Sunday, November 17, 2024

Scott Fly Rod Company Announces 50th Anniversary Edition Fly Rods

The Scott Fly Rod Company is pleased to announce the introduction of their new 50th Anniversary Edition fly rods.


This year, the Scott Fly Rod Company proudly celebrates their 50th anniversary. “It’s been a journey filled with fun, firsts, camaraderie, and a half-century of handcrafting high-performance fly rods,” states Scott president, Jim Bartschi. “In contemplating the most fitting tribute to the anglers who fish Scott rods, the rodsmiths who craft them, and the rod designs of Harry Wilson, Larry Kenney, and myself, we picked one rod from each decade that exemplifies Scott innovation and, in some way, changed the way we fish.”



The 50th Anniversary Edition fly rods were chosen from an award-winning series of Scott rods that are even more celebrated by the anglers who fish them. For those anglers, these are never-part-with rods. Rather than simply replicating the originals, Scott has built the rod blanks to spec with a resto-mod approach to finishing them. Though instantly recognizable to Scott history buffs, these anniversary rods are finished with today’s best-in-class components and construction techniques. In celebration, the Scott Fly Rod Company offers these tribute fly rods with a heartfelt thank you to the whole Scott family.

F 703/4
When Harry Wilson founded the Scott Fly Rod Company in 1974, he built a name for himself and the brand by making some of the most coveted light-line multipiece fiberglass fly rods. At a time when the typical fly rod was a heavy, clunky 8-foot 6-weight two-piece rod, Scott’s light-line multipiece rods opened up new opportunities for anglers fishing cold, clear streams with dry flies by providing light, responsive, and smooth rods for the task. Advanced tapers and the Scott hollow internal ferrule were central to accomplishing this feat. No model exemplifies this better than the F 703/4: $995.


G 904/4

When graphite arrived on the scene in the mid-1970s, Wilson envisioned a long, light-line rod using the new material. When he told friends in the fly-fishing community about his idea, they said it couldn’t be done. After many attempts and challenges, Scott finally released the first 9-foot 4-weight line graphite rod. It changed fly fishing. Anglers had a new tool to fish long leaders and small flies on technical rivers like Henry’s Fork, Hat Creek, and the Paradise Valley spring creeks. With the graphite rod, anglers could control drag, fish light tippets, and engage large trout like never before. To this day, the G 904/4 is named among the finest light-line fly rods ever built: $1,095.


ARC 1287/3

The ARC series of salmon and steelhead rods were the first to deploy ultra-lightweight, unidirectional graphite laid up off the zero-degree axis. Now found in many premium fly rods, it was a major innovation when introduced. The material and construction breakthrough allowed Scott to make some of the lightest and smoothest double handers of their time. Gone were the days of lumbering two handers that tired anglers out after a half-day of fishing. The ARC 1287/3 is still one of Scott’s most-searched-for salmon and steelhead rods: $1,395.


STS 909/3

The STS series put Scott on the saltwater map. Widely adopted by Florida Keys captains and saltwater anglers around the globe, they were introduced at a time when saltwater fly fishing and travel to new destinations in the tropics were taking off. STS built on the success of ARC by using multidirectional layups and took materials alchemy a step further, utilizing the first multi-modulus blank designs. Anglers who have followed Scott’s history fondly remember the company’s “Jet Ski era”—images of casting from the wing of a submerged aircraft and lifting cinder blocks with the rod from the top of a poling platform. By a wide margin, the STS 909/3 is considered the crown jewel in this transformative series: $1,195.


R 905/4

Like the G 904 40 years earlier, Radian rods fundamentally changed the angling experience. Through material and design innovations, Radian rods solved the dilemma of bringing together fast action with feel. They also showcased a new approach to components that set new standards and made them even more endeared to anglers. When considering which rod from Scott’s recent past to offer as an anniversary edition, the choice was clear. Sworn by many to be the finest fast rod of all time, the R 905/4 is the most coveted historical Scott rod model: $1,095.


All rods come with a special 50th anniversary inscription, custom engraved reel seat hardware, and a commemorative rod tube.

50th Anniversary Edition fly rod photos can be viewed at scottflyrod.com/scott-fly-rod-images.

To learn more, visit your nearest authorized Scott dealer or visit scottflyrod.com.

About the Scott Fly Rod Company:

Since its founding in 1974, the Scott Fly Rod Company has been dedicated to handcrafting the ultimate fishing tools from start to finish. Based in Montrose, Colorado, Scott has a history of innovation, dedication to performance, and a commitment to protecting the environment while also supporting local fly shops.

For more information about Scott Fly Rods, please visit their website and follow Scott on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

UMPQUA - Flies for Streamers

It's time for your fall streamer primer from the folks at Umpqua and the Colorado Angling Company.



Check out all the Umpqua streamer patterns on their website and your local fly shop.

