Product Reviews Spring 2004

By Shane Stalcup

 

Thomas and Thomas Helix Fly Rod

Thomas and Thomas released a new rod in 2003 that only T&T can; an extra smooth casting rod that tracks true with every cast and that can present a fly with ease at 20ft. or 50ft. The Helix is new not only in name but in the way that the graphite is made. The fiber is laid in a matrix orientation so that the overall strength of the rod is greatly increased, insuring the angler that the rod is less likely to fracture or break. A nice insurance if you’re a few hundred miles away from the nearest fly shop if a mishap should happen. Keeping with their tradition, the Helix is a beautiful deep blue color with the furls wrapped in a deep maroon color and the highest quality components finish off the rod. Over all, this medium fast action rod, when put into waiting hands, gets the thumbs up approval after the rod is pried from the casters hand.

 

Daylight lights

When it comes to tying your own flies there is nothing worse than trying to tie a midge under bad lighting, let alone any type of fly. Several companies have dabbled in the lighting area but none have come close to what The Daylight Company has achieved. This new company, which first appeared in Denver at the first fishing show this year at the Mart, has hit the road running and hasn’t looked back. There is no light that can come close to the quality and price of this light.

There are lights out there that look like it but cost 3 times as much! That’s right; the Daylight Table Top version along with a magnifier only costs $89.99! Its nearest competition comes in at a whopping $279.99!! The Compact model, which is perfect for the traveling tyer, is only $49.99. It has been a long time since something in the fly fishing market with so much value and quality has been so cheap in price and high in quality has come along. If that wasn’t enough, the light doesn’t give off any heat either. So you don’t have to worry about working up a sweat when you sit down to tie your flies. Every now and then there is something that comes out in the fly tying world that everyone can embrace and these new lights are it for 2004.

 

 

Scientific Anglers Mastery Series Trout Line

In 1952 3M Scientific Angler constructed the composition of today’s floating fly line. Some 52 years later their technology has given us what some might say is the perfect dry fly line, which is called Trout Specialty Tapered Fly Line. Although this supple fly line with its low memory and excellent flotation is unsurpassed for dry fly fishing, don’t be fooled by its delicate and accurate performance when it comes to casting your favorite nymphs. This line will do it all. It is a perfect blend of the GPX and the XPS all encapsulated into one line. The heart or core of the line is braided multifilament nylon with optimum air entrapment for minimum memory and maximum flotation. The coating is 3M’s PVC integrated patented AST (Advanced Shooting Technology) which comes in a dark willow or fire orange color.

            As you stare down stream waiting for that gentle sip to appear, you can count on Scientific Angler’s years in the lab to make sure your fly lands where you want and that gentle rise appears as you watch your fly disappear.

The Trout line retails for $59.95. In the WF it comes in line weights of 3-7 and in the double tapers it comes in line weights of 2-6. So visit your nearest Scientific Anglers Mastery Dealer soon.

 

Lamson Velocity

Lamson was one of the first to produce a fully machined high quality reel several years ago. Today they are still looking forward and the result is a modestly priced reel called the Velocity. The Velocity has become one of Lamson’s number one selling reel, not only because of its price but also because of its function.

            It employs a truly unique drag system second to none. It has fully sealed conical elements which when drawn together provide one of the smoothest drag systems on the market today. This means the drag is fully protected from moisture, salt, and grit. In other words, a trouble free drag system the angler never has to worry about and is very responsive to light drag settings, making it very reliable.

            Besides the unique drag system, the Velocity provides a truly large arbor spool. It is large in circumference and width so that the line is stored in a shallow layer, which gives the angler a higher retrieval rate. The reason it is important—or better yet, nice—to have your fly line stored on your spool in a shallow layer is that it helps to eliminate line coil. The Velocity comes in a smoke color and its recommended line weights are 3-10. The general price ranges around $200.00. For the price, this is one reel worth looking at.  

