Mid 1990's Me as an Artist's "Model"...

As artist Jeff Kennedy was preparing for his 'Artist in Residence' week at Gates Au Sable Lodge last fall, he reached out asking if I had any old maps or other materials from the years that I spent in northern Michigan around the Au Sable River and Manistee River.  I went through a few old cigar boxes filled with memories, found a couple of maps, and a stack of photographs that easily date back to the mid 1990's.  I put a package together in hopes that it would give Jeff some inspiration and sent it off in the mail.

Fast forward a few months and hopefully you've already read these two recent T.F.M. posts...

UNVEILING THE JOURNEY - PART 1
UNVEILING THE JOURNEY - PART 2

Yesterday I stopped by the mail box on the way back from town and saw a short cardboard tube with a fly sketched on the end and figured that Jeff was turning the things that I had sent.  Well, he was, but also inside was a colored sketch on his river map that sure does look a lot like the fellow in one of the photos that I sent. 

And, that guy in the photograph was me.  Thankfully Jeff used some artistic license to get me out of those dreadful neoprene waders and PVC coated nylon jacket that I'm wearing.  Those years were tough when it came to comfortable and breathable fly fishing gear.  Maybe it was available but this poor college kid couldn't afford it.  I'm glad that he kept the Filson Tin Cloth Packer Hat on my head.  I cherished that hat and still do, even if I rarely get an opportunity to wear it. 

Thanks, Jeff for the care package.  I've long appreciated your work and it's really neat to have this piece of artwork from the birth place of my own fly fishing journey.  That kid from Michigan would have never guessed where fly fishing and this life would take him. 

Follow Jeff Kennedy on Instagram and maybe we'll cook up some new ideas together centered around the Retro Fly design.  Don't hold me to it but we're talking about maybe a throwback Retro Fly t-shirt or something...

RANCH WATER

After a day on the Bitterroot River, guide Joel Thompson of Montana Troutaholic Outfitters decided to change gears a bit and took us back to a ranch property that he has access to.  These is a neat place since there is a good stretch of river, a irrigation flow that can also hold trout, and a pond near the small house.

It was a warm day for October where waders weren't needed and there was hardly a cloud in the sky.  Not exactly great baetis weather and we were hoping that a larger dry fly or hopper would get the trouts attention.  It did but they weren't exactly falling all over themselves for dry flies.  Everyone caught a few brown trout that plucked hoppers off in the riffles or bumped a streamer falling of edges and undercuts.   

We all made our way back to the Suburban by mid-afternoon and settled in for an hour or so around the picnic table for lunch of all our cheese, crackers, and meat leftovers from the day before.  My buddy Dave had handcrafted a charcuterie board, complete with a serving handle to make it easy to use in the drift boat and burned Joel's family brand into it as well.  He even carved out places to hold three shot glasses and a magnetic near the handle to hold the knife in place. 

After our late lunch, we all put $20 on the table and made our way near where the creek flows into the river and played a game of sorts where we each get a turn in the various bends and beats upstream.  During your turn, you get three casts and there is a positive/negative point system for catching a trout, getting a take, losing a trout, losing your fly, etc.  Each time I've fished this stretch it's laid out differently with new pockets, undercuts, and downed trees.  Sometimes it can be really, really good with larger browns moving in and other times it's more or less empty.  It all depends on the day, the flow, and the season.  I got distracted by fishing behind everyone but if I remember correctly, Joel and Mike both caught trout during their turns and we called it a tie.  They split the kitty.  It's all in good fun and a great way to end the day on this special piece of ranch water.

If you ever find yourself in the Missoula area and are looking for a guide to spent the day with, look up Montana Troutaholic Outfitters.  I can't promise you that he'll take you to the ranch, but it'll be a day well spent.

SCHULTZ OUTFITTERS - Senyo on Egg Flies

In this video, Greg Senyo of Schultz Outfitters gets down and dirty with his favorite egg fly patterns.



Check out the Schultz Outfitters website and YouTube channel for more.  Don't miss the upcoming Bobbin the Hood gathering the first weekend of February.  Visit the Greg Senyo Fly Tying website for flies, grab a copy of his book, and more.

VEDAVOO - Nomadic Waters Trip Fly Box Solution

I've been brainstorming for the past two weeks on what needs to go with me to Brazil for the peacock bass trip with Nomadic Waters (I leave on Friday!!!) and since I'm limited to 38 pounds of luggage, it's been a process of needs vs. wants.  I'm an infamous "heavy packer" so it's been helpful that they have a great packing list which I've been following.  I needed to figure out a lightweight fly box to carry a few dozen flies down with me.  I really don't have space for a full sized fly box and then it hit me...

