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Every once in a while we have an opportunity to
say something especially nice about one of our
Sponsors. Since we are very picky about who we
invite to be Sponsors here, it is nice to see 'our'
Sponsors receiving recognition for a product they
produce.
This week we picked up the Gear Issue of Fly Fish
America, which if you aren't familiar with it,
is a FREE fly fishing magazine available in sporting
goods departments and fly fishing shops.
According to the magazine, here are some of the BEST
of Fly Fishing Gear, the Editor's Choice Awards 2004.
I have only quoted a small amount of the comments
on each product.
Diamondback Americana Rod. "Diamondback's New
Americana rods are made by real Vermonters, and feature
medium-fast actions, sanded gray blanks with green
wraps, and attractive nickel silver/Vermont maple
reel seats. Saltwater models have uplocking anodized
reel seats with padded fighting butts. . . Americanas
are available in light weights 3 through 9, in both
2- and 3- piece models. See them at your local fly
shop ($139 to $199), or contact
Diamondback,
P.O. Box 5588, Cortland, NY 13045; Tel.: (607) 756-2851."
Marryat CMR-Online Reel. "Winner of a "Best of Show"
award at EFFTEX 2003, Marryat's new CMR Online reel combines
a CMR frame with a revolutionary anti-reverse spool
incorporating a second, independent drag system. . ."The first
CRM-Online is a 7/8 weight model (WF7F + 220 yards 20-pound
backing), priced at $395. Check it out at your local fly
fishing retailer, or for more information contact:
Angler Sport
Group, 6619 Oak Orchard Road, Elba, NY 14050. Tel.:
(585 757-9066/."
(We were particularly delighted with this one, Castwell
did an article on it
back in May of 2003.)
Albright EXS Rod. "Jim Murphy, formerly of
Redington, has built a career promoting affordable
innovation in fly-fishing fear. His philosophy is
simple, "Build a Volvo and sell it at Ford prices."
His new company, Albright Tackle, has just introduced
its EXS line of rods, a shining example of Murphy dogma.
Our first impression of the 10-weight EXS we received
for evaluation was that the rod had been
Mislabeled, and it was actually an 8-weight. It
seemed too light and, in fact, weighted in at under
four ounces. Not to worry - this rod can comfortably
handle any 10-weight line and any head up to 400
grains. . .See them at your local fly shop ($325 to $395),
or contact Albright
Tackle Co., 865 Merrick Ave., Westbury, NY 11590; Tel.:
(866) FLY-REEL."
Scientific Anglers System 2LS Reel. "If you've been
fly fishing for a while, you've probably fished a Scientific
Anglers System reel - they've been mainstays of the affordable
reel category for as long as we can remember. . . New to
the System line is the made-in-England System 2LA ("large
arbor"), a complete redesign of the venerable System 2
with extra points for style. Available in three models
covering line weight 4 through 10. . .With an arbor
diameter of 3.00 inches, and a spool width of 1.69 inches,
the System 2LA 890 is a true large-arbor design that maximizes
line pickup. Full machined from bar stock aluminum, and
hard anodized in a pewter color, the System 2LA is stylishly
vented to minimize weight. . .See the System 2LA reels at
your fly shop ($214.95 to $254.95) or contact
Scientific Anglers,
3 M Center, Building 223-2N-01, St. Paul, MN 55144; tel.:
(800) 430-5000.
Lefty Kreh Signature Series TiCr Rods. " Temple
Fork Outfitters has created three new lines of Lefty
Kreh Signature Series rods: Series 1 ($89.98 - to $99.95),
Professional Series (starting at $139>95), and TiCr Series
($195.95 to $249.95). While we haven't had a chance to
test the first two yet, the last one is a home run!
Lefty Kreh Signature Series TiCr rods are designed by
Lefty himself, and are targeted at the advanced-intermediate
to expert level caster who has other things to spend his
money on. These fast-action rods are made of IM6 graphite,
spiced up with a proprietary blend of titanium and chromium.
What the secret formula may be, it works to create a
powerful rod that dampens quickly, and shoots like a
cannon - and does it all with a silk-smooth stroke. . .
Test cast a TiCr at your fly shop, or contact
Temple Fork
Outfitters, 8115 Sovereign Row, Dallas, TX 75247; Tel.:
(800) 638-9052."
