Cast & Compare 2011

[John Loebach]

I've been working on this for awhile & its on the calendar. Here are the details & its bigger & better for the 5th year. Its open to all interested in learning more about fly rods & fishing. Don't miss this one!!

 

Cast & Compare 2011

Illinois Smallmouth Alliance

 

5th annual ISA casting event – Bass & Glass

9/17/11 - 8:30am to 12 noon

Glenwood Forest Preserve RTE 25 south in Batavia.

 

Bring your new or favorite smallie rods to compare to others. A unique chance for you to test other rods on the water, side by side. If you are new to fly fishing come out & learn!

This free event is open to all anglers, courtesy of the ISA Bassbuggers.

This years we have Pat Ehlers/The Fly Fishers, Trout & Grouse, Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters, Guidelines, Cortland, LL Bean & Cabela’s with new rods to cast.

Raffle of gear donated by the sponsors. Bassbuggers will grill lunch.

 

First the Glass:

Diamondback Glass – Cortland reintroduced its line of modern glass, we’ll have some.

Cabelas CGR 50Th anniversary glass, these rods are here for a short run, try‘em out.

Why glass? Why not. There is a resurgence in rods produced from this classic material, check out the August/September issue of American Angler magazine for more.

 

Bass rods:

Echo Edge 84 - from Tim Rajeff (rajeffsports.com) & Pat Ehlers owner of The Flyfishers, using new tech resins & 8’ 4” tapers made for bass, pike & musky.

Guidelines - one handed & switch rods. Stuart Green will bring a range of rods & lines that Guidelines offers. Doug Taylor will offer spey casting & rigging assistance.

Trout & Grouse has the new Orvis Access rods.

LL Bean has the Quest II, Streamlight Ultra & Silver Ghost rods.

Cortland, Cabelas & Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters are bringing new graphite rods for trout, bass & saltwater.

 

I anticipate 30+ new rods for this event. Gear is for test casting, not for sale on site. We encourage you to patronize the sponsors & there will be special offers available.

 

Sign in & you will be entered in a raffle including an Echo Edge 84 rod donated by The Fly Fishers & a Quest II rod by LL Bean, a Reelmaster L A reel by Guidelines, & more to be drawn at end of event, your first ticket is FREE.

 

Paddle & Trail in Aurora will have demo fishing kayaks/canoes for test paddling. Paddle & cast separately please.

 

Drift will conduct a macroinvertabrate collect & ID seminar midmorning offering another chance to learn. Results are part of ongoing water quality monitoring reported to the IDNR.

 

Contact: John Loebach Fly Fishing Director, ISA C# 630/251-5904

Or online at illinoissmallmouthalliance.net

[ronk]

Great event not only for ffers but for anyone thinking of coming over to the "darkside." Thanks John.

[eugene f collins]

The dark side is calling

[Guest airbornemike]

Here are some kayaks Charlie from Paddle and Trail in Aurora will be bringing to test paddle.

 

•Hobie Pro-Angler

•Hobie Outback

•Jackson Coosa

•Jackson Daytripper 12

•Native Watercraft Ultimate 14.5

•Native Watercraft Marvel 12

•Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100

•Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120

•Hurricane Open Fisherman

•Old Town Vapor Angler 10

.Wilderness Commander 140

[Steve SPIZ]

ready to throw some bugs look foward to the ECHO read good things now cast one ooohhhooo

[John Loebach]

Its coming day after tomorrow! List of rods & who's bringing them.

 

ISA Cast & Compare2011 -New rods list

 

 

Cabela’s: +Glass

 

Mike Ballenger, Hoffman Estates store

LSI 9’ – 7wt. CGR 5’9” - 3wt.

LSI 11’ – 6wt. CGR 6’6” - 4wt.

Traditional II 9’6” – 7wt. CGR 7’0: - 5wt.

L Tech 9’ – 8wt. CGR 7’6” - 6wt.

TQR 7’ – ¾ wt. CGR 7’6’’ - 8wt.

TFO 9’ 6 wt.

St. Croix Imperial 9’ – 7wt.

 

Cortland:

Tom Steele flydepot.com

Pro Cast 9’ – 8wt. Diamongback glass 8’ – 4wt.

