headscan

Brian, what about single-hand spey casting?

I think Blue Ribbon Bow has been out of print for a few years now. I picked mine up last year when Jim was doing the Water Marks signing, so they're still around somewhere. There are also used copies available on Alibris cheaper than on Amazon. Looks like they're hardcovers as well. I've ordered lots from Alibris and never had a problem.

Ok Rick, that made me laugh out loud. Personally, I think Earth Day is just something that lets people feel better about themselves for having done something for one day. It doesn't mean much if you do nothing the rest of the year. And before anyone slams me, here are the every day things I've changed over the last few years: - installed low flow shower heads (my place already has low flow toilets) - switched to phosphate-free laundry and dishwasher detergent and dish soap - making sure to always switch off lights when I leave a room - went from a car with a gas-guzzling V6 to a fuel-efficient 4 cyl when the lease was up - wear a sweater instead of turning up the heat - pour some water into the sink when shaving or doing dishes rather than leaving it running And probably a few other things that I've missed. I didn't change things drastically and all at once. None of these changes has put me out significantly, either. Asking people to do that is a surefire way to create resentment and resistance. This isn't meant to make me sound holier than thou, but maybe get people doing more year round rather than on one day. The river cleanup on Earth Day is a great idea, though. Here's a picture of the aftermath of the first Earth Day in 1970 from National Geographic to drive the point home...

I don't think it's going to be quite that far apart. More like comparing one kind of apple to another since the underlying concept is still the same. The biggest difference will probably be between the blanks.

A few of us got to play around with one of the Loop Zpey rods today, a 12' 8/9. It was interesting to cast and I have mixed feelings about it. The shape of the handle kept making me want to stop my rod tip much lower than 11 o'clock on the forward cast, but once I was more conscious of my stop it was fine. Cackhanded casts felt really awkward because the shape of the handle had my bottom hand in a weird spot. It's a great rod for single spey casts off your dominant shoulder. Because of Whistler's post I made sure to snake roll the rod. For me it really worked well for this cast. It's almost like the handle forced my hands to rotate properly. One odd thing was that after casting it a bit I experienced pain in my right forearm. Not sure if it's just that the handle takes some getting used to or if it's just a sign that I'm developing carpal tunnel from working at a computer all day. It's a unique design and I don't think you can judge it until you've tried casting one for yourself. It's not for everyone, but I can see how some people will prefer the handle over a straight one. Thanks to the guys who brought theirs out to Spey-O-Rama today for us to try!

Sounds like it should be a good event. Might have to stop by and try out some of the demo sticks.

I know exactly what you mean. I live in Citadel so it was really handy having a place to stop in to pick up the odd things that I needed on my way home from work. Really handy if I was doing some tying that night and was missing just a few things or wanted to get an early start the next morning without having to stop into a shop. I think Dalhousie station would be a great spot for a shop. Unfortunately I don't see many new shops opening in the current economy. I like going into Westwinds, Fish Tales, and Country Pleasures, but driving all the way down there is a bit of a commitment especially when you only need a spool of thread or tippet.

Picked up a pair of the G4s today. Very impressed so far.

That reminds me that I've heard good things about the z-axis 5126. There's also the newer Echo TR 5120, Loomis Dredger 12'6" 5/6, CND Tracker 12'2" 5/6 in addition to the other rods already mentioned. Lots of different lightweight two-handed rods out there now in a variety of actions (and price ranges). The trick is just going to be finding the one that you like most and lining it to suit your style.

Are you looking at a true double hander or a switch? Also what kind of price range? The Decho 4119 and 5122 are both rods that will do what you're looking for, but if you want to toss streamers as well go with the 5122. Most everyone I know who has a Deer Creek 12'6" 5/6 loves them. Fish Tales is doing a Spey-O-Rama thing this Sunday and might have all three of those rods as well as others for people to try out. I'd go to that and test drive as many rod/line combos as possible before making a decision.

Take a casting lesson before buying anything. When I took mine through Country Pleasures back in 91 they had a variety of entry-level setups to try so you could figure out which you preferred. They also offered a one time discount after taking the lesson so you could buy your rod, reel, line, waders, etc. Don't know if the shops still do that sort of thing, but that would be the way I'd go.

Wow, do you mean you bought it as a 400 grain or you had cut it back thinking it was around 400 after you were finished? I know there's going to be some fault tolerance in a new line, but 90 grains would be a little over the top...

http://www.simmsfishing.com/site/streamtread.html It isn't really clear if this is some different sort of sole made by Vibram or if the difference is just in the tread design. I know I've seen a few different types of Vibram hiking boot soles, so it's entirely possible this is a new compound made by them specifically for Simms.

Grams to grains converter.

Yup, super easy. The fluoro made an audible snip like clipping nails and the mono just sort of sliced. Turns out I was right about the one with more stretch being the mono. Thanks!

Hope you had a good one!

Unfortunately Fish Tales doesn't carry Simms. Westwinds didn't have any of the Vibrams in when I was there last weekend so call ahead to see if Gord got them in since. Otherwise Country Pleasures had a bunch when I stopped by.

There are people that use tubes on the Bow. Comes down to a lot of personal preference more than anything I think.

Heh, considering both leaders have seen a good amount of use including downstream of a certain spot in FC I'm reluctant to taste them. They'd probably both taste like the same sewage...

I have two leaders sitting here, both 2x and both about the same length. One is mono and the other fluorocarbon but I can't remember which is which. I think the one has a little more stretch to it and I'm guessing that's the mono but I'm not sure. Anyone have a more certain way to tell them apart?

Pretty sure the Loop / AEG partnership is over and the Trout Bum stuff is toast. The Trout Bum rods are gone from the Loop website too...

Isn't it permit?

Spey-O-Rama?

I recall seeing a thread about this on FlyBC a while back and I think everyone there concluded it was snagging as well.

This happened to me when I didn't have enough space between flies. Once I started using about 12" minimum between flies it happened a lot less frequently.