Abel's Patterson Releases Great White on Fly

July 21, 2009 By: Marshall Cutchin

Although only a juvenile, the great white shark that Jeff Patterson, sales director for Abel Automatics, released on Friday is believed to be the first ever catch of that species on a fly rod and single-action fly reel. “Patterson said the great white’s initial run was estimated at 275 yards. The fight lasted some 25 minutes. Patterson used a Scott 15-weight rod and Abel Super 13 reel loaded with Rio Leviathan 550 grain line and 380 yards of 50-pound gel spun backing.” Ed Zieralski in the San Diego Union-Tribune.