Rufusred

From a recent issue of Mid-Current Fly Fishing New on-line: "How Do I Get on a Company's 'Pro Staff'?" Every company has its own pro-staff requirements and benefits. Just because you are a company pro doesn’t mean you get all the free gear and exotic trips you can handle. Instead, the relationship is usually mutually beneficial for the pro and the company he represents. The pro gets either free or discounted gear (although hardly an unlimited supply), and the manufacturer gets professional feedback, help with product development, and the PR boost of having their products endorsed by famous or respected anglers. To get a sense of the various programs across the industry, I asked some manufacturers to describe their programs. Here’s what they said: Jim Murphy, president, Hardy North America: “We have designated 2010 as the Year of the Sales Associate. This program requires that you must be an employee of a fly shop to be eligible for our Pro Staff. We offer a 75% discount off our product MSRP.” Jim Bartschi, president, Scott Fly Rod: “We have a professional guide program that offers discounts to verified licensed professional guides. Then we have the Scott Pro Staff. The Pro Staff differs in that they are not only professional guides or instructors, but also serve as Scott ambassadors to our dealers and customers. They help us staff shows, give presentations to both shop staff and the retailer's customers, are active in media (both print and TV/film), and provide many of the images that end up in our catalogs, ads, and Web site. They are also very active in evaluating prototype designs and incubating new ideas. Potential Pros are recommended to us by our reps and dealers. We base our selections on a number of criteria. Foremost is their relationship with authorized Scott dealers and our territory rep, since most of their activities are regionally based. We also consider their fisheries, and look for unique waters, techniques, and species. This helps us develop rods that are less mainstream than the basic 9-foot 5-weight trout rod. In turn, we actively promote our Pro Staff at shows, in our catalog, Web site, and ads. This helps their businesses and reputations.” Rick Pope, president, TFO: “We have three levels: Pro Staff: Industry professionals, key employees, guides, and media. Must be nominated by a sales representative and approved by us here in Dallas. Pro Staff members are not required to be TFO exclusive, and they receive product discounts for items used personally. Regional Advisory Staff: Members who have regional visibility and specializations within species or fisheries. Teaching is a major criteria. They are most often nominated by regional sales representatives, but Advisory Staff members contribute to both nomination and approval. They help identify regional trends and may become involved in rod design. They are also TFO exclusive and receive a mixture of free and discounted products. Advisory Staff: At-large members of the team who help with rod design, application, and general business trends. They have mastered most every aspect of the sport, they teach, and they are ambassadors for both fly fishing and TFO. Compensation varies from royalties to assistance in travel and appearance fees. It is important to know that we distinguish design from engineering; we split the job among our team.” Simon Gawesworth, Rio Products: “RIO has two different programs that might fit into the term 'Pro staff.' The first is for industry professionals, guides, outdoor writers, and shop staff. This program allows the individual to purchase a limited quantity of RIO or C&F product at a substantial discount. The validity of the person's claim to being a 'professional' is authenticated through the regional sales rep. There are no expectations from RIO for the 'pro,' except that the products they purchase on this program must be used by the pro, and not sold or given to someone else. The other program is the 'Advisory Team.' Advisory Team members are recognized experts in their field of fly fishing. They field test new and prototype products, submit ideas and designs, promote RIO exclusively in talks, articles, demonstrations, and classes, and use only RIO products in their own and loaner fishing equipment. They get promoted on the RIO Web site and sponsored with lots of free gear. The Advisory Team is kept very small and limited, and new members are only sought for after a current Advisory Team member leaves the panel.” Tom Evenson, Western ELOG Director, Orvis: “We do have a 'Pro-Program,' which offers guides and outfitters a 40 percent discount on all our gear. However, they are not allowed to refer to themselves as 'Orvis Pro Guides' or any such thing. This is basically a courtesy discount for guides in the business. Our 'Endorsement Program' is more involved. We evaluate each business on a case-by-case bases. We have several categories of 'Orvis Endorsement:' Fly Fishing Lodge, Wing Shooting Lodge, Fly Fishing Outfitter, Fly Fishing Expedition, Fly Fishing Guide Service, Fly Fishing Guide, Wing Shooting Guide, Wing Shooting Hunting Grounds, Resort, and Dog Training/Breeding. Each has a unique set of specific nuances but all have some foundational elements we evaluate. Basically, we look for guides and operations that specialize in the sporting traditions and that are a good fit to be 'field representatives' for Orvis.”

