Fly Reel Balance: Tale of the Tape

Five years ago I switched reels on a 6-weight rod. The large arbor reel that had been paired with the rod was it’s mate for going on 15 years. I acquired a new reel, and made the decision to use it primarily on that same 6-weight. The rod felt very different, and in a good way. The reel was slightly heavier, but the rod was lighter in my hand. I perceived the tip more acutely in casting and in mending.

Why would changing a reel  have such an impact?

Swing weight. Fulcrum point. Moment of inertia. I kind of know what all of those things mean as they relate to the fly cast… but not enough to write from that perspective. What I do know is how to use a fly rod.  And I am very aware that a fly reel matters. Of course, reels matter because you need someplace to store your line and occasionally something to fight a fish. Even the presence of a fly reel  impacts the way you use your fly rod quite a bit.

Usually, performance and price are the two greatest considerations when picking out a fly reel. Both of those facets are important. But weight and balance are just as important. In some situations, weight and balance might be more important than capacity, drag, and components. Weight is just that – how  much a reel weighs. In a way, weight is relative though. A heavy reel will pair well with a heavy rod. Similarly, a light reel will pair with a light rod. Seeing as there are countless permutations of each, that is were determining the reel’s balance matters.

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Podcast Ep. 66: 3 Things I Wish I Knew – Fly Tying

I’m not an expert fly tyer. …so why listen to 20 minutes of what I have to say on the subject?

While I’m not an expert, I am proficient enough to tie what I need. But I’ve taken the circuitous route to get to this point. I’ve started and stopped. I’ve used the wrong materials and tried to do things the hard way. I’ve made frustrating mistakes. And with all that, I can look back on some of the things that I wish I would have known about fly tying back when I started.

In this episode I share three things that I think are beneficial new new or struggling fly tyers.

Listen to the episode below, or on your favorite podcast app.

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Caped Crusaders: Fly Fishing’s Signature Shirt

Never judge a book buy its cover. Unless that book is a fly fisher and that cover happens to have a ventilated back cape. In that case, judge away. Because the only reasonable judgement that you could come to is this: that person knows how how to freaking fish.

Anyone who is anyone knows that the peak of comfort, performance, and fashion in angling starts and stops with the caped casting shirt. But how? And why? To answer these questions, we must look back in the annals of fly fishing history.

Charles Cotton, in his contributions to Izaak Walton’s Compleat Angler, references the quintessential angling attire: “If the fisher finds himself perspiring a bit from his actions in casting or strolling, a conspicuous slit may be drawn about his back. From shoulder to shoulder, this tailored addition summons the cool breeze from the water or valley floor and swirls it across the skin. It is most refreshing; stimulating one to making a finer presentation of fly or lure. It is also, I have found, a big hit with the ladies.”

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Rusty Flybox: Casting Matters

When was the last time you just casted?

Golfers go to the driving range. Not just professionals, either. Once-a-month golfers might stop by the range a few times to hit a bucket of balls. Swing after swing, you can deliberately work out kinks in your technique. It is practice, but it is also fun.

Fly casting really isn’t any different. On the water is not the best time to implement a tweak or try to master an entirely new cast. There are fish to be had, and lots of other variables to contend with. A lunch break on the lawn or a few hours on a local pond provides the right environment to hammer out some casting practice.

But it is important to go out there with some goals or ideas in mind. Here are two articles that talk about casting practice, and one that deals with how casting can influence your fly rod choice:

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Podcast Ep. 65: Midges – A Big Little Part of Fly Fishing

Big flies catch some of the big fish, some of the time. But small flies catch most of the fish, most of the time.

And you can’t get much smaller than midges.

In this episode I give a brief primer on one specific facet of midge fishing: using dry flies sized 20 and smaller. Getting comfortable with and dialing in this technique can be very beneficial. If you can present a size 24 well to a rising fish, you can present anything to a rising fish. Plus, while bigger bugs rarely hatch in the winter, midges come off year ’round.

