Tim Pommer
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Wipe it down with this before storing:
http://www.nrs.com/product/1909/303-aerospace-protectantThen do what Mike said.
While I have no doubts about Jimmy’s or the Scott manufacturing floor folks’ abilities to make a great new stick, I just don’t think the S4s can be improved upon. That thing really lays it down.
The thing about Louisiana is EVERYONE fishes and so you have ‘guides’ and then you have the real deal. These are three outfits that I know are top notch.
Nick Sassic and Scott MacCalla of Mosquito Lagoon set up a camp in Empire for the winter and guide out of there. I’ve personally fished with both and had my best days ever on the marsh with them.
Ron Ratliff – (he was guiding on the side, now I believe he’s guiding full time). I’ve fished with Ron before, good guy. Mostly fishes west of the Mississippi (or at did when I went with him).
Hopedale area: Greg Dini – http://www.louisianaflyfishing.com/
I’ve also heard nothing but top notch reports out of here: http://www.woodlandplantation.com/
The awards process is legit in the sense that no one can stuff the ballot box, but you absolutely need to keep in mind who the voters are. Typically the attendees are either exhibitors who all vote for their own products or shop owners who obviously have a vested interest in voting for the stuff they sell.
Actually exhibitors (manufacturers) are not allowed to vote.
But you’re right about the shop owners.
I’ve fished it many times and it’s an awesome river but can be rather moody and technical. It’s an incredible dry fly fishery when you time it right – streamers and nymphs can usually always produce.
It’s simple to row so going in green on the oars isn’t a problem. Just know your drift boat etiquette because you’re one of hundreds out on the water.
I’ve spent a decent amount of time in both.
Traditional is tried and true. It’ll work for whatever you need. Really, the only drawbacks are high sides can catch wind (as Zach noted – this is the case even with the LP boats) and they can simply be bigger than you need (heavier, slower…). Any traditional shaped drift boat can handle a small motor with in reason.
A skiff is like the sports car of drift boats. It’s responsive, light, and fun to fish out of. However, they are tight on space for storage and they can be too light. As Joel noted, off centered anglers become a bigger issue in a skiff than a traditional boat. These boats could handle a trolling motor but are not ideal for much bigger (although, some people probably get away with it).
For where I live, access is everything. An unloaded skiff is light enough to push with 3 guys into some places where a trailer cant be backed into. A traditional boat is harder to do this with (although it can be done with the right 3 dudes). White water is also non existent and an upstream wind is a serious pain in the ass with slow moving rivers – another reason a skiff reigns supreme. With that said, the people here who have traditional boats do just fine.
Mr Shadow Fly Fishing
For the record, I never made any comments about your lines being junk based on price – in fact I never said your lines were junk. I have, more than likely, torn apart your line and tested it up and down. There are only so many Asian fly line makers and I’m certain you’re not their only customer. I’ll continue to keep the results of those tests and my opinions of the lines to myself.
I also applaud you for breaking the mold. Yes, fly lines are way too expensive. However, comparing one of your lines to a 90 dollar line is not comparing apples to apples. Most of the major fly line manufacturers sell several tiers of products. Your lines would fall more toward the bottom of those product levels – which is ok. In fact, it’s great. There is a huge hole in low level fly fishing products, especially lines, that needs to be filled. Unfortunately, dealers push the high end, especially in lines, so most people think an expensive line is the only option. It’s not – most low performing lines will meet 95% of the average anglers abilities. Why buy a line that helps you mend better when you don’t even know what mending the line means!?
And bypassing the dealer all together – that’s a bold move. That definitely helps keep the cost of your lines low. Time will only tell if it works out for you.
Thanks Tim, I will look further at the lines you suggested. A quick look already did find some comments about the line cracking at the loop. Anything to that?
A crack can happen at the loop from time to time on any line. Especially if one folds the line over at the loop to string a rod (never do this!!!). Loops cracking after a few uses is more of an oddity than anything and not anymore likely with an SA line than a Rio or Airflo or even a $20 China line (even if you can pick your own custom color).
Don’t listen to Ian, he only designs rods and knows nothing of fly lines. Tim, have you figured out how to texture a light bulb yet?
Actually, yes.
I am very proud of the work from our manufacturer. The amount of work they put in and the products they are capable of making are outstanding and only getting better. This is why a lot of companies are heading overseas. Companies here hire U.S. workers to ship, package, distribute, assemble, and fish the products that are made overseas. As far as I am concerned those are good jobs created in our country due to overseas manufacturing.
I too am very proud of the people coating, measuring, QA’ing, coiling, and cutting the lines here at the US – which is 95% of the line manufacturing. US made lines are expensive, yes, but you get what you pay for. As far as I’m concerned, moving your product to Asia but saying you’re creating jobs here to package a product is a bunch of bullshit. You added one job here for every 10 there.
Don –
Listen to Tim, not me. He’s the line designer.
Zach
WAS the line designer.
Don’t listen to Zach – Don’t buy the Mastery Textured Trout if you plan to use it for smallmouth too. Go with a Mastery Textured GPX or Magnum, it’ll double as a smallmouth/big trout line better than the Trout.