The NZ Strike Indicator Company Goes Bigger
A while back, I wrote a post that showcased The Strike Indicator System, invented by New Zealander, Barry Dombro. After testing it out for several days on the water and talking with friends of mine that also fished with it, I contacted Barry by email with my product feedback. First, I told him it was a great strike indicator system for fishing small to medium nymph rigs. Secondly, I liked how delicately I was able to make it land on the surface of the water during my presentations. Thirdly, the strike indicator system really shined when I used it as a sighter to keep track of tiny dry flies and emergers (My good friend, Ronnie Hall from The Fish Hawk showed me this). After all those positives, I ended my email to Barry with one tidbit of criticism, and that was I felt the system failed to outperform other strike indicators when I was nymphing really turbulent water or when I was fishing a big heavy tandem nymph rig. In those two situations, I had a tough time keeping the wool strike indicator from sinking below the surface.
My suggestion to Barry Dumbro was that he look into providing larger tubing for his strike indicator system. I explained the larger tubing would dramatically increase the amount of wool you could insert into the system, and secondly, you could set it high up on the thick butt section of the leader when fishing deep water, and not have to worry about it filling up the majority of the tubing. Then I clicked the send email icon.
Read More »Sunday Classic / The Streamer Game
Streamer fishing is addictive. It’s almost become a cliche, but it’s true. Guys get into it and hardly want to do anything else. I’m kinda one of those guys. I do lots of kinds of fishing, but if I’m out for trout and there’s nothing obvious going on, a streamer is likely what I’m tying on. I can’t say for sure why other folks get hooked on streamers, but I know what it is for me.
Obviously, there is immense skill in fishing dry flies and nymphs. Each is an art unto itself but the very nature of a dead drift is inherently passive. Streamer fishing is active. What I mean by that is, you are directly imparting an action to the fly which fools the fish. For me, it just feels more personal. I am “making” that fish eat. Again, this is totally personal but when I see the fish chase and eat my streamer it’s incredibly rewarding. The really cool thing about this is that it leaves a lot of room for personal expression on the part of the angler. My action is my action, by my hand. It’s different from yours, and every dedicated streamer fisherman I know has their own style. Those styles vary widely, so I thought I would share some of the gear and tactics that are successful for me.
Here’s how I play the game.
Read More »Saturday Shoutout / Fly Fishing The Ozarks & Thomas Harvey
FLY FISHING THE OZARKS IS A FUN SITE WITH LOTS OF COOL FISHING CONTENT AND VIDEOS.
They recently teamed up with North Carolina tyer Thomas Harvey on a series of tying videos that are amazing. Thomas ties some of his signature streamers and the videos themselves are as unique and full of attitude as the patterns tied.
Great job gentlemen! Way to represent for the south.
In this video Thomas ties his Trophy Wife. Go to flyfishingtheozarks.com to see the whole series.
Read More »Why You Should Support IFTD
Admittedly this is a bit of an insider piece but even if you don’t make your living in the fly fishing industry I think you’ll find it interesting and it actually does affect you as an angler.
The International Fly Tackle Dealers Show (July 10-12 in Las Vegas) is the biggest event on the fly fishing industry calendar. It’s when manufacturers from around the world come together to show off their products for the coming year to fly shop owners, buyers, sales reps, guides and anyone else in the business who’s interested. It’s when a lot of shops place their preseason orders and manufacturers get a handle on how much product to produce. It’s also the time when a lot of beer vanishes and steam gets blown off and old friends see each other once a year.
It’s exciting, fun and a business opportunity that should not be missed. However, in recent years there has been a good bit of grousing and infighting about the logistics of the show and attendance has suffered. While AFFTA (American Fly Fishing Trade Assoc.), the body that runs the show, has struggled with dates and venues in an effort to keep IFTD relevant for all concerned many shop owners and some manufacturers have felt better served by making connections on their own rather than attend the show.
I’m not going to waste time rehashing the arguments on both sides. Almost everybody knows what they are and that there is no solution that will please all parties. The points I would like to make are these:
Read More »Sunday’s Classic / 2 Alternatives for Attaching Split-Shot
You’ve been fishing hard all day long searching for that perfect honey hole. You know the one I’m talking about, it’s the one that holds that trophy trout that keeps haunting you in your dreams. It’s getting late, your tired and you know you should be heading back, but there’s a bend just up ahead, and your curiosity keeps pushes you forward with those powerful words, “This could be it, just see what’s on the other side”. Sure enough, as you round the corner, you lay your eyes on a picture perfect run, offering everything a trophy trout could desire. “Screw it”, you say to yourself, “I’ve got time for one more spot. You get into position, make the cast, mend your line, and begin following your strike indicator with your rod tip, when out of no where, it shoots under the surface like it was just attached to a iron dumb bell. You set the hook, and feel the heavy weight of the fish thrashing its big head, and you’re immediately on cloud 9. The adrenaline rush doesn’t last long though. It’s quickly replaced by painful heart ache when you feel your tippet snap, and watch your rod go straight. The excitement is all over…, you won’t land that trophy fish or even be graced with a quick glimpse of it for that matter. The only memory you’ll have to remember that trophy trout is the few aggressive head shakes after the hook set. You bring your fly-less rig to hand and find the tippet broke at the split-shot.