Hardy Angel Reel. . . .Beauty is in the eye of
the beholder, and I find the Angel to be the most lovely
looking fly reel I've ever beheld. From the jeweled
crank knob, to the matte-silver anodized frame and spool,
to the contrasting gold and anodized trim and the reel
foot pillars, to the classic Hardy venting patter, the
overall effect leaves me breathless. In testing it left
me breathless, too. On the last day of fishing season
I landed a 7-pound landlocked salmon in a 15-minute battle
at landed the Angel 6/7 an Editor's Choice Award. See
the Angels at your fly shop ($390 to$530; model 6/7 $410),
or contact Hardy USA,
P.O. Box 5588, Cortland, NY 13045; Tel.: (607) 756-2851."
Chota Stow-A-Way Fleece Flip Mit. "Chota is one
of the hottest companies in the fly fishing industry,
and founder Frank Bryant has a simple goal: To build
products that help you stay in the water until you're
ready to leave. . .or until you fall over from exhaustion,
whichever comes first. . .A prime example is Chota's new
Stow-A Way Flip Mit, an absolute must have for steelheaders
and other cold-weather anglers, or anyone who hunts or
fishes in cold climes.
Chota Mits combine the warmth of a mitten with the
functionality of fingerless gloves. This is accomplished
with separate finger and thumb covers, both of which are
sewn onto the gloves and can flipped back and secured
under a patent-pending Stow-A-Way cuff. . .Stow-A-Way
Fleece Flip Mit come in gray and black, and are available
in sizes from extra small to extra large. Pick up a pair
at your fly shop ($27), or contact
Chota Outdoor
Gear, P.O. Box 31137, Knoxville, TN 37930; Tel.: (865)
690-1814."
Cortland 555 Rocket Quick Descent Line.
"Cortland's New 555 Rocket Quick Descent ("QD") lines
are an outgrowth of their wildly popular Little Tunny
Line. Featuring an intermediate-density body/running
line behind a high-density sinking head, these 125-foot
long lines are just about the ticket for anything that
swims. The coldwater version offers a 15-foot intergrated
head, and comes in 150-, 200-,250-, and 300-grain weights.
Saltwater Rocket QDs have a 30-foot integrated head for
digging even deeper, and come in 200-, 250-, 300-, 350-,
and 400-grain weights. See all the 555 Rocket Quick
Descents at your fly shop ($62), or contact
Cortland Line
Co., P.O. Box 5588, Cortland, NY 13045. Tel.:
(607) 756-2851."
Sage Xi2 Rod. " The folks at Sage have been
busy of late designing what they bill as "the finest
saltwater rod ever made." And you know, they may
just be right. . .We received a 9-foot, 8-weight
(890-4) Xi2 for testing, and fished it extensively
throughout the fall. Using its new Generation 5
technology, and the Modulus Positioning System
developed just for the Xi2, Sage has created an
exceptionally "talkative" rod. After only a few
minutes of casting it you know just when to apply
the power, and how hard to hit it. The Xi2 is easy
to cast long distances, or in the kind of wind that
makes you wish for a spinning rod. . .Test cast an
Xi2 at your fly shop, or contact
Sage Manufacturing,
8500 NE Day Rd., Bainbridge Island, WA 98110; Tel.:
(800) 533-3004."
WaterSkeeter River Guide Pontoon Boat. "We
highlighted WaterSkeeter's new River Guide Pontoon
Boat in our September issue "Sneak Peaks" at the
best new stuff coming out at the 2003 Fly Tackle
Retailer Show. When we finally saw it at the show,
we were so impressed that we put it on the short
list of Editor's Choice Award nominees and ordered
one for testing and evaluation. . .The River Guide
may be the ultimate fly-fishing pontoon boat, perfect
for a day trip or overnighter, and is equally at home
on stillwater, whitewater, and saltwater. See
WaterSkeeter's River Guide at your local fly fishing
retailer ($1,395), or contact
WaterSkeeter,
2701 East Hammer Lane, Suite 101, Stockton, CA 95210;
Tel.: (800)-339-7261."
Congratulations to all these fine companies - we are
delighted to see you and your products recognized by
other media in the fly fishing industry.
When we talk to prospective companies to become Sponsors
here, we tell them up front that our readers come first,
the Sponsors are second. Since we own FAOL, we do have
the luxury of inviting - picking - the companies who
you see here. Companies who produce good products,
stand behind them, and treat their customers with respect.
And once in a while, it's nice to see that others recognize
those same companies.
The real winners in this of course is the fly fishing consumer - you!
~ The LadyFisher
If you would like to comment on this or any other article please feel free to
post your views on the FAOL Bulletin Board!
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