C&F Design Line Pallet
Enter the line pallet available in 2 sizes, 19” x 12” with 12 cones and a larger 23” x 17” version with 16 cones. It is effectively a tray which will catch your line, before it hits an obstruction; meanwhile the smooth tapered cones store the coils neatly ready for recasting. I can honestly say that during my recent jaunt to the Emerald Isle that I experienced virtually no tangles. Tangles I can handle in small doses!
The C&F Design Line Pallet is ideal for wading
What really gets me are those annoying little rocks (often sharp!) which not only ruin fly lines but generally decide to trap the running line just as it disappears through the rod rings towards a shoal of decent Bass smashing Sandeel! When I was using the CF Design Line pallet this just did not happen. Within moments of hooking a Bass the line was back on the reel and I was in control. If while attached to a decent fish you have ever tried freeing a line caught by a rock or desperately attempted to remove weed as it drags line down tide then you will understand how important some kind of line tray is!
The C&F Design Line Pallet in Action (Picture by Henry Gilbey)
For years I used the “washing up bowl style” and they do work. Whether homemade from your local DIY store or one of the not inexpensive commercially available versions there is no doubting that they are better than nothing. As for the mesh sort, well I would rather do battle with the rocks. However the bowl style baskets have several major drawbacks. At best they are cumbersome which is not ideal for the nomadic approach to fishing, at worst when moving over rocky ground they can become dangerous. On more than one occasion I have caught my breath as the “bowl” got trapped between my body and a ledge leading to that horrible unbalanced feeling. In deep water this style of stripping basket can also become weighed down by liquid, dangerous and uncomfortable.
The advent of the new C&F design pallet has solved many of these problems. It is so lightweight that it can be strapped to a wading belt and you would hardly know it was there. When travelling a considerable distance the smaller version will pack away in a rucksack quite happily; much safer when covering dangerous territory. Alternatively these pallets can be connected to one’s self ready for a substantial yomp by linking the straps to a D ring or something similar. Either way it is far safer than conventional line trays.
It is even handy for storing a rod while releasing a fish! (Picture by Henry Gilbey)
This is also the case when wading. Two straps attach the tray to a wading belt ready for action, which can be quickly released if required, while a leg strap maintains the pallet in exactly the right location. But this is where it gets clever (yet simple) because when wading in deep water the leg strap can be removed leaving a floating line platform! While in Ireland I was wading out well above my waist and able to manage my line very effectively, even when the water was choppy.
The kidney shaped design moulds perfectly to a leg or waist and be in no doubt that this tray could be just as useful when fishing freshwater. In fact stick a bit of Velcro on the back and I reckon it could even be used in a boat! If I had to make a criticism I found that occasionally the cones dropped out, spares are available and I feel sure that the pallet would work even if some were lost. Personally I glued them into place! I am sure that many would argue that this product is expensive, but so is a fly line and it only takes one nick from a rock to ruin both a fly line and a days fishing. Overall a fantastic product that I look forward to using on my next saltwater fly fishing adventure.
The C&F Design Line Pallet is available in 2 sizes. 19″ x 12″ with 12 cones (£50) and 23″ x 17″ with 16 cones (£60). Click Here for further information
Greys GS Scoop Net
The new Greys GS Scoop net represents outstanding value for money, boasting a range of features that will appeal to river anglers targeting Trout, although the large versions may also appeal to those who enjoy night fishing for Sea Trout. As a full time guide & serious competition river fly fisher I demand a lot out of my fly fishing tackle and expect it to meet my requirements; this net ticks all the boxes.
Lightweight Frame & Integrated Magnetic Release
The nets lightweight frame allows it to feel almost weightless to the point you can forget you’re even wearing it, especially as the GS incorporates an integrated magnet within the handle, dispensing with the need for a separate retractor.
Comfortable Handle & Rubberised Mesh
The tapered handle provides a comfortable grip which is all important when netting fish and I also like the wide alloy frame …. there is certainly plenty of room in this net! And, if like me you are prone to getting wrapped up in the excitement of landing a fish the built in elasticised cord ensures the net does not make an unwanted journey downstream!
