Category Archives: Fly reels

Fly Fishing Crazy… 18 months on-line and growing.

Posted on by Fly Fishing Crazy

It’s been an exciting year and a half at Fly Fishing Crazy, to say the least. I’ve been working hard to publish one of the best on-line Fly Shops where my customers feel comfortable browsing the many pages and products I have been able to assemble. My website www.flyfishingcrazy.com has been up and running for a little over a year and a half.

I began this humble venture as a means of supplementing my retirement income, so I can take a fly fishing trip or two. My goals were modest… a couple hundred bucks a month, clear profit, means a lot. Not being able to afford a Brick & Mortar store and stock thousands of dollars in inventory on my retirement income, I started cold calling all the major companies in the industry and asked if they would consider me as a dealer and, more importantly, if they would drop ship directly to my customers. No after No seemed to be the theme. Now, I understand that these companies need to protect the interest of their Fly Shop dealers, but how about giving the little guy (and I’m not talking physical) a break! Not being a quitter, I decided to call Brian at Elkhorn Fly Rod and Reel. I had been fishing a 9’0″ 3wt Elkhorn Traveler rod and T1 reel for 8 years and it was always one of  my favorite outfits (and still is today). Brian has a small fly shop in Loveland, CO (recently moved to a larger and better location) and carries his own line of Fly Rods and Fly Reels. Brian was apprehensive at first, but I finally persuaded him that, although I couldn’t guarantee him any volume, an occasional sale is a sale. I must have perfected my sales pitch by then. Since I live in Colorado, I decided to concentrate locally on adding additional vendors. Rocky at Stone Creek in Greeley, CO must have felt sorry for me, too, and said yes. He gave me the name of a custom rod builder in Wellington, CO, Terry Johnson of TL Johnson Companies. I called Terry and found out that he has been in the business of building fly rods for over 25 years and knows more people in the industry than you can shake a stick at. Right away he said, sure a sale is a sale. Come to find out, he owns Fish Creek Rods as well. I just scored on a High End fly rod line but a really sweet import line as well.

That was enough to get started loading products and categories on my site. The business model I choose affords me low overhead and means I can offer competitive pricing and Free U.S. Shipping on all my products. I began with just Fly Rods and Fly Reels from Elkhorn, Stone Creek, Fish Creek and TL Johnson. As I visited local fly shops, I noticed that, in addition to the apparel and terminal tackle for fly fishing, they all carried books and fish art. So my next target was the art. I called Mike Savlen at Savlen Studios in NH and got permission to sell his Giclee prints of Saltwater Fish. Then in September I was able to sneak into the Fly Fishing Retailer’s Show in Denver and met Derek DeYoung of Livingston, MT, Matt Schliske in Fort Collins, CO and Vincent Su from Littleton, CO. I was able to add Derek’s freshwater artwork to compliment Mike’s and was amazed at the parachute flies Vincent tied with his patented 720-Vise, so I schmoozed him into letting me add his fly vise to my pages. Matt Schliske and his Rattlesnake Creek Krew buddies make some of the most gorgeous Bamboo Fly Rods you could ever lay your eyes on, and they cast as good as they look. Matt is a custom bamboo maker, but he has 4 standard models that I got permission to post on my site. Things are looking up!

I met a guy on Facebook, Joe Mahler, who is a graphic Illustrator. I sent him a message asking how much he charges for a custom Logo. He replied back with “between $1000 and $1200″. I gave a big hard swallow and replied back that, although I couldn’t afford that at the time, I really liked his work and would keep him in mind. About 3 weeks later, I got a FB message from Joe saying he had been looking at my site and he thought it was ‘Screaming for something CRAZY’ (do ‘ya think?) and that he had doodled a sketch and asked if I would want to look at it. I replied back with “Sure, but I still can’t afford it”.  He emailed me the black and white sketch and said that, in his mind, there was nothing crazier than a fly fishing bear. Right below that, he said he would be interested in taking a TL Johnson Fiberglass rod in exchange.  –SCORE– I couldn’t turn that deal down and that is where my Crazy Bear and Crazy Rainbow came from. The full logo is now available on my adult Tees and the Crazy Bear and Crazy Rainbow are available on kids Tees.

