New Fly Reels From Sage
FOR 2014 SAGE AS UPDATED THEIR EXISTING FLY REEL LINES AS WELL AS INTRODUCING SOME NEW OFFERINGS.
The updated 2200 series dye cast reels (starting at $129) and 3200 series billet machined reels (starting at $200) both feature sealed carbon fiber drag systems, and offer performance and durability. They are a new take on some trusted Sage reels.
New this year is the Evoke. This big game reel (starting at $575) offers a very different design and a bold look. Designed with the saltwater angler in mind, the Evoke is the flagship offering from Sage.
In this video Kara Armano shows you the features of the new Sage fly reels for 2014.
Read More »Gink & Gasoline: Fly Fishing Contest & Gear Giveaway
It’s been a while since we’ve held a contest on the blog and gave away some fly fishing gear. For a good while now, we’ve been sticking with using photo caption contests for our giveaways, and I’d like to change it up this time around, to keep it fresh, if everyone is ok with that. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m horrible at coming up with witty one liners that make people laugh, and I’m sure there’s a least a few of you out there in the same boat as me, that often don’t even bother to participate because they know they have zero chance of winning.
For this contest, we’re going to make it a level playing field and allow everyone who wants to participate to simply guess the number of glass beads in this plastic container. It will only take a few seconds to make your submission.
The closest to the exact number of glass beads on the container will win. If for any chance we end up with multiple participants in a tie, I’ll provide a trivia fly fishing question that will have to be answered in a designated time period.
We like to thank LOON OUTDOORS for sponsoring this months contest and gear giveaway. They’ve donated a Loon Streamside Kit, which is a sampling of some of there most popular stream-side accessories, and it retails for $70.95.
Read More »Sunday’s Classic / 4 Worm Patterns I Always Carry In My Fly Box
WORM FLY PATTERNS THAT CONSISTENTLY CATCH FISH
It’s no secret worm patterns are super consistent most of the year for catching both stocked and wild trout. They work especially well for stocked fish, after a big rain, and during the spring, winter, and fall seasons. I’ve had days when the only thing I could get trout to eat was a San Juan worm. There’s a bunch of haters out there that will not fish them, claiming it’s the next closest thing to fishing a real earthworm, but look in their fly box and I bet you’ll find a few. I on the other hand, have no problem fishing worm patterns, because they do a great job of keeping my clients rods bent, which in turn, pays my bills. To top it all off, worm patterns are among the cheapest and easiest fly patterns for me to tie. I can rip out about a dozen in less than ten minutes, for about $2.50 worth of materials. Choosing to put worm patterns in your fishing line-up, will almost certainly put more fish in your net. Below are four worm patterns I always keep in my fly box.
Read More »Saturday Shoutout / FinPusher, HatchMag & Skinny Water Culture
This weeks Saturday Shoutout we spotlight two fly fishing reads, one from Finpusher, another from Hatchmag, and to round out things, a video from Skinny Water Culture about setting up SUPs for overnighters. Get on the water this weekend and enjoy some great fall fly fishing. Thank you for visiting Gink & Gasoline and have a great Saturday.
Read More »Fishpond 2014 Fly Fishing Gear and Product Video
Fishpond has built a loyal consumer following over the years from its long standing tradition of manufacturing highly functional and durable fly fishing gear.
The first boat bag and waist pack that I started out guiding with were made by Fishpond, and both of them are still in working condition after several years of abuse. New for 2014, Fishpond introduced their Eco-Friendly Tech LTE series of packs, all made from recycled commercial nylon fishing nets. They also added a Roll-Top Boat Bag to their waterproof Westwater Collection and they acquired Nomad Nets which are loved my hardcore angler and arguably the most badass fly fishing nets in the industry.
Check out the product video below from the IFTD show in Las Vegas featuring Kara Armano as she talks about each product line in detail.
Read More »3 Bonefish Rods That Won’t Break The Bank
THESE DAYS THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD FLY RODS ON THE MARKET AT AFFORDABLE PRICES.
With a host of manufacturers committed to offering quality, performance and customer service at a reasonable price, it’s a great time to shop for a bargain.
While you can’t expect all of the performance and high end features that you will find in an $800 fly rod you can expect a rod that will be a pleasure to fish and will last for many years for around $250. If you’re looking for a starter rod or a backup or a rod that you won’t feel bad about checking in your luggage, these budget fly rods can be just the ticket. The cost of gear does not have to stand between you and the fishing adventure you’ve been dreaming of.
