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Fly Fishing affordable fly fishing outfit best fly reel best fly rod fishing popular mechanics st croix imperial fly rod Underground Entertainment
Added Date:
Tuesday, 31 Mar, 2009
Summary
Popular Mechanics magazine - the same mokes who promised us personal hovercraft, "smart" houses and unlimited fusion power when we were kids - do for fly fishing gear what they did for personal transportation, which is to say they got it mostly wrong when they picked the "Best" and "Most Affordable" fly fishing gear.
Content
Popular Mechanics magazine - the same mokes who promised us personal hovercraft, "smart" houses and unlimited fusion power when we were kids - do for fly fishing gear what they did for personal transportation, which is to say they got it mostly wrong when they picked the "Best" and "Most Affordable" fly fishing gear. The Underground would never suggest PM would pick a product based on anything but kickbacks quantitative data, but we gotta ask: do novice freshwater anglers really need to pair a $150 fly rod with Sage's $325 carbon fiber fly reel? Why?
"When fighting a fish, the reel is your most important weapon, and one thing worth splurging on. Not only did we find this carbon-fiber reel to be extremely light and durable, but dialing its drag up and down was effortless, making it easy to tire out our catches before reeling them in."
Oh. See, we thought common sense would be an angler's "most important weapon" when fighting freshwater fish.
We also have questions about the $65 fly line, and the photo itself (click here to see it), which seems to show the fly line coming off the top of the reel, suggesting the reel's on the rod backwards. (No wonder Popular Mechanics could never get the H2O-powered jet engine off the ground).
Maybe I'm just being cranky but then, I'm still not seeing the shadows from all those anti-gravity backpacks flying overhead as people go to work in the morning (and yes, I believe I've been emotionally scarred all these years because of it).
Read More The Underground Picks the Dozen Best Fly Rods of All Time Period Still, in adversity, the Underground sees opportunity.Let's crowdsource a little, and get it right where Popular Mechanics got it wrong:
What would be your choice for the bestest, most-affordable fly reel for the novice angler's trout outfit - something that would work with a freshwater-weight St. Croix Imperial fly rod?
I've got one firmly in mind, but we'll let the wisdom of the crowds prevail.
Leave suggestion, and you're automatically entered in a drawing to win a copy of Steve Apple's Fishizzle DVD
- the percursor to his about-to-be-released "Hustle && Fish" DVD, which we'll be reviewing shortly (disclosure: Apple sent me several copies of Fishizzle and I'm giving them away because I like the guy and think his work is interesting).
See you in your personal jet car, Tom Chandler.
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This is a small town with a big heart, a veritable fisherman’s paradise. Located near the fish-filled Madison River, and surrounded by the waters of Ennis Lake, the Ruby River, Hebgen ... moreLake, Quake Lake, Henry’s Lake, the Big Hole River and scores of smaller streams, the town boasts what many consider the best trout fishing in the world. As well known for its wranglers as its anglers, Ennis has succeeded in maintaining the look and feel of its original, gold town roots. Warm and hospitable, the area offers a wide variety of accommodations ranging from simple campsites, rustic motels and gracious hotels, to full-service, luxury resorts. Fly shops are numerous, stocked by local experts ready to advise and assist, while guides can be booked for trips throughout the area.
Boredom is the only thing unavailable in Ennis. Throughout the summer season the city hosts a series of events, including its renowned 4th of July Celebration Parade and a genuine, old-fashioned rodeo. In August, fly-fishing luminaries from around the US, flock to Montana to compete in the Madison Fly Fishing Festival. Athletes also find their way to Ennis to compete in the city’s Madison Trifecta, two shorter races followed by a full Marathon at 9000 feet, the highest elevation run in America. For the true sportsman, October falls in with the annual Hunter’s Feed. What’s caught, typically elk, moose deer, pheasant and bobcat, gets cooked on the streets and served up to hungry spectators.
Flanked by three grand mountain ranges, The Tobacco Root, Gravelly and Madison, Ennis is scenic and entertaining – truly an authentic, fly fisher’s haven.
