New & improved Swamp

[Paule]

An old man once gave me some good advice concerning my penchant to be overly technical. As I sat with him splitting unnecesarry hairs, he smiled at me and said "Son, you don't need to be a cardiologist to know your heart is beating!"

Since that time, I have been less reluctant to admit what I don't know, and one of my ignorances concerns the science of chemistry. I will confess now that my knowledge of Titanium is highly limited. I did quite a bit of research on the element, but all I really learned was that I still don't know much about it. So, when I put the Lamiglas Ti2000 7-wt. to the test, I put the simplicity concept into practice: I may not know much about Titanium, but I know how a rod feels in the hand and on the water.

Any of us who are sports fans have been familiar with the basic properties of Titanium for a while now. Golf club commercials have lauded it's light weight, and the use of the metal in prosthetics for injured players attests to its strength. The waiting game to see how long it would take for fly rod manufacturers to include it in their products was not long, and anyone who has read a flyfishing magazine in the past six months has found its presence unavoidable. There are a few companies that are now including Titanium in their fly rods, but Lamiglas was the first to put one in my hands. Admitting my ignorances, I kept my mind a blank slate, and opened the tube.

The first thing that struck me about the 9'0" 7-wt. threin was the unusual look of the rod. Most of the butt section of this four-piece rod is covered with a pure Titanium tube, which adds to the diametre of the blank. This is a stark difference from the narrow graphite blanks we have become accustomed to seeing on rods, and I couldn't help the feeling that it would be heavy and clumsy. I was wrong on both counts.

Although the end of butt section of this blank is greater than half an inch in diametre, it is remarkably light in the hand. The lightness of the Titanium certainly comes into play here, along with the qualities of the single-foot guides and Titanium carbide stripping guides. The rest of the rod is dressed modestly, the graphite being left its natural grey colour wrapped with black thread. A full-wells grip, black saltwater reel seat, and 1 1/2 inch fighting butt complete the look; simple, yet not unattractive. There are lots of pretty rods that cast poorly, though, and some just plain ugly rods that are magnificent, so the unassuming cosmetics were put aside as I spooled up a 7-wt WF line and headed out to see what the rod could do.

I put out 45 feet of line and false-cast a few times just to get a feel for the casting characteristics. The action is listed a "fast," which is accurate, but without the stiffness which accompanies some fast rods, no doubt due to the IM700 modulus graphite of which the blank is made. I found the fairly short casts to be absolutely effortless, even with a rod of this size, but one of the reasons I would use a 7-wt. is to put some distance on large, weighted nymphs and streamers, and Steelhead flies, so what was it going to do farther out? I blindly stripped a good amount of line from the reel, and with 40 or so feet of line out I coiled the line and put a half-hearted double haul on the line. I was rather unimpressed, as the rod did not give me the boost of overwhelming power I expected to feel coming from the Titanium butt section. It took all the line I gave it, but in question, I looked at the spool where I was surprised to see that there were only about six inches of line left! I retrieved, spooled out my entire line, false-cast 40 feet, and put an average double haul on the presentation cast. With so little effort, the line sailed out. Is long distance casting supposed to be this easy?

If I had to pick a word to describe the feel of the rod it would be "comfortable." There is no dynamic burst you expect from a high speed rod when fully loaded, and it doesn't really feel powerful, but when you ask it to go to work, it responds quickly, accurately, and very comfortably. According to the folks at the factory, this is due to the increased sensitivity the Titanium tube brings to the rod. According to their website, "The Titanium tube acts as an amplifier to transmit what your line is doing while false casting...." True? While I have no reason to be in doubt of their word, I simply don't know. I do know, though, that I don't have to be a metallurgist to know that this is a very nice rod. When a fish is hooked, the rod does give you a good feel for what it is doing, and would seem to be a great asset to detecting light takes as well as helping fight the fish.