I met my next three artists on FB. Rob “Fishbone” Goins does some amazing aluminum fish sculptures, mostly saltwater, but his son in NC is doing freshwater aluminum fish sculptures and I am working on him at the moment. Rebecca Haydock and A.D. Maddox offer Giclee fish, and fishing scene, prints.

Last fall, I met Nathan Stodghill on FB and he introduced me to Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing. I started volunteering at the Denver VA hospital, teaching Disabled Vets how to tie flies, cast a fly rod and taking them out fishing. I mentioned to Terry Johnson that a couple of us volunteers wanted to hold a rod building class for the Vets and he donated a pile of out of production fly rod blanks and some guides. Matt White a local member of the Fly Rod Builder’s Guild, took the lead on the class and we had 8 Vets build there own rods. Stone Creek gave me a deal on rod tubes with reel pouch, David Brittain called Lamson and got reels donated and we took the guys out to a private ranch with 9 stocked lakes and a mile of stream to try them out. This year, I added a new vendor Shane Gray, Graywolf Productions, in MI. He builds custom bamboo and fiberglass rods, but he volunteered to build a custom graphite rod for us to raffle off for Project Healing Waters. Matt White also custom built one of the blanks from Terry and that will be raffled as well in January at the Denver Fly Fishing Show.

The Denver chapter of Project Healing Waters had a booth at this year’s Fly Fishing Retailer’s Show which I worked part-time. My time has been limited, since August, because of health related issues in the family, but I was able to work the show and meet some new vendors. I met Mike Westfall, owner of Blue Ribbon Nets. He is making some beautiful, 4 wood construction, fishing nets with standard mesh or rubber net. His Jacklin Guide model with rubber net compares favorably with Brodin nets.

All in all, it’s been a great 18 months. It’s a tough bunch of businesses to compete with, especially on the Web. Try doing a Google search for “fly rod blanks”. You’ll find me on page 1. I’m still trying to find my niche, but with a name like FlyFishingCrazy.com in the fly rod business, how can I  go wrong? Kinda rolls of the tongue like MacDonalds and Hamburgers.

If you want affordable quality at Crazy prices, check me out and watch for future additions.

Tight Lines——–<*))))><
Larry Snyder

http://www.flyfishingcrazy.com

larry@flyfishingcrazy.com

South Platte Winter Outing with Trepidations

Posted on by Fly Fishing Crazy

I was watched the snow flurries falling for a couple of minutes, then returned to quickly to the task of gathering all my fishing gear and making sure I had all the layered clothing, gloves and extra pair of socks to be able to withstand the bite of winter on the river.  Bob would be picking me up any minute.

Robert  Province and I met in December at a Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing meeting I had set up through Facebook and a forum on ColoradoFishermen.com.  We both hit it off and are both retired.  At this past weeks Fly Tying class, teaching disabled veterans how to tie some basic flies at the Denver VA hospital, I told Bob I was planning to go down to the South Platte near Deckers, for a couple of hours, the next morning.  He said, “Why don’t I pick you up at 8:15 and we can be on the water by 10.”  I said “I’ll be waiting”.

The Deckers area of the South Platte is in recovery mode since whirling disease and the Hayman fire in 2002 and subsequent snow melt and severe rainstorms.  Most of the deep holes that once held two to five hundred trout per hole were filled in with ash and silt.  The whirling disease, a brain parasite that started in the Division of Wildlife hatcheries, spread through the rainbow trout and brook trout, killing most of those fish in many Colorado Rivers and streams, has been reversed by stocking a new, disease resistant, strain.

I had the garage door open and was laying out my extra clothes on the bed of you pickup when Bob’s F150 pulled in a few minutes early.  I threw my gear in his camper in the back jumped in and we were off.  A quick stop for some coffee and we were heading to the South Platte.  We continued getting to know each other on the drive to Deckers.  We talked about our tours in Vietnam, some of our favorite fishing streams and, of course, how we can help our soldiers through PHWFF.  As we drove through Sedalia, the snow has stopped and the sky is clearing ahead.  Colorado is amazing!  You almost never cancel a fishing trip based on the weather at your house.  Bob remarked “I hope we don’t meet too many people on Nighthawk Hill”, a 15% grade on the dirt road down to the river.

