But at least I have a new hat

First of all, you should know that The Editorial Trophy Wife says I am strictly a ball cap kind of guy. She is certain that I have absolutely no business whatsoever wearing a fez, stetson, fedora, or any other headgear short of a something that covers my ears and keeps my follically challenged head warm in the winter. I, partially because of said folically challenged state, have always appreciated a unique chapeaux.

I am sure you can imagine her chagrin and my delight when I found myself at an estate sale this weekend, standing in front of a closet emblazoned with a sign declaring "Hats 2 for $1". There where seven or so headpieces mustily taking up space inside the closet ranging in style from carnival barker to that Russell guy from survivor. At first nothing caught my eye and I feared I would be leaving with my head continuing to be exposed to the harsh rays of the sun. Then I saw it sitting all alone on the bottom shelf. Not quite a cross between Hank Williams Sr. and Raylan Givens but close enough for me to shell out fifty cents just the same.

Upon seeing my planned acquisition, The Editorial Trophy Wife had the anticipated response and made her way down to the basement of the home continuing her search for further, more useful, bargains. I continued to mill around the upstairs debating my purchase, made up my mind, and then, content with my purchase, finally decided to check out the basement.

It was as I reached the bottom of the basement stairs, hat in hand, that I saw him. He was hastily making his way towards the cashier with a look on his face that can only be described as the look one would sport if one were getting away with something. In his hand was an aged canvas rod bag and protruding from said forlorn bag was what appeared to be the cork handle of a fly rod. As he passed me I spoke to him saying something along the lines of "Found something good eh?" He averted his eyes, mumbled something unintelligible and made a bee line for the door.

My suspicions confirmed, I realized that had I not spent all my time hat shopping I might have been that guy heading for the door with what I imagined to be nothing less than a famous maker bamboo fly rod worth at least two grand. The Trophy Wife, who never fails to point out the obvious, was not totally unsympathetic and even helped me unsuccessfully scour the nooks and crannies of the basement for other fishing treasures.

But at least I have my hat.

Things we didn't buy...

Abercrombie & Fitch once sold bamboo travel rods that fit in a passport sized box. Now they hawk clothes to cool kids who probably haven't ever seen a fly rod. Can you imagine the ads they would have for fly rods if they sold them today? At $450 I seriously considered whipping out the plastic...

Much to the Editorial Trophy Wife's relief, I did not consider purchasing this copy of Izaac Walton's famous book. Note the price in the lower right...

Hardy and Greys Announces New Fly Rod Innovation

Press release below, product expected to hit the shelves Jan. 2011.

Hardy & Greys Ltd are proud to announce the most significant development in fishing rod design for twenty five years.

SINTRIX ™material provides rods which are 60% stronger, up to 30% lighter and with hugely improved impact resistance over conventional carbon fibre.

Initially the new technology will be used in Hardy fly rods but eventually SINTRIX™ will also be used in Carp, Coarse and Sea ranges within the Greys and Chub brands.

Decades ago when we moved away from cane and fiberglass, carbon fibre changed the way fishing rods were made. Carbon being remarkably strong for its weight gives us many advantages for modern rod design.

The carbon rods we use today have of course advanced over the years but the trends for lighter and faster blanks lead to rods which can be brittle, unforgiving and prone to breakage during use.

The carbon fibre in any fly rod blank is supported by a bed of resin, typically this resin or matrix simply holds the fibres in parallel alignment so that as the rod bends, the fibres can flex and return into position. However if a carbon rod is suddenly bent beyond its limits, the normal resins used in manufacture are unable to support the fibres adequately because the carbon fibres are stronger than the resin. The result is catastrophic failure due to the fibres buckling or, put simply, the rod breaks. These failures occur because typical modern fishing rod resins simply do not contain enough toughening mechanisms to give the fibres enough protection.

