Karlin Bilcher
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Here’s a real life scenario. A buddy of mine reps for several of the biggest tackle companies in the country. He is in charge of a huge portion of distribution for the country, like 6 states. He used to go to the IFTD. No longer. He basically hosts his own, in a sweet location. Almost all of his dealers attend. They fish, eat, drink, hang out and bond like crazy for two or three days. After putting most of the newest gear in their hands (actually fishing) for a few days, on the last day they sit down and write orders for the coming year. The point being that its dealer centered. His event has been successful to the point that some, not all, of the big boys play along as they now have $ projections in advance. Win, win, win. Again, this model tends towards the dealers, not the manufactures, which is the way it ought to be.
More grist for the mill –
Looks like a memorable honeymoon. I guess the wife was behind the camera? A keeper no doubt. Congrats on the permit… and marriage.
Waiting is probably the best advice. Here’s a bit more…I’ve lived in Alaska for the past 4 years. It rains here. Often. When it’s not raining its snowing. I picked up an Aqua Knot before relocating. Two words – Price Point. The single best purchase I’ve made in years. I beat the hell out of the thing and its never failed. Throwing it from the float plane to the dock, ooops, its in the ocean. Not a problem.
Perhaps a slight draw back is when you have 3 whole 8 pound Sockeye stuffed in it face first for the mile and half hike out of the Russian River, the weight distribution it not stellar. Tightening the belt helps but it could be better. Bottom line, consider the Aqua Knot from Seattle Sports.
http://www.thewaterproofstore.com/aquaknot1800.htmlEnjoyed this discussion. Business is business and Tom’s got to do what Tom’s got to do. My original point was in a way addressed in the conversation. The loyalty piece to the puzzle is big for me. Zach mentioned something like, “it was good for someone in the fly fishing business to be killing it for a while”…agreed, as Whiting is decidedly in the fly fishing business. I guess I would have liked to have seen more folks in the biz like shop owners “killing it” as well. The whole market is razor thin (with a few exceptions perhaps), a drought, a flood, a wild fire, gas prices, rock snot… could put folks under in heart beat. In which case, the loyal, make a difference. I guess I got a soft spot for the brick and mortar.
Great question. It’s one I’ve struggled with in a few different capacities. Help himself, serve the fashion industry VS. help the fly shops, serve the fishing industry.
Any one of a handful of companies like Revlon could buy the entire fly fishing industry and not blink so I imagine Mr. Whiting did not belabor his decision. I completely understand his choice. But why not take a risk for the benefit of local tackle shops and pass some of the profits down the chain. Where this the case Whiting would still be profiting at an increased rate through increased shop orders and shops would be profiting through increased sales.Zach: “So Rene, you like fish a lot beetles in the summer, even when there’s bugs coming off?”
Rene: “Yea”
Zach: “Wow, that’s crazy!”
Looking forward to the Podcast.
Bravo. Well done.
Can you tell us a bit more about your time on the Kenai – what was your float – CL bridge to sportsman’s, sports to jims, did you get into the canyon? Any big bows? Did you eat those sockeye? What was the bead of choice? “Details Jerry, I want details?”
KbI lived in the middle of the park (canyon area) for three months working for the parks service one summer and didn’t get it all figured out. You are the man Zach.
Have yet to read this book but very interested in the topic. Modly Chum did an awesome pod cast with Halverson about 6 months ago (episode 35). After listening a few things occurred to me – First, I will read this book. Second, so much of our pursuit of trout is manufactured. Third, I gained a renewed appreciation for the magical times when I am privileged enough to pursue truly native salmoniods. Whether they be salmon or bows in Ak, or brook trout in the East or cutties in the West. There is a qualitative difference in the total experience.
KbI think the best answer depends on your application…
How many days a year do you get out?
How many of those days are you on your feet vs. in a boat?
How many of those days are during the winter months?