If you’ve never been down Nighthawk, the first time is an experience and only with repeated descents does your panic wane.  You’re driving down a twisty narrow dirt road and at one particular bend to the right, you see the sign that says “15 % Grade” with a huge rock on the right side of the bend.  As you drive around the rock the road almost drops out of site and soon your looking down, what appears to be, a ski slope… nope, it’s the road. The first hundred yards is the worst with a couple of slight bends then it gradually starts to level off over the next mile. It’s not so bad in the summer, but it can get your blood pumping with winter snow packed roads.  Nighthawk Hill, and the road leading to it, is actually maintained as a postal and school bus route.  I’m glad my grandkids don’t have to ride that bus.

We reached the bottom of Nighthawk and see the river.  No ice!  Not even a slush flow!  Bob remarks that they must be letting water out of Cheeseman Reservoir.  As we turn up stream along the river, I’m thinking “this is going be a great day”.  We drive several miles up river to Scraggy View and pulled of into a parking area.  The sky was blue with few wispy clouds and the sun was starting to take the chill out of the canyon.  No need for all the extra clothes I brought, just shirt sleeve, polar vest and a wool cap.  I had never stopped at this section of the river before, so after rigging up the fly rods and putting on waders and vests, Bob suggested we head down stream a couple hundred yards.  He pointed out a hole down below by a bend and suggested I start down there.  I made a couple of casts and my strike indicator hesitated and I lifted my rod and saw the fish roll under the surface.  Missed it!  I continued casting through the hole from side to side and top to bottom to no avail.  Moving down river, I fished through shallow riffles that definitely will hold trout as the springtime warms the water a little more, until I spotted another fisherman a couple hundred yards below.  I worked my way back up to the hole I started at and after a half dozen casts, hooked and landed an eleven inch rainbow on a size 18 buckskin nymph.  As it turned out, this was my only fish of the day.  Bob didn’t fare much better.

We decided to try a spot about 5 miles upstream.  This was my old stomping grounds.  Familiar water had to produce more fish, right?  As I prospected about a mile of once familiar waters that 15 years ago would produce 30 to 50 fish mornings, with deep sorrow, I realized that the river has not recovered much from the 2002 fire and flooding.  All of the, once deep holes, are either just shallow runs or much narrower holes, still filled in with ash and silt.  I met up with Bob at the truck and started preparing for the drive home.  I told Bob that, in my opinion, what the river needs is for the Denver Water Board to open the gates of Cheesman Dam and blow that river out.  A couple of years of that would wash the sediment silt out of the holes, giving them more width and depth again.

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not saying there aren’t fish to be caught in that part of the South Platte.  To the contrary, guides tell me that there is a healthy population returning and some very nice fish over 15 inches.  Using the right flies and tactics, you can have great fishing.  But on that given day, I tried to fish it like I used to in the “Glory Days” and it didn’t work.  I thought I knew that river and what works.  Next time, I’ll adapt!

Bob and I drove home and discussed more trips.  Different waters, different fish, different outcome.  It was a clear warm day and great day to be on the water.

Tight Lines————-<*))))><
Larry Snyder
FlyFishingCrazy.com
Phone: 303-755-2105
email: larry@flyfishingcrazy.com

If I should die before I wake… Let me Fly Fish in heaven!

Posted on by Fly Fishing Crazy

I, like many of you, love FLY FISHING and some of my friends and family have called me CRAZY at times.  The feel of fighting a big fish on a FLY ROD and palming the rim of the FLY REEL to add additional, run stopping, pressure to an already smooth drag is exhilarating to say the least.

Think about those memorable fishing trips you’ve taken and then think of the destinations you dream of.  Imagine yourself on the fabled streams of Pennsylvania, New York and New England, then fishing famous Colorado streams like the South Platte River, Colorado and Arkansas Rivers, the Williams Fork, Frying Pan, Roaring Fork and numerous others.  Picture yourself in Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park fishing the Yellowstone River, Slough Creek, Fire Hole, Gibbon, Lamar and Lewis.  Then have a blast FLY FISHING for Chinook (King) Salmon in late September and early October on the Pere Marquette River in Michigan.  I could go on and on talking about fishing in other states like northern California, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.  And let’s not forget Alaska. There is no place in the USA that can rival its beauty and fishing.

Pass your passion on to your children and grandchildren.  Teach them to know the joy of “Perpetrating the Fraud” with FLY ROD and REEL and to feel the pulsing, head shaking runs of trout, salmon, bass or even Bluegill on fly tackle.  Think of the joy you will receive when they tie their own handmade flies or build their own rods.