Solution = Vedavoo Fly Wallet in Mesh Shell 

I reached out to Scott Hunter and not only did he build up a couple of Core Fly Wallets with T.F.M. patches, but also included one of the new larger Fleye (12") Fly Wallets, which is the one I'm filling up with large jungle lies from Umpqua and Fly Geek Custom Flies.  He also sent along a couple of patched mesh shell No-Kink Reel Covers which I'm looking forward to using as well.

Scott did some step-by-step photographs of the build process and this is a good reminder that he has both the Comrade and Retro Fly patches in two sizes (2" and 3") on his website that you can add to any custom made gear for just $5 extra.

Look for an upcoming post as Scott decided to make a last minute batch of patched fly wallets for me to take down as gifts for the Nomadic Waters guides.  It's a generous move and I appreciate him greatly for it.

If you haven't visited the Vedavoo website lately, you should as there are a few new and updated gear items to check out.  You can find the T.F.M. patches option on the website, too.

6 Good Reads

Here's a six-pack of good ones from around the internet.  Enjoy...

RED CLAY SOUL - VINTAGE ORVIS CATALOGS

FISHBEER - ON MUSKY BUT REALLY NOT ABOUT MUSKY

FISHPOND - 'THE CREEK' IS A NICE MELLOW SCROLL

HATCH - PROFESSOR SCHULTZ ON TIME

ISTHMUS - ON ACHIEVING SOLITUDE

ORVIS NEWS - STAYING WARM DURING WINTER FISHING

Okay, what have you been reading lately?  Send an email to let me know...

MAD PLAIDER - Tiny A-Frame Cabin Tour

Longtime T.F.M. readers might remember a couple of T.F.M. posts from 2016 featuring Dale Yohe, a.k.a. Mad Plaider, and he recently put out a video giving a tour of his tiny A-frame cabin.

My wife is going to watch this and tell me we should build one like it in the woods near our house...

You've got to watch this video on YouTube and while you're there, click "Subscribe".

BLUE LINE OUTFITTERS - How to Rig a Small Stream Fly Rod

Blue Line Outfitters takes a few minutes to go step-by-step on how to put together a small stream fly rod outfit.  Obviously this best done with glass and in this case, they feature the Beaver Meadow S-Glass fly rod from JP Ross Fly Rods & Company. 

JP Ross and Blue Line Outfitters have an ongoing partnership which makes sense as JP's main focus is building small stream fly rods and their main focus is fishing small streams for native trouts.  This sounds like a win win for everyone.



The Blue Line Outfitters YouTube channel is a rabbit hole of native fish and small streams.  Don't be surprised if you see more videos from them in the future on T.F.M.

DAGUR ON GLASS

I've been following guide Dagur Árni Guðmundsson for awhile online as he splits his time between Iceland (a place I'd like to get to) and California posting up images of unbelievable fish caught on glass, including quite a few in this post on his Moonlit Fly Fishing Nirvana PhoenixGlass 6-weight.

I asked Dagur if he'd mind sharing some thoughts on why he enjoys fly fishing with fiberglass fly rods and he sent a great read along with a few of his favorite photographs. 

I have a feeling this won't be the last we'll see from Dagur on The Fiberglass Manifesto.  Enjoy...

Dagur wrote...  "I used to be kind of a skeptic when it came to glass rods, or maybe not a skeptic but I wasn’t fully sold on the idea of glass rods being great in a lot of circumstances.  I’ve always had a few lying around, a 3-weight for small streams, and a 6-weight for bass bugs and carpin’, but the rods I had were like wiggly noodles, and I basically used them for fun scenarios when I didn’t expect to need a rod that had to deliver in tough conditions, they were never my go to rods, but I always had fun with them.

 I’m no engineer, so I’m not all clued in on the e-glass, s-glass, and all the alphabet of glass rods, but I can tell a faster action from a slower action rod, and most of the glass I was used to was slower than a drunk Jeopardy contestant. On a whim, I decided to grab myself a faster action glass rod, the Moonlit Nirvana 6 weight, mostly because of that beautiful blue translucent color and the shape of the grip, thinking it would be a fun carpin’ stick for calm days and specific scenarios. Lo and behold, there is more than one way to , and not all glass rods are created equal. I love this thing and find myself grabbing it more than any of my other rods, especially for carp and when throwing big streamers on sinking lines. Those are very different techniques and styles of fishing, carp require delicate casts and smaller flies, whereas for big streamers for trout and bass you’re tossing a heavier line and fishing in a completely different way, all of which shows the versatility of the modern glass rods.

