Too Many Fly Rods: A Portrait Of A Terrible Addiction

Category:

Fly Fishing

bamboo fly rods

fly rods

gear addiction

Added Date:

Thursday, 24 Oct, 2013

Summary

To say the Underground's office is a mess is to give messes a black eye. A stack of computers fills one corner while two architect's blueprint racks fill the other (they're holding rod tubes).

Content

Fall is when everything happens at once -- including denial.

To say the Underground's office is a mess is to give messes a black eye. A stack of computers fills one corner while two architect's blueprint racks fill the other (they're holding rod tubes). Bookcases line the back wall and my actual work stuff -- desk, Linux-powered PC, random piles of paper, etc -- occupies most of the middle.

In between lies the detritus generated by what I'll grandly suggest is An Outdoorsman On A Fall Tear. After all, Fall is the season where everything happens at once. Call it an assault on the space/time continuum.

fly rod tubes

It's time someone spoke out about the terrible toll taken by... fly rod storage abuse...

In one big pile, I've got recently used fly rods and my fly fishing gear duffel (a smaller pile to the left holds M1's fly rod and tiny pack).

In another pile, I've heaped targets and shooting gear (oddly, I won two local shooting competitions the last couple months, and with only one or two matches left until next spring, I'm practicing).

And after a two-year hiatus, I'm again shooting the Bogey Charity Sporting Clays tourney (Sunday, November 3, and it's for a good cause), so two cartons of bright orange, biodegradable clay birds -- and the machine that throws them -- sit right in the middle of the floor.

Frankly, you need advanced survival skills just to make it to my desk.

Too Much Gear; Too Many Fly Rods

What I'm politely calling "The Disorder Issue" came to a head a few weeks ago when I had a 90 minute window for fishing. Sadly, I spent 15 of those precious minutes looking for a specific fly rod in the rod rack.

It's possible a less hard-headed fly fisherman would have gone with whatever was on the top of the pile. And a more organized one would have put the rod back into the right tube in the first place.

Given that my office looks like an exploded sporting goods superstore, I'm clearly prone to learning a different lesson.

It's time to thin the fly rod herd.

Tellingly, in just the "small to medium stream bamboo fly rod" category I've got two James Beasely built 8' 5wts and a 7.5' 4wt. And two (identical) 8' 5wt impregnated Phillipson Peerless rods and a somewhat lighter-tipped 8' 5wt Phillipson Premium. Plus a 7'9" Para-14 (blank built by Mark Ruhe), and an 8' 5wt prototype of Raine's best-selling Upper Sac Special.

That's just the cane.

In the fiberglass bin I can see a mind-boggling dozen fly rods in the small stream club (to get an accurate count, I had to go downstairs and look at the rod rack). In graphite, there are four more contenders.

For those of you who are not math savants, that's 24 potential small stream fly rods, all of which are hiding in tubes (many of which are generic PVC).

Add the embarrassing number of longer/heavier fly rods, and things start to look a little grim in the denial department. (How many 8.5' fly rods do I own?? Are they reproducing in there?)

Hi, I'm Tom, And I'm A Rodaholic...

I'll admit to emotional attachments to a lot of my rods, but I can identify at least ten really nice fly rods that remain sadly underfished.

The powerful, tight-loop throwing 8.5' 5wt Thramer hollowbuilt is wonderful, but I don't live in a windy environment or fish long distances from a drift boat enough to use it. Same goes for the 8' 6/7 wt Dickerson Guide Special built by Gary Williams, which caught a 16" Upper Sac rainbow trout the first time out, and hasn't been fished since.

Read More The Underground Picks the Dozen Best Fly Rods of All Time Period

The 8' South Fork fiberglass 5/6 wt has never been fished, and for that matter, do I really need three 8.5' Phillipson 5wts (two of which are Premiums)? Shouldn't that 8.5' 5wt Diamondback Classic go to someone who will fish it?

I suspect these are the kind of questions almost every fly fisherman asks at one point or another, though I get the impression most do it privately -- before pretending the whole inner monologue never took place.

This is starting to take on the tenor of a confessional, which makes this next bit even worse.

I don't have all the rods I want.

