[Zach Matthews]

That middle picture is very cool, Neal.

Zach

[Zach Matthews]

Hahahaha.

Zach

[Zach Matthews]

Bob –

They can be trickier than you’d expect if they are just coming off of pellet feed, especially if they are also getting hit by a lot of other anglers.

The best pellet fly I know of is one of those tan foam ant bodies, which you can buy pre-made for fly tying.

[Zach Matthews]

All right, thanks guys.

[Zach Matthews]

I currently use a Sagebrush Dry Goods Hip and Deck Pack with the camera insert

http://www.sagebrushdrygoods.com/product_info.php?products_id=35&PHPSESSID=80d10f5599868b7819aeb8ab08cf2ca4

I like it a lot, but need something bigger that will hold more stuff. The Hip and Deck Pack will hold a camera body, a couple of lenses and a flash. I also use the Patagonia Great Divider for a boat bag and love it. I would recommend both.

As for backpacks, Adam Barker’s blog turned me on to ClikElite and they have some new stuff coming out in December that I know will find its way under my XMas tree. In particular there is a smaller version of the Pro Elite that will hold a bunch of gear and a laptop. Perfect for airplanes.

http://www.clikelite.com/

[Zach Matthews]

Hey Joel –

If you had a medium you might well be in business – alas, sizing is the bane of all retail.

Zach

[Zach Matthews]

Joel –

That is what is awesome about Montana.

[Zach Matthews]

Hmm.

[Zach Matthews]

I’m with all you guys but I think a lot of the trouble is the lack of public education about this stuff.

[Zach Matthews]

Hey guys –

First of all, I’ve fished that very rod in the White.  It isn’t overkill there (though in many streams it certainly might be, Bill).  That would also be a great rod for the white bass run on the upper White near Fayetteville.

That said, you have that rod WAY overlined.  The Windcutter 6/7/8 is theoretically a short belly, but if memory serves it has about a 56′ front taper on it, which is a lot of line to be handling as a new spey caster with a light, short spey rod.  I agree with these guys that a Skagit line would be best.  I’ve thrown that rod with the SA XXD (non spey – horrible combo), the Windcutter 5/6 (which was also too much line) and the Rio Skagit 6/7, which I think has been rebadged as a 400 or 450 grain line.  I agree with all the guys above: the Skagit is definitely the way to go as a new caster.

Zach

[Zach Matthews]

It’s amazing how a full pic makes the fish look so much smaller.

[Zach Matthews]

Been busy writing – we’ll do it at some point when I finish up this spate of features.

[Zach Matthews]

David –

If you already have a TCR, and you can cast it (and it sounds like you can), then moving to any other Sage is going to be a sacrifice of casting qualities in favor of fishing fighting, or maybe just a little flexibility.

[Zach Matthews]

With a 9 weight, you’re looking at a rod that can really go both ways: casting and fish fighting.

[Zach Matthews]

Guys –

Please have a look at the ‘Revised Rules’ post at the top of the board.  There’s been some horse beating lately and I’d like to move on now.

Thanks,
Zach

[Zach Matthews]

That ride is super bad ass.  It does remind me of the ‘buffalo cars’ that used to ride the rails out west when the railroads were trying to exterminate the bison, though.

Zach

[Zach Matthews]

That’s fair, John.

[Zach Matthews]

John –

I’m going to have to disagree with you on Abel’s reels.

[Zach Matthews]

I’ve handled one of these; frankly, I wasn’t all that impressed.

[Zach Matthews]

Great job, John – love the landscapes, particularly the ones where the light was a bit softer and the tones a bit subtler (like the last one).

Zach

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