 Carp are spooky fish, but they’re also really strong. With a glass rod I am able to lay the line down softly, but also put the wood to the fish when they are starting to kick my ass. With a “normal” graphite six weight, there are definitely limits to how much pressure you can put on a fish during a fight. With glass, come to find out, you can do the ass kicking, as I discovered unexpectedly this summer while throwing streamers to brown trout in Iceland. I was tossing a sink tip line, big 6-8 inch flies, which the fast glass actually handles beautifully in the crazy wind of 50-75 mph winds that can gust through the southern Icelandic flatlands, when a 40 inch Atlantic salmon comes out of nowhere and slams the fly. Somehow I was able to land this thing with the rod bent through the cork, which must have looked hilarious to anyone watching, and I got the thing in after only a 20-30 minute fight, which is a pretty respectable time for these hard fighting fish. After that, there’s nothing I don’t think I can handle with the glass.

 I spend my fall, winter and spring seasons mainly chasing carp on the Central Coast of California, in some pretty diverse fisheries. On any given day, I may need to accurately cast 20 feet or less to tailing fish, or launch 50-90 foot casts at dry fly eating carp cruising the wind lines. I need to be able to accurately deliver a fly in often high winds in big lakes, and throw single hand spey casts accurately with little backcasting room. All of this I can do, well, with the glass, all while protecting the often light tippets (for the size of fish) we use on spooky carp in the fall or winter.

All that being said, fishing should be fun. That’s why most of us are doing it, and at the end of the day, glass rods are just a blast. I love a beautiful color on my rods, it makes me happy for some reason to see that translucent glow bent on a fish in the sunshine, and it puts a smile on my face when I’m launching flies into a heavy headwind and the rod flexes like a spaghetti noodle in the back but then just shoots a bullet into the wind and most of the fly line shoots out and lays down perfectly. Even when it’s not the best tool for the job, as when a 9 foot graphite rod would help me carry more line over the brushes and trees behind me, I still find myself grabbing the 8 foot glass rod, just for the fun of it all. You can get all technical as you like with fishing, but I find the glass just reminds me to have fun. That’s why I’m out here after all."

Check out the Dagur Fly Fishing website, maybe book trip, and follow along on Instagram, too.

THE SLIDE INN - Dry Fly Fishing with Vintage Glass

I get a kick out of Kelly Galloup's videos (which are often full of hot takes and opinions on fly fishing gear) and his late fall day on the water with a vintage Fenwick fiberglass fly rod was fun to watch. 

Even Kelly can have a tough day on the water where the trout snub all the dry fly presentations.



Check out The Slide Inn YouTube page and subscribe.  There's some good ones in there. 

SKWALA - All-New Backeddy Wader Now Available

While out in Bozeman last October, I spent a couple of mornings at the Skwala headquarters
(T.F.M. post) in Bozeman and was able to put hands on all of the upcoming releases, including the new
Backeddy Wader which went live this week.  Actually, out of everything that I was shown, the three Backeddy pieces, which included these waders, jacket, and vest, were the most interesting. 

Even with incredible competition in the breathable wader market, the Backeddy Wader are going to be absolute winners due to their well-designed fit, features, and performance.  I can't wait to get into a pair sometime this year to demo and review. 

And yes, $699 hurts but I've long prescribed to the 'Buy Once, Cry Once' philosophy.  The design team at Skwala is putting a lot of effort into design and sourcing the absolute best tested performance fabrics in all that they offer.  I've seen and experienced it with everything that I've worn so far.  

From the Skwala presser...

Skwala Fishing announces a new member of its vaunted wader lineup.  The Backeddy Wader hits participating retailers and online today and is sure to bolster the brand’s reputation as making the world’s finest fly fishing apparel.

The new Backeddy Wader borrows some of its heritage from its sibling, the award-winning RS Wader.  The Backeddy Wader utilizes the same 4-layer waterproof/breathable laminate with DWR finish, and ultra-dense 100% polyester microfiber double weave face textile found in the RS Wader. The Backeddy Wader also comes with Skwala’s unique gravel gaiters, renowned articulation that provides freedom of movement, anatomically patterned, fully glued and taped 4mm neoprene booties with an abrasion resistant sole panel, and incredibly comfortable shoulder yoke system.