Limited Edition Copper Bob Bourbon Released

If you've been looking for an interesting bottle (or bottles) to add to your bourbon collection, Copper Bob Bourbon collaboration of Isanti Spirits with artist Bob White is one to consider.  There are four bottles in the full set that feature artwork by Bob White on each bottle.  Bottles can be purchased individually and the 15-year bourbon chosen was distilled at the Bardstown Bourbon Company.  There are only 100 of each bottle artwork in this limited edition release.


Bob White wrote...  "Copper Bob Bourbon is the result of a creative partnership between Bob White and Rick Schneider, artists and adventurers.
 
Rick began his distilling career in 2010 studying at Dry Fly Distilling in Spokane, Washington. Rick and his wife Nikki founded Isanti Spirits in 2013, and began distilling on their rural Isanti, Minnesota property in 2015.
 
Rick searched the country for a special whiskey to bottle for Copper Bob Bourbon, eventually choosing a rare 15-year-old Kentucky Bourbon, distilled by the Bardstown Distillery. This was no easy task as the growth of the craft distilling industry has generated intense competition for special barrels.
 
Copper Bob Bourbon is named after the Copper Bob Nymph, a fly I designed in 1988. If we've fished together, you no doubt have a few in your fly box. The four labels on Copper Bob Bourbon are some of my favorite paintings. I hope you'll enjoy them.
 
I began guiding fly fishermen in Alaska in 1984 and Argentina the following year. Lisa and I still fish and host trips to both destinations. I believe that artists should paint what they know and love. The images I create depict fishermen I've known, the fish they pursue, and the environs we cherish.

Each label is limited to 100 bottles.  All bottles come in a custom wood box engraved with my signature Copper Bob Nymph.  Individual bottles with your choice of label are $400.00 each (price includes shipping).  The first 25 bottles include an original pencil drawing of the Copper Bob!"


The complete set of four labels is $1500.00 (price includes shipping). All sets include a full-size drawing of a Copper Bob drawn just for you and shipped free of charge from BobWhite Studio.





Due to the limited nature of this rare bourbon, it will not be offered online. Interested parties should contact Rick Schneider at 763-333-6447 or email to order at rick@isantispirits.com.  

Learn more about the Copper Bob Bourbon collection on the BobWhite Studio website.

All photographs in this post were taken are by Brett Kallusky.

Friday, November 15, 2024

MOONLIT FLY FISHING - New Interchangable Sink Tips Sale

I've been trading emails with Brandon from Moonlit Fly Fishing and now through the holidays, we'll roll out a few different promotions.  To start, we're highlighting the new Interchangeable Sink Tips that are available in three different sink rates and in three different lengths.

Sink tips come in handy so that you don't have to change out an entire fly line for a sinking line and with the many different lengths and sink rates, you can fine tune what you need for whatever the angling situation you're in. 


Need a few for your kit? Use code "TFMINTERCHANGE" for a free sink tip when you buy three.  And they are currently on sale.  This promotion is good through November 23rd.

Visit the Moonlit Fly Fishing website to check these out and don't forget about their glass fly rods. 

MAD RIVER OUTFITTERS - Fly Casting Fiberglass Tips!

A couple of weeks ago, Mad River Outfitters released a video highlighting Flip Pallot talking about the ECHO Bad Ass Glass and in this follow-up, Tim Rajeff talks casting with fiberglass fly rods.  



Mad River Outfitters has a huge library of excellent videos on their YouTube channel to enjoy and if you're interested in a fiberglass fly rod, they have those, too.

PAKMULE - Black Friday Sale Turned on Now

It seems like Black Friday sales start earlier and earlier each year but this one from PAKMULE is worth sharing with savings up to 20%.  This is a "Buy Once. Cry Once" purchase for one of their rock solid cargo carriers and even 10% is a nice savi.  
 
A search on T.F.M. will take you to a dozen or more posts where I've reviewed our PAKMULE cargo carriers and I can't imagine road trips without one.  One of the back of our Outback Wilderness has been essential to extend what we can carry on a trip and it's always handy to have our coolers locked down outside for easy access.


If you've been thinking about a PAKMULE, now is the time to get it ordered.  I'm happy to answer any questions about our experience with an email

Monday, November 11, 2024

A Double Shot of Kelly Galloup

Maybe the timing was on purpose with the Mill House boys sitting down with Kelly Galloup for a great chat and then Galloup's Slide Inn kicking off a YouTube series of videos with him within days of each other.  Either way, you get a double shot of "Streamer Jesus" to start your week.

You can watch the Mill House Podcast on YouTube or listen wherever you listen to podcasts.


And, Kelly Galloup is on the hunt for a 30" trout in this video series on the YouTube channel.



What's the largest trout that you've ever caught?  Honest (no fibbing) number.  I think a few brown trout pushing 24 inches might be mine.