PATAGONIA - Tribal Waters

Patagonia is again helping tell stories that need to be told.  Press PLAY...



Do you want to see other impactful films like this?  Subscribe to the their YouTube channel.

WAYPOINTS Podcast - Top Travel Tips for Packing

Last week was a lot of driving for me as I made my way from South Carolina up to Michigan and it also meant I was burning through the podcasts.  The one that really caught my attention was a deep dive into travel tips with Yellow Dog Fly Fishing Travel founder Jim Klug and travel expert Alec Gerbec on the WAYPOINTS Podcast. 

If you do any sort of travel, this is one to earmark and make their tips part of your planning routine. 

 

A few takeaways for me that are already part of my own travel playbook...

• Make a list and check it twice and three times over.
• Global Entry is a must.  Maybe your credit card pays for it and you didn't know it. Mine do.
  
• Pack a small but handy first aid kit with medications that you might need.
• Bring gifts for guides and staff.  At least on salt trips, hats, sun masks, sun shirts, fly boxes, and polarized sunglasses have always been very much appreciated.
• Forgo the heavy wheeled luggage and pack a waterproof duffel which is likely 1/4 the weight.

Listen to this WAYPOINTS Podcast and others Yellow Dog Fly Fishing website or on whatever platform you typically listen to podcasts on.
 

Introducing SKWALA...and the Mild to Wild Weather Sale

I always have my eyes open for new companies that emerge within the fly fishing space and if SKWALA hasn't already popped up on your radar, take a moment to check out who they are.  I've had a couple recent phone calls with Kevin Sloan, head honcho with over 25 years of experience in apparel design, and they have an interesting vision for what they are cooking up in southwest Montana to enhance the angler experience through carefully designed products. 

 

And, while you're poking around the website, take note that they have a Mild to Wild Weather Sale going on until July 1st with 20% off their entire Carbon and Fusion collections.  It's worth a look.

 

 

Leading up to my annual Beaver Island trip (where I'm writing this post from our apartment over the Dalwhinnie), a few pieces arrived to carry along to include the Carbon Jacket, Fusion Hybrid, and a couple pieces from the SOL lineup.  I'm super impressed by the fabrics, fit, and feel of these pieces and look forward to see how they perform on the water.

 

Check out SKWALA, sign up for their newsletter, and follow along on social media on Facebook and Instagram. This is a brand to watch and follow along with for sure.

BAR FLY - Tarpon Season Boat Beers

Maybe we all aren't going to find ourselves on the pointy end of a skiff this summer waiting for strings of tarpon to go swimming by so feel free to X out the word "Tarpon" for whatever you're chasing over the next few months as Jeff Harrell of Bar Fly put together a stellar list of boat beers to keep you properly "hydrated".

Click on each image and magnify as needed to read these two images...

 

 If you ever find yourself near Safety Harbor, a meal, drinks, or both are recommended at Bar Fly.  Tell Jeff that T.F.M. sent you.

YELLOWSTONE FLOODING - SUPPORT #FLIESFORFLOODRELIEF

I know that I'm late to the party on this but (fly fishing industry cherub) Josh Mills has whipped another Instagram based fundraiser to put a few dollars into the pockets of guides whose summers were wrecked with the historic flooding of the Yellowstone River.  Your summer vacation plans might have been ruined but can you imagine if you had to scrap your entire season of work?

Josh's handy hashtag of #fliesforfloodrelief is doing some great work for those in need and while I'm typing this over $45,000 has been raised so far for the Guide Relief Program.

While you're aimlessly scrolling Instagram this weekend, search the #fliesforfloodrelief hashtag and maybe bid on a few of the online auctions.  It can make a HUGE difference for those in need right now.

EPIC FLY RODS - New Fly Rod & Reel Combos

What's better than an Epic Reference Series fly rod?  How about a perfectly balanced fly rod, reel, and fly line combo that's ready to fish right out of the box?

Epic Fly Rods has matched up some of their favorite fly rods with their Backcountry Fly Reel (which is available in three different sizes) and Scientific Anglers fly lines to create a series of Epic Fly Rods & Reels Combos to check out. 

