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...
[ Read Full Post ]

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 ]

By Tim Romano & Kirk Deeter

The month of August, sometimes the peak of the "summer doldrums," provided some consistent fishing and some of the best bonefishing that I have ever seen. Though the weather was typical August (hot & humid with afternoon storms) the bonefish and their behavior was anything but typical. Generally, during this time of the year the bonefish are most active at first or last light or only active at midday on strong tides around the full and new moons. This year has been different.

I have been finding large schools of bones (up to a hundred fish) waking and tailing across large backcountry banks to the east of Key West. These fish have been most active at the beginning of the incoming tide, even if that occurs at midday. On some days the we are seeing five or six schools this size, waking in various directions around the boat at the same time. We are also seeing more fish actively tailing in the heat of the day. Just yesterday, we had multiple shots at large fish tailing and rooting around in less than eight inches of water at around 1:00 in the afternoon. Most of... [ Read Full Post ]

By Tim Romano & Kirk Deeter

By Anthony Bartkowski

Labor Day Weekend was uneventful in Colorado. I took some time for myself last Friday to have an easy day of fishing. I decided to toss the single-man pontoon into the truck and try our Antero Reservoir. This reservoir has been the talk of the state since it reopened earlier this summer. I have not had a chance to try my skill at it until the other day.

I remember fishing it before it closed several years ago and it was always good. The fishing was a little below average. Of all of the fish I hooked it was a good sign to see the healthy well being and fight of all. The largest was a rainbow about 17” and a good solid girth.

The fish were keying in on green scuds, Quill Body Emergers, and BWOs. The bug activity... [ Read Full Post ]