SINTRIX™ is an enhanced fortified matrix resin which supports and bolsters the carbon fibres to withstand a far higher degree of bending and loading than ever before. Through technology, exclusive to Hardy & Greys Ltd, specially treated silica nano spheres are blended into a SINTRIX™ resin. Thousands of the nano spheres surround every individual carbon fibre giving a very even distribution of the particles throughout the resin which results in rods with unparalleled smooth casting actions. This technology is radically different to any previous nano rods using titanium nano or carbon nano tubes. These previous carbon nano technologies simply attempted to reinforce the carbon and not the all important resin. The bending strength of a SINTRIX™ fly rod is vastly improved over outdated common designs. Controlled testing has proven that SINTRIX ™fly rods are over 60% stronger and up to 30% lighter than previous carbon rods. A SINTRIX ™fly rod will bend further without damage and will also take incidental impacts far better than any conventional fly rod design.

On a recent test trip to Florida five Hardy & Greys product developers caught around 1,000 fish on SINTRIX ™rods .The fish ranged from 5lbs to 350lbs and the idea was to put the SINTRIX blanks in situations above and beyond normal use. Despite their best efforts to test the rods to destruction our testers did not break a single SINTRIX ™rod! Some of this action is available to view on YouTube.

Andy Mill, Hardy & Greys US based consultant and five time gold cup Tarpon tournament winner said about SINTRIX™ rods.

“These new SINTRIX™ rods are the most powerful, lightest, smoothest casting rods ever designed EVER!”

Andy recently landed an 80lb Tarpon in Just four minutes using a SINTRIX™ rod.

Peter McLeod from Aardvark McLeod, International fly fishing specialists on the Hardy SINTRIX™ rods.

“The perfect rods for the flats, I adored using them. They are light, responsive, have quick recovery, fantastic presentation and huge reserves of power. The blanks were so thin they just cut through the wind. Bottom line is these are without doubt the best rods I have ever used and when they go into production I will use nothing else”.

Initial SINTRIX™ developments involve three Hardy fly rod ranges, one saltwater range and two freshwater ranges which will include double handed models. The new Hardy SINTRIX™ rods are set to be available in January 2011.

In addition to these increases in performance and durability the company retains its commitment to using the highest quality fittings. This combination has not, however, resulted in a price increase which puts this material and its advantages out of reach to most consumers and prices should be comparable with other premium fly rod ranges.

At Hardy & Greys Ltd. We believe that SINTRIX™ is THE new generation of carbon fibre technology and is the most significant breakthrough in rod development since the move from glass to carbon fibre twenty five years ago.

Press Release: Sage's New Xi3 Saltwater Series

Sage Brings Innovation and Technology to the New Xi3 Series:

The Ultimate Saltwater Fly Rod

March 1, 2010 (Bainbridge Island, WA) – After six more months of rigorous field-testing since the launch and with warmer weather around the corner, Sage is proud to name the Xi3 the best saltwater rod series Sage has ever created. Utilizing SaltH2O Technology, a proprietary taper construction providing torque and torsion for superior tracking and maximum energy efficiency, the Xi3 performs with true precision. Sage’s Generation 5 (G5) construction employs 100% graphite hoop fibers to provide more power in the butt section and increased sensitivity in the tip. The Modulus Positioning System (MPS) maximizes performance and reduces rod weight by varying the modulus or flex according to the need of each inch of the rod. This provides a startlingly acute level of line feel throughout the casting stroke and allows more efficient application of power.

“With all the design modifications and technological advances applied to the Xi3, we have created a rod that tracks seamlessly and has the backbone to pick up 60 to 70 feet of line all while significantly reducing the weight,” explains Jerry Siem, Sage Rod Designer. “We are very proud of this new design. Everyone who casts an Xi3 feels the difference immediately.”

Other features of the Xi3 include an EVA/cork fighting butt, saltwater-safe, black anodized reel seat, and a full wells cork grip. Fuji hard chrome-plated stripping guides with Alconite inserts are used for durability and line wear resistance. The use of over-sized Tip-tops and snake guides allow smooth line movement. The Xi3 has a Pacific blue colored shaft with Electra blue trim wraps and Cobalt blue primary wraps. It comes in four pieces and in line weights from #6 to #16. The Xi3 includes a black fabric rod sock and powder-coated aluminum tube.

About Sage:Founded in 1980, Sage was created with one idea in mind - to build the world's finest performance fly rods. Passionate about creating fly fishing products that continually exceed expectations, Sage strives to seek performance advantages through new materials and designs based on a foundation of research and innovation. Sage also offers fly reels, fly lines, apparel, accessories and luggage for avid anglers.

Things I Really Like: Orvis Helios Fly Rod

I have decided to dub this week, "Things I Really Like Week" here at FlyfishMagazine.com. As the name suggests, my posts this week will be all about fly fishing related gear (and other things) that I really like. By way of disclosure, most of this we purchased on our own. Some, like the subject today, were most excellent Birthday gifts from the Editorial Trophy Wife. Some of these things came in the form of schwag. Trust me when I say that an item's inclusion in "Things I like Week" has nothing to do with origins and everything to do with performance.

My Orvis Helios 9' 5 Wt fly rod is probably is hands down the most versatile fly rod that I own. I have used it to cast everything from size 22 midges to the three inch long dragon fly over a dropper that you see me casting in the picture above. It is light as a feather which means you can cast it all day without wearing your arms out. It has caught everything from bluegill and bass to trout. It came close to catching a massive carp once but the tippet failed me. It has bluelined, brownlined, and just about any other kind of "line" I could get it near.

My own casting issues aside, this rod casts like a dream and I have found that it really excels when trying to punch the fly into tight spaces under the cover of bushes or between boulders on a mountain stream. Owning a high end fly rod is something that I thought (almost swore) I would never do. However, since I got the chance to put the Helios through it's paces, I have found it difficult to pick up any of my other rods. The Helios has quickly become my go to rod for 5 weight quarry.

We all have our favorite things and as the title "Things I Really Like" implies, these are a few of mine. Feel free to share your own in the comments section. More of mine will be posted as "Things I Really Like Week" continues.

They say it's your birthday....

Happy Birthday to ya! R.L. Winston Turns 80 this month. We present the only video we could find on the subject via Youtube

Sierra Trading Post: Redington Fly Rod $29.50

Redington Crosswater Rod - 2-Piece

You are a nice guy. You always want to help out. You learned how to share in kindergarten. You would give someone the shirt off your back right? As nice as you are, you just have to draw the line when it comes to lending out your prized fishing gear. You hate yourself for being selfish and you realize the importance of taking kids fishing, but you'd sooner share your best girl than let that bumbling teenager down the street borrow Grandpa's cane fly rod with the agate stripping guide.

What you need is a good back up / loaner rod. One that casts like a dream but costs so little that you don't mind if it ends up under Junior's felt clad feet. Sierra Trading Post has just the ticket. A Redington Crosswater Two Piece fly rod for only $29.50. Think of it as an investment in unselfishness and an insurance policy for your favorite gear.

Be sure to check the coupon link in the side bar for extra savings.

Gear: Sonik Sports Fly Rods

Take two guys from the legendary angling company Hardy and Greys and a former Coca Cola marketer, wait six months for what has to be the shortest non-compete clause in the world to run out, then add a line of fly rods and you have Sonik Sports..

Performance to help you cast better, fish more effectively and maximise your whole experience of being on the water. Great rods should feel like a natural extension of your arm and allow you to pick up your line from the water effortlessly and present to a rising fish with precision and delicacy. Utilising a careful blend of the very finest Japanese ‘Toray’ carbon fibre materials, the rods feature smooth progressive tapers and easy load, responsive actions. Each component of the rods has been carefully selected to work well and look good. A no nonsense approach to fly rod design that pays dividends throughout long hours of use. Representing truly exceptional value for money, we are confident these rods will outperform other makes costing three or four times the price!

Price points for their SK3 & 4 fly rods, made from Toray Carbon Fibers, range from $129 to $239 (launch specials). Rods come with a 5 year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.

If any of our readers "across the pond" have gotten hold of one of these we would enjoy hearing what you think about them. We are making inquiries and will let you know what we find out.

Link to the Sonik Sports website and an article about them via NeBusiness.co.uk.

Orvis Fly Rods: If we told you, we'd have to kill you...

When my Great Grandfather, Theodore Roosevelt Burleson handed me my first stone fly nymph and fly rod 3o+ years ago, I wonder if he would have ever thought that the rod I got for my 41st birthday would be made of the same military grade material used in Predator drones? I won't even go into what he would have thought about unmanned machines flying about on their own and shooting things. Techie tome Wired Magazine features a look at Orvis' Helios fly rod:

The "stuff" is unidirectional carbon fiber — not the ubiquitous carbon mesh found everywhere from dashboards to tennis racquets, but a new superlight variety that was, until recently, a highly classified concoction. I start to copy information from a label when Stone barks, "Don't write down the manufacturer's name," and slams the door shut.

It's not just trade secrets he's protecting — it's national security. The composite is used in Predator drones and spy satellites for the US military. Stone, along with colleagues at the outdoors supplier Orvis, use it to build a fly-fishing rod. Called Helios, its story began nearly three years ago when Stone, Jim Lepage, and another man — so entrenched in top-secret contracts that nobody would even tell me his name (we'll call him Deep Trout) — set out to build the ultimate rod: lighter than anything ever made but strong enough to land the big one.

Photo: The Orvis Company

Orvis Helios Wins Field & Stream's Best of the Best

For the second year in a row Orvis has taken Field and Stream Magazine's award for best fly rod. The Orvis ZG Helios fly rod, which is known for light weight and castability, marks a true innovation in the world of high end fly rods.

From their press release:

While noting the gains Orvis made in creating the world's lightest fly rod, Field & Stream editors were equally impressed by the added distance and accuracy a Helios rod gives to one's cast:

"We tried to break it on big fish, but couldn't. We cast everything from dry flies to big streamers. It dropped midges on the money in ponds and busted foam hoppers through heavy winds, proving to be responsive and accurate on the light side, and burly in the down-and-dirty.

"And it cast well. In fact, we observed 10-to20-foot distance gains unfurl within a few casts for almost everyone. A 5-weight feels like a 3-weight; a 10-weight feels like an 8-weight. In the end, we were convinced you get what you pay for, and we couldn't quite say that about some other rods."

Read the entire release.

Friday Fly Fishing Deal-O-Rama

Our affiliate partner Sierra Trading Post dropped us a line today to let us know that their warehouses were filled to the brim with excess fishing and hunting gear. Since they get no pleasure or profit from watching excellent fly fishing gear sit around and gather dust, they have presented the readers of FlyFishMagazine.com with an excellent gift, a coupon code good for 15% off Sierra's already deeply discounted prices on select items in the fishing and hunting categories. There is no minimum purchase to take advantage of this discount!

The checkout code is: ASPORTSMAN8

The code will only work if you use the link to the special landing page listed below:

15% off Coupon for Hunting, Fishing, and Work Gear! Must shop through this landing page!

There are around 1000 products included with top name brands like Columbia, Browning, Redington, and Sorel. Also, check out the Albright Fly Rods—they’re great rods for a great price.

Remember that Sierra's prices are already cut 35%-70% off of retail so an extra 15% off with no minimum purchase is huge. This offer is good until February 15th, 2008 but the folks at Sierra tell us they might extend the offer if the response is good. Now is the time to spend that Christmas money you got from Momma!

Fly Tying for Cheapskates

Let's call it a life time supply of dubbing wax for less than $5.

Feel free to leave a comment suggesting other skinflint friendly items of fly fishing, fly tying, or rod building gear.

Last Minute Gift Idea: 4 PC Powell Fly Rod $99.95

Powell Advantage XL Fly Fishing Rod - 4-Piece

This Powell fly rod has been our biggest seller through Sierra Trading Post thus far this Christmas season. It seems that folks cannot resist the lure of a name brand 4 piece fly rod for only $99.

Having a 9 foot, 4 piece fly rod with only a 31" "wingspan" stowed in the case literally opens a whole new world of fly fishing to you. You will actually look forward to those business trips when you can take a quality fly rod along. This fly rod is currently available in weights from 4 to 10 making it possible to own a rod from everything from brook trout to tarpon at an excellent price.

Add a few items to your order and take advantage of the 12% off orders of $120 banner in our sidebar.

Ross Worldwide announces 6 weight Essence Fly Rod

Here at FlyFishMagazine.com we are all about good quality, inexpensive fly fishing equipment. We feel that if our sport is to continue to grow, companies will have to come forth with products that offer exceptional value. After all, most novice fly anglers (and cheapskates like me) will rarely try a new sport that requires several hundred dollars worth of equipment from the start. Ross Worldwide was one of the first companies to realize this and do something about it with their Essence line of quality, affordable fly rods. Now we are pleased to see them introduce a 6 weight to the product line. Here is their press release:

Ross adds 6wt. to the Essence Series Fly Rods
Essence FS, Essence FC and Essence FW 690-4 Rods available January 2008

Ross Worldwide is pleased to announce that we are expanding the Essence rod series with the addition of a 9 foot 6 weight model in each of the three series -FS, FC and FW. The new 6 weight models will be available January 1, 2008.

Ross Worldwide worked with Mel Krieger on the development of the Essence series rods. All three series are manufactured with a "Ross Exclusive" proprietary graphite design, resulting in rods that are smooth casting, sensitive and precise. The Essence series fly rods carry line effortlessly when casting in close, or reaching out to far away targets. All three series are powerful and sturdy, yet light enough to minimize fatigue with long days on the water.

The Essence series fly rods have been assigned graphite designations of R-1, R-2 and R-3 to highlight design differences. While the fundamentals of each series remain true to the design, a higher numbered R-Value indicates a slightly more progressive action. All three series are 4-piece rods that ship complete with a rod sock and rod case. The three Essence rod series are priced at just $99.00, $149.00 and $199.00. These fly rods will set a new standard for what an angler should expect from an affordably priced fly rod. For your money, there is not a better value on the market today!

Additional sizes in each Essence series will be available in spring 2008.

For more information about these new rod series, please contact the Ross factory at 970-249-1212 or visit the company online at www.rossreelsworldwide.com.

Ross designed these rods and their tapers with input from Mel Krieger. In our opinion this along with a choice of materials gives them a feel that rivals a more expensive rod. Ross extends the value of these rods by selling them as four piece rods and including a rod case and sock.

Shameless Commerce: Sept.Coupon Deals

Regular readers will know that we are busy preparing for this weekend's trip to Denver, Colorado where we will be taking part in this year's Fly Fishing Retailer show. By taking part we pretty much mean that we will be wandering the rows and rows shiny new fly fishing gear and gadgets mouths ajar all the while drooling like Bill Belichick in the video camera section of a Circuit City store.

In our haste to pack our travel rod we almost forgot to bring you this month's gear deals from our valued affiliate partners.


Any angler worth his salt can spend at least $75 at Sierra Trading Post and thereby obtain free shipping. Remember we make it far too easy for you to shop "the Post" by devoting several hours of our computer programming trolls time to listing all of their fishing related items in our FlyFishMagazine.com Deals on Gear Page. This month we suggest that you pay special attention to their deals on waders. Find what you want then come back here and use the coupon above for the free shipping.




Put your math skills to good use as Joe's Sporting Good's gives you a couple of different options this month. You may get free shipping off your order of $99 or more or 15% off your entire order. Choose wisely grasshopper!


Word on the hill is that those politico types are lobbying hard to put big time taxes on your favorite smokes. Two words - "Stock Up."

As always, we thank you for shopping through our affiliates. We know you have many choices when you are looking for things to hide from your significant other and we thank you for supporting our blogging habit. Watch for more details about our coverage of the Fly Fishing Retailer Show in tomorrow's posting.

Fly Rod Bling

What do you get when you take a master goldsmith / jeweler and turn him loose on the world of fly rod building? Press release follows:


