The YETI Coolers Tundra 35 Project

Recently I was contacted about reviewing a YETI Coolers Tundra 35.  This was good timing as I've been eying this size cooler for some time now since I figured it would be perfect to use in our kayaks, for other boat trips, and any time when the Roadie is just a bit to small.  Essentially I was looking for an excuse to get another YETI Cooler to have around and this worked out perfectly.  

Along with the Tundra 35, a package arrived from SmithFly with a Cooler Kilt and I also ordered a SeaDek top for the cooler as well.  I had plans to do three things with this cooler to properly outfit it.

1.  Flip latches around.
2.  Install the SeaDek top.
3.  Install the SmithFly Cooler Kilt.

Flipping the latches around on the Tundra 35 was easy.  Essentially all you need is a screwdriver to move the pin from the front side of the cooler lid, flip the latch, and then push the pin back into the cooler.  Do again to the other latch.   This YETI Coolers video was helpful walking me through this easy fix.

Installing the SeaDek was also quite easy and really is nothing more than applying a big sticker to your cooler top.  YETI Coolers also has a helpful video for this as well.

The Cooler Kilt is a soon to be released addition to the ever impressive offerings from SmithFly.  The Cooler Kilt will be available for 25 to 65 quart sized coolers and essentially creates a panel to then attach any of the pouches offered by SmithFly or other products that are MOLLE capable.

SmithFly is offering two ways to install snap attachments with both a self tapping screw with snap heads or 3M adhesive snap heads for those that are worried (wimps) about drilling holes in their premium priced cooler.

I'll be the first to admit that even though I asked SmithFly for the screw snap heads that I was a little bit nervous about messing up my cooler by drilling one of these screws in wrong but I followed the age old adage of measuring several times (and then several times again) to drill each just once.  I was glad that I only had to do it eight times and they all came out just about perfect.

Once all the snap heads were properly drilled in, the Cooler Kilt snapped into place, and was surprisingly secure.  I then went through my small assortment of SmithFly pouches and quickly decided that the 3X Pouch and the El Poquito were what would work best on that panel.

The Cooler Kilt with the addition of the 3X Pouch and El Poquito will put fly boxes, tools, and other accessories close at hand when on the water.

When the Cooler Kilt is not needed then it can be easily removed and the cooler can be used like normal.

Done and done.  The SmithFly Cooler Kilt is a very neat innovation and I think we'll see a lot of guides, who already use a YETI Cooler as a rowing seat or poling platform in their boat or raft, use this system to keep track of all the gear that they need close at hand.

I also foresee future pouch offerings from SmithFly which may have a real interest to hunters as well as anglers in the Cooler Kilt.

There may be future additions to this Tundra 35 but in the meantime it's time to fill this YETI with ice and a few brews.

Fly Fishers Inc. - Issue #8

The fellows at Fly Fishers Inc. might have taken a bit of a hiatus but Issue #8 is filled with a lot to look at.

CHECK IT.

Silver Creek Aerial Film Project

Elevated Productions + Bobby Foster = Awesomeness



Nick Wolcutt of Elevated Productions will take your silly GoPro head or chest mount setup and raise you a badass remote control helicopter with a Red Epic camera on it.

Watch this video in full screen for the complete experience.

The Fly - Brook Trout Heaven

This past weekend a friend of mine tipped me off on a new blog called The Fly and I contacted Tommy Greene to see if he'd mind if I shared some of his photos and latest video.



It's images like these that serve as a reminder why I miss northern Michigan so damn much.

Add The Fly to your online reading list for more goodness.

High Country Glass

A couple weeks ago a series of photographs were posted on social media of a day in the Colorado high country with Fishpond founder Johnny Le Coq, Kirk Deeter of Trout Unlimited, and Kara Armano of Backbone Media.

If you look closely you'll see the dark yellow glint of a Redington Butter Stick in a few of the photographs.  Fishing glass in the backcountry for dry fly sipping brook trout is a natural choice.

Photo Copyright - John Land Le Coq - All Rights Reserved

Last week I had the opportunity to speak with both Johnny and Kirk to get their perspective on the day.  It was a day about dry flies, a deserved cold beer at days end, and about bringing everything important about places like this into perspective as well.  

For Kirk, this last day in the backcountry was about his season coming full circle after a year of extensive traveling with a fly rod all over the world.  It was good to come home to Colorado and be reminded of the essence of fly fishing with a hopper and a glass three weight.  Kirk is also taking his position as editor of Trout Magazine seriously and sees the responsibility of Trout Unlimited to work with more of the fly fishing industry to address conservation issues such as habitat preservation and clean water issues together as opposed to going it alone separately.