From that point, the Backeddy Wader deviates to carve its own niche in the company’s wader lineup.   Two years in the making, this wader delivers unique, thoughtful solutions to complicated problems: Magnetic shoulder yoke attachments eliminate line-catching buckles while still providing Skwala waders’ well-known ease when getting in and out. Removable knee pads provide anglers with cushion for close-quarters streambed creeping on wary trout.

A pass-through kangaroo chest pocket provides shelter for chilly hands and features dual-sided zippers to prevent hang ups on oar-handles while rowing. An additional zippered drop top pocket holds your phone or other necessities.  Skwala even added the popular side dump-pockets from their technical sun hoodies for quick, secure access to tippet, floatant, split shot, indicators, or other small items.

“The Backeddy Wader is the result of our team examining the features that anglers need to create a better day on the water,” says Kevin Sloan, Skwala’s CEO + Founder. “While still maintaining the Skwala wader DNA, the team did a great job of developing a wader that we think will quickly become an industry standout.”

The Backeddy Wader is available online at SkwalaFishing.com and at select Skwala Retailers across the United States.

About Skwala 
Skwala builds gear for fly anglers who are constantly pushing the limits of their fishing adventures.  Spearheaded by founder Kevin Sloan, the Skwala team is obsessed with innovation that utilizes leading materials, thoughtful design, and unsurpassed construction.  Skwala builds gear that is built to fish and always ready for the task at hand. Check out the gear line-up at www.skwalafishing.com.



Take a few minutes to check out the Skwala website and we'll be collaborating throughout 2024 on a few planned giveaways.  Follow along with the latest shop news by signing up for their newsletter and follow on Facebook, and Instagram.

GLASS RESOLUTIONS

The New Year is already moving at a pace that I'm trying to keep up with and it was fun to read through the emails and DM's with the 'Glass Resolutions' that they have for the next twelve months.  It was neat to get insights from T.F.M. readers, fly rod builders, and others.  If you missed the 'Glass Reflections', circle back a couple of days to this T.F.M. post.

As for me, I have a couple of non-fly fishing milestones hitting this year with turning 50 years old in September and then being married for 25 years in October.  I'm not sure how either of these things could be happening and it's also a surprise that T.F.M. is over 15 years old now. 

Time sure does move quickly and it's been quite a ride which is making my resolution for the year to take on things I've always wanted to do but haven't yet whenever possible.  There are some angling aspects to this and I'm already keeping this resolution by saying yes last Monday to a very last-minute trip with Nomadic Waters to chase peacock bass which leaves next Friday.  This is a trip that I've wanted to do for a few years now and beyond stoked that I was able to wedge it into my family and work schedule.  I'm scrambling right now to assemble my "Jungle Kit", keep it all under 38 pounds, and be ready to board the plane to Brazil in a week and a half.  More on that in the coming days.

So, here are a few insightful 'Glass Resolutions' to check out...
 
GEORGE MINCULETE - TIGHT LOOPS FLY RODS

"I didn't get to fish much glass rods in 2023 besides my friend's T&T Lotic 744 which I've cast quite a bit in the spring at a local show, but I have a few coming up in 2024, a personal Tom Morgan Rodsmiths 8' 3-weight, wch I decided to turn into four pieces and had rod maker and friend Christian Horgren ferrule it.  And a couple more builds coming up like a Fisher Phenolic 765 and a NOS Winston 8045, probably the last ones I'll ever see of those blanks."

 

 

 
"What's interesting in 2024 is the Alternative Tackle collaboration that the so called "The Collective" of builders around (Nico, Christian, Paolo, Callum, etc.) and I think three or four special models that will be possibly be available on the Alternative Tackle website this year.

I've just finished this "Aether" 6'10" 3-weight and I've got a 7'3" 3-weight in progress called "The Minch".  I'm not sure if I can share where and by whom these special blanks were made so we'll just leave that out for now..."

BSHATCH
"Howdy Cameron, Happy New Year to ya and thanks for all the years of glassy info and fun.

Let's see, the main 'Glass Resolution' for the year, hmmm, going to go with utilizing a tippet ring, have yet to try one and am kind of mad I never looked into them.  They seem to make sense."

"The is a Bob Hallowell glass fly rod build that he was nice enough to paint a little chair t.v. on there for me, which is the signature for my artwork.  That rod is simply AWESOME for dry flies!"

