Steve S.

I've only been fly fishing for a couple of seasons now (though +/-35-40 years ago was actually the first time I fly fished in my youth, strictly for warmwater species), so I think its fair to say I don't know enough about its history to comment intelligently about this topic. I still say in the past few years I see more trends towards marketing to the warmwater angler, though some of that could very well be growing personal awareness of what's out there. Perhaps its more of a recycling of old concepts along with adding new tweaks, I don't know. Gear fishing is not that much different in my eyes in that I think the mfrs. get carried away marketing specific rod series, like G. Loomis does with its smallmouth rods, walleye rods, crankbait, flipping, swimbait.......you name it and it seems there's a rod specific for that species or tactic. Seems to me they're all just variations of light action, medium, heavy, and so on. Maybe this is not a good analogy, but recently there seems to have been renewed and growing interest in hockey in Chicago due to the Blackhawks success as a team, hence a perceived growth in the sport's popularity. In reality, there is a core of hockey fans that have always been here and that core has not really grown significantly, despite the team's recent successes and the improved marketing of the hockey product. So, unless the sport undergoes some major changes, hockey will always be in the minority compared to sports like football, baseball and basketball. Likewise, perhaps fly fishing will never become a majority in the fishing world, but will always have its loyal following of core fly fisherman. Fly fishing has become the majority for me the past few years (probably 80% of my fishing outings are spent fly fishing) and I don't anticipate its going to change.

Other examples I had in mind were various manufacturers introducing rod series, even lines designed to better cast bulkier flies used by the warmwater fly angler, shops setting up to market to the warmwater angler, such as Tight Lines Smallmouth Shop and Pat Ehlers The Fly Fishers in Milwaukee, which offers a Warmwater Fly Fishing catalog. How about Musky Country Outfitters offering guide services specifically for musky, Tight Lines Fly Fishing, Wildwood Float Trips, and many others offering guided trips geared to the smallmouth fly fisherman? I dont view these as gimmicks designed to sell a few more items, but rather a market I see developing in the fly fishing industry. I hate to knock the stores you referenced but I only go to them in a pinch. I'm usually disappointed in what they have to offer. Fly shops are far better, and I try to give them as much of my business as I can. I'd hate to think that one day I wouldnt have that option. It would be like only having Pizza Hut, Dominos or Little Caeasars if you wanted a pizza. Screw that noise!

Ron You brought up a lot of great points in your response.

I think there has been movement in the industry to cater to the warmwater fly fisherman. Doesn't anyone else see this?

Yes, I feel the same Ron. I'm hoping that with the return of the Great Waters Show, someone can pickup the publication and carry on the legacy of Tom's great work.

Also, try fishing with a quick "yo-yo" retrieve.

Yea, i was really jonesing for awhile!

This post reminds me of the old cliche, "One man's junk is another man's treasure" or vice versa. I focus more on improving my knowledge of locating and patterning bass, and fly fishing has certainly increased the challenges of presenting. I'm all for getting rid of the surplus junk.

I had a friend who used to tow his boat and trailer with his '78 Camaro. What can I say, it moved the boat from point A to point B.

Since when do we fish for fun?

Remember the Larry Dahlberg segment we watched on striper fishing? What were they using? Large (and probably high quality) spinning reels. Reason given? So they could reel in their large Sebile crankbaits at high speed, which was the key to provoking the strike that day. That looked like a great trip! Would a large spinning reel (high quality or otherwise) take the fun out of the fight? It just doesn't make sense to me. I think a high quality casting reel is a thing of beauty, ranking right up there with fly fishing gear. Learn to use one and you'll be rewarded.

A baitcaster is just a fishing tool, and some tools work better than others depending on what you're trying to do with it. Is it easy to fish a spinnerbait with a spinning outfit? Crankbait? You can do it, but is it easy and efficient?

My brother tried this last summer and didn't have avoid report, though I can't remember the details.

Thanks for putting that link up!

His show is pretty awesome too and is not just geared to trout. He also has segments on river techniques that is informative. I was going to check out his Bank Robber line of rods he designs for St. Croix. I also like the BIG patterns he ties and the way he thinks out of the box. I used the Sex Dungeon pattern up on the Menominee. The Tight Lines guide I floated with cuts the back hook off, still leaving the articulated section on. Nice tying Jonn. I was really lazy this winter and didn't tie a thing.

So who got the Coosa and who won the fly tying contest?

Looking forward to your product review!

Interesting

I have a lot Ed! Glad to know it could be put to good use.

My uncle called them bunny boots. I still have Sorel's that I got for my 15th birthday. Replaced the felt liners once. They've lasted a long time.

The Rapala floating minnow is one of my favorites too, but I haven't used them much the past few years. Great lure.

I have a Gunfish and I don't feel it walks as well as a Sammy. Which model do you have?

When I'm not fly fishing, the Sammy 100 is my favorite lure to use. I would rather catch 10 bass on it all day than 20 on plastics. Besides, topwater bass tend to average larger. As for losing them to the toothy critters, I used to have that fear but I think I have lost only two in the past few seasons - one to a bite off and one to a monster smallie, and I fish in plenty of pike and musky water. I have had up to a dozen Sammys in my possession at once. Kind of like collecting fly rods! Use them.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Well put Cory.