In speaking with Johnny, he highlighted that this high country stream, which can be stepped over in some places in a single stride, is a perfect example of special places that need to be taken care of and protected.  This day was also about something larger in his mind as he, Kirk, and Kara had begun working out details on a possible summit involving the "heavy hitters" from across the fly fishing industry, along with conservation groups such as Trout Unlimited, to come together for a few days to formulate a plan that isn't about a company writing a check but instead is about educating customers, addressing legislative change, and being environmentally active as well.  This is about land preservation, a balanced ecosystem, and always having places like this high country stream to hike into.  

Photo Copyright - John Land Le Coq - All Rights Reserved

Photo Copyright - John Land Le Coq - All Rights Reserved

Photo Copyright - John Land Le Coq - All Rights Reserved

Photo Copyright - John Land Le Coq - All Rights Reserved

Photo Copyright - John Land Le Coq - All Rights Reserved

Photo Copyright - John Land Le Coq - All Rights Reserved

Photo Copyright - John Land Le Coq - All Rights Reserved

Photo Copyright - John Land Le Coq - All Rights Reserved

It's days like this that remind us what fly fishing is all about and it's really neat to see the beginnings of Trout Unlimited and the fly fishing industry taking steps to be forward thinkers and problem solvers together.

It will be interesting what this meeting in the high country develops into in the coming months.

Montana Fly Fishing Magazine

The latest issue of Montana Fly Fishing Magazine is live and worth a few minutes of your morning over coffee.

"Click To Read" on the image to view full screen.

Montana Fly Fishing Magazine can also be viewed their their iTune app as well.

Orvis Superfine Glass Wins Award

Last week Fly Fisherman posted their Best Gear Awards online with the 2014 Gear Guide issue to hit newsstands on November 19th.

A new category for this year in the Best Gear Awards was "Best Fiberglass Rod".  This award was given to the soon to be released Orvis Superfine Glass series which will be available in shops and online in January.  The rod companies in the running for this award were Cabela's, ECHO Fly Rods, Redington, Scott Fly Rod Company, Thomas & Thomas, and others. 

I had the honor to work with Fly Fisherman on the 2014 Gear Guide and I have a feature article in this issue on fiberglass fly rods which I hope that you'll read.  This was my first feature article and it was an interesting process.  I'm sure that I gave Fly Fisherman editor Ross Purnell a lot to edit in the 2,500 word article that I submitted.

If you've been reading T.F.M. lately then you know that I am really excited about the Superfine Glass series and it's been really neat to see it all come together.  Shawn Combs of Orvis took this project on several years ago and it's been fun to trade messages, cast prototypes, and for the past couple months fish final versions of these three fly rods.  Without a doubt Orvis did glass right with this soon reintroduction to their fly rod line up and I am looking forward to anglers worldwide soon having the chance these fly rods as well.

Check out the Fly Fisherman website for the full run down of staff picks on next year's gear offerings and pick up the 2014 Gear Guide later next month.

Dome Sweet Dome

If it seemed like things slowed down around here this past weekend, it was because we spent a few days up in North Carolina in and around Brevard on a family camping trip with friends.  It certainly felt like fall with night time temps in the 20's and 30's and days in the 50's.  We kept the children busy with waterfall hikes, bikes, hot chocolate, marshmallows, and a lot of exploring.

On Friday, before the wives and children arrived later in the afternoon, the other dad and I went fly fishing for a few hours.  He had never fly fished before and it was neat to play "guide" and put him on a few fish.

Sometimes we all forget what it was like when we first started fly fishing and there are so many questions, so many parts to put together to make it work, and getting that fly rod act like it's supposed to act can be baffling.  By the end of the day John had a good idea on how to nymph and we saw enough trout in the deeper runs to keep him interested.
   

Yesterday morning we packed up, headed home, unpacked, and put the tent back up to dry.  It's amazing how campfire smoke can permeate everything. 

Camping trips end up being a lot of work but all in all not a bad way to spend a weekend.

Loon Outdoors - New Swag Offerings

The Loon Outdoors website was recently reloaded with a multitude of new t-shirt, cap, and other swag offerings for man, woman, and child.

You know you want to rep Loon Outdoors, right?

Check out the Loon Outdoors Web Store to check out the new wares and use code "TFMLOON" for 20% off your online order.  The discount code is good until the end of November.

