By Tim Romano & Kirk Deeter

At this year's FFR Expo in Denver (where the big manufacturers debut the new stuff) I saw, for the first time in several years, things that I'd consider revolutionary beyond hype:

Rods light as feathers that cast like a dream, lines that float and shoot light years beyond the norm, ultra-light waders, boots, and vests. All good. But they're going to cost you, trust me.
While I am completely jazzed about this new innovation renaissance in flyfishing, I am still left feeling somewhat empty. What I really, really want, when all is said and done, is a set of wader boot laces that might last more than, say, 20 river days. Deliver me from the frayed patchwork of knots and braids for less than $5. Make those laces ... and maybe an air freshener for my truck that smells like frying bacon ... and you'll have my soul and allegiance forever.

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By Tim Romano & Kirk Deeter

By Will Rice

Fflogger learned big tarpon news from a small flyfishing outpost located in a remote area of Costa Rica. According to Jim DiBerardinis, owner of the Tarponville Lodge in Manzanillo, on September 5, 2007 a tarpon estimated to weigh 200.5 lbs was hooked and landed on a green whistler fly pattern just inside Costa Rican waters at the mouth of the Sixaola River. The fish was measured by tape to be 44.5” in girth and 81” in length before being released in healthy condition back into the water.

Ricko Conje of South Africa was the angler who successfully landed the fish and head guide Carlos Arthurs was behind the wheel of the 26’ panga. It was Ricko’s third day on the water when he hooked up just where the waters of Costa Rica meet those of neighboring Panama. The tarpon was brought to the boat using a 20 lb class shock leader in just over two hours.

“We’re not really concerned about IGFA records here at Tarponville. We strictly require every tarpon that is caught to be released and encourage proper handling... [ Read Full Post ]

By Tim Romano & Kirk Deeter

I had the honor of being involved in a very special event this past week. Hooked on a Cure brought a number of anglers, corporations, guides, and others together to raise many thousands of dollars for St. Jude's hospital. I got to rub shoulders with some fishing icons like Flip Pallot, Mel Krieger, Joe Humphreys and Jose Wejebe. Organizers April and Will Conrad and their team were fantastic; I could not imagine a more noble cause.

But I want to make a special nod to Bob Streb and his team of guides at Fly Fishing Outfitters in Avon, Colorado (www.flyfishingoutfitters.net). Those folks showed us around the water for two days, burned through their flies, their gas, their tippet, and most importantly, their time during the prime Colorado season. And when all was said and done, they gathered up what tips they got, and donated them back to the cause. To me, you folks are the heroes of the week. Awesome job. (Photo: Monte Stark)

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By Tim Romano & Kirk Deeter

By Anthony Bartkowski

Two weeks into the NFL season and I have yet to claim any monies from the office football pool. Philly’s miserable outing on Monday left me just shy of at least earning my entry fee back. I even picked 11 games correctly each week. I am going to follow the request of Evan, a dedicated Fflogger follower, to give it the GOOD TROUT FLY CHALLENGE.

Having attended the Fly Fishing Retailer Show in Denver and gathering some catalogs and samples from the major fly manufacturers, I will pit some of these hot looking patterns against some traditionals. I have not had the time to fish these new dandies, but this weekend I will be wetting a line with cold Rocky Mountain water.

This week’s picks are purely based upon inspection of the fly. If I happen to gather monetary winnings instead of ridicule, I may have to bribe Fflogger control to make this a... [ Read Full Post ]

By Tim Romano & Kirk Deeter

Romano and I Just wrapped up our tour of duty at the annual Fly Fishing Retailer trade show in Denver for Angling Trade and Field & Stream magazines. Here's my gut reaction. The show seemed busier, with more hustle and chatter. Word was that the local/regional crowd came in force, while the far away retailers still didn't flock in. F&S deputy editor Jay Cassell is going to feature some specific new product insights on fieldandstream.com soon, but for now, suffice it to say that the theme among new products is "lighter and streamlined." Lighter rods, reels, wading boots, chest packs, etc. By and large, show mojo was good. And while I might be risking a W-esque "Mission Accomplished" moment, I will say that for the first time in years, I got the sense that the tide is rising and not falling in the flyfishing world.

P.S. We got about 100 positive comments about the motorcycle reel test we did this summer, so look for more similar content here soon. [ Read Full Post ]

By Tim Romano & Kirk Deeter

Congrats to the U.S. Flyfishing team for a 6th place finish in the World Flyfishing Championships this past June. If they'd have actually let you flyfish, you probably would have won. I've been withholding comment while I tested this Euro-Czech-Polish nymphing style (the competition standard) out for myself. Super weighted nymphs on tight lines ... oh, it's different, and it catches fish ... by snagging trout in the face. That isn't flyfishing. I'm sorry, the essence of flyfishing is watching a fish follow, chase, and take an artificial ... that deliberate stalk and gulp. I'm just not into "the rake" approach. If you want a real flyfishing competition, it should be done either with dry flies only, or streamers. Period. [ Read Full Post ]