Chris Raine's 8' 4wt is a stunner. I can't afford one at the moment, but whenever I walk into the shop, I casually look over the rod rack in the hopes of finding an 8' 4wt, thinking I'll cleverly distract him before taking off with the rod ("Look over there at that thing which is nowhere near the rod rack!")

Problem is, every time he finishes one he sells it immediately. He recently built one to order and cunningly crafted another at the same time, figuring he'd finally get one for the rod rack.

It sold before the varnish dried. Thus, my life of crime remains on hold.

In addition to my cane rod lust, we're seeing a raft of new fiberglass fly rods (from Redington, Orvis and Echo). It's only fair they get a trial. And the Steffen 8' 3/4 wt fiberglass fly rod (the maker's favorite) still beckons. As does the 8' 2wt Orvis Superfine Touch.

Fortunately, I can quit any time I want.

Blame The Other Guy

At least I'm not alone.

Just a week after the Frantic Rod Search, I had an email exchange with fellow gear whore Cameron Mortenson of Fiberglass Manifesto fame, who allowed that maybe he'd also collected a few too many rods. Still, I admire his artful avoidance of the problem; he said maybe if I decided to stage my own intervention he'd do it too.

That's basically one addicted gambler betting one someone else's addiction -- a wholly artful dodge worth at least a salute, if not a drink.

Still, the concept of a lean, mean fly rod rack is a seductive one; even with a 90-minute timer running on a trip, I could saunter up to the rod rack, unburdened by uncertainty or the greatly reduced chances of a misplaced fly rod.

I would be the master of my own fly rod domain. I would rule my fly rods (instead of apparently the opposite).

Attractive thought, but as we know, money corrupts. And the money raised from the sale of those unused fly rods would -- as the Greeks taught us -- come back to haunt me (like Client Eastwood in High Plains Drifter, only less organized).

After all, I never did buy that sporting clays shotgun. Or the German-made 10-meter airgun. And let's not forget the list of rods above. Or all the goodies surrounding the outdoor sports.

I wouldn't stand a chance.

In other words, in terms of outdoor sporting equipment, the Lord may taketh away (mostly via eBay), but he has a tendency to giveth back, and in ways that clutter your storage space even worse.

Read More Big Fall Fishing

See you at the rod rack, Tom Chandler.

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Featured:

Author

Tom Chandler

Destinations

Ennis Montana

(2)

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.

Trips:

4 Days 4 Rivers Fly Fishing Package in Montana

Float Trip on the Yellowstone River with Zach Neville Outfitters

Float Trip on the Upper Madison River with Zach Neville Outfitters

All 61 Fishing Trips

Fishing Waters:

Gallatin River Fishing Report

Ruby River Fishing Report

Jefferson River Fishing Report

All 6 Fishing Water Reports

Destination Blogs:

Learning to Fly Fish in Montana

Fly Fishing Packing Check List for Montana

Perfect Day Fly Fishing: the Gardens at Ennis Montana

All 15 Blog Posts

Fishing Waters

Jefferson River Fishing Report

(2)

The Jefferson River is an important part of a system of rivers that combine to form the majestic Missouri. Starting at the confluence of the Big Hole and Beaverhead rivers near Twin ... moreBridges, Montana, it winds 77 miles in a northeasterly fashion to Three Forks. Here, it meets with the Madison and Gallatin rivers that together converge into the Missouri River at the Missouri Headwaters State Park. Like so many other rivers in Montana, the Jefferson, named by Clark in honor of the U.S. President, runs deep with history. In fact, the Jefferson River is a segment of the larger Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, administered by our National Park Service.

When thinking about the Jefferson, a Class 1 river for recreational enjoyment, most observers view the river in three distinct sections. Characterized by slow, meandering flows, the upper third works its way through a broad, arid valley. Along this braided, 44 mile long floodplain, you will encounter working farms, dense cottonwood stands, flowered meadows and a variety of wildlife until you reach the town of Cardwell. Throughout the next 15 miles, its waters flow through a narrow, steep canyon where the water can be deep, slow and contained. As a result, the stretch from Cardwell to the Sappington Bridge has comparatively fewer trees, swamps, meadows and wildlife.