Those are the things that have sustained my passion over the years.  My hope is that you too can find the love for this sport, whether it’s taking up FLY FISHING for the first time yourself, feeding your current CRAZY passion, or even outfitting and teaching a child.  Let this be one of your greatest obsessions.

So, until Heaven calls, let me help you make your FLY FISHING memorable… and CRAZY!

Tight Lines————–<*))))><
Larry Snyder
Fly Fishing CRAZY

Some great Fly Fishing websites!

Posted on by Fly Fishing Crazy

In the past, I wrote a blog about Tradd (Troutdawg) Duggans sites Fly Fish Addiction and Fly Fish Addiction Blogspot.  In addition to Tradd’s great sites, offering insight to Fly Fishing throughout Colorado and around the world, I have come across 2 other sites that offer Fly Fisherman a great deal to read and think about.

The first is Rocky Mountain Troutfitters. Wade Seymour started fly fishing Colorado waters at a very young age.  He worked as a guide at a local Denver area Fly Shop and realized that fame and fortune would only come with starting his own guiding business which he started this summer.  In addition to his fishing expertise he is EMT certified.  Although he specializes in fishing Rocky Mountain National Park, he is intimately familiar with the other “Troutspots” of the Colorado high country.  He recently created the Flying Pigs Club Blog named for his Dad’s quote “did you see that flying pig?” after landing a monster Rainbow .

Next is a new friend I met on-line today and had to call and talk to him in person.  Phil Light created flyfishreviews.com as a way to make available, to fly fishermen, a database of information on fly fishing gear of all types.  Phil lives near and fishes the storied streams of south central Pennsylvania.  Legendary waters like the Letort, Yellow Breeches and Falling Springs are his stomping grounds.  His website offers Product Reviews, Forums and Blogs.  It’s geared more towards the GEAR.  Visit flyfishreviews.com, create a login and get busy reading a writing reviews.

Tight Lines——-<*))))><
Larry Snyder
Owner and President of
Rocky Mountain Web Connection, LLC
and FlyFishingCrazy.com

Fly Fishing – from “Bust” to “Boon”

Posted on by Fly Fishing Crazy

Last week, I got up at 5am to drive 135 miles to fly fish for Kokanee Salmon (a landlocked cousin to the Sockeye).  I left Denver around 6:45, stopped for coffee in Woodland Park and was fishing on the Dream Stream (a short stretch of “Catch and Release ” water on the South Platte River between Spinney Mt. Reservoir and Eleven Mile Reservoir) in South Park, Colorado by 8:30.

The air was cool and the wind was calm.  The Kokanee should have been plentiful and range from 16 to 20 inches.  They should have been easy to spot in the river as during the spawn, they turn dark red.  I wanted to be challenged by these hard fighting acrobatic fish, so I decided to use my 9’0″ 3 weight Elkhorn 4 piece Traveler fly rod and Elkhorn T-1 fly reel.  I tied a red San Juan Worm onto my 5X tippet and then tied another foot long piece of 5X tippet to the bend of the hook and added a pink salmon egg fly to the end of that.

I had parked at the second (of 3) parking areas and started fishing downstream.  It wasn’t long before I was concerned about having a successful day.  I saw no salmon in the water and only caught a couple of small 5 to 6 inch brown trout on the salmon egg.  The air was warming and the sun climbing.  The number of fishermen were increasing as the morning wore on.  I decided to work my way upstream from the parking area and came across a 20″ brown trout lying dead along the edge of the stream.  A gorgeous fish that had the misfortune of being caught by someone who doesn’t know the proper way to revive a big fish after exhausting it in battle.  It gave me pause as I pondered the 3 weight rod I had chosen.  It’s one thing to have fun exhausting a salmon that will be dieing soon after spawning but these big brown trout and rainbows that are there to feed on the eggs of the salmon need to be revived and released properly.  I had a T.L. Johnson SLX 9’0″ 5 weight fly rod and Stone Creek M60 fly reel in the car, but I was already a quarter mile upstream and decided to continue with my chosen gear.  I knew I had to do everything right if I was fortunate enough to hook up with one of these monsters.