 

Magic Tool Clip Set

When it comes to fly tying this hobby is never short of new tools or gadgets to play with. This year however, a new product has particularly caught my eye. This new tool is Marc Petitjean’s Magic Tool Clip Set. For years I have loved to use C.D.C. whenever I can and have fumbled around with various techniques to make these feathers work in ways that were somewhat difficult. Today that has all been changed. If you know how to use a dubbing loop, you are going to love this new tool set.

            The set consists of 3 clips (I like to call them material tables), 2 clamps, and 3 wooden equalizers. The clips are different sizes so you can pick the one which is right for the size fly you are tying. These are really the heart and soul of the kit. This is where you can let your imagination go and get real creative. For example, you can first lay down a thin layer of ice dubbing across the opening and then lay across this two different colors of c.d.c. One note, before you lay down any feather, pull the fibers back against the grain so that the fibers stick out parallel to the stem.

Once you have all the material you want on your clip or table, take some fine wire or mono and lay it across the top of the material and then pull the materials down into the clip. Then take one of the clamps and grab the fibers that are sticking out of the clip and release the clip. Once the materials are in the clamp, cut off the stem of the feather and then place the material into your waiting dubbing loop. Once this is twisted together and wrapped onto the hook you are going to want to sit there all day trying one combination after another. Just recently Mr. Petitjean has released a Magnum version, which is great for streamers and larger flies. The Magic Tool Set will run around $35.00. If your favorite fly shop does not have it yet let them know it is distributed by Hareline Dubbing.

 

Cliff’s Bugger Barn

When it comes to fly boxes the angler has a sea of boxes to wade through. One company has held its own on the shelves in fly shops and it always has its own place. This fly box is Cliff. Cliff is known for its quality workmanship and ease of opening. Just one push of your thumb on the latch and the lid pops open. For 2004 Cliff introduced a mega box called “The Bugger Barn.” Only someone from Wyoming could come up with a name like that but it is fitting. This whopper of a box measures 8 1⁄2” X 4 1⁄4” and comes complete with slit foam inserts. This is the perfect box for streamers, larger dry flies, saltwater flies, bass flies, or what ever you want. This thing will hold enough flies to keep an angler fishing all season. It retails for around $19.95 so you can buy two and still have some money left over.

 

Tying Emergers, by Jim Schollmeyer and Ted Leeson

If you ever wanted to learn or see several emerger patterns gathered all into one venue, this book is for you. In 344 pages Jim and Ted present 217 flies from tyers around the world. You immediately get the sense that this book is going to be different the minute you open up the cover and look at the contents. Instead of text, of which there is some, you see flies depicting what will be covered on the following pages.

            The book is broken down into several categories, such as bubble and brushed sheath emergers, float pod and suspender emergers, tuft emergers, and parachute emergers, to mention a few. Of the 217 patterns shown, the menu covers mayflies, caddis flies, and midges. Jim’s great photography shows us some patterns that we have become familiar with over the years as well as some we have never seen. Some of the most interesting ones come from the international tyers, and it is most appealing to see how they go about creating certain emergers for the hatches mentioned. It is also nice to see so many tyers using c.d.c. in so many different ways.

            Just so you don’t get too intimidated as you venture through the step-by-step patterns, the authors first take the time to show you some basic tying techniques that will help with some of the patterns in the book. Also, they go over some materials and good hook choices. Today, more and more anglers, as well as tyers, are relying on emergers as they head to their favorite waters, and this is a book that all should have. The Spiral Hard Bound retails for $59.95, and the soft cover retails for $45.00.

 

 

About the Author

Shane Stalcup is an expert fly tyer and fly-fisherman from Denver, Colorado. He is the author of Mayflies: Top to Bottom, and has produced numerous fly tying videos, including “The Mayfly Life Cycle,” “Tying Mayfly Cripples,” and “Tying Mayfly Emergers.” You can order his books and videos online at www.stalcupflies.com.

Email Shane with any comments or questions at: stalcupflies@earthlink.net