Fly Fish Food - Partridge & Orange

The fellows at Fly Fish Food have released their latest fly tying video and it's a very good step by step on how to tie the Partridge & Orange. Their tutorial also gives a lot of background on the importance of using good hackle for these style of flies and it's worth reading as well. 



This classic soft hackle should be in every trout angler's fly box and it's good to see this fly get the respect that it deserves.  Without a doubt a swung soft hackle has saved the day for me more than once on a trout stream.

Visit Fly Fish Food for more goodness and check out their YouTube page for over 150 fly tying videos too. 

Long Shot

The sophomore effort from The Fly Collective went up on Vimeo yesterday and is a great story featuring Erin Block and Jay Zimmerman.  Within this nine minute film you certainly get a real sense of each of their personalities and the Colorado mud flats carp scenes are pretty great too.



Truth told, Erin Block of Mysteries Internal and Zimmerman of Colorado Fly Fishing Reports may be fly fishing's closest thing to a power couple right now and it's really cool to see what develops for them together and individually.   There is really nothing that these two can't do.

The Fly Collective really seems to be doing all things right with choosing interesting stories with interesting characters within fly fishing.  I look forward to seeing what comes next.

Follow along on The Fly Collective Facebook page to get an inside look as new projects develop.

The Spey Company - 2014 Fly Reels

Last week Tim Pantzlaff of The Spey Company has added a page to his website which features the fly reels that he is offering in his 2014 collection.

I have been very impressed with the Single Spey trout reel that I have had for several years and at some point want to add one of his larger fly reels to my collection as well.  Tim's fly reels make a wonderful (and loud) click and pawl racket when a fish runs.

Check out The Spey Company for more information and to check out all of their fly reel offerings. 

Follow the Facebook page as well as Tim leaks images of new fly reels in development from time to time.

The Scott F2 723/4 - "Japan Special"

One of the coolest perks from writing this website is that from time to time I am able to get my hands on what would be considered rare or tough to come by fiberglass fly rods.  These range from prototypes, to limited edition series, to getting my grubs on some fly rods before others to demo and review here.

One of the fly rods that I was able to add to my own personal collection this year was a very special four piece 7'2" Scott Fibertouch three weight that was made specifically as a "Japan Special".  

There are a dozen reasons why I really like this fly rod but wanted to find out from Jim Bartschi, president and rod designer at Scott Fly Rod Company, what his thoughts were on the design and background on the Japan Special which he was kind enough to send along a few notes on last week for this post.

Jim wrote...  "The F2 723/4 Japan Special was designed for mountain stream fishing with dry flies for Japan's highly selective yamame.

Presentations are often made with short lengths of line out of the tip top, very long leaders that taper down to 8x or even 10X, and tiny dries. Wild yamame spook easily and a bad presentation can send them into cover for hours or even the rest of the day. First shots count when stalking these natives.

The Japan Special F2 is lighter and softer than the F2 703/3. The slower taper and deeper bending curve help to form short casts with long leaders and make subtle line adjustments to keep drag off the fly. The quick recovery (by glass standards) helps to generate the line speed needed for precise and accurate casts."

I took this fly rod with me to Michigan this summer and enjoyed a day on River X.  This fly rod was perfect for casting dry flies to willing brook trout.

The Japan Special will be tough to come by but I know of a couple that have found their way back stateside into the hands of the true F2 fiends.  This one is worthy of searching out.

Check out the Scott Fly Rod Company website for more information the Fibertouch series. 

Orders...Orders...And Orders...

You might not have realized it yet but the holidays are right around the corner and I figured this would be a good time to remind everyone of the T.F.M. Apparel and Store pages of the website as I'll be placing an order for t-shirts and hoodies next week and can place orders for Abel Nippers and Yeti Coolers if there is an interest as well.

T.F.M. APPAREL
It's been quite a while since I've placed a T.F.M. apparel order and on Monday, October 28th I'll send the next order to the printers.  For those interested in a long sleeve t-shirt or hoodie this is the time to place your order.

The Retro Fly design can be ordered in black or mustard yellow in short or long sleeve t-shirts as well as a black hoodie sweatshirt.

The Comrade design can be ordered in black or red short or long sleeve t-shirts as well as a black hoodie sweatshirt.

The Warmwater design can be ordered in green, mustard yellow, yam, and burnt orange in short sleeve t-shirts and in mustard yellow and yam in long sleeve.  This design cannot be ordered in a hoodie. 

Check out the T.F.M. APPAREL page for more information on ordering.

