greg mitchell
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Malcolm
I appreciate the info subjective or not. I’m always looking for something new and better. But since I’m not independantly wealthy I do have to balance cost in there as well. I think I’ll pick up a spool and give it a whirl.thanks,
Greg
The only fluorocarbon I’ve used are Rio fluoro, orvis fluoro, and the cabela’s and bass pro brands. I didn’t care for the cabela’s or bass pro brands. They both seemed brittle. But I do really like both the Rio and orvis.
I’d be intested to know why you feel the grand max is the best or better than the rio if you have tried it as well.
If you want a good line at a great price check out the Bass Pro CV2. I’ve heard it is made by SA. I’ve had that line on my favorite trout rod for 2 years. It’s been a very good line. $20. It’s not worn out yet despite being used almost every weekend.
2 years ago I put Rio’s top of the line fly line ($60) on my wife’s rod and the BP CV2 on mine.
Didn’t one of the famous older fly fisherman/fly casters strongly advocate casting and reeling with your dominent hand? Lefty Kreh? I was thinking maybe that had something to do with it. When I was younger I casted right and reeled right handed. But several years ago I started reeling with my left hand. It seemed a little awkward at first but I wouldn’t go back now. I think it just works better not to have to switch hands with the rod. Just MHO.
Greg
Just speaking from experience here. No problems with the clinch knot and fluoro or attaching fluoro to mono with a double surgeons loop on my part on rainbows and browns up to 9 lbs over the last 3 years.
Greg
I just don’t think that is true regarding failures with fluoro and the clinch knot. I’ve been using fluoro tippet 5X to 7X for several years now and the clinch is the only knot I use. I’ve had very very few failures. In fact I don’t even remember the last one.
I also have had no problems with a double surgeons loop and attachment to a mono leader. Regarding the cold – I had some problems with brittleness and breaking in the cold when I was using cabela’s fluoro. But then I switched to RIO and have had zero problems since even in very cold weather.
Greg
I’ve just recently begun doing that very thing. A few weeks ago I bought a large spool of the Vanish for $10. It works just fine. The only thing is that it does not come in the smaller sizes. Their 2 lb is the same diameter as the Rio 5X. I’m pretty sure the Vanish in the 2 lb size would test much higher than “2 lbs”. It seems just as strong as the Rio 5X. So I’m using it when I’m slinging streamers but when I’m midging I use 6 or even 7X – there is not anything but the expensive stuff available in that size that I am aware of.
Greg
I use the same setup as a couple of you do. I use a regular cheap mono leader. But I generally always use fluoro tippet. I have had very few if any breakoffs or failed connections since I made the switch to fluoro a couple of years ago. I just don’t see any advantages to going to a full flouro leader though. I am pretty convinced that the fluoro tippet makes a difference. I have one friend who won’t shell out the $$ for the fluoro (and he can definitely afford it) and we have been fishing side by side several times and I generally always catch more fish than he does.
I would be interested to know what brand of fluoro tippet some of the rest of you use? I have always used Rio. And it seems like a great product. But I’ve heard that Seguar? – has the highest strength to diameter ratio and that Climax is pretty good as well. The only other brand I’ve tried is the Cabela’s house brand. It was not satisfactory. I found it brittle especially in colder weather.
Greg
Steve I’ve never had a reel fail either. And like you I own several different brands: Ross, Pflueger, Teton, Cabelas, Bass Pro, etc.
I agree with you that the Pflueger Supreme is a good reel for the money. Excellent drag as well.
My experience with Teton reels has been the exact opposite of yours though. My bread and butter rod is an 8.5 ft 5 wt for trout. My current favorite reel is a #6 Teton Tioga LA (large arbor). In my opinion its a great reel at any price. The drag does get thoroughly tested on the tailwater troutI got to meet Davy at my local fly shop a few months ago. He was there doing casting and fly tying demos. He seemed like a heck of a nice guy. His tying ability is phenomenal. I picked a few pretty cool tips from him.
Greg
That’s hilarious splitshot. This was a good topic to bring to the forefront. Things like this really make you think…..
Obviously most retailers always target a younger crowd – and not just in fly fishing. I’ve always wondered about that. Most demographics show older folks as having more disposable income. But maybe the younger crowd spends more besides the fact that they will be around longer.Greg
I guess I’m in the minority. I just don’t find it offensive. Maybe a little silly (some of them) but not offensive. I personally think the Hardy girl ads are kind of classy and in good taste. I think this type of advertising also has to do with who they are targeting. Meaning just like with a lot of other things they are after the young crowds $$’s.
Greg
I’m with Cameron – I never sell or give away old gear I just collect more. Much to my wife’s dismay.
But a few things I would never consider selling:An old wooden trout net I’ve had for close to 30 years. Still use it. I’ve replaced the bag portion 3 times.
My Thompson model A vise that I’ve had for almost 30 years as well. Still use it occasionally.
A custom made (for me to my specs) 8.5 ft 5 wt rod built on a St. Croix blank. It was built by a professional builder in Arkansas. I have more expensive rods. But I just like this one the best by far. I seem to cast better with it as well. I have about 6 trout rods but use this one 95% of the time.
Greg
I don’t own a Peak vise but a friend of mine that owns a fly shop ties on a Peak. And he can obviously have/use any vise he wants.
Greg
I agree with Cameron. A high performance rod it ain’t. But most glass and even most cane rods aren’t casting machines. But they sure are fun to cast short to moderate distances and catch fish on in my opinion.
Greg
I have an HMH spartan which is a great vise. But if I were doing it over I would have gone with the HMH Silhouette. At only about $90 it’s a great vise. Lifetime warranty, made in USA, etc.
Greg
I have no experience with that reel BD. However I do own a lot of mid priced reels in the $100 range. 2 you might consider are the Teton Tioga and the Ross flywater. Both have a maintenance free drag. I really like the Tioga. However I’ve only owned it a few months.
Greg
My 7 foot feather light came yesterday. Can’t wait to try it. I was surprised that it was rated for a #6 line though. I didn’t remember that. I lawn cast it with a #4 and #5 and the #4 actually seemed best. Anyone else use a smaller line than the rating? I really the slow action of the rod – but I could still throw quite a bit of line.
One other thing: I forgot about the “medallion” they put on the cork of these rods. Has anyone that has one of them tried to remove it? That’s one small thing I don’t care for. I could live with it however.
Greg
