Have I Got a Rod for You!
Editors Corner
Ian Anderson
Fly Tier and Webmaster
"Have I got a rod for you! This is the best rod money
can buy. New space age technology and the finest
materials have gone into this rod. Once you cast it
you will never look at your old equipment the same.
You will be able to cast further and present your fly more
delicately than anything you have ever cast. It is
delicate enough to have fun playing the small fish but has
the backbone needed for the big boys." Blah,
blah, blah.....
I hope you have never had to endure something like this when
you have ever walked into a fly shop, unfortunately I have.
You can't really blame the sale person because, more often
than not, they are told to sell rods. Equally as often
they do not have the experience or knowledge to really talk
about the product; they just want to sell you as rod.
Some people can sense the "pitch" right away and can deal
with it. Others can not. However, if you keep
one simple rule in mind while shopping for a fly rod (or
anything else) you will probably end up with products you
want more often then with those you don't. The rule
is....
Your the one who has to use
the product, not the sales person
Ultimately, you are the the one who has to go home and use
what it is you buy. The rod might be great in the eyes of
the sales person, let him buy it then. You need to get
a few rods in your hands and see how YOU cast them.
After all it is you who will be fishing it, unless you are
good friends with the sales person and let him borrow your
equipment. Where you fish, what you fish (flies that
is) and what you fish for all factor in your cast and
presentation. Who knows, just because the rod cost
$800.00 doesn't guarantee that for you the $200.00 rod won't
work. If you have been fly fishing for any length of
time you will know there is no "One Rod" that can do it all.
So when you are getting a nice bluegill rod or a rod for
steelhead make certain you cast it to make certain it meets
your needs.
After you cast it look at the price, you might be surprised.
Also ask lots of questions. A good sales person is
there to help you find what you need and how you can get it.
If you get what you need the business will get what it
needs.
Be Well,
Ian
|
|
Latest News
From the Fly Fishing World
White Bass Are Hitting
Finally, after all the rain and unusual cold weather, it looks like
spring is here to stay. We have been getting good
consistent reports that the White bass are hitting.
 Creeks and rivers such as Whitewater River, Fall Creek and
Eagle Creek have all been producing nicely. White
flies are the fly of choice. If the water is normal
usually a floating line and light weight are great. If
the water is high try a sink tip and short leader.
Read our February edition of The Drift to learn more about
the
White Bass fishing in your area. Stop by the shop
and we will help equip you with lines, leaders and flies for
this hot fish of spring. We even have
White Bass fly
kit you can pick up and get on the water as soon as possible
to catch fish. And don't forget the Hybrid Bass which
run soon after the White Bass. This Issue of The Drift
has Bill Butts
2nd installment on White, Hybrid and Stripe Bass. Then the Smallmouth
Bass will be spawning as well as the Largemouth Bass.
Brandon Butlers World Record
Perhaps you have heard of Brandon Butler. Brandon has
been doing a lot of writing for various outdoor publications
over the years, most recently Mid West Fly Fishing.
Brandon had the pleasure of doing some steelheading with
Kevin Morlock of Indigo
guide Service this past April and ended up landing a
world record.
 Alas,
it was not a record steelhead but a record dogfish (a.k.a.
Bowfin). Occasionally we have had customers of ours
mention they have caught a dogfish but none have had the
tenacity to submit the catch to the Freshwater fishing hall
of fame. Brandon did and he now has a certificate to
show for it. Well done! Take note all you would
be dogfish hunters, Brandon welcomes all challanges.
Wednesday Opening Fly Tying Suspended
This winter we began an open tying series on
Wednesday evenings. We had a very good turn out for
our first winter offering this series. Many turned out
to just tie "whatever" others were tying and some came
seeking some
 advice from Charlie about tying certain
patterns. As much fun as we have had doing this we
will be suspending the Wednesday evening open tying until
the fall. Folks are starting to get out and take care
of yard work, family obligations and a few are actually out
fishing the flies they tied, luck them. Check back
with us in October or check out our web to see just when we
will start this up again.
Let's Go Fishing Starts UpOn the heels of our open
fly tying shutting down for the season we are starting up
our "Let's Go Fishing"
program on Wednesday evening.
 This
program runs through out the summer months and into the fall
and is designed for anyone who wants to learn more about fly
fishing. Free and open to the public, if you have a fly
fishing question stop by and get the answers. We have a
page on our web site with complete information as well
as dates when we will be holding these sessions. Plan on
bringing your rod and reel to work on Wednesdays and
"Let's Go Fishing".
|
