The other day Dave McCoy of
Emerald Water Anglers posted something on his
Instagram about the new
Thomas & Thomas Lotic II fly rods and I reached out to see if he'd share his a few of his thoughts on this fly rods series and his background with glass.
What he emailed a few days later (with a stack of images) was perfect and shared below. Enjoy...
Fiberglass.
A material in the proper form almost designed perfectly for a fly rod. Durable, sensitive and capable of manipulation as desired by application.
I didn’t come to glass as part of a fad in the past 5, 10, 20 years. I was born using it because graphite rods weren’t existence when I began fly fishing so my affection for glass is rooted deep in my angling life.
I began guiding in Colorado 30 years ago. When the namesake rivers we were counting on would blow out during July storms, we often had to pivot to smaller, lesser-known watersheds that remained clear and fishable. Turned out those became some of my favorite trips as they were more adventure based with a degree of search and discover woven into the experience.
After my ski race coaching career ended, we moved to Seattle in 1999. I started my business it was exclusively a guiding operation, and I was delighted to find the Cascade Mountains outside Seattle were absolutely littered with small streams. Most of them, few to no anglers were aware of and it began to feel like I was back in trout country of the Rockies…to some degree!
When I opened Emerald Water Anglers fly shop, glass was absolutely an integral part of our line up fly rods. Here in Seattle, while we have and are known for steelhead and salmon, we also have some terrific trout fishing, particularly in these small mountain streams.
The wild trout in our small water consist of Rainbow of course but also 2 species of cutthroat, West Slope and Coastal. Both are stunning trout who are more than willing to participate but typically are not of significant size which is where glass rods were going to excel.
Glass in my opinion is a tool bearing multiple applications.
Due to being mostly, a full flexing material when used in a fly rod, it is exceptional at protecting tippet on larger fish or when fishing ultra-light tippet such as 7x-10x when fly size or conditions demand it. All that flex in the rod means you aren’t going to rely as heavily on the elasticity of your leader and tippet to help land a fish. Glass and distance will likely never intentionally be used in the same sentence though as anglers become more proficient casters, trying your hand at distance is always a fun challenge.
Please keep in mind I have several glass rods from 10-12wt in size so there are times.
For those wanting to improve their casting by learning to feel how a rod and line work congruently to provide an effortless experience. This in my opinion is the greatest reason every fly angler should possess a glass rod. It will make you an exceptional caster if you allow it to.
Enter the Thomas and Thomas Lotic II fiberglass fly rod series.
I have an issue.
Every rod I pick up, if I even remotely like the feel, I can envision exactly where, when, with what and what for I am going to use it and therefore I end up with it. When I pick up a glass rod to cast, I want to feel even the easiest cast into the butt of the rod and ideally be as balanced as possible while simply holding it. When I can it is easier to know how it will act as an extension of arm and hand and therefore better control my cast.
The Lotic II is one of the smoothest, most sensitive rods I have ever lifted, my favorite being the 744-3. Closing my eyes, I can feel every cast perfectly,
At 10-15 feet your stroke won’t feel like your graphite rod but you quickly realize even this little amount of line loads the rod wonderfully, needing only a gentle stop of your stroke to unload and present a nice loop with accuracy. Perfect for small streams with a tight canopy.
I do want to remind everyone how important the line you pair with any rod is possibly the most important decision you can make in fly fishing. Uncurling a bit more line and reaching out to 25+ the Lotik II comes alive.
For the Lotic II I chose the Scientific Anglers Expert Trout. This line is a long head with a gently elongated taper to the front and back. Ideal for presentations requiring tight, accurate loops in close quarter situations and all the gentle control needed for spooky trout as well.
At this distance the butt is flexing, transferring the energy to the tip with the fluidity of the very water you are casting over and feeling this makes controlling the rod so much easier.
With a shorter length of most glass rods, mending proficiency is of utmost importance. The slower action of the Lotic II means using the line/water tension to your advantage to move more line when necessary. Slower and more deliberate movements will help use the load in the rod to manage the line.
Finally, fish on!
The slightest move of the fish, even while holding is a pulse straight to your hand. You are connected in a way no graphite ever could and the delight you will feel is just as palpable.
For most of the small trout out here in the Cascade and Olympic Mountains, the Lotic 744-3 will load to mid rod pretty easily. However, find yourself in the land of bigger, faster water and trout from 12+ and you will have your hands full.
Even had the cork open up enough to have the separate rings pinch your hand? Well this is how you do it…big fish, light tippet and fast water on this rod requires one thing most trout rods don’t…backing!
Do yourself a favor right now or as soon as possible. Find a T&T dealer and go cast one of these lovely sticks. Envision yourself, fish on, somewhere extraordinary.
As a fly shop owner, akin to a doctor, this is my prescription to all of you.
Make it happen.