As I worked my way up stream, I talked with a couple of fly fishers who said they had seen a group of about 8 or 10 salmon in a hole about a quarter of a mile farther up, so that’s were I headed.  The farther I went upstream, the more crowded the river, so I decided to stop at a deep hole by a bend in the river.  As the morning neared end, the wind started to pick up.  I could see some fish moving around in the deep water and thought they looked dark enough to be salmon. As one cast drifted below the fish I was seeing, I had a strike.  My first rainbow trout of the day.  A nice fat 12 incher on the egg again.

After trying to cast a double fly rig into the wind with a 3 weight fly rod, I decided to cross above the hole and fish it from the other side.  I also replaced the dropper egg pattern with a size 16 buckskin nymph.  A few casts later, I was into a big fish.  With the 3 weight fly rod doubled almost in half, I put as much pressure on him as I could.  He cleared the water with a mighty jump and I saw it was a big brown trout.  I layed the rod over to steer him to the slack water along the edge and was finally able to grab the tail of the 20″+ beautiful male with kyped jaw.  He was fat and heavy. As I tried to remove the barbless hook of the busckskin from his jaw, a might shake of his head broke the tippet. I slid my other hand under his belly and lifted him out of the water for a photo.

Remembering the dead trout, I had seen earlier downstream, I took all the time this great fish needed to revive, holding his head facing upstream to let the water wash through his gills.  Water moving through their gills is like air breathed into our lungs. After a minute or two, I felt the pulsing in his tail strengthen.  Finally with a powerful shake of his body, he pulled away from my light grasp and swam back into the hole with my fly still in his mouth.  I tied a pheasant tail nymph on as the dropper and resumed fishing.  A Second big fish took the fly.  Fighting equally hard and on a big jump, I saw it was about a 19 – 20″ rainbow, but before I could bring it in and release it, it performed it’s own “long distance” release.  My philosophy is… fly fishing is all about “perpetrating the fraud”.  If you can get a trout, especially big trout, to take an artificial fly, it’s a successful catch.  Several more casts and I was into my second 20″+ brown trout.  Another nice fight, another safe release and I turned a “bust” salmon fishing day into a “boon” trout day.

Tight Lines———-<*))))><
Larry Snyder
FlyFishingCRAZY.com

2009 Fly Fishing Retailer Show – the Old and the New

Posted on by Fly Fishing Crazy

The 2009 Fly Fishing Retailer Show in Denver concluded yesterday.  I only had one day to spend there so I didn’t get to visit all the booths.  Fly rods, fly reels, fly lines, fly tying, fishing waders, tackle bags, fish art and more where on display.

As you would expect, there were all the Old well know brands present, but I wanted to talk to and get to know some of the Newer or lesser known brands and products.  There were several that I was very impressed with.

To start out, I met with Teeg Stouffer the executive director of Recycled Fish and videographer Michael Mauro of Mauro Media who where creating a Fish Schtick video media of the show and the retailers who support Teeg’s non-profit organization.  Recycled Fish is dedicated to catch and release fishing and protecting our streams and lakes through ecologically water stewardship practices.  As stated on his website, “Catch and Release alone won’t solve the problems facing our fisheries.”  I encourage you to join his cause at http://recycledfish.org

Then I visited Vincent Su at his booth displaying his revolutionary 720 Vise that adds a new horizontal rotation dimension to the current 360 fly tying vises by having a fully rotational base.  This allows you to tie those extended body and parachute hackle flies with ease.  Look for these vises to be added to my Fly Fishing CRAZY site this fall.

Kendall Carson at Pins & Fins, LLC from Loveland, CO has some new breathable waist waders with far superior breathing and waterproof qualities than Goretex and advanced design in the foot section.

One fly reel company of note was Teton USA.  As the name implies, their fly reels are 100% made in the USA.

A couple of up and coming brands of fly rods, Mystic and Loop, that may not have quite the name recognition of Sage, Scott, Winston and St. Croix.  Mystic is a Michigan company while Loop is designed and built in Sweden.