This is a great bang for your buck.  There are five glass combos and two graphite combos in the mix and they are discounted almost $200 if you purchase a combo.

Check out the Epic Fly Rod & Reel Combos and if you click through any of the affiliate links in this post, a few dollars ends up in the T.F.M. piggy bank.  Thank you in advance. 

Have questions about any of the fiberglass Epic Fly Rods?  Send me an email.  I'm familiar with the entire range and always happy to help.

SEA RUN CASES - Introducing the Riffle Daily Case

Last weekend a big box arrived from Sea Run Cases which among the boxes included a couple of the new Riffle Daily QR cases (one for me and then one that will be given away on T.F.M. soon...) and the immediate take away was that this is the perfect "daily driver" hard case that is just the right short trips and to have the right gear, along with several fly rods, all in one place.  I plan to set mine up for the back and forth trips to the pond and locally for the many different warmwater spots we visit.  

 

I'll be giving more thoughts on the Riffle Daily Case soon but in the meantime, check out the Sea Run Cases website for a recent Gear Review.  It's the least expensive model in the line up of cases yet features the same level of protection that the larger cases have.

The "QR" on this case and others in the lineup stands for a Quick Release strap for slinging over your shoulder.  It's worth the extra few dollars to add this feature to your case in my opinion.

Now through the weekend to celebrate Father's Day, save 10% off and free shipping.  

If you are considering a Sea Run Cases but not sure on which model to get, please email.  I have the Expedition Classic, the Norfolk Expedition QR, and now the Riffle Daily QR and can give some feedback on what might work best for you. 

Please note that Sea Run Cases have been featured on T.F.M. for awhile now with a banner ad and I wanted to remind everyone that I have an affiliate relationship with them so if you click through and place an order, a few coins go into the T.F.M. piggy bank. 

Shawn Combs on the New Orvis Superfine Glass Fly Rods

The crew at Trident Fly Fishing were at IFTD this past March and put Shawn Combs of Orvis Fly Fishing on film talking about the new Superfine Glass Fly Rod series which are now available at your local dealer and online.

I can't say enough positive about the Superfine Glass fly rods and have the entire series in my fly rod stash.  I don't think there is a better "Made in U.S.A." bang for your buck than these fly rods.  They are made in the Orvis Rod Factory and this six fly rod series cover all the bases from creek trout to the saltwater flats. You just can't go wrong with any of these.

PRE-ORDER SALE ENDING - Moonlit Nirvana PhoenixGLASS

Okay, I announced the $100 off pre-order sale on the Moonlit Fly Fishing Nirvana PhoenixGLASS with posts HERE and  HERE.  Now I'm giving you one last heads up that the discount price ends this weekend so if you've been on the fence, it's time to move on it. 

 

I've spent some time with the 4-weight and 5-weight and the 8-weight should be waiting on me when I get to Beaver Island next weekend.  I'm looking forward to bending it on a few carp and smallmouth.

Visit the Moonlit Fly Fishing website to check out the Nirvana PhoenixGLASS series and if you have any questions let me know with an email.  I always enjoy hashing out what your next fly rod purchase should be.

L. KENNEY RODS - Updated Fly Rod Models for 2022

There is a sliding scale when it comes to small shop custom builders and how much of a presence of their own that they cultivate on the internet and social media.  Some are all in and others, like quietly famed fly rod taper designer and builder, Larry Kenney, are what I would say is "underground".  

Case in point.  If you visit the T.F.M. Fly Rod Makers page, the link for L. Kenney Rods goes back to the last T.F.M, update post like this which from 2011.  No website of his own.  Zero social media.  Just an email, a mailing address, and enough orders that find their way to his books to stay "busy enough".  I like it.

 

Take a moment to scroll down through the current models and do note that Mr. Kenney does sell blanks along with finished fly rods.  The Model 886 and Model 887 sure have my attention...