HAS THIS EVER HAPPENED TO YOU BEFORE?
Read More »Saturday Shoutout / When to Fish Alaska, Guide’s Plan of Attack & More
This week’s Saturday shoutout I showcase four fly fishing articles that caught my eye this week. One’s helpful if you’re wanting to make that dream to trip Alaska but don’t know when to go. Another talks about when and why guides sometimes move to different locations, even when the fishing is hot. The other two, are well written articles that come from the author’s heart. I hope you all enjoy them and you have a great weekend. Thank you very much for tuning into Gink & Gasoline.
Read More »Name That Tail
HERE’S YOUR CHANCE TO SHOW OFF YOUR FISH IDENTIFYING SKILLS AND WIN SOME G&G SWAG!
Take a close look at the photo and video in this post and tell us what you see. Leave a comment (here on the post page not YouTube) telling us what species of fish is tailing. The first person to correctly name that tail will win a Gink and Gasoline Inferno T shirt and a sticker!
Hint – This species can be caught on the fly.
Remember, leave your comment here on the post page. YouTube comments are not eligible to win. Good luck and thanks for playing Name That Tail!
Read More »Orvis Buys Ross and SA. Do We Care?
BY NOW I’M SURE EVERYONE KNOWS THAT ORVIS HAS PURCHASED ROSS AND SCIENTIFIC ANGLERS FROM 3M. DO WE CARE?
Well, some of us do and there seems to de a division of opinions. When I started asking friends what they thought of the deal it didn’t take long for the words “dog bed” to come up. It’s a widely held assumption, especially with folks on the west coast, that a company can’t make a good fly rod and a good dog bed at the same time. There are even bumper stickers available slamming Orvis for not being a “real fly fishing co.” Frankly, I disagree with this assertion, and I’m going to tell you why.
Before I do I would like to acknowledge that Orvis is one of our advertisers. Please take a minute to click on their ad. That’s how we get paid, or hope to at least. My opinions on this subject have nothing to do with Orvis’ support of G&G. I’ve been making this argument for a long time and the Ross SA deal is just fuel on the fire.
Is Orvis a real fly fishing company?
Founded in 1856 and selling fishing and hunting gear exclusively, Orvis is the oldest mail order retailer in the U.S. In 1874, Charles Orvis designed and sold what has been called, the first modern fly reel. In the 1870s the fly fishing arm of Orvis was taken over by Mary Orvis, daughter of Charles, who published a landmark book of fly patterns. In the 1940s Orvis and rod maker Wes Jordan introduced the impregnated bamboo rod. Charles Orvis started donating company profits to conservation efforts in the 1800s and to this day Orvis gives 5% of its pre tax profits to conservation. That was a gift of over $10 million last year. In 1966 Orvis opened its first fly fishing school to bring new anglers into the sport and I believe it was some time in the mid 1980s when the company sold its first dog bed. WTF! does it take to be a real fly fishing company?
Should we examine 3M’s record?
Read More »The Redington Prospector Delivers on the Promise
OK, I RESISTED THIS FOR A TITLE BUT SOMEONE IS BOUND TO SAY IT SO IT MIGHT AS WELL BE ME. THE REDINGTON PROSPECTOR STRIKES GOLD.
At least the 4 weight does. This light weight switch rod is one of the best trout rods I’ve fished in a while. I’ll qualify that later but for now let me say that at $370 this versatile little rod, in no way feels like a compromise.
Redington is known for inexpensive fly rods and in the past not always for quality. That started to change a few years ago when the Predator started turning up in the hands of serious anglers. Not too long ago their two handed rods were not worth talking about at all, but Redington has clearly made rod design a priority and that has paid off in the Prospector.
The rod I tested is the 4 weight (remember that’s 4 weight on the Spey scale so more like a 5 1/2 for a single hander) it’s 10′ 9″, weighs 5.3 oz and is designed to cast a 275 grain line. Redington calls it a medium-fast action but I’d call it a true medium and I mean that as a compliment. I know too many guys who get excited about fast action rods only to overline them to slow them down. I’ll not get on my soap box at this point, I’ll just say that a rod weight should mean something and this one does.
The quality of the components and construction seems quite good and the cosmetics are surprisingly nice. The rod is finished all black, including the reel seat, with a few gold and white accent wraps and although the finish is not flawless, I did have to use a 6X magnifier to find the one or two purely cosmetic issues. Even the rod sock is an upgrade. That’s impressive for under $400.
Both grips feature composite cork accents which make for a handsome rod. The forgrip is a full Wells and measures 10 3/4″. The butt grip measures 3 5/8″ and including the reel seat the total grip length is 17 7/8″, which is very comfortable for casting with two hands or one.
The Prospector’s balance and light weight make it an incredibly fishable rod. This may be its greatest strength. It’s a switch rod designed for trout fishing and it offers a wealth
Read More »Sunday Classic / A Closer Look, The Silver King
Tarpon are the stuff of dreams. To look at one, it’s hard to believe that they’re not made of metal. It’s even harder to believe when you try to put a hook in one!
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