Saturday Shoutout / Fly Tying Videos by Tightline Productions

No comments yet / Posted on / by

This weeks Saturday Shoutout goes to Tightline Productions for their extremely professional step-by-step fly tying videos. Tightline Productions YouTube Channel I’ve watched a gazillion fly tying videos since YouTube came out. As a whole they all seemed about the same in terms of professionalism. That was until, I first watched a fly tying video produced by Tightline Productions. These guys flat out know what their doing. They use perfectly placed transistions in the videos and complimentary voice-over that turns their fly tying videos into masterpieces. I’ve never had fly tying videos get me so pumped up to hit the tying bench and inspire me to produce the best flies I can, and that’s special. If you haven’t seen these fly tying videos and you like to tie flies, I highly encourage you to spend 10-15 minutes watching a couple of their videos. I think you’ll find them to be invaluable in your own fly tying and experience the adrenaline rush of excitement I’m talking about. You’ll have 84 different fly tying videos at your fingertips. Keep it Reel, Kent Klewein Gink & Gasoline www.ginkandgasoline.com hookups@ginkandgasoline.com   Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter!  

Read More »

Two New Lines From Rio

2 comments / Posted on / by

I was at a party with Simon Gawesworth, from Rio, a few years back. On my way to the bar I overheard a guy tell his buddy, “That’s Simon Gawesworth, the greatest living fisherman!” Simon will spit his coffee when he reads that. I honestly don’t know how you would quantify “The greatest living fisherman” but Simon is a bad ass. He’s also about the nicest guy I’ve ever met, so I’d be happy to see him receive the honor. All that aside he’s one hell of a line designer. I spoke with Simon at the IFTD show in Reno. He took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to show a couple of new lines for this year. The Skadgit I Flight, a cool Spey head with a clear intermediate tip. I saw Simon catch steelhead with this line during some tough high water on the Dean River earlier this year. It was pretty effective. And the new Bonefish quick shooter. A short head saltwater line that I tried out at the casting pond. I like the way this line casts. Sort of a Tropical Clouser on steroids. Here’s Simon to tell you all about them.   Louis Cahill Gink & Gasoline www.ginkandgasoline.com hookups@ginkandgasoline.com   Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter!  

Read More »

Why are Drying Patches Being Eliminated in Fly Fishing Packs?

38 comments / Posted on / by

Present Day Fly Fishing Gear Packs As a whole, the fly fishing gear manufacturers have made leaps and bounds the last few years in their innovative designed fly fishing chest packs, sling packs and waist packs. We now have 100% waterproof packs and zipper-free magnetic packs that eliminate line snagging and have automatic closing capability. There’s ergonomic packs that cut down on angler fatigue on the water, and many of them incorporate materials that offer improved breathability. There’s even a fly fishing pack built on a modular system platform now that provides the ability for an angler to customize their pack specifically for the trip at hand. I give credit and pay my respect to those manufacturers that have made functionality a top priority in their designs, because it’s increasing our fly fishing efficiency and productivity on the water. But as usual, with all the positives I’ve mentioned, I do see one area of focus or flaw for that matter, that’s personally bugging me to the core. Why do I see more and more fly fishing pack manufacturers eliminating foam/drying patches in their new designs? When I walk up to a fly fishing pack in a fly shop the first thing I look for is some sort of fly patch holder that I can use for organizing my go-to patterns for the day, and use as a drying station for my flies in between use. On average, I’ve got a hundred or more flies in each of my fly boxes and the last thing I want to do on the water when changing out flies is drop a soaking wet fly, back into my fly box with all my other dry flies. That’s a recipe for disaster, because it greatly increasing the chances I’ll begin the process of creating rust … Continue reading

Read More »

A Closer Look / For the Love of Brown Trout

11 comments / Posted on / by

This year, it seems, has been all about steelhead and tarpon for me. I’m not complaining. I’ve been really obsessed about both of those fish and it’s kept me jetting back and forth between the Florida Keys and the Pacific Northwest. As a result I’ve not spent much time on trout streams here in the Southeast. I got the chance to fish with my good friend Dan Flynn the other day and it was like a homecoming. We caught some nice fish, each of us landing rainbows over twenty inches but, for me, the highlight was this a little brown about eleven inches that Dan landed. A perfect representation of his clan. I had momentarily forgotten how much I love brown trout. How is that possible? Here’s his adipose fin.   Louis Cahill Gink & Gasoline www.ginkandgasoline.com hookups@ginkandgasoline.com   Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter!  

Read More »

Fish The Bahamas With The Boys From Gink & Gasoline!

369 comments / Posted on / by

That’s right, you can get in on the Gink! Experience the worlds best bonefishing, learn the ropes of saltwater fly fishing and improve your fly fishing photography, all while enjoying the company of the G&G community! For us, the news doesn’t get any bigger. The last year has been amazing! There’s no way I can overstate how pleased Kent and I have both been with the reception that Gink and Gasoline has received from the angling world. We are simply overwhelmed and deeply grateful. Thanks to you all! The best part by far is the quality of our readers. We know from your comments and emails that you are a passionate and inclusive group. We have been amazed to find G&G to be immune to the kind of hateful rhetoric that is so common on the web. You are indeed a classy bunch. We feel like we have discovered a community of like-minded anglers and friends. We want to engage with that community in a new and more personal way, and what better way than a fishing trip! We are excited to announce our first ever Gink and Gasoline fishing trip. We have set aside the week of January 26th thru February 2nd to host ten anglers at the Andros South Bonefish Lodge. We are committed to making this a hosted trip like no other. In addition to the world’s best bonefishing, beautiful Bahamian flats and awesome food and drink, we will be teaching a bonefish 101 primer, fly tying clinic and I will conduct a fly fishing photography workshop for the shutterbugs. The focus is on fun and fishing. This is a great trip for anglers of all skill levels. Newbies will learn the ins and outs of bonefishing and experienced anglers will get a shot at the biggest … Continue reading

Read More »

Sunday Classic / If The Real Thing Don’t Do The Trick…BARRACUDA!