Schliske Bamboo Rio Grande

Photo Copyright Matt Schliske - "Rio Grande" fly rod - http://www.bamboo-fisher.com

Schliske Finespot Bamboo Rod

Photo Copyright Matt Schliske - "Finespot" Fly Rod - http://www.bamboo-fisher.com

But, in my opinion, the show stealer is another Colorado company that makes some of the best bamboo fly rods you can find.  Schliske Bamboo Fly Rods are hand crafted in Fort Collins, CO by 35 year old owner and master craftsman Matt Schliske and his Rattlesnake Creek Krew.  The Krew is a group of friends who share the passion of creating gorgeous bamboo fly rods in classic styles.  Every rod has beautiful agate stripping guides and measuring wraps at 16, 18 and 20 inches so you don’t have to guess the size of that trophy.  With Matt, it’s not all about the Oooohs and Aaaahs of his customers reaction when they first lay eyes on the masterpiece they just purchased, but he gets excited about providing some of the finest fishing rods on the stream.  The rods I tried not only have the delicate presentation you expect from a great bamboo rod, but have the power to cast streamers and heavy nymphs long distances.  I am far from an expert caster, but I was easily casting a tight line and laying down delicate presentations out to 45′.  At any given time, there was no shortage of Schliske rods being tested at the casting pond.  People were just eating up the casting quality provided by these rods.  Oh, and did I mention the Oooohs and Aaaahs?  I hope to be adding these exquisite rods to be on my Fly Fishing CRAZY site soon.

Schliske Bamboo

Photo Copyright Matt Schliske - www.bamboo-fisher.com

Quick trip to the Big Thompson River

Posted on by Fly Fishing Crazy
Big Thompson River

Big Thompson River

I’ve been devoting all my time lately to marketing my website and ignoring what caused my to create it.  It’s been too long since I put on the waders and strung the line through a fly rod.  So, I got up this morning, way to late for a good day of fishing, and decided to head up to Loveland, CO and fish the Big Thompson where it comes out of the Canyon.  I’ve never fished this stretch before and didn’t know where to go or what to expect.

It felt good.  I did a little fishing and a little catching and some little fish, but it felt right.  I need this more often.  I consider an eight inch Rainbow and a trio of six inch browns a success any day.  The big ones, when I get them, are a bonus.

Maybe a trip to the Colorado River or the South Platte later this week!

T.L. Johnson Rods – what people are saying

Posted on by Fly Fishing Crazy

TL Johnson Synergy Glass

TL Johnson Synergy Glass

If there were a picture of perfectionist in the “fly rod” dictionary, it would be of Terry Johnson.  I will be writing a full Product Review on T.L. Johnson Rods and his new Reel soon but for now, Terry Johnson is coming out with several new models and reworking some of the old to “freshen up” his already fantastic line.  Here are some quotes I’ve been finding on-line.

http://www.fiberglassflyrodders.yuku.com/topic/9943/t/TL-Johnson-7-4-Weight.html PAULRITTEN wrote: “Just picked up a new TL Johnson rod and figured that I don’t see many reviews of these that I’d add mine… Anyway, I took it up to the mountains this weekend in search of trout…. The rod is a new one, but is the old style (green blank). I have no idea if the new colored blanks coming out have a different action
Admittedly, I prefer newer glass rods to the classic Fenwicks, Silaflex’s, etc that have so many benefactors, so please keep that in mind. I find the classic rods to be a bit “thick” and this rod is definately not that. This rod is fast! Quite a bit faster than my Diamondglass 8′ 4 weight (my favorite of the line) or or event the 6′ 5 weight. I’d actually put it up there with my Winston WT graphite rods. In other words, exactly what I was looking for image
I had the rod strung up with a TT4 line and was able to cast amazing distances although it load as closely as the Diamondglass 4 weight. Still, the area I was fishing is just covered with little pools (20 – 30′ long) followed by a small drop-off to the next pool. I was easily able to stand in the middle of one pool and work the next pool back to front even into a Rocky Mountain wind.
There were numerous little brookies and cutts that were about the length of my hand and the rod certainly did give some “life” to those fish, but was in no way overpowered by the 14″ brookie either.
In my mind, this rod is perfect for the mountain west – short, powerful, able to cast quite a distance, and able to handle wind. If you prefer a rod that loads more quickly, this probably isn’t it (maybe uplining it would work?) – but for out here in Colorado I think it is my new go-to rod.”
swampsavage wrote: “I have one on the way… looking forward to receiving it. The reviews have been great and it may well be my “go to” rod for Appalachian blue line streams. Got plenty of 4, 5, and 6wt lines (WF and DT) to try out on it. Hope to be giving reports from the Cherokee Nat’l Forest and Smoky Mtn Nat’l Park next year, God willing.”

