Product Reviews Summer 2004

By: Shane Stalcup

William Joseph Mosquito Annoyer (Solar Powered)

Every summer the stores stock up on all sorts of mosquito products and this year it is even more important with the threat of West Nile Virus. Products that range from smelly, but effective sprays and lotions to burning candles and bug zapping lights, for the fisherman, insect repellents are bad news if they get on your flies and fly line and this is where the creative minds at William and Joseph can help.  The creative minds at William Joseph have done their home work and have created a simple product that will eliminate almost all mosquito bites. It is called the “Mosquito Annoyer.” The mosquito’s that fill their bellies with our fluids are the pregnant female mosquitoes and these hormonal ladies are extremely “annoyed” by the mere sound of the males. The only problem is that these females are “annoyed” by the males and steer clear of them. Hence, the creation of a device that makes the sound of the male mosquito.

  This small simple product is solar powered and also boasts a six hour battery back up for when you just have to fish past dusk. Just clip it onto your vest and let it do its job. No more worrying if all that deet has washed off your hands before you handle your gear.

  With 95-98% effectiveness, what other reason do you need to carry this safe and clean product? Plus I’ve used it and it really works!

 

Winston Boron IIx Rods

This is the 75th year anniversary for Winston and with that a new line of rods. Winston is known for its dedication to craftsmanship has produced a rod in the true Winston manner. Every rod is built from the passion to create one of the best looking and, moreover, best performing rods on the market.

  The combination of boron and graphite began in 1997 and has lent itself to the creation of some of today’s most casting-friendly rods with a fast action. Unlike like some fast action rods that resemble a broom stick while casting line, the “Boron IIx” is very responsive. The strength of this second generation boron makes casting from short, medium, and long ranges fully achievable. It also casts smoothly and accurately while at the same time allowing for any wind gusts that might come up. The rod guides are made from titanium which helps make the rod a full ounce lighter than comparable rods.

  These beautiful green rods are meticulously made just as they were in the beginning and the research and development that is done on the nearby Big Hole and Ruby Rivers give Winston’s new rod what has become to be known as the “Winston Action.” Available 3 through 12 weights, all rods are 4-pieces.

 

Scientific Anglers XTS Gel Spun Backing

It is usually the simple things in life that can make all the differences in the world. Take for example fly line backing. What do we really need it for? How many times have you had a fish take you into your backing? Seeing your backing attached to your fly line is almost only viewed through the opening in your spool.

  I t does help to fill up the spool so your fly line doesn’t require so much stretching do to coiling but how do you fill when that once in a life time fish does take you to your backing and you see the cotton- looking sewing thread begin to peel off your reel? No only are you anxious about the fish you have just hooked, but also preying that your backing, as well as your fly line, doesn’t break.

  The scientists at 3M have once again taken something simple and made it almost a revolutionary product. The new “Gel Spun Backing” is thinner than regular backing and it is 10% stronger than steel in equal diameters. This braided material is thinner making it possible to put up words of 75% more backing onto you reel and its smooth coating finish will almost eliminate the wear and tear on your guides. I have even put SA’s fly line cleaner on it to make it cast further and run through the guides like greased lightning. It is also imperious to UV rays, gas, salt, and any other elements.

    It is truly amazing that such a simple product has been projected light years ahead by the SA laboratories. With such a small diameter and 30 or 50lbs. strength, why take the chance on backing your fly line with old technology when something so superior can give one piece of mind when that fish of a life time finally arrives on the end of your fly?

 

Sticky Weight

For years there have been several products out on the market with such similar names as “Shape a weight.” The only problem with a lot of these products was that during the summer they would melt and run all over the pocket of your vest and creating a big mess. Then in the winter you needed a jack hammer to jet the stuff out of its container. All these problems are a thing of the pass finally. We now have “Sticky Weight.” Sticky weight roll not only hold its properties in hot and cold weather but it is made with tungsten. By now we are familiar with how much heavier tungsten is then lead or else they wouldn’t have ever come out with tungsten beads.

  Being a lead free product is also nice as to not interfere with any of mother natures creatures. For maximum adhesion, put the putty onto your line and roll it up and down the line into a long thin shape while continuing to apply pressure to the line. This way, by forming your weight into this shape you are less likely to get hang ups. The best part about Sticky Weight is that it is reusable and it comes in its on container.

 

HMH Vise

  For over twenty years I have been using the same vise and it works as good today as it did the day I bought it. If roughly 3,000 doz. flies a year coming from the same vise doesn’t speak highly enough about the quality of this product, I don’t know what will. There is nothing more frustrating to a tier than having the hook slip in the vise when you are trying to tie. The HMH regular or the Spartan will hold any hook you can put into it with just a simple push down of the handle. This is because they are the only vise company that has jaws for specific jobs. If you want to tie 4/0 saltwater flies fine, they have a jaw for it. If you want to tie size 26 midges, fine they have a jaw for it, if you just want an all around jaw they have that as well. No other vise company has a midge jaw quit like HMH. Plus, the “HMH standard and Spartan” is a complete rotary vise. Furthermore, competing vises are either to big or have so many adjustments you have to have an engineering degree to try and figure them out. The HMH is based on the simple principles that the ole Thomas A vise had. When it comes to products that work the best, it is usually the simple ones that work the best.

