Articles

Cheeky Ambush 375 Reels Now Shipping

by Ben Kryzinski - Friday, Sep 2nd, 2011

Ambush 375s reading for boxing and shipping.

If you're one of the many hardcore , your wait is over. Cheeky announced that their Ambush 375 reels are being boxed and shipping out today. The Ambush 375 is a freshwater reel designed for line sizes 5 through 7, which holds up to 200 yards of Dacron backing while weighing in at only 5 ounces. It features Cheeky's KarbonEVO sealed disc drag system, built from Formula 1 racing components.

If the whole "built from Formula 1 racing components" thing didn't clue you in, Cheeky reels don't come cheap, but fans swear by them. The Ambush 375 retails for $640, with spools clocking in at half that price. Pre-orders are still available via Cheeky's site, but there's no word on whether the currently shipping stock only fills pre-orders or leaves enough for newcomers to buy the Ambush and have it ship relatively quickly.

PA Wild Trout Assessment Project Receives $240k in New Funding

by Ben Kryzinski - Wednesday, Aug 31st, 2011

A typical Pennsylvania wild trout stream.

According to an article published yesterday in the New York Times, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's ongoing project to assess and identify previously un-surveyed wild trout streams -- now in its second year -- is slated to receive $240,000 in new funding. These funds will provide a major boost to the proactive Pennsylvania effort to identify and manage wild trout streams, which many consider particularly important given the relative co-location of many of these streams with the ever-increasing natural resource excavation efforts in areas of the Marcellus Shale.

20 Questions with Tom Larimer

by Chad Shmukler - Monday, Aug 29th, 2011

TL + jet boat.

After years of fishing everywhere we can, and getting to know people in the process of doing so, we've been lucky enough to build relationships with some of the best and most innovative fisherman out there today. Some are professional guides, some are part-time guides, some are captains, some are just fisherman. All are brimming with experience, insight, and good stories. So we cooked up this idea to do a "20 Questions" segment with some of these folks. For now, it is just that, but we've gotten the not-too-subtle message from our first two interviewees that we need to learn to cork it after a while. So, we'll see.

Following is our interview, somewhere around 20 questions, with Tom Larimer -- guide on the rivers of Oregon's Columbia Gorge for steelhead and trout. To learn more about Tom, including links to his blog, check out his profile.

Simms, Sage Products Tops at IFTD 2011

by Ben Kryzinski - Saturday, Aug 27th, 2011

Simms ProDry GORE-TEX Parka / Jacket, Bib and Pants

Last week, many different products were honored with awards at IFTD 2011, the International Fly Tackle Dealer show in New Orleans, LA. However, only two companies stood out by winning more than one award, Simms and Sage. This will likely come as a surprise to absolutely no one, as Simms and Sage are widely considered two of the finest manufacturers in the fly fishing world. Each manufacturer was honored for products they are best known for, Simms for outwear and Sage for rods.

Simms not only received honors in two individual categories (Best Outerwear, Best Wading Gear), but also received Best in Show honors. Surprisingly enough, the product for which Simms received Best in Show honors -- their brand new Simms ProDry GORE-TEX Jacket, Bib and Pants -- isn't even targeted at the fly fishing community. Well, at least not primarily. The ProDry series is a new, waterproof outwear line Simms has been developing and testing in partnership with the folks at GORE-TEX for several years and which Simms is targeting primarily at the bass fishing community. If you're aching to run out and outfit yourself with the ProDry parka and bibs at the kindly retail price of $899, you'll have to wait. The ProDry lineup is only available via the Simms Pro Program for 2011. The rest of us rabble will have to wait till 2012 to get our hands on them.

Salmon River 2011 Fall Forecast

by Walt Geryk - Monday, Aug 22nd, 2011

September is knocking.

September is almost here and the anticipation of Salmon and Steelhead Season arriving in about 4 weeks is causing fly and spey rods to twitch. In other words, get ready! Salmon fever inflicts all types of ailments: brain cramps, delusions, and peculiar visual maladies that result in difficulty differentiating between suckers, salmon and even the shadows of overhead clouds.

I am sure you’re all wondering what the fall salmon season will bring, especially given the low water conditions due particularly sparse rainfall this summer. Though I don't have a crystal ball, I do have the benefit of having experienced several previous seasons on the Salmon River with similar weather conditions. The way these past seasons have played out, combined with the current conditions on the lake, suggest we could be in for a particularly good king and coho season.