But the real genius behind this product is the rubberised mesh. I first saw Nick Hart using one of the rubberised Greys Coarse fishing nets for his stillwater fishing back in 2010 and now here is the same mesh used within the GS Scoop net.
Greys GS Scoop Net
Conservation
This mesh has numerous benefits and in particular will appeal to conservation minded anglers keen to shield their quarries protective slime from harm and reduce the spread of harmful aquatic organisms absorbed by standard mesh. Meanwhile the rubberised mesh remains rigid, even in a flow of water, which facilitates resting the fish prior to a quick pose for the camera and a quick release. No more digging around in the bottom of the net for your fish!
No Snags, No Smell!
The mesh is also less likely to snag up, even when fishing barbed hooks (although, please de-barb!) which should ease the frustration when there is a big hatch taking place and you are desperate to get the fly back in amongst the fish! Even better it shakes dry in a matter of seconds ridding the net of fishy odours, making for an all together more pleasant car journey home. In conclusion the GS Net is truly awesome, generously priced product from Greys and I am looking forward to putting mine to good use this season!
Sizes Available / Price
Small = 15 1/2 ” x 11″ £19.99 Medium = 18″ x 13″ £22.99 Large 19 1/2″ x 15″ = 24.99
Varivas Flat Butt Super Yamame Leaders
Flat Butt Leaders are an innovative new generation of tapered leader designed to provide fantastic presentation. The purpose of any tapered leader is to provide improved turn-over ensuring that the fly is positioned as far away from the fly line as possible. The new Flat Butt design offers improved performance over standard tapered leaders, providing both a supple link to the fly which moves naturally with the water and a low riding profile; perfect for dry flies.
The ground breaking Varivas design has created a Tapered Leader that is sensitive and responsive, providing maximum control when attempting a difficult cast under a snag or when casting to a selective fish. Available in 4X, 5X, 6X & 7X, the leaders are supplied in a standard 12’ length. Check out the diagram on the back of packet to show the breakdown of the tapering system.
Benefits of a Flat Butt Leader
Utilising a yellow coloured butt which acts as a highly effective bite indicator, the leader tapers into a super fine clear head to maintain stealth when casting to the most wily Trout. Produced from pure nylon they have no memory (unlike many commercial leaders) while the ability to stretch provides a reliable link and a degree of shock absorption when striking or playing a fish.
More than just a Tapered Leader
The Varivas Flat Butt’s two tone colour represents a leader with multiple benefits which can be used for a range of tactics. Of course these leaders are perfect for dry fly but the 2 tone design is also a joy to use when fishing a single nymph or team of Czech style bugs.
Buy Varivas Yamame Flat Butt Leaders Online Here
What’s floating your fishing boat this year?
Monday morning and here we are in the last week of January already! Time definitely seems to wait for no man and meanwhile we are doing our best to advance the way we live with each day that goes buy. For example I have to say that plugging my iPhone into a dock and listening to live radio still amazes me. So with tunes streaming over the broadband and a hot cup of tea I started thinking about innovation in fishing gear.
Even though the act of catching a fish can be broken down into a set of relatively simple processes there is no doubt that the technology available to us today is developing our enjoyment and overall success. For sure great gear, “god with a rod” does not make , but there is a lot more to our fishing experiences than megabyte starved memory sticks filled with fish. Isn’t it a pleasure just owning nice tackle for starters? Are we not all closet “tackle tarts”? I put my hands up and admit that I am and 2011 is going to be no exception. So what is floating my fishing boat on the tackle scene?
How could I start without mentioning SINTRIX™? SIN … what? I am sure you have heard but Hardy have been busy incorporating a 3M designed material into fly rods. The overall result is Silica Nano Matrix which sounds like it should have a lot more to do with an Apple iPhone than a mere fishing rod! All sorts of statements and views are flying around over the internet but there can be no doubting the buzz surrounding this product which is being touted as the biggest development in rod technology for 25 years. I got my hands on the saltwater version known as the Proaxis last year and was utterly blown away, meanwhile the freshwater Zenith has just won one of George Anderson’s famous “shoot-outs”, read more about that here The claims are that this rod comes in at around 60% stronger and 30% lighter than similar models in its class, made possible by binding carbon fibre together with a resin incorporating silica nano spheres. Enough of the jargon; this is definitely one to watch.