This isn’t a comprehensive midge fishing guide,   but hopefully it will give you a good starting point.

Listen to the episode below, or on your favorite podcast app.

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Winter Rises: Midges in the Cold

More often than not, the trout sipping midges in the winter are not going to take you into your backing.  But these fish offer a great change of pace from normal cold weather techniques. Instead of bouncing nymphs along the bottoms of the deepest holes in the river and methodically targeting every hole in the river, you can see the fish and see what the fish are eating.

Small insects, in colors like olive, cream, and gray, will hatch throughout the winter. Even when there are feet of snow these little bugs will be buzzing around. All that is needed is a little sun. Depending on the river and the trout population, midges will be a consistent food source for fish.

Here are three things to consider when you see fish sipping something you can’t see in the middle of winter:

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Coke Machines & Caddisflies

Getting rid of the Coca-Cola vending machine was a terrible decision for the fly shop. I can’t say I ever bought a soda there. But I know that I wasn’t the only one who would swing into the parking lot to look at the thing. I could pull right up, roll down my window, and see which bugs were congregating on the glowing red and white sign. For all I know, the machine was filled with expired New Coke and Tab – but it was still doing a heck of a job.

Living close to a trout stream affords you these little routines. Work. Home. Dinner. River. If you’re curious, you can pull into the fly shop’s parking lot to see if the drakes are coming off yet. Hurry isn’t necessary. All your stuff is still in your car from last night. Chances are that your rod is already strung up. If the Coke machine doesn’t reveal anything compelling, you might even just fish with the fly that is on there.

It’s quite the little routine, if you can swing it.

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Podcast Ep. 64: 3 Fly Fishing Show Observations

Every January I spend a few weekends at The Fly Fishing Show. There is some great networking, dangerous shopping, and top-shelf people watching. Above all, it is good to see people I might only talk face-to-face with a few times a year.

But  this episode isn’t a review of the show or a run down on the latest industry offerings.

I really enjoy taking in what is going on at the Show. There is a lot happening, and I think there are some conclusions that you can draw about the culture of fly fishing. Bottom line: I think things are good. My take might be a little controversial in some circles. And if so, I’m always willing to talk.

Listen to the episode below, or on your favorite podcast app.

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Fly Fishing’s Little Things: Loon Rogue Zinger

It is okay to get excited about the little things in life. A good parking spot. An  onion ring mixed in with your french fries. A nice sunset on your evening commute. Inconsequential, yes. But no one is going to fault you for smiling about it. If all that holds true, then it is absolutely okay to get excited about the little things in fly fishing.

One of the smallest things in fly fishing is the zinger. A zinger, or gear retractor if you prefer, is the button-shaped spring-loaded gadget that holds your most essential tools. It holds them out of the way when you’re not using them. With a simple pull, it allows you to hold them where you need them when you need them. Simple and convenient, but not life changing. No zinger is going to catch you more fish. No zinger is going to make or break your day on the water.

But a good zinger is okay to get a little excited about.

I can say this because I’m a little excited about the Loon Rogue Zinger. I’ve had it for a few months now, and it has made an impression. Here are a few reasons why:

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The Best Small Stream Bass Fly Rods

May it never be said that trout are the only species that demand fly fishing nuance.

Whether it be due to location or preference, some anglers routinely pursue species like bass. Additionally, the waters they frequent aren’t the typical wide smallmouth rivers or vast largemouth lakes. Our nation is covered with small steams that contain robust populations of bass and other warm water fish,

Typical “bass fly gear” will absolutely work for small stream smallies, rock bass, shoal bass, etc. Similarly, larger trout tackle will be serviceable. But if given the choice or opportunity, might it be worth finding gear that fits the fly fishing you’re engaging in? If your local creek is where you’re going to be spending a lot of time, isn’t the right rod the right choice?

If so, maybe you’re up for looking into a small stream fly rod for bass. Here are three things to consider:

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