TFO Mangrove Series Fly Rods

I've been doing a lot of fly fishing over the past year or so.  Ever since I started I've really enjoyed the challenge and the serenity of fly casting.  It took me a while and quite a few different types of rods to find something that fit my rhythm.  Well I've found it in Temple Fork Outfitters new Mangrove Series of fly rods.

Temple Fork Outfitters is a well know name in fly fishing.  They have  been around for a long, long time and have some of the best fly casters and fishermen the sport has ever seen.  TFO has a reputation for building quality rods at affordable prices.  They may not use all the super fancy materials that you see in some of the priciest rods on the market, but they are always top quality and have possibly the best warranty in the business.

I was very excited after hearing reports from a few friends about these rods.  Generally I don't like to buy a rod without having a chance to cast it, but since these rods are new I couldn't find one in a store.  So after much waffling I ordered two from templeforkoutfitters.ca.  I have bought from them in the past and felt comfortable enough to do so again.

They arrived on Friday.  Sadly I wasn't home to receive them.  So Saturday morning I rushed off to the post office to pick them up figuring I'd hit up a couple spots I know that hold some very large carp.  Give these babies a real test right off the bat.  The weather was perfect, warm, sunny, very little wind.  Some one forgot to tell the carp though.  So I headed home and went to the park by my house to at least get in some casting practice.

With my trusty Orvis Mirage IV spooled up with Royal Wulff  BTT7F I fired off a couple casts with my T&T Horizon II to get warmed up.  I measured off 45 feet, marked off a two foot circle and put the IV on the 7wt Mangrove.  First cast feels good, second even better.  Hitting the target with almost no effort.  Now I'm not a good caster by any stretch of the imagination.  I'd say competent at best.  I really liked the feel of this rod. So I add ten more feet to 55 feet now and still casting at a two foot circle.  55 feet seems no more difficult than 45.  To 65 feet now.  This is beyond my comfort zone and pushing the limits of my normal reach.  I can't say I nailed the target every time but I was close more often than not, even casting a bit over the target on a couple occasions.  I tried at 70 feet but it was just too far.

The thing that made the biggest impression is the feel of the rod loading.  It loads deep and easy with superb feel.  I'm sure it goes without saying but I really like this rod.  With a price tag of only $250 (USD) this rod is a great value.  It was designed for a saltwater environment, but I'll be using it for pike, bass, carp and what ever else I can get to eat a fly.  I can't wait until July when I can test these out on the flats off the Florida Keys.

Until then I'll leave you with some pictures.

Trout opens tomorrow!

Inland trout opens tomorrow!  We've had a lot of rain lately and the rivers are muddy and swollen.  I'm hoping that the water clears up a bit.  I'll be heading out with my fly rods and kayak.  Hope to see you out there.

Dolphin asks diver for help.

I just watched this video and I had to share.

Gives you a new respect for a dolphin's intelligence.

Glass rattle bend back

I want to share a fly pattern that I have been using recently with a lot of success.  The bend back is a staple for saltwater flats fishermen, but I haven't seen it used much up here in the north.  Funny thing is it is a great pattern for bass and pike especially in the weeds.  The rattle seems to really stir the fish up. So lets get started.

For this example I used a Mustad C52S 2XL size 2/0

I bend the shank of the hook with a pair of pliers.  Just until the shank is parallel to the point.

I use a small piece of heat shrink tubing to attach the glass rattle to the hook.

Place some mylar tubing over the rattle and hook shank.

Tie off the back side of the mylar.  Here I used some mono thread.  Ship finish and trim off the ends.

Start your thread at the hook eye and work back to the mylar.  Capture the open end in the thread and continue up the shank until you get to the bend.  Here I tied in a couple pieces of gold flash as well.

Tie in your wing.  The wing can be made up of almost any material you prefer.  Here I used some white EP fibers.  With a bend back you don't want to use too much material.  Follow a less is more approach.

Next tie in a little red for gills.  I used a bit of maribou but you can use whatever you like.

Next I tied in a little chartreuse to finish off the wing along with a bit more flash.  Finish off by shaping the head and whip finish.

Trim the wing until it resembles the shape of a small fish.  I like to keep the overall length to less than twice the hook length, but feel free to experiment.

Glue (or paint) and eye on each side.  I like the big eyes like I have attached here.  Finish off the head with five minute epoxy.  You can paint it after t is dry if you like.

There you have it a very simple pattern that is very effective.  Here are some more examples with an without rattles.

My fly tying skills are a bit lack luster so take from these what you will.  Good luck and tight lines.  Hope to see you out on the water.

Great fly fishing video

If you have ever considered fly fishing for tarpon you should check out this video
http://vimeo.com/59767477

New boat...

...well it's kind of a boat.  My new 2013 Native watercraft Slayer 14.5 arrived early last week.  I had to wait until Friday to pick it up in Niagara Falls, New York since they don't ship to Canada.  The wonderful folks at Austin Canoe and Kayak were more than helpful.  I must have emailed them a dozen times with a multitude of questions before I finally placed an order.  Their responses were always quick and to the point.  They really made me comfortable purchasing from them, even though they are in Texas and I wouldn't have an easy time if anything went wrong.  I wouldn't hesitate to recommend ACK to anyone looking for a kayak or kayak gear and accessories.

 The Slayer doesn't come with any rod holders installed so I ordered two flush mount holders.  A few hours after I had completed the order online I received a call from one of the service techs asking if I would like them installed.  First question out of my mouth was what would it cost.  I can say I was very surprised when he replied "no charge".  I was really taken back, could this get any better?

Well the kayak shipped out on February 28th on the back of a semi.  I got notification on March 5th that if had been delivered to my US holding address.  Texas to Niagara Falls, NY in just five days.  Faster than many of the packages I've had shipped with UPS or FedEx.  Having to wait until Friday was rough.  Having to wait two more months until I can put it in the water will be hell.

I had the weekend to myself with my wife and daughters at a wedding up in Northern Ontario.  So I got to rigging it up for fishing.  I mounted my Humminbird 597CI HD DI Combo, installed one of the two anchor trolleys and one of my two camera mounts.  Enough talk time for the pics.

And there she is, taunting me.  Hopefully spring comes early again and I can be on the water by late April, early May.

Hurry up spring!!! @&$#!

March is here and it is still damn cold out.  Spring needs to hurry up and come so I can get back out fishing.  I ordered a new kayak this winter.  It should be delivered this coming week.  I wanted some thing I could stand and fish from.  It took me a while to decide but I ended up picking the new Native Watercraft Slayer 14.5  The Native boats have the most comfortable seat of any kayak I have paddled.  Stay tuned as I rig it up for fishing here in Niagara and the flats down in Florida.  Can't wait!