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Echo Switches from the Beach #2

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

In line with what Lee posted earlier, we are also putting the new light weight switch rods to use on the beaches around Puget Sound.  While we await the arrival of the 240 grain Compact Scandi, the 40+ has been working very well. 

Why do we like these from the beach?  It isn’t why most people would think.  Different here than from SoCal, we do not have to fight surf and need additional length to lift line over breaking waves.  Instead we are finding that many clients enjoy learning a new casting style while tackling these beaches for sea run cutthroat.  Teaching the standard Double and Single Spey, Poke and Snap T, all of which are relavent to fishing our beaches here.

Another reason they have become such a great tool here is many of our beaches have a significant tidal current which allow for a swung fly for these anadromous trout.  So for steelhead anglers looking to scratch that itch while many of our rivers are closed, this has been a savior and the fact that Echo is making one of one a few 4wt switches out there makes it even better since the 6wts tend to be too much for these fish most of the time.

Happy fishing this summer to everyone, don’t leave home without your Stroft!

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Running Lines

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

So, one of the most frustrating things about going on a trip, for an extended period of time, to a place you have never been nor have any of your close aquaintences is the gear build-up. It is the hidden expense not mentioned on a trip price sheet.

Anyway, heading to India forced/allowed/afforded me the opportunity to pick up some of the Ridge Tropical running lines as the water and air temps over there are 70+ and 90+ respectively. What I have since found is that these actually work remarkably well in our colder water situations here. They remain a bit more rigid so they don’t knot up as frequently which consequently also allows them to come off the water much easier.

They are still a far cry from just spooling up a bunch of mono for running line but if you enjoy actually having something you can feel in your hands when stripping in to make the next cast and you’re happy with 100+ foot casts, I sure like them. If you are in the area and want to give them a try before spending the money, let me know, we can go toss a few around for a test drive.

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Compact Scandi’s, not just for steelhead!

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

After 3 weeks in India pursuing Golden Mahseer, I am happy to report that these fish and the methods employed to catch them are also quite conducive to using Compact Scandi heads.  While much of this fishery is still being figured out, I spent much of my time using surface flies and the difference in size of the rivers here make using switch rods and these shorter heads very useful.  One of the other aspects of these fish is they tend to be very spooky whent he water is low and clear so the more delicate presentation derived from these more precision oriented heads helps tremendously.  Next time in India, give them a shot!

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Creeks, Steelhead and Saltwater

Monday, July 27th, 2009

Well, much of Washington is in prime shape for fly fishing at the moment.  Some of the more popular are the Cascade Mountain creeks for small, native cutthroat, both Coastal and West Slope.  Summer steelhead is hot and heavy in some places and to say “tough” in others would be an understatement.  Right now the Cowlitz it is hitting its strike for the summer chromers and should be in great shape for them for the rest of summer and fall.  Those of us located in the more northern portion of the state are holding our breath as the first pulse of pink salmon should arrive at any time.  We are expecting between 5 and 7 million of them back this year and the coho will be right behind them, mixed in in fact.  All this means is that on any given day, we are guiding a broad range of fisheries with a smattering of diverse equipment specialized for each.  Creeks are small and tight so the 0-3wt rods are perfect with delicate WF lines, saltwater is demanding so faster action 6wts with 40+ lines either in floating or intermediate.  Our other favorite for this is also the Cold Saltwater Floating line, great line for the Sound.  Finally, two handing flies to steelhead with the Dec Hogan rods, what perfect rods for novice and advanced anglers, very versatile and while we enjoy Winston as well, these are much more affordable and well appointed.  In short, if you live here in PNW, get out and fish, no lack of variety here and if by chance you don’t, come visit soon.

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