With that in mind I chose three budget-conscious bonefish rods to test and review. The Echo Edge, the TFO Mangrove and the Redington Predator. Each has its particular strengths and all will get you out stalking the ghost of the flats without making a ghost of your bank account. All three rods list for $249.00 and all three come with a lifetime warranty. I’ll give you my thoughts on each and you can choose the rod that’s right for you.
The Echo Edge 9′ 4pc 8weight
Action:
The Edge is a powerful fast action rod, no doubt. It excels at pushing tight loops into the wind. It does a great job of picking up line. It allows you to make fast accurate casts. It has a great saltwater action and reasonable feel for a fast action rod, but is
Read More »Sunday Classic / Joel vs The Shark
MY GOOD FRIEND JOEL DICKEY WAS NOT RAISED BY WOLVES, BUT YOU MIGHT NOT BELIEVE IT IF YOU’VE EVER SEEN HIM ANGRY.
With hair the color of a new penny and bright blue eyes that can be uncomfortably intense at times, the ruddy sun scorched complexion of a Bedouin, the build of a boxer and two gold hoops, one in each ear, Joel looks half Viking, half pirate. Born of a long line of Tennessee moonshiners and snake handlers, he has a great southern brogue that’s so deep you can hear the chicken frying when he talks. He has a heart as big as the Florida sky, and a temper to match. He caught his first rattle snake at age six. Joel has no fear. Fear is an important emotion. As humans, our fight or flight response has served us well, in evolutionary terms. Joel somehow missed out on the flight part of that, as well as the fear. He’s all fight. Any other person finding themselves face to face with a fifteen foot hammerhead shark might back down. Joel on the other hand…
The heat there in the Florida Keys that day had been like penance. So had the fishing. It was a perfect day for tarpon. The weather was hot with just a little wind, not a cloud in sight. It was mid May. The peak of the season. The tarpon that had been everywhere just a few days before had vanished. The few we saw had no interest in a fly. This was exactly what we had been waiting for. There was a huge
Read More »Saturday Shoutout / Skiff Republic Talks To Chico Fernandez
THIS SATURDAY MARSHAL CUTCHIN SITS DOWN WITH ONE OF THE TRUE GREATS IN FLY FISHING, CHICO FERNANDEZ.
Chico talks about how he got started fly fishing as a boy in Cuba and how he, and the sport, have evolved. He shares insights into the nature of fly angling, jazz, Cuban cooking and poling skiffs vs canoes. Best of all there is an audio file as well as the text, so you can hear Chico speak in his own voice.
This was really special for me. There are few people I respect more than Chico Fernandez. In addition to being one of the epic pioneers in saltwater fly fishing, he’s the nicest guy you will ever meet. Take the time to listen to this interview. You’ll be glad you did.
Skiff Republic Interview: Chico Fernandez
In addition this week I’d like to share this great video about the Trout Unlimited, Headwaters Program. This is a great, and important program and this video tells the story well.
Read More »Quality Gear From Finn Utility
ONE OF THE MOST DISTINCTIVE NEW GEAR MANUFACTURERS WE SAW AT IFTD THIS YEAR WAS FINN UTILITY.
Finn offers a line of traditional fly fishing packs, cases and luggage with a heavy emphasis on quality. The video doesn’t do them justice. When you touch a piece of Finn gear you feel the quality. The materials and craftsmanship way beyond what we have come to expect in fishing gear.
Owner / designer Ryan McDonald is obsessive about detail. His commitment to quality and passion for natural materials is palpable. The result is a line of fishing gear that’s as much art as utility. Informed by Ryan’s childhood, fishing the rivers of Maine, the design of these pieces calls up visions of a simpler and better time.
All Finn products are made by hand right here in the US, many by Ryan himself. Check out the video to see all of the cool stuff Finn has to offer.
Read More »iPhone Survives 7 Hours Underwater Without Waterproof Case
I’ve dunked my fair share of cell phones in the water since I started guiding. I’m embarrassed to admit this, but my first year of guiding alone, I had to make four trips to the AT&T store for new phones because of water damage. I was notorious for jumping out of my drift boat with my cell phone in my pocket. Thank goodness, back then, I had phone insurance. Other than that first painful year, I’ve managed to maintain a pretty respectable record for keeping my cell phones dry while fly fishing. So when I got a notice by email from AT&T recently to upgrade my iPhone to a 5, for a nominal fee, I took them up on the offer. This time, however, I passed on the insurance coverage to save some cash. At the time, it seemed like a good decision, but those thoughts quickly vanished this past week during a guide trip when I thought I’d safely dropped my cell phone into the front pocket of my waders, but instead lodged it between my waist pack and my waders.
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