At Sappington Bridge the river once again becomes a circuitous, rambling river, rich in swamp life, colorful fields, large cottonwood groves and productive agricultural land. The presence of significant agriculture has resulted in competition for water use. During dry years, the river was tapped generously for irrigation, dropping water levels to the point where fish populations were adversely affected. Recent improvement in riparian management has tended to alleviate these issues. Primarily known as a brown trout river, rainbows, mountain whitefish, burbot and northern pike can also be found here. Less well known and less discovered, the Jefferson offers the opportunity to catch large fish in a scenic, un-crowded environment.

Game Fish Opportunities:

Guide Reports:

Jefferson river fishing report

Jefferson river

Jefferson River Fishing Report-Things are looking great!

All 8 Guide Fishing Reports

Fishing Trips:

Float Trip on the Jefferson River with Zach Neville Outfitters

Jefferson River Float trip with Hooked Outfitting

Streamer Strategies with Montana Fly Fishing Trips

All 14 Fishing Trips

Fishing Access Sites:

Drouillard Fishing Access Site

Williams' Bridge Fishing Access Site

Sappington Bridge Fishing Access Site

All 11 Fishing Access Sites

Big Hole River Fishing Report

(3)

The Big Hole River starts in the Beaverhead Mountains south of Jackson, Montana and flows on for about 156 miles. Beginning as a slight stream, it picks up muscle as it joins with ... morethe North Fork, and draws more volume as it passes through the Wise River basin. At the Continental Divide it changes its northeasterly direction and heads southeast until it joins the Beaverhead and forms the Jefferson River close to the town of Twin Bridges, Montana. It hosts one of the last known habitat for the native fluvial artic grayling but is best known to fly fishers for its trout.

Like so many Montana rivers, the Big Hole is as full of history as it is of water. When Lewis and Clark stumbled upon it, the river was providing a buffer zone between rival Indian tribes vying for land as they sagely anticipated the westward push of European miners, furriers and settlers. Fifty years later, a significant number of the Nez Percé, a tribe that had initially befriended the Expedition, refused to accept life on a reservation and were nearly wiped out by U.S. troops in the Battle of the Big Hole. Today’s battles consist of quarrels between ranchers who desire water for irrigation and recreational users who wish to see the water preserved.

Fishing the river can be basically divided into three sections. From the headwaters at Skinner Lake to Fish Trap, the river meanders slowly through high meadowlands. This is where the few remaining artic grayling can be found, although browns and rainbows are in abundance here. In the second section, Fish Trap to Melrose, you will find boulders and pocket water rushing through a narrow canyon; here rainbows outnumber the browns with an estimated 3000 fish per mile. The final section, Melrose to Twin Bridges, is lined with cottonwood bottoms, braided channels and long, slow pools. In contrast to the second link, browns outnumber rainbows 2 to 1 with approximately 3000 fish per mile.

Game Fish Opportunities:

Guide Reports:

May fishing report for the big hole

Fishing report Big Hole River from Red Mountain Adventures

Frozen but warming up towards the end of the week

All 6 Guide Fishing Reports

Fishing Trips:

4 Days 4 Rivers Fly Fishing Package in Montana

Luxury Lodging and Exclusive Big Hole Fishing with Silver Bow Club

Enjoy a Day of Dry Fly Fishing at the Big Hole with Water's Edge Outfitting

All 9 Fishing Trips

Fishing Access Sites:

High Road Fishing Access Site

Pennington Bridge Fishing Access Site

Notch Bottom Fishing Access Site

All 13 Fishing Access Sites

Madison River Fishing Report

(5)

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.

Game Fish Opportunities:

Guide Reports:

Madison River Fishing Report

Up to Date Fishing Report for Madison River September

Hot Weather and Great Fishing - Madison River Report

All 29 Guide Fishing Reports

Fishing Trips:

4 Days 4 Rivers Fly Fishing Package in Montana

Float Trip on the Upper Madison River with Zach Neville Outfitters

Float Trip on the Lower Madison River with Zach Neville Outfitters

All 31 Fishing Trips

Fishing Access Sites:

Palisades Fishing Access Sites

Windy Point Fishing Access Site

Ruby Creek Recreation Area

All 18 Fishing Access Sites

Blogs:

Learning to Fly Fish in Montana

Perfect Day Fly Fishing: the Gardens at Ennis Montana

Getting Your Fishing License in Ennis, Montana

All 9 Blog Posts

Trips

Jefferson River Float trip with Hooked Outfitting

495

/ Boat

Capacity:

1 - 2 anglers

Days:

Daily

Duration:

7 hours

Fishing Waters:

Jefferson River Fishing Report

Destination:

Missoula Montana

Ennis Montana

A full day float trip on the Jefferson. This trip meets in Ennis, Montana or Twin Bridges Montana. The guide will meet you in Ennis or Twin Bridges and provide transportation for the ... moredrive to the river. The drive from Twin Bridges typically ranges from 5 minutes to 45 minutes and the drive from Ennis to the river typically ranges from 45 minutes to just over an hour. At the boat ramp guides will provide instruction on the days fishing tecniques and launch a drift boat for the float. The guide will provide all the flies and tackle that you need for the day. All you really need to bring is a Montana Fishing license, appropriate clothing and sunglasses for eye protection. The fishing involves floating down the river and casting flies from the boat. Floats are typically around 7 hours of floating but can vary depending on the preference of the customer. All of the fishing is usually done from the boat, which makes wearing waders optional and not at all nessesary. At mid day you will take a break on the bank and enjoy lunch provided by your guide. The Jefferson is a smaller, beautiful braided river that flows through the cottonwoods of the valley. The Jefferson is one of our smaller float rivers and it typically sees much fewer angelers than other rivers which means that you are likely to see only a few other boats during the day. The Jefferson typically will fish well from May through Mid October. May through September are considered the peak season. Trout typically range from 10-20 inches with fish over 20 inches possible. Fish in the 14-17 inch range are normal and the bigger fish of the day typically range from 18-21 inches. The river flows through the scenic Jefferson valley with the Tobacco Root mountain range always in view and moose are frequently sighted on the float. The Jefferson is known as a smaller, less fished river that occassionally produces really large brown trout.

Guided Float Trip on the Big Hole River with Fishtales Outfitting

400-

495

/ Boat

Capacity:

1 - 2 anglers

Days:

Daily

Duration:

4 hours - 1 day

Fishing Waters:

Big Hole River Fishing Report

Destination:

Ennis Montana

Want to find some of the largest brown trout Montana has to offer? Look no further than the Big Hole River. You may encounter a range of species from brook trout to rainbows, native ... moregraylings, and cutthroats as well but the real prize is the monster browns that are present in September and October. Book a guided float trip with Fishtales Outfitting located in Sheridan Montana and we’ll show you where to land catch of your dreams!

Full Day Float Trip on the Madison River with T Lazy B Ranch

500

/ Boat

Capacity:

1 - 2 anglers

Days:

Daily

Duration:

1 day

Fishing Waters:

Madison River Fishing Report

Destination:

Ennis Montana

Full day float trip with lunch and flies provided. Come experience the Madison River, one of Montana's most famous trout fisheries, and for good reason. We are located near Ennis for ... moreyour convenience.

Outfitters

T Lazy B Ranch

Centrally located in Ennis, Montana near many blue ribbon rivers, T Lazy B Ranch is a full-service fishing lodge for people looking for an authentic montana fishing experience. ... more

Our full-service fishing guest ranch offers meals, lodging, and guide service with other activies for family members. With over 40 years of guiding experience, we offer guided float trips on the Madison River, Jefferson River, and Yellowstone River, as well as private fishing on Jack Creek, a creek that runs through the ranch.

T Lazy B Ranch History
Founded in the late 1800's, the T Lazy B Ranch was one of the first ranches homesteaded in the Madison Valley. For years it was a working ranch for sheep and cattle. In the mid-thirties, a lodge and three log cabins were added for guests and the ranch took on another dimension.

Authentic Lodging Experience

Our rustic and cozy cabins are located in an alpine setting on Jack Creek. If you have four or more in your group you will have exclusive use of the ranch. Each cabin sleeps two to four people with a maximum of eight guests. There is a modern, spacious bathhouse within easy walking distance of the cabins. Delicious home-style meals are served in our lodge at fishermen’s hours. Lunches are prepared for your day on the river. After dinner, you may want to relax around the fireplace and discuss plans for the next day.

Fishing Trips: