DutchDryfly

I did not use a heavier line on the Vapor, according to Winston the Vapor has a grain window for scandi from 400 to 432 grain. Which is between 26 and 28 grams. The Scierra 8/9 is 26 gram (401 grain) so I did not have a heavier line on it. Skagit lines are not much used over here, so I do not know if you can compare the grainwindow of a scandi rod with the grainwindow of a skagit line. But a nice example is your Goran Andersson #6 which is rated by Loop for a 23 gram line which is 355 grains. In comparison my Anderson Custom Rod 11.9 #3 has a customline from Gary himself about 295 grains. So grainwise they are close together, but AFTM wise there is a world of difference. And yes, I like the slower rods, although the Vapor throws some mean laserloops.

Please be carefull that an European manufactured rod in the 6 weight is not the same as an US manufactured rod in the 6 weight. I had a Winston Vapor 12.6 #6 (US) which I had to line with an 8/9 scandi line from Scierra (EU) I used it for salmon. Now the rod is sold and I am eagerly waiting for my Meiser 13 #6 I think a US 6 weight is overkill for trout and you better can have a US 3 or 4 weight. Decho or ACR in the #3 and #4 lines are nice rods for trout.

Ad I like that a lot. Never used a guide as I think they charge more ten I would bother to pay. I understand they have to invest in professional equipment, but not all anglers are in need for that equipment. All I want from a guide is to show me the places to fish, get access to those places and have a guy along who is pleasant to fish with. I don't do lunch when fishing, who has time for that when they are out fishing?? So generally I am not looking for a guide, but more for a fishing buddy who knows their way around when time prohibits me to search the waters by myself. Spent last saturday with my fishingbuddies figuring out when to come to Calgary next year and have requested a quote for september 20 till october 8. If everything is going according to plan you will see me on the banks of the Bow during that time. Hopefully we can also get into one of the speygatherings as we don't have any over here.

Happy b'day, Greg

Taco, only when you cut the line in half before you spool it onto your reel.

Jack is almost right, but he got confused with the WF and DT. The double rating is an "old" rating from when the fishing was either done with a DT or WF line. A 5/6 means that it will load correctly with a DT 5 or a WF 6. This is because the first 30 feet will be of the same weight according to the AFTMA rating. But if you extend your line beyond that magical 30 feet, the running line of a DT is much heavier then the running line of a WF. So to compensate the heavier running line of the DT you need to go with the lower figure and if you like a WF you have to go with the higher figure. It is not as complicated at all, but who is still fishing with a DT?

Actually Ben, there are rivers in Germany where C&R is not allowed. Although it does not apply to the whole country, it is enforced on some German rivers. Rob Also from Holland

As the Pound is about par with the Euro, I am certain to buy some stuff in the UK.

So my chances are doubled, I am also on FlyBC. I actually believe it should go overseas, Jack.

The best wishes and may you find yourself at the end of many tight lines this year.

First time with the twohander Lake Oostvoorne And I post one for Noud, the fish you can catch at Oostvoorne

There are some fora that specializes in old Bamboo rods. Do a search on google.

Yesterday I bought some Whiting speyhackle and started tying so called speyflies. It is certainly different than tying a dryfly or a nymph, but yet another challenge. I also have some trouble getting the wing correct, but as they are not for display I think they look alright. I noticed the trapped fibre in the picture and I corrected that already on the fly.

1. Glomma in Norway 2. Salzach in Austria 3. Trysilelva in Norway 4. Klarälven in Sweden 5. Lake Oostvoorne in The Netherlands

This year I saw a guide in Austria fish like that. He used it to get deep quick but there was another, more important, reason. I found out why he used this setup after about one hour. I lost 25 nymphs in that hour and he was still fishing the same nymph. If he got stuck on the bottom, happened a lot as there were some kind of woven mats I did not know about, all he lost was his splitshot. He just applied new splitshot and he was fishing again. Unfortunately he caught nothing and I did.

Brian, If you read my post carefully , I wrote beaching them in LOW WATER. By beaching I mean to get them in water to low for them to swim, I never said drag them up on the bank. So keep them in the water but flipped on the side. It has not be exact a foot of water, fish can handle rocks under water great. Look at them when they are digging redds or trying to find food, they can handle some rocks as long water is on those rocks. I am not even going to adress your issue with European anglers, I have seen many anglers from all over the world handling fish bad, even BC residents.

Brian, In my opinion nothing wrong with your handling of the fish. Big fish can handle more than people think and beaching them in low water will not kill them. Playing them till they not move anymore so you can tail them certainly will kill them. Rob

I see that you did not mention the wanabe Canadian aka the lone 'Merican aka Rickr? I can clearly see a rod in his favorite color and noticed he was trashing the equipment guru's in another post. I think he is just jealous about not having a mean yellow LONG fishing machine.

Greg, my ACR #3 weight is going to be my favorite rod for fishing, but it is a little slow. You are correct that I am looking for some heavier fast action rod as it will be a backup for bigger water and higher winds. May be even for fishing some searun browns in Danmark next spring or some Atlantics in summer in Norway. Noud is looking for a softer rod as he already has a fast 7-weight, so for him the Decho and the DC will be fine. Max, are you working for Loomis now? I noticed they have named a rod after you.

Greg, I am part of a private forum where flyshop-owners are also members. So we have our own private tryouts where we can try most new rods and lines before they hit the shop. It is probably my personal preference, but to this day I have not yet found a single rod from a major company that I liked. Almost all my rods are from unknown brands or are made for me with the excepion of the Sage DS2. I have the DS2 in a #4 and #6. As you know I have an ACR and a Dave Lewis., so it is not so much the budget as it is preference. I am without a doubt a little strange in the flyfishingcommunity as I do not care about the name on the rod as much as I care about the performance and the feel. Rob

Unfortunately I don't share everybodies enthousiasm about Loop. I do not know why, but their rods do not seem to do it for me. And yes, I have casted their rods long before they were known in the US and Canada. One of the view advantages of living in Europe is getting rods and reels from European brands before you guys do. Also I think Loop is more of a markering bureau then a manufacturer of fishing rods. The only thing I liked about Loop were the older reels and they were created and manufactured by Danielsson. And Brian, for the record, my favorite troutspey is the ACR 1193-5. I don't think it can be beaten but a little light for big streamers.

Bought the first rod this year, fished almost all fishing trips with it and forgot about my SH rods. Keep practicing the underhand without a rod in hand during work, which results in funny looks. Now looking to buy another DH rod, already arranged a testdrive. When tying I only think of making speyflies, got friends crazy enough to try speycasting and into new rods. Looking at Speypages all the time, searching Ebay. I need a cure !!!!!

Just send a mail to Winston. I was looking at Rio and Airflo for the recommended line and they don't fit the grainwindow. Rio is way down and Airflo is way over the recommended grainweight.

Greg, Any insight on the Winston Vapor 12'6 6/7 ? May be a little better suited for the scandi as it is a fast action rod? Rob

Thanks, guys. I hope to meet a lot of you in 2010 !!!