black eye as a result.
155	-->'''Lou:''' Got the iodine!
156	* ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'':
157	** In "[[Recap/SpongebobSquarepantsS1E20HookyMermaidManandBarnacleBoyII Hooky]]", [=SpongeBob's=] pants are caught in a fishing hook. He tries [[GivingThemTheStrip taking off his pants]], but the hook is also caught in his underwear. Eventually, the hook is reeled in, tearing off [=SpongeBob's=] briefs, leaving him naked in front of Pearl and her friends.
158	** In "[[Recap/SpongeBobSquarePantsS3E13NewStudentStarfishClams Clams]]", Mr. Krabs takes [=SpongeBob=] and Squidward clam fishing to celebrate earning his millionth dollar. Squidward is uninterested and simply lounges on the deck reading a book, while [=SpongeBob=] enthusiastically participates. However, his casting is so bad that he instead snags Squidward's book, then his chair, then his shirt, then his ''nose''.
159	* ''WesternAnimation/TaleSpin'': In "Stuck on You", Baloo and Don Karnage are [[StickySituation stuck together by a very sticky glue]]. To keep Rebecca from finding out that he is stuck to Karnage, Baloo hides Karnage in a blanket and pretends he's sick. However, this lie works too well, as Rebecca believes he really is, sends him to his bedroom, and takes the keys to the Sea Duck away. After Karnage sneaks Baloo out of his bedroom through the window, he snatches the keys with a fishing pole to get them back from Rebecca without her noticing.
160	* ''WesternAnimation/WackyRaces (1968)'': At the end of "The Super Silly Swamp Sprint", Lazy Luke pulls out a fishing pole and uses its hook to latch onto the finish line. He reels it in and wins the race as a result.
161	[[/folder]]
162
163	[[folder:Real Life]]
164	* [[http://www.katc.com/story/33432382/body-cam-video-shows-fight-between-police-officers-and-teens A fight]] between police officers and a family in a trailer park involved the use of a fishing rod as a [[CarryABigStick club]].
165	[[/folder]]
166

Context Main / RodAndReelRepurposed