The Lamiglas Ti2000 is available in line weights 5 through 10 to cover most fishing needs. Its qualities make it seem likely that both ends of the spectrum would be helpful for a variety of needs: the 5-wt. would be perfect for feeling the gentle take of a Trout gently sipping a caddis emerger, and the 10-wt. would keep you in closer contact with a fleeing Bonefish on the flats. They make a great Salmon/Steelhead rod because the light weight would help with the enormous amount of casting that fishing for these difficult fish would provide. The fact that they come in four-piece models makes them highly portable as well.

Adding all these together, it must be said that the people who have been known mainly for their fibreglass rods have come up with a state-of-the-art rod that rivals the most prominent names in the business today. When you combine the light weight, ease of casting, quiet power, high sensitivity, and minimal tube size, you come up with a truly dynamic piece of equipment. Exactly what does the Titanium bring to the table? I'll let the folks at Lamiglas deal with giving you the technicalities of the chemistry, but I know a good rod when I cast one, and I have cast it -- the Ti2000.

The Ti2000 comes in a Cordura-covered travel tube at the cost of $550.00, and is available through their website, or by emailing [e-mail]. While you at the site, check out some of their other new fly equipment, some of which will be hopefully reviewed here in the future.

Redington Red.Fly

As much as the evolution of the high-speed rods has been beneficial in immeasurable ways to the sport of flyfishing, there are times when speed is simply not the panacæa we might think. My favourite Steelhead water presents such a case; it is a small coastal stream whose most productive spots are less than 60 feet bank-to-bank. Here, I rarely need to cast 45 feet, and there is rarely a brushy bank to deal with. Thus, although the temptation is always to go with the biggest and the best, sometimes in these cases a slower taper fills the bill better than the fast action.

I came across a Redington Red.Fly 9’6” 7/8-wt rod that suited my needs quite well. The action is moderate, but with a good double haul it had the capability to put my #8 shooting taper well beyond the needed length. The feel of the rod is quite comfortable as well. A slow-action rod in larger weights can often be a challenge, but the Red.Fly was easier on the arm than most I have cast.

My main problems with the rod are in the hardware and length. There is a lot of plasticine material on the reelseat, but at the rod price, it becomes overlookable. I’m not sure if changing the seat would void the guarantee. The length can also be challenging. Although I recommend going with the longest length you can because of the ease of casting, these rods are evidently only available in two-piece models which makes the tube length for the 9’6” a whopping 4’9”! Once again, consider the price.

I would highly recommend this rod for beginning casters. I put the rod in the hands of two men who had never cast a flyrod in their lives, and both were doing well by the end of the lessons. (Then again… maybe it was my remarkable manner of teaching….) The price makes it good for the entry-level fisherman, too.

The Red.Fly is available through most retailers, and at www.redington.com (email [e-mail].) It comes in line weights 3/4 - 8/9 and lengths from 7’6” – 9’6”. The price is a friendly $75.00, and comes with a lifetime guarantee!

Nash Small Stream Net

In an industry so dominated by high technology, our world can sometimes be coldened by the chill of aluminum, graphite, and other "new" materials. If you're suffering from this, there's nothing better than a piece of the tradition that you can hold in your hands. I received such a piece in the mail last week: the Small Streams Net from Nash Nets in the high Sierras of California.

Now, a net might not seem like such a big deal, but this is special.Consisting of a lacy Redwood Burl handle and triple-laminate, bow of White Oak, Mahogany and White Oak, the net is not simply a piece of fishing tackle, it is a piece of art. The woodwork is flawless and the brass reinforcements are perfectly fitted to the handle. The burnt-in inscriptions (personalization is available) are cleanly cut, and would make the perfect final touch to an heirloom net. The bow has a unique triangular shape which lends that extra bit of both spaciousness and uniqueness. To be concise, the net has a look that is simply stunning. (I took the net to a friend who is a general contractor who builds a lot of Victorian structures, and he couldn’t believe the quality!) The marine-grade adhesives and finishes ensure that this net will hold up for years to come.