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Jackson is the ideal hub for exploring the Snake River, a surging, full spirited river that provides a direct connection between Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National ... morePark. The setting is breathtakingly beautiful – jagged peaks jutting into the sky while the river and its maze of channels and tributaries “snake” their way through the verdant, lush valley. Important to early explorers seeking passage west, the Pacific and Atlantic Creeks reach the Continental Divide at Two Ocean Pass near Jackson and part ways. The Atlantic Creek turns east, merges into the Yellowstone River and eventually flows into the Missouri while the Pacific Creek turns west and merges into the Snake, becoming the largest tributary of the Columbia, eventually reaching the ocean.
Known for its own unique trout, the Snake River finespotted cutthroat can only be found in the waters around the Jackson Hole valley. Considered by experts to have once been the only trout species in the Western interior, it has evolved into 14 different subspecies. To this day, its native range is limited to the upper Snake from Heart Lake to the Palisades Reservoir. Despite the finespotted’s hearty, undiscerning appetite and a seeming willingness to eat just about anything, experienced anglers view this fish as the most aggressive, hardest fighting trout to snare. As a result, when you catch one you earn major bragging rights.
The most heavily fished areas of the Snake’s run through western Wyoming are the 35 miles in the park between Jackson Dam and the 17 remaining miles flowing through Jackson Hole. This section of the river is ranked as one of the best dry-fly streams in the West. Snake enthusiasts recommend floating the river although newcomers are advised to only go with a guide and veterans are reminded to exercise caution, as the water can be turbulent and unpredictable. Should you decide to wade, be mindful of swift currents along undercut banks and stick to quiet, shallow river sections and side channels. Great stream fishing can be found at Gros Ventre River and Flat Creek.
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Maclean’s famous story, A River Runs Through It, is set on the now famous Blackfoot River. Despite this, Robert Redford’s 1992 movie version was largely filmed on the Gallatin as he ... morefelt the scenery and fishing were more cinematic. The river originates high in the mountains of the Gallatin Range inside Yellowstone National Park and flows for 115 miles until it intersects with the beginning of the Missouri River at Three Forks. Inside the Park, where it runs for more than 25 miles, floating is not allowed and there are restrictions on fishing. Once it exits the park, it crosses a forty-mile expanse of mostly public lands, and runs parallel to a highway that makes it quite accessible. Because the river is narrow for much of its run, float fishing is restricted from Yellowstone Park to the confluence with the East Gallatin River. No wonder this river has a great reputation for wade fishing!
Unimpeded by dams, the river provides consistent, easily waded flows from mid-summer through mid-spring. Rainbows predominate with an estimated 1400, 8+ inch, fish per mile from the West Fork confluence at Big Sky to the mouth of the canyon. Browns are abundant accompanied by occasional cutthroats, brook trout, white fish and graylings. New to the lower most band of the river are northern pike. Never known for trophy trout, the river offers excellent dry fly fishing and beautiful surroundings. Since the fish are recognized as indiscriminate eaters, the Gallatin has come to be known as an excellent river for those learning to fly fish.
Like much of Montana, the River played a significant role in the state’s history. First explored by Native American hunters, by the early 1900’s, the area eventually became known to fur-trappers and gold prospectors. By the turn of the twentieth century logging rose in importance to the local economy as loggers famously rode the logs down river to prevent them from jamming. The towns of Bozeman and Three Forks are most closely associated with the River although given the importance of Maclean’s legacy, Livingston should also be considered as part of its history and heritage.
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The Madison River is arguably one of the best trout fishing rivers in all of southwest Montana, if not the entire world! It’s certainly the most talked over, written up and frequented ... morein the state of Montana – which is considered by some the capital of fly fishing. Anglers will find plenty of great access sites to wade or float along the Madison’s banks and reservoirs (including Hebgen Lake and Ennis Lake). Rainbows, browns, cutthroats, and more abound in this majestic fishing stream.
The Madison begins its course almost twenty miles into Yellowstone National Park. Within the Park, fishing rules apply: no live bait and catch and release only. Once outside the Park the river meanders past working ranches, stately conifer forests and cottonwood lined banks, interrupted by riffles and quiet runs that contain large rainbow and trophy brown trout. Flowing alongside Yellowstone’s West entrance road, the river enters Hebgen Lake, created by Hebgen dam, until it reaches Quake Lake, a bit downstream from the dam. At this point the river is commonly called either the Upper Madison or the Lower Madison, although in fact, they are one and the same.