Big Sky 9’ – 8wt. Diamondglas 8’ – 5wt.(old version)

Diamondglas 7’ – 4wt.(old version)

Echo:

Pat Ehlers, The Fly Fishers

Edge 84 8’4” – 6wt.

Edge 84 8’4” – 7wt.

Edge 84 8’4” – 8wt.

Edge 84 8’4” – 9wt.

Edge 84 8’4” – 10wt.

 

LL Bean: Guidelines graphite

Tony Badde, South Barrington store Stuart Green, Doug Taylor

Streamlight Ultra 9’ – 6wt. EXP3 single hand

Quest II 9’- 9wt. ACT4 “ “

Silver Ghost 9’ – 6wt. LPXe “ “

Double L 6’6” – 3wt. Fario “ “

LPXe RSV2 s.h.

Orvis: LPXe Switch (3)

Paul Melchior, Trout & Grouse LPXe Spey

Access 9’ – 6wt. LeCie Spey

Access 9’ – 7wt.

Access 9’ – 8wt. tip flex

Access 9’ – 8wt. mid flex

Access 9’ – 9wt.

Access 9’ – 10wt.

 

Scott:

Jerry Darkes(rep), Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters

A4 series F2 6’6” – 3wt. glass

LS2 11’6” 8wt.

Ross rods

Sago one 9’ – 8wt.

[John Loebach]

I've got set up covered but will need help with sign in & answering questions. Talk to me early on Saturday if you can help - I want all to have some free time to try the boats & rods. If you haven't tried SOT kayaks this is a perfect time to "try one on" for size.

[Ed Buric]

I'll be there

 

Ed B

[maineman]

I plan on being there, John. This weekend is also Oktoberfest in downtown Batavia. Prosit!!

Ron G

[ronk]

I'll be there too.If anyone has any questions about casting just tap me on the shoulder.

[Jonn Graham]

sure wish I could make it. The list of rods and boats is AWESOME. Got a guide trip............rats.

[Mike Clifford]

Good luck on the event today, take lots of photos.

It's never too late to stop by for anyone in the area!

Wish I lived closer myself. This sounds amazing.

[Ed Buric]

Thanks for the great report and pictures.

[Guest rich mc]

i learned alot about rods that i was curious about.and even more about some of the new lines. john, ed, eugene put ona great event. the kayaks were awesome. and good grillin by spitz. rich

[John Loebach]

Thanks to all who pitched in: Ed & Eugene for keeping the sign in & raffle manned, Spiz, Rich & Mark D for cooking & cleanup, Eric for pics, Airborne Mike, Carl B, Ed & Eugene for setup. I am grateful to have the help of so many making it look easy by working together without asking.

Thanks to 62 participants who signed in, without each of you the experience would be lessened.

Finally thanks to the 7 shop owners, reps or store staff for your time & for bringing 50+ new rods of all types, plus 9 canoes & kayaks to try out.

John l

[Mike Clifford]

Outstanding report and spectacular photos. Thanks for sharing all that, Eric.

 

Many thanks to John and the Bassbugger Nation for representing the ISA with an amazing event such as this.

[eugene f collins]

Outstanding report Eric, thank you!

 

the fish gods smiled on me again with that Cadillac of a reel.

I am still trying to catch my first smallie on it.

 

 

Thank you John L. for putting this event together!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With so many flyrods to practice with, it really helped me figure out what I want for a Flyrod.

And to anybody i hit with the line while casting, Thanks for not ratting me out.

[Guest Don R]

Good stuff!

[Jonn Graham]

Man, I wish I could have made it. After seeing the photos, I am really bummed I had a guide trip. GREAT JOB GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am going to have to make the next one. Maybe I could organize one down my way? What do you think John L.?

[Rob G]

Wow, am I envious. Looks like a great time and Yea, would love to do something like that downstate.

[John Loebach]

Jonn, Rob - go for it! Its late for this year but you should have a club outing to generate interest. Work on contacts at the shows this winter & run it next summer. If the reps can't attend you may be able to get rods & return them.I'll help if I can & will certainly come.

[Jim J]

WOW

 

That was a heck of an event!

 

Thank you to all the ISA officers, coordinators and volunteers that made it happen.

 

Boats, fly gear, instruction on a beautiful day.

 

Great going to all!

 

Ron does wear that hat nicely nicely.

 

Great pics!