The Copper John is one of the most popular trout nymphs on the planet. Seriously. If you’re looking for a heavy mayfly nymph, this is a go-to pattern for trout rivers across the US and internationally. The Copper John can be tied a few different ways and Jared shows us his version in this episode of the Tying Bench. If you have a vise and are an avid trout angler, this video and blog post is for you.
The Loop 7X is heptagonal. Yeah, the blank has 7 sides. Wait, what? We’ve never seen anything like it. Who cares, why’s a 7-sided blank special? How about improved energy transfer, the fastest tip recovery in the industry, blazing accuracy, and in-your-face power. Seriously, this rod is THE MOST ACCURATE fly rod we’ve ever cast. Has Loop changed the game? Indeed, forever. Don’t cast a 7X rod, you’ll never go back. Read on for the full review.
Sage has released a rod designed to cast large flies and fight big fish. The PAYLOAD features a rugged design and extra large componentry to handle heavy lines and wrangle the largest freshwater and saltwater species. If you’re looking for a rod designed for Pike, Musky, and other predatory fish, especially in the mid-price range, the Payload is one of the best at its price range. Read on to find out why.
Sage has announced the release of another new rod: The TROUT LL. This new rod series from Sage utilizes blank taper optimization, specialized lengths, and Konnetic HD Technology to cater to anglers who prefer small flies, light tippets, and short-range presentations. The rod represents a delicate touch and smooth, easy feedback and feel for a heightened trout experience at close range. Like the Igniter and the PAYLOAD rod series’ from Sage, the TROUT LL is a highly specialized rod. This rod is sure to be a dry fly angler’s kryptonite.
Finally, summer sun and productive fishing during the nicest season of the year. We grind out the winter months staying busy at the fly tying bench in preparation for summer fly fishing. Well, it’s here. Maybe you’ve taken care of updating your gear for wet wading season and summer trout, or maybe you’re scrambling last minute to find the best gear for what remains of the fishiest time of the year. In either case, we’ve compiled a list of the most important summer fly fishing gear, regardless of target species, to bring some useful products to light that you may not have considered.
Streamer fishing has gained momentous popularity in the recent past, although not without controversy. Is a streamer a fly? Some purists say no, ‘those big bugs don’t count, dry or die’. It’s a valid assertion. Despite the pushback, however, streamer fishing is here to stay. Patterns created by pioneers like Kelly Galloup, Mike Schultz, and Blane Chocklett including the Sex Dungeon, Game Changer, and Swinging D have chiseled a culture that’s big, loud, and nasty. In a good way.
Maybe you were lucky enough to grow up on a trout stream in Montana. Maybe you learned to fly fish for Stripers on the coast of New England. Or maybe you’re like the rest of us and honed your skills under Dad’s tutelage on a local pond where fish were easy to fool and novice fly anglers built confidence to last a lifetime. Targeting panfish on the fly encourages excitement and pure stress-free fun for novice and expert anglers alike. Read more to learn which fly rod is best for panfish.
The Elk Hair Caddis is a hugely popular pattern across much of the US. Caddis hatch in droves and provide big meals for trout of all sizes. Whether you’re fishing from the bank or from a drift boat, this fly is a must-have in every angler’s dry fly box. A Caddis works well when fished as a dry fly on the surface or skated in choppy water. Here are step-by-step instructions to tie this popular dry fly.
Redfish are thrilling to catch on a fly and often tail their way into shallow water to be sight fished by patient anglers. They’re fish that feed with the tide, so care and attention should be paid to tidal patterns and fish behavior during the range of tidal oscillation. Effort should also be expressed in choosing a fly rod for these heavy-shouldered predators. Most Redfish enthusiasts will hand you an 8wt and send you on your way. There are times, however, when a 7wt or a 9wt is a better tool for the job. How do you choose? Read on to find out.
The Crazy Charlie is a classic Bonefish pattern that was developed on Andros Island in 1977 by Charlie Smith, a local Bahamian Bonefish guide. Since its inception, the Crazy Charlie has become one of the most popular Bonefish flies in the world. Jared takes us through the steps needed to tie this classic fly in our latest YouTube Fly Tying Tutorial. Read on for step-by-step instructions.