 ABEL NIPPERS
I talked to Abel Reels last week and nippers are still a little hard to come by.  To make Christmas delivery a possibility I would need all orders by the end of this week.  I have some nippers in stock and have an assorted dozen more nippers on order which should be arriving in the next few weeks. 

Check out the T.F.M. STORE page for more information and available nippers for purchase.


YETI COOLERS
There are many reasons and excuses to buy a Yeti Cooler and this is a reminder that I can order the Roadie and the Tundra series up to size 65 with the T.F.M. logo inked in red on lid. 

Check out the T.F.M. STORE for more information and email if you'd like a price quote on a Yeti Cooler.

For all purchases I can take PayPal, check, or credit card.

If you would like like to place an order please send an email to thefiberglassmanifesto@gmail.com.

Notes On The James Green Switch Rod

This photo has been sitting in my inbox for over a year now in hopes that John Arnold of Headhunters Fly Shop would have a few minutes to jot down a few notes on the James Green switch rod blank that he built up for his daughter, wife, and whoever else wanted to give it a go.

Quite a few of the Headhunters crew are glass junkies at heart and it's always fun trading messages and emails with John as he's scheming his next build for himself or someone at the shop.

Julie Arnold Loading It Deep

John wrote...  "I built this rod from a blank I purchased from James Green after Cam tracked it down for me.  I was looking for a blank to build a two hander for my 8 year old daughter Adair to use.  She fishes a lot here in Montana, and the Echo Gecko is her trout rod.  The Gecko is a great fly fishing tool for kids and it was that rod that spawned the thought of a glass two-hander for her.  While the Gecko is not entirely glass, it has the same slow soft action that makes it easy to launch a heavy weight forward line.  It's only drawback as a western steelhead rod was it's short 7'9" length.

The J. Green rod proved to be a great call for Adair.  It loads up easy and launches any fly.  The soft glass action means it's almost impossible to pull the hook away from a fish.  You can't be too quick.

I've tried many lines on it, but by far the best and most versatile line was the Wulff Ambush in a WF8.  Awesome.  Every adult that tries it absolutely loves it.  They won't put it down.

I finished it with all REC components, including black recoil guides.  I also turned a very small diameter burl cork grip for it.

Thanks again for the help with this project Cam!"

Follow the Headhunters Fly Shop Blog for daily updates on the Mo and whatever the hell else they want to talk about.  Fall is here and they're breaking out the two handers now.  Just maybe we'll see this sweet glass two hander show up on a scumliner media video at some point too.  Hint...hint...

Interested in a blank?  James Green does not have a website but can be contacted through email at  ml2jms@yahoo.com regarding blank specs, availability, and prices.

Introducing The Tippetac

As I didn't make it to IFTD this year I am playing catch up of sorts with covering some of the more interesting gear items that will be showing up in your favorite fly shop in the coming months.

One of the items that caught my eye recently was a new accessory from Angling Tech Industries called the Tippetac. 

This two piece magnetic device holds lengths of tippet while you're changing flies and putting together double fly rigs.  The magnet face of the Tippetac doubles as a fly patch as well.  The Tippetac can be attached a shirt, gear bag, or vest and the magnets are extremely strong.



Check out the Tippetac website and Facebook page for more information.

The Tippetac can be purchased through Feather-Craft and retails for $10.95.

Fall & Fly Reels

Tom Anderson has a few obsessions with one being his ever growing collection of Kineya Tackle fly reels.  He recently took a few of his favorite fly reels out for a quick photo session and I asked if I could share them here since I'm sure that others enjoy seeing pretty things as well.   

Tom wrote...  "I have been interested in Masatoshi Okui's Kineya reels since meeting him at a gathering at the CFFCM some years ago.  I bought my first Kineya there which was a bi-metal Model 301B.  It seems like every time I run into Mass I wind up buying another reel - think I'm now up to eight.   He's a wonderful guy and I consider him a good friend. 

All Kineya fly reels are wonderfully elegant designs that are perfectly executed and completely made in-house down to the smallest screw.  

I think of Mass' reel creations as very functional pieces of art and cannot seem to resist taking photos of them - a very easy task I might add.  Over the years I have been sending Mass some of my reel photos, many of which have appeared on his website cover page." 

Masatoshi Okui's craftsmanship is flawless and his designs so unique. I wish I owned more than one.  I'm sure that in time I will.

Please visit the Kineya Tackle website to see more of Masatoshi's offerings.

For those interested in purchasing a Kineya Tackle fly reel, be sure to check out Vintage Fly Tackle and see what they have in stock as well as examples of sold fly reels.