http://fiberglassflyrodders.yuku.com/reply/74113#reply-74113 Pocono wrote: “I’m considering purchasing an 8’0″ Synergy SG rod from Terry Johnson. Conceptually, I like the idea of using graphite in the butt section to give it a little more power and to keep the blank profile thinner. Does anyone have any experience with this rod/blank? If so, I’d appreciate hearing from you before I go ahead and make the purchase.”
gearboy wrote “Pocono, Check the post by PaulRitten in Fishing with Fiberglass about a TL rod. I’ve only ever heard great things about any of his rods. They don’t get mentioned much here and not sure why.”
Pocono wrote “Thanks for the feedback. When I talked to Terry he said that he was making the Synergy SG with E glass, not S glass. He also has a new blank color; which he’s calling buck. He was going to send me some pictures of the new blanks (he described the color as similar to the old Phillipson eponite blanks), but I haven’t seen anything from him yet. It’s the 8’0″ 4 wt. that I’m interested in.”
Mountainshark wrote “Pocono, you will not be disappointed in any of the TL Johnson rods. I have the 8′ 5 wt, 7’6 4/5 wt, and 7′ 4 wt, all of the rods cast great and have the look and feel of the high quality glass rod that they are. The work, service and knowledge that comes out of his shop is second to none. The 8′ 5wt is one of my favorite rods when I hunt big fish, it performs like glass, but has power down deep in the butt section when it’s needed. The 4 wt’s are wonderful dry fly rods for the rivers and streams I fish here. So far, I have not had a single complaint from anyone who has used one. I’m not sure why some guys get hung up on the fact that there is graphite in the butt section. To me it seems like not buying a modern car because there is plastic parts on it.”
PAULRITTEN wrote: “Mountainshark:….. I agree – his workmanship is second to none. I have been lucky enough to see in person his entire line of rods and he will soon be making me a graphite 7wt to replace a Winston that I just can’t get comfortable with (although he doesn’t know it yet…). His service is unbelievable as well – how many builders will hand deliver a rod to you after apologizing that it took 2 weeks instead of 1 to get your rod done (due to a family emergency I might add). Add to that the fact that his blanks are rolled in his own shop to tapers that I find outstanding, and what’s not to like? When you compare his prices and rods to those of the big boys – no comparison in my mind. I’m sure Steffen and others are the same, but it seems like Terry gets overlooked a bit.”

Well folks… that’s just a teaser on 1 of Terry Johnson’s products, the Synergy Glass SG Series.  I’ve fished his graphite Synergy SLX and have never had a rod that can cast into the wind with the ease of this rod.

MORE TO COME…. I’ll give you a rundown on all his new products as soon as I have all the details.. you can see what’s currently available at Fly Fishing CRAZY.

See you on the BACK CAST!
Tight Lines————-<*))))><
Larry Snyder
Owner: Rocky Mountain Web Connection, LLC
http://www.flyfishingcrazy.com

Fly Fish Addiction Blogspot needs to be in your bookmark list!

Posted on by Fly Fishing Crazy

CRAZY about fly fishing?  The owner, author, fly fisher and inspiration for FlyFishAddiction.com and FlyFishAddiction.Blogspot.com is the real deal and, no doubt in my mind, he is CRAZY about Fly Fishing.  I had the opportunity to have coffee with Tradd (TroutDawg) Duggan this morning.  We talked about fishing Colorado, Alaska, Michigan, Montana, Yellowstone National Park and even Patagonia.

We discussed Fly rods and Fly Reels.  I showed him some examples of products I have on my website by Elkhorn Rod and Reel, T.L. Johnson Rod Company and Stone Creek Ltd. and we discussed fly fishing gear, whether it’s to fish for small stream trout, salt water fishing, or monster trout and 20 pounds of tackle busting muscle packed into a huge, ugly carp.  The passion is for the fight, not always the beauty.

I came away from this morning’s meeting with the perception that Tradd is one of the best resources for fishing the Colorado Rocky Mountains. He has the passion to fish two to three times a week and still find the time to write blogs about his trips.  I’ve read many of his blogs and although I recognize many of the areas he fishes, he has fished places that most of us dream about.   Visit him at http://flyfishaddiction.blogspot.com and see for yourself. He’s one of my Fly Fishing CRAZY buddies and I look forward to fishing some of the streams and lakes in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park with TroutDawg. Watch for further updates.