A little less exciting but nonetheless practical is the all new Wychwood Competition Reel Case. Don’t be put off by the word “competition” because although this product has been designed around anglers who frequent the match circuit it still offers a host of features which will be beneficial during an everyday session. The capacity is enormous, up to 18 spools can be stored with ease and there is room for a number of reels plus lots of little cubby hole pockets for those all important accessories. But what makes this a step up from other reel cases is the innovative T Fold design which packs down into a compact unit enabling the bag to be carried around a lake using the carry strap or conveniently positioned ready for action while boat fishing. There is even a waste tippet dispenser! My reels will soon be located in this pent house reel case which funnily enough was created by a gentleman who once made his living designing mobile phones!
They have been around for a while but it was Lewis who got me interested in the Varivas range of leaders and so I intend, in the words of Fawlty, to “give them a damn good thrashing!” Of course the whole idea of a tapered leader is not to thrash and these Varivas products have been developed to provide sublime presentation. In particular the Specialist Dry Fly and Underwater Nymph leaders look interesting while I will be keen to get out and thoroughly test the flat butt system. You can find out more here
For the last couple of seasons my glass Costa 580s have never been far away and it is hard to see how they could be bettered. I guess that some may say that a glass lens produces a heavy pair of shades and of course such quality does not come cheap. Costas solution has been to launch a rang of Polycarbonate lenses in 2011 that are incredibly light and come in at below £200 per set. Granted Costas are never going to be cheap but if you are into visual fishing then the investment is well worth it, attach to a decent lanyard (you are much more likely to lose them than break them!) and be amazed by the underwater viewing ability enabled by a set of Costas. I can find little difference between the Glass or Polycarbonate lens although I will be interested to see how durable the new product is. After two seasons there is not a scratch on my glass Costas.
This post could become an essay because there is so much quality gear coming on to the market and I have not even started on my new found interest in light tackle lure fishing! But it would be churlish to end without at least a fleeting reference to those all important flies. Not more flies! What can possibly be new? Flies are variations on a theme for sure but there is no doubting Iain Barrs ability to innovate new patterns and 2011 is no exception. A few days back an interesting Jiffy bag fell through the door and upon opening a host of mouth watering creations greeted me including some stunning looking nymphs. Will they make it to the favourite flies section by the end of the year?
Who knows? All I can say is that even though we have a few weeks to go until the season properly begins to fire it at least feels like 2011 is now well on the way.
The Brits are back in the Rod Race!
What a fantastic start to the new year! Ken Brewster, the sales & marketing manager at Hardy contacted me yesterday with the news that the Hardy Zenith SINTRIX has won the 9′ #5 “shoot out” conducted by the guys at the Yellowstone Angler fly shop over in the USA.
Based in the Paradise Valley region of Montana, South Livingston, I was lucky enough to call into this fine fly shop during a trip to the area back in 2008, in fact it was a source of inspiration for my own venture here. Out of all the establishments I visited this was by far the best organised and most friendly. The staff certainly knew their stuff. In fact it would be fair to say that George Anderson’s name and business have become world famous in fly fishing circles. So this test was not just a few guys heading down to a field for a quick chuck and a few pints back at the pub to mull over their findings. This is serious stuff. Just check out the charts! (link at the foot of the page)
I have only had time to digest a little of the information so far but the key point is this. The reviewers were all American, the rods that the Hardy Zenith was pitched against were also American. We are talking Orvis Helios, Sage Z-Axis and the new Loomis NRX (this latter rod calling for a remortgage!) To sum up I think this paragraph from the man himself, George Anderson, says it all.
“In our last 5-weight shoot, it was just by a nose. This time it wasn’t even close! The Zenith surprised us all when it swept every single performance category, blowing everyone else away! Hardy has produced some good fly rods in the past, but nothing that we have seen would really challenge the best American fly rods until now.”
Read the full article regarding the “shoot out” conducted by George Anderson, James Anderson, Robert Kovich, and Justin Bolduc here.
And find out more about what makes SINTRIX so special on the Hardy Website.
