alhuger

You keep company in a fly shop far more than I do given your employ so I'll not argue the fine points with you. However, that FFC has influence would be tough to argue. In fact people who are actively involved in FCC seem to work at a number of local fly shops outside of even yourself. That fact in tandem with amount of custom driven from people who participate here (passively or otherwise) has got to leave an indelible impression. As for the spey, I think it has a wider application than just for sea run and I think we will see it pick up for stillwater (which is why I picked it up) and more and more for river trout fishing. Having said that though, the fly fishing crowd can still be pretty tenacious about holding onto tradition. Think how long it took for spey rods to pick up on the west coast, it's not as if they were unknown there. In fact R Haig-Brown talks about chasing chinook on Vancouver Island's Cambell river with a 15' two hander over 50 years ago. -al -al

All, I dropped by a local flyshop this week to grab some line and I had an exchange with the staff which I found pretty interesting. I asked the folks there if they had witnessed a recent influx in interest about spey rods & lines. The answer was uniformly yes and it was felt that this trend was directly driven by FFC. That I was even standing there was direct proof of this given that I had my first access to lessons on the two hander arranged directly through FFC. Speaking from personal experience, local market influence from a community online forum is quite rare. In fact people spend millions of dollars to create these types of forums in the hope that they will produce just what FFC has - direct, measurable impact on peoples buying habits. What is even more impressive (and perhaps as rare) is that all of this is driven by a community which operates, in the main, with an understated harmony and a very limited amount of rancor (fishhead notwhistanding). -al

You would not happen to have a good link w/ tying instructions would you? Those look great.

Brent, I've never fished for Bull Trout but I do tie and fish tubes quite a bit. You will find it easier to tie large patterns and in general you should find streamer patterns easier to tie (no hook to worry about). As for the short shank theory, I would agree with that also although my assessment is hardly empirical. One thing though that you should watch for is tying on brass or heavy tubing, it's a serious hazard to throw. I took one in the back of the head this fall, it sucked, allot. -al

All, I've been looking around at different line options and I've found that in the weight ranges and head lengths that I am looking at that both Rio and Delta have competing and similar lines. I've read the specs for both and combed through Speyclave on the topic but am wondering if anyone has any insight based off using both the Rio (various) series of the equiv. Airflo series lines. I currently use the Delta line and enjoy it so I have no real compelling reason to move over but I'd like to hear some general opinions. I am not looking for specific data about how they handle on particular rods but rather I am interested in hearing general differences seen by folks here. I am looking at lines w/ about 52 feet of head (plus tip). -al

Thanks, that's an excellent reply. My home water actually holds rainbows which spawn throughout the year. It's a large body with a number in incoming rivers and while April through June will see rainbow spawning you are also quite likely to hook into spawners in November, as witnessed here with this nice bow being caught this week: http://www.reelfishingadventures.net/images/071115a.gif Note the kype. In any event I had no idea if this was normal or not, I suppose it looks to be in the 'not' category. Thanks again. al

All, So now that I am getting mildly obsessed with spey rods (the last thing I needed) I am realizing it's not a cheap past time. Mind you, neither is fly fishing in general but I already have a tonne of cash sunk into my current gear. I want to pick up an extra rod or two over the next year and I want to run through some other line types and so as a result, I am think about ebay. I used to buy quite a bit through ebay for another hobby but I've never bought fishing gear, any opinions? Is there a good forum elsewhere for dealing w/ spey gear? -al

Now that I am no longer sick (until my kids brings another epidemic home) I am good most days during the week with a day or so notice. I cannot blow off the whole day but I can get out for a bit.

Does anyone know if certain runs of fish on the bow tend to spawn outside of the normal times? My understanding is that in general terms rainbows spring spawn and char and browns fall spawn on the bow. Are there outliers to this? Do you ever see rainbows on the bow spawning in the fall for example? -al

Hey guys, I ended up catching my daughters flu so I am out today. Sorry for canceling twice in a row but my house is a plague attractor it seems. al

Ditto.

Count me in for the weekend!

Your on, I will keep the line and swap. I am going to be late tomorrow or may not be able to show, my daughter and wife both came down with the flu tonight, not pretty. You still have the same cell? -al

All, I am experiencing pretty consistent snap off with my spey rod. My flie are lasting an average of 20 minutes or so then.... I am assuming this is likely because I am applying too much force or moving my forward stroke too early? I nearly never experience this with a single hander. -al

Ok, I went back to my 6/7 and I can cast again! I am mulling over my options but I might cut back my multitip. For those of you who are by the southland dogpark, the bite is on. As I was practice casting I was watching fish take small (like 18/20) emergers on a hatch that was carpeting shallow water. It was beautiful to watch. -sl

Wow, that's awesome, I look fwd to it.

I have a Rio DVD and one by Dec Hogan which I have watched recently. I found the Rio one with Simon Gawesworth and friends really helpful and the Dec Hogan one not so helpful (for me anyhow). If anyone wants to borrow either let me know but you'll have to settle for a burned copy. My originals were donated to some lucky traveler on the Luftansa Frankfurt to Mumbai route. Thankfully I had ripped them first. I actually have the Rio one burned onto my iphone so I can watch it on the water, it's pretty helpful for a beginner. -al

Yeh, your right I should return it, of course I feel like an idiot but it's not cheap. I'll have to weigh my pride against my pocket book. As TM pointed out to me on Speypages, the Rio guide should suffice for figuring out the right grain weight and the 7/8 is like 60 grains over what they suggest, thankfully I still have my 6/7. I will bring it on Friday (the 7/8) so you can throw it and give me your opinion. You casting sinking tips much on the bow with your rig(s) yet? -al

Hey Dino, Good question, it's a Z-Axis

All, I recently purchased a new Airflo Delta Multitip line for my Sage 7136-4. My initial line was a straight Airflow Delta 6/7 and after feeling a little foolish for not going multitip to start with I shelled out the cash for the multi tip rig. As it turns out though, what I thought was a 6/7 multitip was actually a 7/8 and I think it's overloading my rod somewhat. Here as the specs: Airflow Delta 6/7 is 470 grains Airflow Delta multi 7/8 is 530 grains It feels to me like the 530 is a bit heavy. I can still push line out but it's more difficult. Any simple rule of thumb I can apply here to figure out if I am overlined? I cannot find any specs for the 7136-4 which suggest grain weight. Any advice would be be appreciated. -al

I'll be there.

That's a great choice. I picked up a rod from the Z-Axis line and I am obsessed with it now. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

All, I am going to schedule some time away from work in the morning for both Thursday and Friday and likely be on the water till noon or a little past both days. I am mostly just practicing my cast and will be trying to get used to a new line I bought (multi-tip) and trying to sort out how to cast sinking tips. If anyone is of a like mind feel free to PM me. I will need to be in the city though because I am not totally unfettered from work and need cell access. -al

Those rod holders looks like a great idea but they would not fare well where I usually fish, my rods would be snapped to *hit from tree overhangs or gravel. I think they would rock for the bow though, if you still love them next season I may take the risk. -al

I've got a pair of Patagonia boots which I got two years ago, they look brand new and I've got decent wear into then. They are studded and I've yet to take a spill in them (because of lack of traction). I have no idea what they cost though because my wife bought them as a gift for me. -al