EPIC FLY RODS - Win an Epic Fly Rod Building Kit

I haven't ever built a fly rod but I'm always tempted.  Maybe you have too.  The folks at Epic Fly Rods and The Fly Fishing Nation have teamed up to give away a couple Epic Fly Rod Building Kits of the winners' choice this week. 

This giveaway is easy to play and you still have a few days to get your entry in.  They will be picking two winners on Friday, May 27th, and it might as well be you.  

Check out the rules and details on the Epic Blog and figure out which Epic Fly Rod Building Kit you'd like on their website.

Good luck and if someone from the T.F.M. readership wins, please let me know with an email. 

TIGHT LOOPS - Finding Trout In The Utah Desert

After what seems like a too long hiatus if you're already a fan of the dynamic duo of Tight Loops, they are back with a channel update which can be summed up as hurry up and wait for more videos.  Darn.

These two are uber talented and worthy of your support by checking out their website, subscribing to the YouTube channel, or poke around the Tight Loops Stop.

DUCK CAMP - The Summer Catalog

Much more than just seeing some of the latest apparel from Duck Camp, the Summer Catalog is chock-full of stores and other goodness in it's 36 pages.  Fun to see the work of friends like Dave Fason on a few pages too.

 

CHECK IT.

P.S.  You can subscribe to a print copy of the catalog on the Duck Camp website.

JP ROSS - Beaver Meadow S- Glass Blanks Price Hike Coming...

If you've filled up your car with gasoline or bought groceries lately then you've felt the pinch of rising costs and late this past week Jordan Ross of JP Ross Fly Rods & Co. reached out to say that due to supply costs that the price on the Beaver Meadow S-Glass blanks will be bumping up early next month.

So, if you've been on the fence about picking up a blank or two from JP Ross Fly Rods, now is the time to click the "Add to Cart" button.

 

There is a lot of good buzz about this latest version of the Beaver Meadow series of blanks and they fit nicely in that "trout weights" category for all your small stream needs.

The Beaver Meadow S-Glass blanks are available in the following lengths and line weights...

• 6'6" - 2 Weight - 4 Piece
• 6'6" - 3-Weight - 4 Piece
• 7" - 3-Weight - 4 Piece
• 7'6" - 4-Weight - 4 Piece
• 8' - 5-Weight - 4 Piece

Visit the JP Ross Fly Rods & Co. website to read more about the Beaver Meadow S-Glass blanks and other offerings.  Have questions?  JP is happy to hear from you through email.

P.S.  You'll get an additional 10% off if you sign up for the JP Ross Fly Rods newsletter list.
 

6 Good Reads

I hope that your weekend involves some quiet time to recharge and you have a chance to take a few minutes to read through this six-pack of articles which cover stories of addiction to becoming a phenom, a lost bird found again, a rabbit hole of stories from Marsh Wear, a trip south for Ivan, a V-Stick Custom Fly Rods shop visit, and a birthday celebration. 

GARDEN & GUN - NATHANIEL'S STORY

BIRD NERD ALERT

MARSH WEAR - THE TIDE LOG STORIES

TROUTS FLY FISHING - IVAN GOES TO PATAGONIA

CTS GOES ON A FIELD TRIP TO V-STICK CUSTOM FLY RODS

TOM MORGAN RODSMITHS - A BONEFISH BIRTHDAY

Okay, back to your weekend of leisure...

ORVIS Presents - If I Tell Them

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and more stories like this need to be told.  Press PLAY...

 

 

Hats off to James Sampsel of Humble Heron Fly Fishing & Fine Art for his bravery in telling his story.

BER FLY RODS - The Thomas & Thomas Lotic 744-3

On the international scene, Paolo Bernabei of Ber Fly Rods of Viterbo, Italy is one of my most favorite fly rod builders and it isn't because he always seems to figure out a way to sneak in a couple well placed T.F.M. decals into his photo sets either.  His work is well thought out and the attention to details within all parts of his build is immaculate.  

Need proof?  Check out his latest build on the Thomas & Thomas Lotic 7'4" 4-weight blank and see for yourself.  I agree with Paolo's thoughts that the Lotic should get more attention, especially in the four and five-weight.  These short and progressive tapers are wonderful to spend time on the water with.

 

Paolo wrote...  "Market launched in 2017, it was love at first sight with the Thomas & Thomas Lotic and today it is finally an honour for me to work on such a prestigious blank.

 

The spiral finish drove me crazy (my favorite), the lightness compared to the previous glass (Heirloom) is clear and the response times more swift.

 

Definitely a modern glass that does not tend to imitate bamboo, characterized by a highly progressive flex profile (as the Mother House declares).

 

The look of the rod is elegant and full of details, entirely agreed and decided with the customer who has excellent tastes.

 

The grip is ventiliated semi-Ritz that gives a unique comfort to the touch, and lets glimpse the deep blue between one disc and another.

 

The reelseat is composed of a beautiful and selected fragment of Zebrano from West Africa, from an hardware bi-metal brass and ergal ring and knurling in low relief, entirely made in my lab.  The guides are by Snake Brand and the honey banded agate stripping guide is made by Ernest Czeladz of Perfect Agate.

 

Wraps made of honey/gold coloured Japanese silk and honey tip complete the assembly.  It was a long and busy assemby but with great satisfaction.  

 

Dear Matt, I hope that you will be satisfied with my work.  Enjoy this jewel as much as you can!"

 

Visit the Ber Fly Rods website to see more of Paolo's work and follow along with the latest shop news on Instagram.