Jeez, Bruce, I don't know... Your environment will be either the show barn or the pub or your hotel room. Hey, try something Cloudveil! See you on the weekend. Cheers, Scott

11 foot 6wt w: Windcutter 5/6 tips Compact Scandi 330gr Compact Skagit 420gr 100' 20lb Ridge running line 11 foot 7wt w: Windcutter 6/7/8 tips Compact Scandi 420gr Compact Skagit 510gr 100' 30lb Ridge running line

The Drake, hands down with Kudos to Rod & Reel. It is hip, fun, has great variety, quality photography, and always excellent writing. Even the advertising is good. Best fly fishing magazine on the stands. Period.

I own and regularly fish two rods in this series, the TXL 3710-3 and the TXL 4710-3. They are medium-flex, medium action rods with great feel and work nicely in your hand to deliver both finesse presentations and to kick out smallish bulky dry flies with equal capability. They each have great recovery, I prefer the 3wt's action in tight situations. I use RIO Selective Trout lines on both, #3 on the 3wt and #4 on the 4wt, cut them both back about 12"-14" to load the rods a little more quickly in the close quarters they are usually fished and also to allow the use of small streamers and clousers on long leaders. Double taper lines in the corresponding line sizes are very sweet if you like traditional style fishing with a relaxed casting stroke. The TXL 3710-3 is best with flies #10-#22, the 4710-3 best with #8-#20, although both are forgiving when you tie on the bushy dries. A lot of my small-stream partners prefer super-fast short, lightweight rods but I prefer these as all-around, versatile rods for techy small water and shorter casts on larger water. I can't speak to the "zero" sizes in this series, but these two models both have plenty enough backbone necessary to land large trout in tough situations. Try one, I think you will enjoy it.

The Camera Store 802 11th Avenue S.W. for Pentax W60 Great selection Best service Super competitive pricing Hands on, experienced sales staff Complimentary photography dvd and free weekend tech seminars Best fishing/outdoors point & shoot I have owned or experienced Just go check it out - you will not regret it. Might be slightly cheaper elsewhere, the benefits compensate for that (independent opinion) Scott

Go to Fish Tales and check out the Kaenon sunglasses line they carry (or check out http:kaenon.com). This line has a variety of frames and lenses specifically suited to water sports and fishing, and has some of the best optics in the industry. They offer single vision and graduated lenses over a wide range of tints and lens styles, including curved and wraparound lenses. Some of the best in the industry.

Taking a page from steelhead fly fishing friends and acquaintainces who have experienced similar problems, you might consider a trout-weight switch rod of 10.5-11.5 feet in the 4wt-5wt range. These rods are versatile (fish either bank, no back cast room, floating line/sink tips...) very easy on the arms and allow you to fish effectively while rehabbing your shoulder/arm. Spey casting with switch rods/short spey rods is most suited to medium to large rivers as opposed to creeks, but allows you to stay in the game while healing at your own speed. Just a thought...

Been using Simms Rivershed boots for well over a year now from the Skeena River system to small Alberta foothills creeks, from dead of winter through heat of summer and have to say they are the best peforming and most reliable wading boots I have owned in over three decades of fly fishing. They are extremely light (ideal for hiking anglers), tough, durable, provide a stable "platform" for fishing, good traction (mine are studded Aquastealth) and offer great support. Aquastealth soles no longer available, get the new Streamtread soles. Only drawback to 2008 models, the stock laces will shred and pull apart in a very short time with regular use. Throw them away, go to Mark's Work Wearhouse and buy a pair of Dakota brand Dura Laces with Kevlar in the 72" size. Those laces will last at least three seasons and probably a lot more in any wading boot. They are $21.00 but worth it. The Simms laces are not suitably matched to their boots in terms of durability. Otherwise, don't waste time asking questions or discussing other options...just get these. You will not regret it.

Nautilus should be on the list as well. You will never go back....