As to the functionality of the net, my “test run” proved no fish to fill it, but that’s another story. I did check the buoyancy, though, and it floated just fine. Perhaps the most important element, though, is what one of my colleagues calls “The Visual Element,” which he defines by saying “if you aren’t catching fish, you might as well look good!” Well, I caught no fish, but did put a few compliments in the creel. (I may release trout, but I always keep compliments.)

The Small Streams Net has a ten year guarantee, retails for $69.00, and may be found along with other net styles and accessories at www.nashnets.com. Information may also be gained by emailing [e-mail].

Fly Logic Freshwater Ready-To-Go Kit

I learned two things when trying out FlyLogic's Premium Combo:

1.) Don't wade on that side of the Mad River (the point at which I did)!
2.) The Premium Series Reel is tougher than it looks.

When the FlyLogic setup came, I decided to give it a workout on the local run of Half-Pounder Steelhead. The rod looked sturdy, but the reel... well, I just wasn't sure how well an aluminum composite reel was going to hold up there. It isn't that I had reason to think the drag was faulty or under strength, but it is aluminum composite! I called the rep. to check up before I took it to task, and he said it was as strong as machined T6061, and since it was he that said it, out we went!

The FL Premium Plus 5/6 rod performed nicely. It has a medium action that was just right for mid-sized casts. It was quite easy to cast up to fifty feet, and although I got plenty more than that out of it, it took a bit more work, and the aid of some double-hauling. It is certainly capable of putting some significant amount of line on the water. It is a beefy rod with a large diameter butt section which, no doubt, accounts for the power. However, this also makes the rod feel heavier in the hand. I would probably use this more as a 6-wt. than as a 5-wt. because of that size. It also makes the presentation of the smaller flies one might use with a 5-wt. more tricky. This is not your gentle, Spring Creek rod! This one means business for larger waters, and feisty fish. I would not hesitate to use this for Smallmouths, and anywhere you have to bulldog Trout to bring them to hand.

If your focus in rod selection is cosmetics, this is probably not for you. Although there is nothing displeasing about the look, it is modest - perhaps even conservative. A matte grey blank is augmented with shiny black wraps and a black aluminum reelseat. The focus is obviously on providing value in casting performance, and not as much on the "extras." (Sure, everyone loves a nice polished hardwood seat and nickel silver fittings, but can most of us afford it? Maybe some of the higher-end rod companies could learn a thing or two from FlyLogic and Redington! Would revenue increase?)

Now, about that reel: I guess you could say it stood up. It looks nice. You can get it in two colours: the powder coating comes in Platinum or Charcoal. They sent me the Platinum, and the look is unique. That test passes. It is a 5/6 wt. reel that is moderately light to the hand, and balances perfectly with the rod. That test passes. It strips out line smoothly with a blessed quietness. (What a relief!) That test passes. I got into a few half-pounders that set the reel singing, but held the fish nicely. That test passes. But... it is still an aluminum composite!

The day I went out to test the setup, I took some friends who were new to the river with me, and since I know that stretch and they didn't, I opted to take the "other" side and let them have the easy gravel bank. I shouldn't have. I found out that you have to wade a very long way in unfishable territory to get to where you want to be. This path could not have been travelled much because the slime covering the rocks must have been an inch-and-a-half deep, and it was slick as you could imagine.

You guessed it. There was only so long I could stay upright. I fell right on the reel with the entire weight of my body smashing it into a rock. But the reel stood up! My dad always taught me that if you fall, you protect yourself at the risk of your equipment, so the reel took the shock of the fall, but when I hesitantly looked at the reel to see the damage for which I would be responsible, there was none! Not even a scratch on the powder coating was to be found. I have always been tentative about composite reels, but I gulped down my pride and prejudice, and yes, even that test passes.