NEW WEBSITE OFFERS TRUE FLY ROD JEWELRY BY A MASTER GOLDSMITH

J. Marcus, a Master Goldsmith with over 35 years hands-on experience working at the bench in the jewelry trades introduces one-of-a-kind, handmade, reel seats, ferrule plugs and other fly rod jewelry.
~~~
The term "fly rod jewelry" has been much bandied about for the last few years. Although a few suppliers of metal and wooden parts for fly rods have made items that are of good quality and appearance, few or, perhaps, none of them have possessed the knowledge, skills and experience of a real goldsmith. Now J. Marcus, a master goldsmith with more than 35 years of bench experience in the jewelry trades, and a fly fisher since the age of six, enters the field. His reel seats and other fly rod parts reflect years of experience crafting high-end, one-of-a-kind personal jewelry in precious metals and gems. He has experience in building fly rods and has associated for many years with split cane rod builders, whose preferences helped shape the nature and appearance of the J. Marcus line of products.

J. Marcus’ reel seats are crafted of nickel alloy ("nickel silver") ornamented with precious metals such as 18K gold. The inserts are turned from fine woods and inlayed with fossil ivory, rare minerals, precious metal and gemstones. Most of the seats contain an area of fossil ivory where the purchaser may have the reel seat personalized in scrimshaw.

The J. Marcus website also offers hand-turned ferrule plugs of fossil ivories and other quality materials, as well as a selection of his handcrafted custom jewelry.

If you would like more information about this topic, visit the J. Marcus ~ Fine Handmade Reel Seats website at: http://www.flyrodjewelry.com or please call: Marc (J. Marcus) at: 360/647-5195 or email Marc at: jmarcus@flyrodjewelry.com.

He sources his exotic woods from sustainable sources or dead fall and even makes use of scraps from other woodworking shops that would normally be thrown away.

Ross Essence FS & FC Fly Rods

Last month we brought you the news that Ross Reels Worldwide was expanding their product line to include fly rods. Now we have more details about their Mel Krieger endorsed FS and FC combo's that will enter the market at $199 and $249 price points.

NEW FOR 2008!

Essence FS and Essence FC Fly Fishing Outfits
Includes Mel Krieger’s Instructional DVD "Beginnings, An Introduction to Fly Fishing"

The Essence Fly Fishing Outfits are complete outfits. Simply tie on a fly and you are ready to fish! All of the products included with these outfits are top quality. In fact, they are the same high quality Ross products that we sell individually, but when purchased together as part of a complete outfit, you save money!

The Essence Fly Fishing Outfits are available in three sizes – 3/4wt., 5/6wt. and 7/8wt., covering everything from small streams to light saltwater. Each outfit is built around an Essence series fly rod, which is named after Mel Krieger’s most notable work – The Essence of Flycasting. These rods were designed with Mel to satisfy the most advanced anglers, as well as those just starting out. Mel Krieger is unquestionably the top fly fishing instructor in the world, and his Beginnings - An Introduction To Fly Fishing DVD that is included with each outfit makes learning the sport of fly fishing a fast, easy and fun experience for every level of fly angler.

Each outfit also includes a Ross designed fly reel that is pre-spooled with a high quality fly line, backing and a 9’ tapered leader. In addition, we have included a durable carrying case to protect your outfit when traveling or in storage. The Essence FS Fly Fishing Outfits are priced at just $199.00 and the upgraded Essence FC Fly Fishing Outfits are priced at just $249.00. These complete fly fishing outfits will get you on the water with quality tackle at an affordable price. For your money, there is not a better value on the market today! Available October 1, 2007.

For more information about these new fly fishing outfits, please contact the Ross factory at 970-249-1212 or visit the company online at http://www.rossreelsworldwide.com/.

One exciting fact about these rods is that they are not your typical entry level 2 piece long rods, but rather four piece rods. Having the four piece rod and carrying case that allows the reel to remain attached opens a world of doors for the travel minded fly fisher. Although aimed at the new fly fisher, if these rods prove themselves at the casting pool Ross may have hit on one of the most affordable ways yet to add options to your fly rod collection.

These rods are definitely on our list to test cast during at the Fly Fishing Retailer Show in Denver next month. According to a separate press release that we received the Essence rods will also be available outside of the combo:

