Karlin Bilcher
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I second Mike McKeown. I belabored this decision for months, before settling comfortably on the Galvin Torque for my spey. My biggest criteria was capacity / price. In the mid-range spey appropriate reels the Torque offers the largest capacity for the littlest coin.
Plus, the green reel matches my Loop rod. 😎
I imagine it would perform just fine in the salt.Orvis Superfine
Sage SLT
Both of these rods have an amazing progressive taper and a slower action. Something under 9 feet would do nicely in tight quarters.
Hopefully this time around is more interesting / substantive than your last conversation with April.
If you are on that side of Cleveland – The Lighthouse Bar and Grill – Geneva Ohio. Any steak or the ribs.
Watched The River Why last night. Lots of anticipation left me asking, why oh why did I just waist my time? Greatly enjoyed the book during my early college years, David James Duncan is amazing. No wonder why he fought against this movie so hard. Expected so much more, I watched it by myself and yet still felt embarrassed. God did that movie suck ass!
There is no other single event that more distinctly delineates what it truly means to be an Erie steelheader than a three hour drive to shitty conditions. Put your time in, do your homework and when the time comes, pull the trigger and enjoy every minute of it. You just never know what the steelhead gods might deliver.
Funny reference for me to the Neshannok shop. Crazy Bob has got himself some location. In my younger days I spent many evenings hiking through that foamy, soapy water.
Fishing hats need to find you, you don’t find them. They are discovered not created. However, I think some minor league hockey teams from the pacific north west have sweet logo caps like the Idaho Steeleheads or the Victoria Salmon Kings.
KbM.G. – ha,ha,ha, that’s why they call it the ‘lost coast’. Everywhere in Alaska is difficult to get to (as you know) and this coast is at the top of the list. I thought the Glenn Hwy was flanked by parts of the Chugatch and Talkeetna ranges, becoming the Richardson Hwy at Tok – then you pick up the Wrangles. Do I have that right? Anyway, its all spectacular.
Eric – Are you being serious, not sure why you can’t see the pic’s.
Peace,
KbIn the short time I spent employed at a fly shop in the Northeast, we would outfit guys once or twice a year headed to the Seychelles. Just sorting through gear for these trips was mind blowing. We would have to call our dealers and special order everything from hooks to reels to tippet – capable of handling GT on the fly. Way outside of “normal” inventory for a shop set up to manage the demands of your typical trout, bone or steelhead trip. We eventually got it all dialed in after the first trip returned with a report. Amazing stuff. Unreal pictures. I have not checked out the pic’s on your site but I’d love to see some shots of your fly box and hear more about what outfit you threw at the biggest GT.
I will never forget the first time I ever even heard about fly fishing that part of the world. Fish and Fly did a spread (1997?) of a female guide from the Urban Angler in NYC. A beautiful woman, in a beautiful spot, catching beautiful fish, it was just about all I could handle. Great stuff.
Kb
Most of this has already been said and I completely agree with Tim. As I see it:
Studded felt is far and away the best traction available. The only drawback to felt is accumulating snow and being banned certain places. Studs in the felt prolongs its life, five fold. Next up is studded sticky rubber. Simms formerly contracted with climbing company Five Ten for their rubber (2008?) but no more. Those were the best, but the sticky rubber out there now (Vibriam?) is OK. A minority of times I feel a little self conscious climbing into someone’s drift boat if they are not set up with mats to shield the studs. Inter-changables would be nice on those occasions but its not often enough for me to buy a pair.
Patagonia River Walkers in studded felt are sweet. My next pair of boots are going to be the Simms Rivertec with the BOA system. That lacing system has been around long enough to stand the test of time, I am convinced its here to stay and its pretty slick.I don’t own either but I’ve fondled each extensively. My collection is dominated first by Lamson, second by Tibor and third by Orvis. It makes sense that the Opti’s tug at your heart strings DLD as they are beautiful to look at.
The major differences between a nautilus and the Opti series reels as I see it are sex appeal and durability. Capacity should also be considered. Opti scores higher in sexiness and atheistic’s while nautilus scores higher in durability. I love the look and feel of the Opti’s but I got concerned about the thinness of the wall of the frame. I am rough on gear and have been known to take a tumble or two so its better for me to use reels that I feel confident won’t bend. If capacity is the major factor like when spooling something for a two hander, I think the Opti wins out.
A fishing mentor and good friend once told me that in general, fly fishing reels are just like watches – a timex is going to provide you with the same information as a rolex. The choice is by-in-large stylistic.An option that has not been mentioned yet is the cataraft. A brand new top of the line model (Aire, NRS) with every bell and whistle – about 4k. They handle better than full on rafts with floors, though not as slick as a drifter. They avoid most of the draw backs of rafts mentioned. After some practice, two guys with some experience can assemble them in about a half hour. Even if you did not have a trailer or big garage you could break it down and assemble it each use, not ideal but possible. You can rig platforms, casting bars, comfortable seats, cooler, dry boxes, motor mount, whatever you like. Very easy in and out for kids, dogs and wives. They are pretty popular in my part of the country. Something else to consider.
Kb
http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=1178&pdeptid=1133
Awesome Tim. Your kid is destined for outdoor greatness. Nice work. That stream holds a special place in our fishing conscious and seeing your daughter knee deep is a very cool thing. Thanks for sharing.
Now tighten up that loop… 😉
Kb
I felt like asking if a lake in VT which holds brookies was stocked, was a pretty straight forward, non-corrupting question no? When yall start launchin arrows, don’t expect me not to call it like it is.
Colin – the first arrow was launched by you. The picture was posted as a beautiful example from Dave’s fishing trip. Your question cast dispersions on the fish as most of us prize wild fish over stocked, right? The old “I was just asking a question” defense is a cowardice move by you. It’s an old lawyer trick, like being asked “How long have you been cheating on your wife?” That is an insulting question to be asked and forces the hand of receiver. You are wrong about the fish but feel free to retain the crown of stocked fish expert, its all you buddy.
KbBrian – nice work. Great post. I almost could not believe my eyes – Gowanda NY! That is hilarious. Crazy how chance encounters with fly fisherman can grow into lasting friendships.
KbI own a litespeed 1.5 and a 3.5. The 3.5 has been used and abused for over 10 years and it has not lost a step. Nothin but Lamson love round here.
Jason Riley – Your local shop is one of the best in the business.