2 comments / Posted on / by

This toothy monster has saved a lot of slow days on the flats. A lot of anglers will ignore the barracuda and if the game is on with your target species, then, OK. But when things are slow this guy can offer a whole lot of action. Cuda are vicious and will trounce a fly that is properly presented. The take is explosive and if you never seen it you will not believe the speed this fish can turn on. Once hooked the fight is awesome with plenty of arial displays. I always have a cuda rod on the boat ready to go. They’re not the most challenging fish but they’re a whole lot of fun and that doesn’t suck. Just be careful getting that hero shot. Cuda fight to the bitter end. Here’s a video of my friend Bruce Chard telling you all you need to know to feed one. Video by Louis Cahill Louis Cahill Gink & Gasoline www.ginkandgasoline.com hookups@ginkandgasoline.com   Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter!  

Read More »

Saturday Shoutout / Romano Rocks My World

6 comments / Posted on / by

I probably don’t talk enough about other photographers. The truth is, I don’t really pay much attention to other photographers. Not because I’m a snob or anything. I just find my inspiration in other places. This week, however, I want to showcase a guy that I do find inspirational. Tim Romano likely needs no introduction. He’s everywhere. Blogging for Field and Stream, editing Angling Trade and showing up in every kind of fly fishing media. Tim is the guy with ten jobs! He has one of the freshest and most creative eyes in the fly fishing world. That description is way too small. Tim would be one of the best eyes in what ever he choose to shoot. We are just lucky that he loves fly fishing. Tim captures the feel and the essence of the fly fishing experience in a natural way that I find beautiful and enviable. His recent work from Bristol Bay, Alaska is some of the best I’ve seen. Check it out! Louis Cahill Gink & Gasoline www.ginkandgasoline.com hookups@ginkandgasoline.com Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter!

Read More »

Clearwater Drifter by NRS

10 comments / Posted on / by

Clearwater Drifter by NRS NRS had a very strong showing at the 2012 IFTD show in Reno this year with it’s newest boat model, the Clearwater Drifter. It won the best in show award for watercraft and created quite the buzz among the shows attendees. I personally was stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the Clearwater Drifter’s super innovative design. I couldn’t help myself from thinking, “this is the perfect boat for my guiding and recreational fishing”. The Clearwater Drifter is the world’s first inflatable dory style boat of its kind to hit the market. It’s self-bailing, drafts only 2 inches of water with three people in the boat, and it’s more responsive than cataraft and other rafts on the market. The total package can be purchased for $5995. That’s a price point we like. Three years in product development in the field, NRS has run through its design and all the boats features with a fine tooth comb, making sure the boat is loaded with functionality, durability and quick adjustability. Take for instance its solid transom that can be equipped with a kicker motor, or it’s beefed up rowing seat that’s ergonomic and features a drain hole for water. The entire NRS frame can be adjusted in just a few moments on the river if you’re trading off oar time with your buddies, and I think everyone will appreciate the diamond plated floors in the bow and stern. Another great feature you don’t regularly see in drift boats is a stripping basket in both the front and back of the boat. Weighing in at only 315 pounds the Clearwater Drifter puts itself in the same weight class of most fiberglass drift boats on the market. It’s inflatable design allows the boat to be packaged and shipped anywhere … Continue reading

Read More »

Keep Your Hands on the Cork

14 comments / Posted on / by

Like so many others out there, I’ve broken my fair share of fly rods over the years.

I’ve slammed them in tailgates, stuck them in ceiling fans and I’ve squashed quite a few trying to get in and out of my cataraft to quickly. It took me awhile to figure it out, but I finally realized I was the problem, and I’ve since learned to slow down and not worry about being the first angler on the river all the time. It’s kinda funny how just slowing down a few steps and taking a couple extra minutes to get organized, keeps those negligible acts of snapping fly rods to a minimum.

One overlooked fly rod handling mistake I see all the time by fly anglers, is taking their hands off the cork during the final stages of the fight, and moving one hand high up on the butt section of the rod in the effort to get extra leverage to land the fish. You never want to do this, because when you do, you change the fulcrum point of the fly rod and eliminate the fly rods ability to

Read More »

The Bigger the Tail the Bigger the Bonefish

2 comments / Posted on / by

I know, you’re probably thinking, “it’s Monday, and there should be a long detailed post written on Gink & Gasoline, right”? That’s usually the case, but today’s post only requires a short paragraph of words to get the point across, and pay close attention everyone, because the information in it could help you catch your biggest bonefish ever. The theory of the larger the tail, the larger the size of the fish, holds true for many species of gamefish. Unfortunately, fly fishermen aren’t always in situations on the water where they have the opportunity to benefit from this notion. Nonetheless, one instance where it can be very helpful to pay attention to the size of a fish’s tail, is when you’re fly fishing to a school of tailing bonefish on the flats. By paying attention to the size of the individual tails of the feeding bonefish, an angler can quickly determine and pick out, which fish in the school is the largest. If one tailing bonefish in the school is considerably larger than the others, you should see a noticeable difference in size, by how far the tail sticks out of the water. Remember this tip when you’re on the saltwater flats and find yourself staring at multiple bonefish tailing out in front of you. Find the largest tail in the school and present your fly to that fish first. It’s a trick many veteran bonefish and redfish enthusiasts use all the time to help them target bigger fish. Keep it Reel, Kent Klewein Gink & Gasoline www.ginkandgasoline.com hookups@ginkandgasoline.com   Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter!  

Read More »