L. KENNEY FIBERGLASS FLY ROD MODELS, SPECIFICATIONS & PRICES FOR 2022
All models are built on unsanded semi translucent brown blanks with lightweight, white spigot ferrules.  Grips on all models are a modified Full Wells, in lengths and diameters appropriate to the rod.  All models come with partitioned cloth liner and screw top aluminum rod tube.  Deduct $40 from the price of a rod if you don’t want or need an aluminum tube.

Model 733 - 7’3” - 3-Piece - #3 Line
A delicate, responsive little rod designed for small flies and accurate casts out to 35 feet or so, though it will cast longer if you must.  Its medium-soft, progressive action makes it a great choice for anglers who fish small streams.

Built only with my down-sliding cork spacer slide band reel seat for $635. Blanks are $295.

Model 794 - 7’9” - 3-Piece - #4 Line
A supple, smooth-casting progressive action rod that I think hits a sweet-spot for fiberglass in both length and line weight.  Long enough for medium size waters, short enough for smaller ones, delicate enough to handle light tippets, but with sufficient power to handle a #10 dry or a reasonably sized weighted nymph.

$635 with cork slide band, uplock wood or uplock cork spacer reel seat.  Blanks are $295.

Model 8055 - 8' - 5-Piece - #5 Line
A 5 weight fly line is the standard for trout fishing from Maine to California (or, for that matter, from New Zealand to Slovenia) and 8 feet is a reasonable length for all but the smallest or largest streams. The 8055 is a sweet 5-piece rod that breaks down to 20” (21” in it’s 2” diameter aluminum tube) and thus fits in just about any travel duffel or suitcase. In terms of performance, the 8055 casts as well as any rod I build, is capable of handling a wide range of flies and surprisingly large fish. The small diameter tip ferrule is reinforced internally with graphite.

$675 with cork slide band seat, uplock wood or uplock cork spacer seat. Blanks are $350.

Model 813 - 8’1” - 3-Piece - #3 Line
A very light, smooth, longish 3 wgt., built at the urging of some friends at the Golden Gate Angling and Casting Club and now a favorite of mine. Supple, yet by no means wimpy, it can deliver a fly very gently, but can still achieves the line speed needed for accurate, delicate presentations out to 45 feet or so. It’s a lovely rod for small dries and nymphs when the wind isn’t blowing hard.

$635 with cork slide band, uplock wood or uplock cork spacer reel seat. Blanks are $295.

Model 824 - 8’2” - 3-Piece - #4 Line
My model 824 splits the difference between the 813 and the 835, both in length and increased firmness of action. And with a little more punch than my model 794 it rivals the 835 as an all around light trout rod.

$635 with wood or uplock cork spacer reel seat. Blanks are $295.

Model 835 -  8’3” - 3-Piece - #5 Line
The 835 is a favorite of mine: a particularly pleasant, well-balanced, all-around trout rod. Supple tipped for close-in casting and light tippet work, it has enough diameter and punch in the mid and butt to reach out to 60 or 70 feet, turn over a wide range of fly sizes, and control larger trout. You can cast smooth open loops easily, or push the rod to tighten up without it becoming unstable.

$635 with cork slide band, uplock wood or uplock cork spacer reel seat. Blanks are $295

Models 884 and 885 - 8’8” - 3-Piece - #4 Line and #5 Line
A number of my friends at the Golden Gate Angling and Casting Club encouraged me to come up with longer 4 and 5 weight rods. These rods are the result. They’re built on a faster taper, with larger diameters, than my 824 and 835. As a result they’re beefier, more suited to big water and longer casts, but they still have a pleasant progressive fiberglass action and are able to handle light tippets.

$675 with uplock wood or uplock cork spacer reel seats.  Blanks are $295.

Models 886 and 887 - 8’8” - 3-Piece - #6 Lines / 8’9” - 3-Piece - #7 Lines
These two are powerful powerful fishing tools with that hard-to-describe feeling of controlled flex that’s a particular virtue of good glass. At under 4 oz, they’re still pretty light in hand with tips responsive enough to handle short line presentations, and progressive actions that put more of the rod into play as you extend line. They make excellent streamer and light steelhead rod, and are great fun with smaller hair bugs and poppers for bass.  The 887 is generally built as a freshwater rod with wood uplock seat and black nickel snake guides and Mildrum stripper.  If you plan to fish the salt, I can build it with a full metal uplock seat and hard chrome snakes and striper guide.