All three series are 4-piece rods that ship complete with a rod sock and rod case. The three Essence rod series are priced at just $99.00, $149.00 and $199.00. These fly rods will set a new standard for what an angler should expect from an affordably priced fly rod. For your money, there is not a better value on the market today! Available October 1, 2007.

If any readers get their hands on one of these before we do be sure to send us a report.

Ross to sell Mel Krieger Endorsed Fly Rods

The folks at Ross Worldwide are getting into the fly rod game and have enlisted the help of fly fishing instructor Mel Krieger. These "Essence Series Fly Rods" will retail starting at only $99 and will include a rod case and sock. They will also be available as a complete outfit coupled with a Ross reel. Personally, being a big fan of affordable fly rods, I'd like to see how one of these rods performs. Text of their press release follows:

Mel Krieger Joins Ross Worldwide in the Development of "Essence" Series Fly Rods

After more than 40 years of teaching fly fishing and fly casting to thousands of people around the world, Mel Krieger has joined the Ross Worldwide team in the design and development of high quality, affordable fly rods. The first products scheduled for release are the Essence Series Fly Rods, named after Mel’s most notable work – The Essence of Flycasting.

When asked about this new partnership, Mel said,

"It is a pleasure to be working with the fine people at Ross. The company is well respected and makes great products. I am delighted with the design of the Essence series fly rods. These are quality rods that will satisfy the most advanced anglers, as well as those just starting out. While the price is absolutely affordable, these are top quality fly rods that perform every bit as well as tackle costing many times more. A great casting rod is an invaluable tool in the sport of fly fishing, and this is exactly what you get with every Essence series fly rod. I proudly fish these products myself".

The Ross Worldwide Essence series fly rods will be available September 2007, and will retail starting at just $99.00. The rods will be sold individually with a rod case and rod sock, and as part of a complete fly fishing outfit, including a pre-spooled reel, rod case and an instructional DVD, Beginnings – An Introduction to Fly Fishing, by Mel Krieger.

About Mel…

Mel Krieger is unquestionably one of the top fly fishing instructors in the world, and a master at unraveling the mysteries of fly fishing. Mel’s gentle approach and enthusiastic teaching style make learning the sport of fly fishing a fast, easy and fun experience for every level of fly angler; even those that have never cast a rod! Over his lifetime, Mel has helped thousands of people become great fly fishers, including many champion casters, expert anglers, guides and instructors.

For additional information, please contact the Ross factory at (970) 249-1212 or on the web at http://www.rossreelsworldwide.com/.

TFO Partners With Project Healing Waters

Project Healing Waters is getting a major boost from Temple Fork Outfitters. TFO will donate $25 for each of their new Project Healing Waters fly rods sold by tackle dealers across the nation.

"The new fly rods, based on Temple Fork Outfitter's popular "Lefty Kreh Professional" fly rods, come in two versions: a 9 foot rod for 5 weight lines, suitable for trout, panfish, and smallmouth bass; and a 9 foot rod for an 8 weght line suitable for largemouth bass, steelhead, salmon, and smaller saltwater species. The rods at translucent blue with blue windings tipped with red. The Temple Fork Outfitters and Project Healing Waters logo in gold appear on each rod. The 9 foot 5 weight fly rod is priced at $139.95, and the 9 foot 8 weight rod, equipped with a fighting butt, is priced at $149.95. All TFO-PHW fly rods are covered by Temple Fork Outfitter's lifetime warranty."

Project Healing Waters is an excellent non profit organization that makes it possible for wounded veterans to participate in the sport of fly fishing.

A Philosophy of Fine Fly Rods (and reels)

Our fly fishing friend and shop owner, "Bo" Cash of Morganton, North Carolina's Table Rock Angler recently penned some words on the subject of spending your hard earned dollars on quality fly rods and reels. The resulting text is something that every angler should at a minimum share with the spouse who shares the purse strings.

I started fly fishing in 1957 at age 8. After some coaching from a step-uncle with his old Shakespeare glass WonderRod and a handful of cork popping bugs used to slay my first farm pond bream and bass, the passion of fly fishing started and I caught fire. The site was Sedgefield Lakes in the Jamestown section of Greensboro, where said step-uncle resided. He was my mentor in the beginning of a life long sport for which I had no other to help.