MIKE CAPP
"I resolve not to let Cameron talk me into building any more fiberglass (or other) fly rods this year.  I thought I was done after building 4, 5 and 6-weight Epic kits and things lay fallow for a couple of seasons, but his 2022 Beaver Island report got me to thinking about a Bandit.  And then there was the discount associated with Epic ceasing their points plan and now there's an awesome Bandit in the basement which I haven't used as much as I'd planned.  I mean, Cameron wasn't wrong about it in any way, but did I really need it?  Probably not.  Am I addicted to building things?  Yes.  What am I going to build this winter to feed the beast if it's not going to be another fly rod?  Ahhg!"

SANDY NELSON - SANDY'S CUSTOM FLY RODS
"My resolutions for 2024 will hopefully provide some stable weather and a return to the window of opportunity for the springtime hatches, back to mid-July.

I will have my new Livingston Rod Co. Western Glass 865 to accompany me on my local waters, where it belongs, and I’m sure the 4-weight version of the YS DF will give it a good competition for being the go-to rod of the season.

Mind you, with some of the beasts I hope to encounter, having a 5-weight glass is always an advantage.

In the meantime, I have almost filled my fly box and still have 10 weeks to wait for the glorious 15th.

I wish everyone a safe and successful 2024, lang may yer Lum reek and deep may your glass bend."

NICO VREUGDENHIL - YAMAME FLY RODS
"Last year was a challenging year and 2024 will definitely be a challenging year too.  Some highlights...
- I have designed my own reel and the first ones will be ready in the spring.  Fully handcrafted and like my first rod series is going to be called "The Pure".  These will be 3 inches in size.
- I am busy getting an 8'2" 3-weight and a 5-weight finished now in addition to my model "The Rebel" 8'2" 4-weight that was launched recently.
- Every year I make a limited of four unique sets of rod and specially made reel.  Last year I did this with Tomo at Ijuin-Rods.  This year, Larry Kenney made four beautiful blanks for me and with them will come a beautiful reel with matching hardware.
- Last year, I was in Japan with my family and luckily I was able to go fishing with Tomo for a few days. There, we came up with the idea of designing a blank together. in the end, it will be a mix of Yomogi, Tomo's Hard Para, and The Pure. The blank will be a 7' 3-weight.  More on that...
- Also in the works, a collaboration with Alternative Tackle to build rods for them.
- Finally, soon my new website and webshop will be ready."

CHRIS BARCLAY - C. BARCLAY FLY RODS
"Hey Cameron, thanks for reaching out.  I have way too much going on to write out something.  I do have some new models coming, some already available, and will share that news with you soon to share on T.F.M."

MARK ERICKSON
"About 15 years ago, I made a New Year’s resolution to never make another one and I have kept it.  So I have no 'Glass Resolutions' this year.   I do, however, have some plans... 

First, I am continuing to work on my casting skills.  I’ve been hitting the park on many days to build double-haul muscle memory and kill my tendency to throw tailing loops with overpowered front strokes.  Improving my reach casts and stack mends are also on the list for 2024. 

Second, I’m looking to continue focusing on swinging soft hackles, pulling streamers, fishing nymphs during hatches, and other approaches to expand my bag of tricks. 

I’m also looking forward to pulling together multiple overnight backpack trips while I still have the fitness to get into the mountains. 

Other possibilities include rejuvenating my fly tying skills and maybe even building a rod this year."

ANDY STIEBLER - STEFFEN BROTHERS FLY RODS
"I hope to inspire more anglers to keep exploring waters near and far!  Sharing those memories and experiences with the people closest to them!

Also, tactically speaking from a business perspective, streamline our stock build processes and connect with more rod builders.  We plan to release a few limited offerings, including an alternative ferrule system on one particular glass taper we love."

"In short my resolution for the year is to get more Steffen fly rods into anglers hands through custom builders, fishing shows, online, and a couple of key partners!

Oh. And visit more fishy places across the American landscape.

Tight lines and Happy New Year."

MOODY WILLIAMSON
"My resolution for the. year is to build more glass rods, share more glass builds with buddies, and find more fish with glass!  I'm hoping this year to fish exclusively with glass."

TOM BRODHEAD -406 FLY LINES
"No new resolutions for 2024 except to continue to travel around to the various gatherings. This year's schedule includes the Bash, Northern Rodmakers, and the Catskill Rodmakers in the Fall.

Look for a new limited edition of a 7' 4-weight fly rod to be introduced sometime this summer."

Okay, let's all have a great year of glass fly rods and making memories on the water.