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 ]

By Tim Romano & Kirk Deeter

Last Saturday Ellie and I left our home in Boulder to go fishing. We drove for two hours, sped past Clear Creek, over the Blue, past the exit for the Colorado and the Yampa. We ignored the turn-off for the high mountain lakes of Guanella Pass, the Arkansas river and took merely a passing glimpse of Gore Creek before heading north of Vail on a dirt road for 12 miles. Why would we bypass some of the best water Colorado has to offer? Sometimes you just crave your secret spot... The spot you've been to a dozen times and never seen another angler. The spot that has yielded all four species of trout in one day. The spot that no matter what giant, gaudy, dry fly you pluck out of the box - you know will be eaten...
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By Tim Romano & Kirk Deeter

Okay, I was wrong about the name of the fly that I posted on the 5th. Her name is Sculpzilla. She was created by Ed Day and can be found at Solitude Fly Company. This streamer works so well because the hook is a stinger. It actually hangs off the back of the main body of the fly. The hook is also a short shank and off-set a bit to increase your hook-up ratio. And the thing has blood red eyes. I mean, what trout could resist such a delectable treat? [ Read Full Post ]