Once I returned home from that wonderful week, I read every Field and Stream magazine I could get my hands upon and absorbed anything that was related to fly fishing. Being financially lacking, my first fly rod was a Sears rod which set me back the terrible price of 4 dollars. For weeks until placing the order, I ate with and slept with the catalog until wearing out the 2 or 3 pages containing their fly gear offerings. My excitement could not be contained on the day the lady called our house and said: “Your order is here.” My mother somehow found time to take me to the store. I distinctly remember paying for it with nickels and dimes. The rod was 7 1/2 feet for a # 6 line. The first reel was a stamped Japanese skeleton affair: cost; 1 dollar. The matching fly line was a level line by Gladding: cost; 1 dollar. The leader was a 4 foot piece of monofilament stripped from my push button spinning reel. My flies came 2 to the package for a quarter with the brand name: Glen L. Evans, printed on the blister pack. Four packs equaled 8 flies, enough to get me started. Essentially, my first fly fishing outfit was a whopping 7 dollars. For me, those dollars were hard to come by.

Graduating up the ladder, the next rod was an 8 dollar rod, also from Sears. As I thought I needed a different length, this one was 8 feet and also for a # 6 line. The next was a luxurious Fenwick Feralite fiberglass, 7 feet, for a # 6 line. The year was 1969. The price was 30 dollars. By this time I was becoming somewhat accomplished and that rod accounted for hundreds of local trout of all species. Within a week of college graduation, a brand new Orvis bamboo "Flea" found its way to my hands with the last dollars I had in my college savings account, never mind that I owed the government over $3,000 for a student loan. Thus were my priorities: No job, no money, owed money; - but I had a single tipped Orvis Madison bamboo 6 1/2 foot rod that would become my right arm for the next 10 years, cost: $89. The year was 1971.

We move up the rungs. We pay our dues. Some with means choose to start cheap and are never satisfied with what they purchase. This leads to spending more money than necessary as a person runs through a gamut of fly rods and reels that do not make them happy. They spend more money seeking the perfect rod, all in an effort to avoid the purchase of a truly premium rod to start. Some have to acquire what they can afford and this is understood. I certainly understand this as well as anyone. My first pair of "waders" for icy streams were a pair of Converse canvas basketball shoes, no felt, but many hours of numb, wet legs had to be endured as I had no other choice.

I put these thoughts down for readers as I reflect. A potential rod customer called me who appreciates brand X but was hesitant to spend the bucks for the premium models. He has means. At his age and his serious long time fishing passion, I see no reason for him to deny himself the best. When one casts a finely tuned rod that they call their own, they have the satisfaction of knowing that the hunt for the perfect rod is over.

This customer made the decision to go for the best and plans to do so. A life long fly fisherman in his late 50's is replacing a recently broken 35 year old Fenwick graphite and has committed to a premium rod backed by an dedicated American company that will last him the rest of his life.

Before he committed, I shared my " Tackle Buying Philosophy of Life:"

Life is short.

If you are truly and passionately serious about this sport and feeling a finely tuned fly rod unload its line after a well timed cast, buying a top grade fly rod is cheap. It is not like you are purchasing a Ranger Bass Boat, 200 HP Mercury motor that costs as much as your first house, and a Suburban to pull it all with. You are just buying a fly rod for a few hundred dollars that should be with you and a part of you for the rest of your life, with an unlimited life warranty backed by people that do not want you to be unhappy. When personal fishing, I fish the best rods and reels. This is not because I am a show-off but those rods have a different feel and I cannot ever get enough of it. Fishing the best brings me personal pleasure and I also know that I do not have to question whether I should have looked at another brand or a cheaper model. I cannot place a monetary value on that feeling.

Life is short.

I think the above is why we are here. In summary, if fly fishing is your primary focus where you live and breathe it, you owe yourself the equipment that will bring you the most pleasure, as you can afford it.

Y'all be good. "Bo"

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"Bo" Cash is the owner of The Table Rock Angler which is open by appointment. "Bo" accepts appointments as late as 10 PM nightly and is also available by phone or email to help you with all your fly fishing needs including guided trips on area streams. You can reach him at:

"Bo" Cash Table Rock Angler4515
NC 181Morganton NC
28655828-433-RODS (7637)
email: bocash3@yahoo.com

web: http://www.tablerockangler.com/