  Both vises come with inter changeable jaws and the vise itself carries with it a life time guarantee. The newest thing to come along is the tube flies. HMH has made special parts to create these flies along with a special vise just for this job. A nice feature if that is all you want to tie. The best thing however to come from HMH was the redesigning of the Spartan vise. It costs around $150.00 and it will accept the jaws from the bigger vise making it the perfect traveling vise. This is a true tier friendly vise and once you compare them to others, I am sure you will see the instant advantages simplicity has over complexity.

Premo Goose Biots

Many of today’s flies are being made from biots which come from the primary feather on either the goose or turkey. The problem with goose biots is that they are limited in the size range you can use them for and that is why turkey has to be used. The key feature of the goose biot over turkey is that when it is wrapped forward, you will end up with a dark rib and a solid color such as on a blue winged olive. Turkey on the other hand will start off giving you the dark rib for about three turns and then it disappears because the main portion of the biot is translucent.

  Knowing this, Hareline Dubbing has made available what they call “Premo Goose Biots.” These biots are “ALL” hand selected for length so that flies from a size 14 dry on down to however small you want to go is possible. The goose biot also gives the tier another added bonus. Since the biot tapers down from a wide top and progresses down to a fine point, the body will automatically develop a tapered body. What more could you ask for from one material? You get the perfect segmentation of the natural, a tapered body like the natural, and they are all specially dyed to match all the major hatches across the country. If you would like to make your flies look more natural whether it is on a BWO or PMD, just replace the dubbing which is described in so many books with one of these super biots.

Bimini Bay Clothing

There is a new clothes line in town and it goes by the name of “Bimini Bay.” What makes these clothes so different from the others? The best of there top of the line shirt which goes by the name of “Cabo Angler Shirt” will only run you about $40.00 dollars while others with similar qualities will go for $75.00 dollars on up! It is a 100% Dupont Supplex shirt which has been peached making it one of the most comfortable shirts you will ever wear. This shirt comes either in a long sleeve or short sleeve and a multitude of colors. With hidden mesh bellows and a roll down collar which can roll up for sun protection makes this line of shirts one of the best values on the market today.

 

The Cabo Shirt is also accompanied by “Cabo Supplex Zip Off Pants.” Again, the pants are made from 100% Supplex with a Teflon HT coating for stain resistance and water repellency. They also have an integrated web belt and comfortable mesh bellow pockets for ventilation along with pockets just below the main pockets for added hiding places to put what ever you want into them. The price of the pants matches the shirt so that the angler or family members won’t have to take out a loan for some of the top of the line clothing. Another top notch pair of pants is the “Cut Throat Zip Off Pants.” They are 100% quick drying nylon with a mesh liner. Unlike the Cabo’s, The Cut Throat does not have the integrated belt. Without this added feature you can guess that the price would reflect it and you would be right. These pair of pants which I wear all the time runs around $30.00.

  Just from the short sample of clothes mentioned one can instantly see how much money can be saved by purchasing these high quality yet low budget clothes.

 

 

BOOK REVIEW

“Mastering Pike on the Fly: Strategies and Techniques by Barry Reynolds "

  Over a decade ago a new type of fly fishing came to Colorado and was made popular by Barry Reynolds. This was fly fishing for pike. His first book which he co-authered with John Berryman proved to be a huge success and get people interested in fly fishing for something else rather than trout. In 2004 Barry has once again penned his thoughts to paper but in a much more detailed way. In his new book, “Mastering Pike on the Fly,” Barry has revealed more of his secrets to benefit the reader.

  In this 254 page book Barry covers just about all that one could cover on fly fishing for pike and then some. One of the major points Barry points out time and time again is how important it is for the weather and waters being fished to remain constant with out any fluctuation. Once the fish can get into their groove because of stable weather patterns, Barry tells us how to go about catching and fishing for what can be referred to as the “Water Wolves.”

   In a very detailed way, we are lead down a systematic way of presenting our flies, what type of flies he uses(80% streamers), and the tools of the trade to accomplish this task. Most readers will think of pike fishing only relating to lakes but with one of his secrets, Barry tells us how productive rivers can be as well. Whether the water is coffee stained or crystal clear, or whether it is spring time or fall, Barry unveils his years of experiences on the most productive ways to approach these situations.

  Since this is a book about a fish that can turn your hand into hamburger in a second, I particularly liked the section on the leaders he uses and how to tie the knots necessary in attaching your fly. The explosive nature of the pike is also shown in several photos along with a color section which readers will surely like. Plus, many of the waters mentioned are in Colorado so that any resident reader can apply Barry’s knowledge to our home waters.  If you ever thought about fly fishing for pike or thought you knew it all, think again. Mastering Pike on a Fly will definitely have something for everyone to learn from whether novice or pro.

 

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