Articles

Sage Introduces ONE Spey and Switch Rods

by Ben Kryzinski - Thursday, Jun 7th, 2012

The new Sage ONE two-handed series. 11'6" 4wt switch, 13'6" 7wt spey and 12'6" 7wt spey shown.

Sage announced yesterday the addition of a collection of two-handed fly rods to its multi-award winning ONE series of rods. The new two-handed ONE collection will be comprised of 14 different spey and switch models, ranging from 4 to 10 weight and priced from $850 to $1025. According to Sage, the rods are "ideal for numerous steelhead and salmon fishing scenarios" -- but with two-handed ONE-series options ranging down to size 4 -- the new spey and switch ONE-series options should please two-handed trout anglers as well.

The new Sage ONE two-handed series. 11'6" 4wt switch, 13'6" 7wt spey and 12'6" 7wt spey shown.

Sage introduced the ONE series last year, to much fanfare. Sage's ONE fly rods use Konnetic™ technology, which according to Sage, makes them noticeably more accurate and lighter weight with a decidedly thinner profile when compared to traditional rods. The ONE series rods was garnered with much acclaim during the past year, having been voted EFTTEX Best Fly Rod, IFTD Best Freshwater and Saltwater Fly Rod, and being named to Field & Stream’s Best of the Best.

The following table provides the specifics on size, weight and pricing for the 14 new two-handed ONE-series fly rods.

Help Scott Fly Rods Raise Medical Expense Funds for Rod Designer Sam Drukman

by Chad Shmukler - Wednesday, May 30th, 2012

Well known fly rod designer Sam Drukman.

Scott Fly Rod company, one of the most respected names in the industry, is attempting to raise funds to help pay for the medical expenses of rod designer Sam Drukman, who was recently diagnosed with acute leukemia. Drukman, a former rod designer for Scott Fly Rods and R. L. Winston fly rods, was recently diagnosed with leukemia while lacking health insurance benefits. Current treatments for leukemia are very expensive, leaving Drukman and his family facing an uphill financial battle.

As a result, Scott Fly Rod -- who describes Drukman as someone that has "contributed greatly to rod design and to many positive experiences for anglers around the world" -- is hoping to raise a significant amount of money to help fund Drukman's battle against the disease. To do so, Scott is selling raffle tickets. The winner of the raffle will have his or her choice of any Scott graphite or glass rod. Tickets are $20 each and there is no limit to the number of tickets each individual can purchase.

Drukman is the designer of the incredibly popular R.L Winston BIIx line of fly rods.

Don't forget to adjust your strike indicator

Ignoring the position of your strike indicator will dampen your hopes for sucesssful hookups

by Chad Shmukler - Wednesday, May 30th, 2012

They slide easily for a reason. Adjust your indicator throughout the day. Pictured: Air-lock strike indicators.

Many beginner anglers have an aversion to rigging or re-regging their fly rod. Thanks mostly to a lack of dexterity that comes with experience, common streamside tasks — dealing with tangles, rebuilding shrinking leaders, switching from a nymph rig to dry fly rig or simply changing flies — can seem daunting or downright annoying. Even those of us that are more accustomed to tying nots and swapping leaders would still rather have our flies in the water than in our hands. But fishing a rig that's improperly setup for the conditions at hand will decrease our chances of success.

Attend the Seattle EPA Public Hearing on Pebble Mine

by Ben Kryzinski - Tuesday, May 29th, 2012

Save Bristol Bay Hearing to Be Held in Seattle, WA

This Thursday, the EPA will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay, Alaska. It is the only public hearing on the topic that the EPA will hold outside of the state of Alaska, making it one of the few opportunities for opponents of the proposed mining project in the lower 48 states to show their support for the Bristol Bay region and its fishery in person.

According to SaveBristolBay.org, "this is one of those times where you can truly make a difference. Please attend this event and let the EPA know how much Bristol Bay matters to Washington state, through the many jobs and businesses it supports; its lure as a world-class sport fishing destination; and the delicious, sustainable fish that graces our restaurants and dinner plates."

Group Petitions Hawaiian Governor to Place Bonefish Under Gamefish Status

by Colin K. Breck - Tuesday, May 29th, 2012

Hawaiian fisherman harvesting a large number of bonefish using nylon netting.

Recently, the picture seen below -- which depicts Hawaiian fisherman net harvesting bonefish from Hawaii's waters -- has circulated around the internet and has stirred up a long running debate regarding the practicality of harvesting bonefish as a commercial catch.

Opponents of net harvesting of Hawaiian bonefish, known locally as o'io, are attempting to have these fish placed under gamefish status by Hawaii's governor. Once under gamefish status, killing bonefish would not become illegal, but Hawaiian bonefish would be harvestable only when caught by rod and reel, thus ending the ability of local fisherman to harvest large catches of bonefish via netting.