Upper Madison – Quake Lake to Ennis Lake
Directly below Quake Lake the river roars into 5 long miles of Class V whitewater with steep gradients and large boulders along the way. As the rapids decline, the magic begins. For the next 53 miles, often referred to as the 50 Mile Riffle, the cold river runs north and the fish jump high. Annual runs of spawning trout make their way from Hebgen Lake, rainbows in the spring and browns in the fall. Known the world over for its “hard fighting” trout, it’s not unusual to pull a 25” brown from these upper waters. In deference to the purists and fly-fishing enthusiasts, it’s wading only from Quake Lake to Lyons Bridge. Boats may be used to access the river, but if you’re going to fish, your feet must be on the riverbed. Fortunately, the Hebgen Dam releases water throughout the year, leveling its flows and relieving it of spring runoff issues and summer shrinkage.
Lower Madison – Ennis Lakes to Three Forks
A short section of the river between Ennis Dam and the power station maintains relatively low water levels and provides wonderful opportunities for wading. Past the power station the river regains its muscle and for 7 miles winds through Bear Trap Canyon. Hiking trails offer the only entry, great for those that like to walk and seek the solitude of a designated wilderness area. Floating is permitted but requires a lengthy shuttle and the ability to work through Class III-IV whitewater. Once out of the canyon the river flows in shallow riffles until it reaches Three Forks and joins the Missouri. From Warm Springs to Greycliff, the river is easily accessible for drifters and wading.
The Lower Madison provides memorable Montana angling adventures. The river begins below Ennis Lake, flows through the majestic Beartrap Canyon and 35 miles downstream to the Headwaters ... moreof the Missouri River. Because it is dam-controlled, the Lower Madison can be reliable when stream flows are higher in the Spring, and in late Fall when water temperatures start to drop elsewhere. Although not as well known as its upstream neighbor, The Upper Madison, the Lower is an exceptional fishery that can produce trout in attractive numbers and size. The Lower Madison is mostly known as a Brown and Rainbow trout fishery, though some cutthroats do exist in the river. Prolific hatches and large numbers of crayfish and sculpins make for very well-fed fish in The Lower Madison.
The Gallatin is a great freestone River with lots of opportunities to catch wild trout. Located near Big Sky, Montana, it's one of those rivers you just have to cross off your bucket ... morelist. Our wade trips take you along some of the most beautiful and fishable trout stretches of the famous river. Scenes from the movie A River Runs Through It were filmed along the Gallatin river and fly fishermen will recognize the beauty and serenity from Hollywood's adaptation. Anglers can expect mostly rainbows in the 10 to 12 inch range on average and of course some opportunities for pigs as well. There are also whitefish and brown trout but they are not as common. The Gallatin is a great place to learn the basics of fly fishing.
Teton Troutfitters has been in Jackson Hole guiding people on fly fishing trips for 30 years. Something all those years has taught us is how to introduce the Wyoming traveler to Jackson ... moreHole's best trout waters. We are happy to schedule fishing adventures around your timetable. Fly casting lessons, and all equipment for your success, are included with every fishing trip.
As a Wyoming fishing outfitter, we are dedicated to putting you on the most productive waters available. We have utilized National Park Service permits allowing guided fishing and photography of wildlife and scenery in the 2.2 million acres of Yellowstone National Park since 1986, where we wade fish,stream fish and lake fish.
As one of only 10 motorized boat permits for Yellowstone Park, we have access to power boat fishing in uncrowded areas. We drive through Grand Teton National Park to reach Yellowstone, so bring your park pass and camera.
We've been guiding river trips on the Snake River since 1982. These scenic float trips access over 60 miles of river, using a Bridger Teton National Forest Service permit. This is river fishing where eagles and native cutthroat trout thrive.
With equipment provided, we will give you fishing lessons, or instruction to improve your ability. This can be a group and family activity, or a solo adventure.
Also, we fish the whitewater when the time is right. Teton Troutfitters have the safest equipment on the whitewater section of the Snake River using self bailing rafts with custom fishing frames.
We practice catch and release, so bring your camera.
As part of fly fishing Wyoming, we can access over 60 miles of the Green River, just 45 miles away from the Troutfitter shop. Using a Bureau of Land Management permit, we wade and river fish in sight of the Wind River Range.
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