What’s your wader budget or in other words does your wife keep track of this kind of thing?
They are obviously both great waders, the difference how far up the wader the 5 layers go up, legs vs. through the seat and $.I spent a fair amount of time fondling one in an AK fly shop. Although I never fished one. I can’t afford to pay for things that look pretty and slick. I go for function over fashion. However, they are very nice reels. And I would love to own one. I know the guide that worked with Jesse on this project and he is in every way the real deal, very accomplished. They are designed as all things Alaskan need to be – tough, beefy, sea worthy, etc.
Sage SLT 9ft 4wt
Lamson Lightspeed 2
Rio GoldSo nice to fish. My go-to dry fly and light trout nymphing set up.
Sage XiII 9ft 8wt
Lamson Lightspeed 3.5
Rio Grand 9wtSomething about the action / taper / speed whatever you want to call it of this rod. Beefy yet delicate. Can throw boomers or fish in close. Again, so fun to fish.
Seems like its all been said. A perfect time for me to say it again…
I use FC for all subsurface applications and I use mono for all dry situations. FC is more abrasion resistant, sinks and is more invisible underwater. I use mono for dry fly applications because its more supple and floats. The three most important words in gear selection – application, application, application.
From my research (8 years ago) there was one company – Seagar – that held the patent on all 100% FC material. They then outsource to all the other companies who then coat their mono with FC. Therefore, I buy huge spools of 4,6,8,10 pound Seagar FC ($20 each) and wind it onto tippet spools that go in my pack. I keep the huge spools in zip locks inside a duffle bag that stays home. Done! I buy FC “tippet” once every 5 years.
For what its worth.
Kb
Mom and pop local dealers who house merch inside of brick and mortar and contain a wealth of local knowledge, fishing experience, expert teaching, etc. are soon to be extinct. I think this will absolutely hurt local guys. Manufactures opening up to the big boxers was the first knife in the back, selling direct could be the final blow. We should all be preparing ourselves to be purchasing our gear from pimple face high school kids at Walmart or from Amazon. Shimano is the canary in the coal mine. If an outfit wants to sell Shimano they must have brick and mortar, period!
This will not effect those of us who live and die fly fishing and can make highly informed choices. However, newbies and those on the fringes of exploring the fly fishing world benefit greatly from being walked through – setting up a reel, rod taper and making the right purchases based on APPLICATION. Kids and women, are the leading edge of growth in our sport, this will slow that growth.
Friends of mine opened an urban shop 30 years ago and worked their tails off alongside of Simms to move the FF world into the crazy idea of “breathable” waders. This is some thanks to those guys who helped put them on the map!
Yea, I am bitter. I am just one of those guys who can fish mid-week and who enjoys spending a Saturday morning drinking coffee and BSing with my guys down at the local shop about hatches, gear, water levels, inventory, and the like. I will miss those mornings.
Dave Zelinski would be enormously helpful to this conversation. The man has forgotten more about boats than most of us would ever care to know. He has faced just about every boat building, layout, materials, design, fabrication… issue imaginable. You should give him a call Zach.
Phil,
Looks tasty. I would put a few of those on the BBQ wrapped in bacon. I fished a similar pattern developed by a friend, he calls it – money in the bank.
Anyway, I read the Pebble article in the ADN the other day. People on this board might not be aware of what a hero you are. We should be thanking you for your work.
Peace,
KbSam –
Love that area, spent loads of time exploring, hiking, camping and fishing around there. In August that lake will look like the L.A. Freeway with every imaginable watercraft, crazy boat traffic. However, deep creek lake holds real fly fishing promise. I suggest being geared up and ready before the sun comes up, enjoy an hour or two then join the family. Same deal in the evening, get geared up for an hour before dark and as long into the night as allowable. An hour or two first light and last light is all you’ve got on Deep Creek in August. Nice large and smallmouth. Shoot me a PM if I could be helpful in any other ways.
Peace,
Kb
