Thursday, March 28, 2024

CTS FISHING - CrystalGlass Fly Rod Kits

Would you believe that I've never built a fly rod?  I have to say that the urge is getting harder to resist with the many great choices in fly rod kits.  The latest CrystalGlass Fly Rod Kits from CTS Fishing are seemingly a step up from others and you have dozens of blank color choices to choose from.

There are six CrystalGlass Fly Rod Kits to choose from that span from their Quartz 7'6" 3-weight to the Quartz 8'6" 6-weight.  Depending on options chosen, prices for the kits range from $520 to $585.


Visit the CTS Fishing website and check out the new CrystalGlass Fly Rod Kits.

Which one do you want to build first?

FLY SHOP TOUR - Season 2 - Episode 3

The Fly Shop Tour continues with a visit to North Georgia and Atlanta. Click PLAY...



Check out the Flylords website and subscribe to their YouTube channel, too.

WRITERS ON THE FLY - West Coast Tour 2024

The upcoming Writers on the Fly West Coast Tour was recently announced and I sure hope that this typically left coast series of events make it to the southeast coast at some point.  If you're in the area and around on the dates listed below, make some time for this.


From Jason Rolfe of Writers on the Fly...

Writers on the Fly (WOTF), the popular fly fishing reading series and pop-up art show, hits the road again this April with their 2024 West Coast Tour. The Spring tour brings WOTF’s unique mix of fly fishing literature and art to Northern California and southern Oregon, kicking things off in San Francisco and finishing up in Eugene, OR, four days later.

Presented by Sage Fly Fishing, and with additional support from The Flyfish Journal and RIO Products, the 2024 West Coast Tour schedule is as follows:

    Wednesday, 4/24: San Francisco, CA w/ Lost Coast Outfitters

    Thursday, 4/25: Sacramento, CA w/ Fly Fishing Specialties

    Friday, 4/26: Ashland, OR w/ Ashland Fly Shop

    Saturday, 4/27: Eugene, OR w/ Caddis Fly Shop

WOTF began in 2015, establishing itself as one of the most unique, engaging and authentic in-person event series in the fly fishing community. Since its inception, the shows have cycled around the Pacific Northwest with the well-known Cascadia Tour—but this Spring the show expands down the West Coast.

Four talented and inspiring writers and anglers are slotted to share some of their favorite work at each event, along with a featured artist and a local non-profit that will benefit from raffle proceeds and donations. Raffle prizes from Sage Fly Fishing, RIO, and more will be up for grabs.

Headlining the West Coast Tour is writer, filmmaker, musician, conservationist, and troubadour Nathaniel Riverhorse Nakadate. Poet and fishing guide Anne Landfield will join him, along with local writers at each stop. Artist James Sampsel’s work will be on display, and attendees will have the opportunity to support non-profit organizations through prize drawings and donations.

Follow @writers_on_the_fly on Instagram for updates, and visit the Syzygy Fly Fishing website for more info and to purchase tickets.

Sunday, March 24, 2024

KOI: Swimming Jewels

As a child, I can remember CBS Sunday Morning being on in the background of weekend breakfast making on the little color television on tucked in the corner of the kitchen counter.  I don't know how long that show has been on but they sure have done a lot to keep the feel of the storytelling the same.



It's not lost on me that I likely sound like the "Koi Judge" when I talk to non-carp anglers about taking trips to Beaver Island and other places to try to get these fascinating fish to eat a fly. I'm okay with that but it does make me chuckle to myself.  Are you that nerd, too?

TWO/AUGHT JOURNAL - How to Tie the Marabou Madness

It's been awhile since I've shared a good step-by-step fly tying tutorial and this one from Josh Idol of Two/Aught Fly Fishing Co. is a good one.  The Marabou Madness isn't tough to tie and this Chico Fernandez pattern should be in your saltwater box. 


Visit the Two/Aught Fly Fishing Co. website and if you don't want to tie your own, Josh can help you out with a custom order.

MENDING THE LINE - Now on Netflix

In case you missed it on social media over the weekend, the film Mending the Line is now on Netflix.


Friday, March 22, 2024

EPIC FLY FISHING - Joe Mahler on Graphite vs. Fiberglass

Take a few minutes and check out this recent article on the Epic Fly Rods website from fly casting instructor Joe Mahler on the differences between graphite and fiberglass. It's worth a read.

Check out the Epic Fly Rods website and don't sleep on the Stocktake Sale as there are some great deals to take advantage of there.