Tight Lines——–<*))))><
Larry Snyder
Owner: Rocky Mountain Web Connection, LLC
Fly Fishing Crazy

Product Review: Elkhorn Fly Rod and Reel

Posted on by Fly Fishing Crazy

Elkhorn Fly Rod and Reel is a small company in Loveland, CO.  They produce high quality, affordable products that will give you a lifetime of service without breaking the bank.  Elkhorn now offers over 50 models of high performance, affordable fly rods in weights 1 through 12. Three and six piece spey rods and hand crafted two piece, two tipped, bamboo rods are among the latest offerings.

But they didn’t stop there.  They also offer precision machine cut fly reels in their affordable lineup.  No “die-cast” or inexpensive shortcuts are taken in the construction of these quality fly reels. Currently, two series of Elkhorn fly reels, the MA and T Series, are offered to perfectly complement their graphite fly rods and a Classic Series that when matched to their bamboo rods will please even the most discriminating purist.

I’ve been fishing one of Elkhorn’s most popular Traveler Series rods for about 7 years now.  It is a 9’0”, 3 weight, 4 piece rod and is matched to an Elkhorn T1 reel.  I use this everywhere in Colorado.  I prefer the feel of the light line and progressive medium-fast action over my 5 and 6 weight rods when fishing Colorado streams and Rivers.  It generates some serious line speed.  The 4 pc. rod measures 30 ½ inches in the case.

Elkhorn Ultralight Pack Series 7 Piece

Elkhorn Ultralight Pack Series 7 Piece

If you’ve ever hiked into a remote area to fish, you know that light weight and compact is important. Elkhorn’s 5x Series 5 piece rods pack to 20-25 inches. And their Ultralight Pack Series 7 Piece Rods pack down to 17-19 inches.  Both have a seamless progressive medium-fast action. The 5 piece comes in 3-5 weight with a 9’ 8 weight available as well. The Ultralight 7 Piece comes in either a 8’6” 4 weight or a 9’ 5 weight.  I’ve never fished these rods, but have checked them out in Brian’s store and the 7 piece feels to have the action and flexibility of a 3 or 4 piece, while the 5X would compare to most 2 or 3 piece rods.

As I said earlier, Elkhorn makes some quality affordable fly reels to compliment their fine lineup of rods. Their most popular is the T Series. It is a mid-arbor reel that features an over-sized cork-on-delrin disc drag system for deep, smooth, controlled stopping power. This drag design ranges from free spinning to “stop them in their tracks” power. It provides a perfect choice for fresh or saltwater applications at a sensible price.  The T series is available in four sizes. The T-1 covers 2/3/4 weight lines , T-2 is 5/6 weight, T-3 is 7/8 weight and the T-4 handles 9-12 weight lines.  And, of course, all Elkhorn reels include a reel pouch.

Next is their MA Series. MA stands for maximum arbor which translates to faster line pickup and minimum line coil. These gorgeous reels are fully machined with multiple lightening ports to remove excess material without compromising strength. And these reels incorporate a cork-on-teflon disc drag system. The result is an ultra-light reel with work horse stopping power.

Elkhorn’s Classic Series reels are manufactured to replicate reels of much higher cost from days gone by, yet offer the same look and feel of these beautifully crafted reels. Machined from billet stock, these reels feature an authentic click/pawl drag system sure to please even the most discriminating purist.  Available in two colors: Antique Gold or Silver.  As with all Elkhorn reels, they include a reel pouch.

Now, for you ladies!  Elkhorn has incorporated pink and raspberry colors in some of their model rods and reels.  These colors are absolutely gorgeous and will stand out on the stream like a Gucci purse. I took a Raspberry Traveler Series 905-4 Rod and a Raspberry T-1 Reel to fly fishing class and the women couldn’t take their eyes off of it.  The t-3 and T-4 Reels also come in a gorgeous dark blue color as well.

Elkhorn T Series Raspberry

Elkhorn T Series Raspberry

Check out all these products plus the Western, Big Game, EX and Tonkin Split Bamboo Series rods, plus their complete line of blanks at www.flyfishingcrazy.com and for a nominal fee, Brian will even laser engrave your business logo and/or name in the reel seat for a truly custom outfit.

I’ll be seeing you at Fly Fishing Crazy.

Tight Lines———<*)))><

Larry Snyder

Owner: Rocky Mountain Web Connection, LLC