Fly Fishing Gear
"Four Feet of Anything"
MidCurrent's 2010 Fly Fishing Product Review
GENERALLY, we are united in the belief that all rod design has been progressive and that the ideas about fly rods in the past were so bad as to make it amazing that people were able to fish at all. — Thomas McGuane
WE'LL BE THE FIRST to admit to a kind of hesitant obsession with fly fishing gear. In the back of our minds, we know that beyond being able to deliver a fly to a fish, fooling that fish into eating and then playing it quickly, the rest is frosting. As a wise old angler once said when the bite was hot and a novice was struggling with his leader, "Just put on four feet of anything."
Nevertheless, a portion of our love of the sport comes from just plain enjoying the gear. Many of us do drive to the local fly shop to shake a few rods, spin a reel, finger wader fabric, or scrutinize the fly bin for some superbug that will set off maniacal attacks by the most difficult fish. We gaze at taper diagrams on the backs of fly line packages without a clue as to how all those little variations in diameter will help us catch fish, though we're sure they will.
Fly Fishing Gear Review
Chest and Hip Packs: Going Minimalist
MY FULLY-LOADED, 24-pocket vest days are now few and far between. The benefit of less weight hanging around your neck or shoulder? Greater comfort, and because this gear is smaller and designed to fit more securely, there's less chance of snagging. Also, the gear's all right there, generally in one or two compartments that are easily repositioned around your waist or chest — so no more awkward reaching into eight different pockets when you fail to locate that split-shot.
Fly Fishing Gear Review
Product Review: BlueSky Furled Leaders
FIRST, a little furled leader primer. The furled leader has been around since the 1700s and the earliest versions were woven by hand from silk or horse hair. In fact until the invention of monofilament, almost all fly fishing leaders were braided multi-strand leaders made from natural fibers. But in the middle of the 19th century, cheaper materials and faster production all but eliminated their availability and use. Now, because of its many advantages, the furled leader is enjoying a rebirth, especially among dry fly fishers.
Fly Fishing Gear Review
Three Days With 3-Weights
WHEN PLANS for a fishing excursion begin to take shape, the first thing that I normally address is species: I think 'bonefish,' 'trout,' or bass' and then go on to select the gear that will help me reach them and land them. On occasion, however, it's the gear that takes me fishing — or at least inspires me to fish. On those days, I know that I don't want to wrestle with an 11-weight rod and I'm not looking for a battle of titanic proportions, so I opt for mid-weight gear, or even the ultra-lights.
Fly Fishing Gear: Fly Rods
How to Choose a Fly Rod
LET'S ASSUME the rod is built to handle the right fly line exactly. It casts well in close, and it has the backbone to cast well at long distances. This rod is said to have the right "load" characteristics for the specified line. A rod manufacturer can then customize this rod's design by deciding where they want the rod to bend the most or the least. Making the rod flex or bend in the tip, mid-, or butt section of the rod can be used to further define the rod for the caster, either to match individual casting styles, or to match the needs of specific fishing situations.