$675 with either seat.  Blanks are $295.

 

ORDERING INFORMATION

Please note back order times are currently 4-5 months months from date of order.  That frustrates me as much as it does you. 

To order a rod let me know the model, your reel seat choice if a choice is offered for that model, and your USPS shipping address

Sending an email to lmkenney@earthlink.net is the best way to reach me.

I don’t require or take deposits.  Order and I’ll add you to my list, off which I build by date of order.   I’ll email you when I begin your rod to insure you still want it, quote the price plus shipping and provide a firm shipping date, by which time payment is due I accept payment personal by check, money order or direct transfer to my bank.

I no longer accept PayPal as their new reporting protocol over-complicates my book keeping

My address for payment by check is:

L. Kenney Rods
260 Bungalow Avenue

San Rafael, CA 94901

For California residents or shipments to California addresses, please add 9.25% sales tax.

Shipping a fly rod became significantly more expensive as of April 2022 when USPS added a $15 handling surcharge to normal postal charges for packages over 30” in length.

Shipping within the Continental USA is via USPS Priority Mail, insured, for a single rod.

The shipping price for west of the Mississippi is $35 for fly rods and east of the Mississippi is $45.  $25 and $35, respectively, for blanks

Shipping charges for multiple rod shipments at above prices plus $10 per additional rod.

Shipments outside CONUS or to Alaska or Hawaii will be by USPS Priority or Express, insured, at postal rates quoted prior to shipment.

TIGHT LOOPS - How to Illustrate a Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout

Chase of Tight Loops hunkers down in the VW Westfalia to illustrate the Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout in step by step process that is just wonderful to follow along with. 

Check out the Tight Loops website and consider subscribing to the YouTube channel.  Prints of this trout, along with other items of swag, can be found in the Tight Loops Stop.

PRE-ORDER REMINDER - Moonlit Fly Fishing Nirvana PhoenixGLASS

The other day a package arrived on the doorstep and inside were two loaner Nirvana PhoenixGLASS fly rods from Moonlit Fly Fishing along with matching Moonlit WF All-Purpose Fly Lines.  I took a few minutes to spool up a couple fly reels with the fly lines and then headed to the pond with the 5-weight.

The short story?  If the these two fly rods are any indication (which I believe they are) of the series, then Moonlit Fly Fishing has a winner on their hands.

 

Here's what I like in the Nirvana PhoenixGLASS fly rod series so far...

• Build quality and components are top quality for a factory built fly rod.
• I like the taper and flare of the grip shape which you'll see through the entire series.
• 2-weight through 8-weight fly rods in the series cover a lot of ground.
• Fighting butt on the 6-weight through 8-weight.
• Four-piece is going to make these easy to travel with.
• These are progressive in feel with power.
• Risk-Free Return Policy and Lifetime Warranty.
• These are just flat out fun to fish.

It sounds like the $100 off pre-order pricing will continue until mid-June so if you're interested in picking one (or several) up, now is the time to do it.

 

Also know that T.F.M. now has an affiliate relationship with Moonlit Fly Fishing and a few coins go into the piggy bank when you click through links in these posts, Instagram Stories links, or the digital banner ad on the sidebar of the page.

If you ever have any questions about what your next fiberglass fly rod should be, I'm happy to hash it out through email or a phone call.

SOUTHERN CULTURE ON THE FLY - No. 43

The boys at Southern Culture on the Fly have done it again and a free for the flipping new issue is live. 

Take an extended coffee break and enjoy the read and look through of S.C.O.F. No. 43.

CHECK IT.

P.S.  Don't forget about the S.C.O.F. Store.  There's some new swag in there to check out.

COSTA - One Water

The folks at Costa Sunglasses have recently been rolling a few films that are worthy of a share and the first is One Water.  Click PLAY...

 

Need a new pair of sunglasses?  Check out the latest Costa offerings.  I am digging several of the frames in the PRO Series in Green Mirror and Sunrise Silver Mirror as my on the water go-to lenses.