The FlyLogic Freshwater Ready-To-Go Kit retails for $279, and comes with the rod, reel, backing, 9' leader, and a Wulff Triangle Taper floating 5/6 line in a tube and sock. The reel comes in a nice cloth bag. (I'll admit I put my own reel and Cortland WF6F on there and it performed better for me. The Wulff TT may be a bit gentler on the water. This is definitely a matter of personal preference and casting style which will vary from flyfisher to flyfisher.) The combo is certainly worth the price and more, the retail value being $366.45 according to the FL folks. This is more than the 5/6 rods by Redington and St. Croix, but it will probably be used for different purposes, so the price difference may turn out to be inconsequential.

More information may be gained by visiting FlyLogic at www.flylogic.com, emailing them, ([e-mail],) or calling 1-888-FLYLOGIC (359-5644).

Coyote Rod Company Fly Rod Blanks
We have been being told by numerous fly rod manufacturers of late that "modulus isn't everything." While there is truth to this, it can also be used as an excuse for a poor blank, so what was I to think when I got the chance to review a 33-million modulus rod blank that was supposed to be pretty fast, but retailed for only $49.95? All price considerations aside, it is true that there is far more to the rod than that single aspect that affects the performance of the graphite, so when I had the received a Coyote Rod Co. 908-4 Saltwater blank, I kept an open mind.

I dry-fitted the rod and flexed it. It's response was pleasingly stiff, so I proceeded with the building process. Staying with the economy idea, I outfitted the blank with less-than-premium hardware and took it to the casting yard. Now, how good can a $50 blank be?

Surprisingly good, actually! A thirty-foot cast showed me a nice, tight loop and accurate placement. A little more line out... still nice. Now came the real test: hauling. I continued to be pleased with the rod's performance as it put the line through the air with remarkable speed, and after a few quick loops, the entire line laid out before me!

There must be something in the taper of this blank that makes it cast like this because even though the modulus is low, the performance quality is quite high! It does have a drawback in its weight. For an 8 weight, it felt somewhat heavier in the hand than one might desire. Nevertheless, by balancing it with lightweight hardware, you can counter this obstacle. It is not unseemly heavy, just a little bulky in the long run.

The Coyote Rod Co. blanks come in standard and Saltwater options, the former reaching down to small trout weights and the latter to the larger sizes. Casting of the non-Saltwater blanks proved them to have slightly less line speed than their salty companions, but a good value, nonetheless. I also found the 4-piece blanks to be of a faster action than the 2-piece models.

The Tigereye brown blanks are available through Northern Tier Outfitters who may be emailed at [e-mail]. Prices range from $27.95 to $69.95 -- all are fabulous deals for the performance they will provide.

Ronn Lucas, Sr. Spey Hackle

The evolution of Spey Hackles is an interesting phenomenon. Since the illegalization of the coveted Heron hackles, multiple feathers have been sought out to be used for the long, flowing hackles that characterize the traditional Spey fly. The standard is currently Blue-Eared Pheasant, which is a delightful feather, but is occasionally brittle. Schlappen has been used, but it does not have the length to properly hackle a large Spey fly, and does not flow properly to the rear of the hook. Burnt Spey hackles are nice, too, but can be a bit difficult to find, and not necessarily in the colours we want. The wonderful action of Marabou is countered by the difficulty of tying with the floppy feathers. Who is going to find a solution to this problem?

Ronn Lucas, Sr., that's who! Ronn, the materials genius who has brought us Iridescent Dubbing, Gocha!, and other innovative materials has developed a hackle which makes some of the most lovely Spey flies I have seen. In a rather simple manner, Ronn strips fibres from the sides of Peacock quills, treats and dyes them, and provides to the market a remarkable hackle that will be of interest to every Salmon and Steelhead tyer.

These do not replace Heron hackle in the sense that they look anything like the "original". These hackles retain the original iridescent mottling of the quill, and the colours provide brilliance to any fly. These are truly groundbreaking materials that will certainly take the tying world by storm. They can be described in words, but to little valuable effect, as, like any Peacock material, they must be seen to be believed.

Ronn Lucas Sr's. Spey Hackles may be acquired by emailing Ronn. A catalogue detailing all his tying products is also available on request.