By Tim Romano & Kirk Deeter

You know, one of the great things about fishing in Colorado that is you never know exactly what (or whom) you might bump into on the river on any given day... bears... bald eagles... elk... mule deer... even Flip Pallot.

Now, if you're like me, you immediately recognize Flip from his television series, "The Walker's Cay Chronicles," which I believe to be the best written and shot series on flyfishing, ever, bar none. Long before there was ever this Field & Stream gig, I'd wake up, religiously, on Saturday mornings (when I wasn't out fishing) to watch that show. It inspired me beyond words. Moreover, it taught me. Techniques and geography, sure... but more importantly, about a culture, a mindset, and those lessons still guide me.

I'm fortunate enough now to have gotten to know Flip. We've fished. We've hunted (he's a die-hard hunter). In fact, Flip tied the nock indicator on the bowstring of my recurve bow (just used elk hunting) with green dental floss. And in my experience, rarely have I met someone whom I'd seen and heard about, who turned out to be all that, and more. That's Flip. He's the real deal.

And in this day and age, when fishing-turned-television is more about money and sponsors, and guys shaking hands over "money shots" and carcasses... I really think the "Walker's Cay Chronicles" is still a beacon of what could and should be. Oh, there are others who get it, for sure, and other good shows. But, sadly, I can count them on my hands...

What do you think?

Deeter

By Tim Romano & Kirk Deeter

Made in America. Love it? Live it? Or leave it alone?

I want you got give me your best case for--or against--buying a "Made in America" fly rod. Do you spend the bucks and feel the difference? Or do you say all fly rods are equal?

I'm going to take the most "pro USA" comment, and then I'll take the most "pro import" comment and the three of us will then do a little blinded comparison testing, a la the Pepsi Challenge.

You game?

Deeter

By Tim Romano & Kirk Deeter

New Zealand has officially canned the use of felt sole boots with waders. Simms announced that it won't make felt boots anymore after 2009. In Simms' case, the company is launching a special Vibram sole that it says sticks to slippery river rocks better than felt. We'll see, but I'm inclined to think Simms wouldn't bet the bank on something that didn't work.

The motivation for all of this is to stop the spread from river to river of invasive species... like didymo (rock snot), mudsnails, and so forth. The problem, for me, at least until now, is that Aquastealth/rubberized boots aren't as good as felt. Plain and simple.

So I'm wondering if good environmental intentions are worth falling on your butt.

Deeter

By Tim Romano & Kirk Deeter

Some people say a San Juan Worm is a dirty fly. Might as well use a real worm. Others say using egg patterns is a downright nasty trick in any conditions, at any time of year. And there are even a bunch of ultra- purist types out there who say a brass bead is at least a minor offense.

Well leave it to Orvis--that icon of all things pure and traditional--to give us a fly pattern that incorporates all these blemishes on the complexion of fly design in one neat little package: The "Eggi Juan Kenobi," which is part egg, part worm, part beadhead... and all gnarly. Hey, if you're going to take the gloves off, you might as well do it right. The only thing missing is the spray-on scent. Personally, having never been hung up too much on matters of "bad form," and with purely science-based interests in mind, I gave it a ride yesterday. Yeah... it catches trout so effectively, I now have a (mild) guilt complex.

I'm looking for absolution. They say "all's fair in love and war." But in flyfishing? What say you?

Deeter