FIRST LOOK - Redington Butter Stick Salt LE

Not on my bingo card for the year was Redington giving us "Glass Geeks" a limited edition big brother to the Butter Stick family with the Butter Stick Salt LE.  This is a T-Glass 8' 8-weight that is saltwater (or heavy freshwater) ready, four pieces for ease of travel, and with a progressive taper that you won't feel under-gunned walking the flats or the pointy end of a skiff.  

One just might be headed to the Louisiana marsh with me in a few weeks.  I can't wait.

Have a look at the sell sheet for dealers with all the particulars and marketing talk...

Visit the Redington website to learn more and cast the Butter Stick Salt LE at your local dealer. These are a limited edition model in limited numbers and are expected to sell through quickly.

BRAMMER'S CUSTOM FLIES - An Intro to Two Hand Musky Fly Rods

It's been a long time since I've been on a trip focused on musky (take the wayback machine to 2013 with Brad Bohen in this T.F.M. post with links to other posts from the trip) and I remember not being mad when the trip ended since my arm and shoulder were wrecked from casting a wet 15+ inch fly all day.  If you're not continually casting, stripping, figure-eighting, lifting, and casting again, you're not really musky fishing.  You are in constant motion.  

Gunnar of Brammer's Custom Flies just might be on something with a two-hand musky fly rod setup.  Press PLAY to see what he's talking about...
 

Check out the Brammer's Custom Flies website, follow on Instagram, and subscribe for other video content on YouTube. 

6 Good Reads

We're going to start the week with a six-pack of essays that begin with an essay from Darren Bush where he talks about canoe paddles but all I heard it in my mind as fly rods, Monte Burke with a good one from out west, five different experiences with blue lines, on granddad's fish stories, the next chapter for Kirk Deeter, and some thoughts on "Trout Bumitis".    

CANOELOVER - AN ESSAY YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO

GARDEN & GUN - MONTE BURKE ON BECOMING A TROUT ANGLER

PATAGONIA - FIVE ANGLERS ON BLUE LINES

VINTAGE TROUTS - ON THE LOST ART OF TELLING FISH STORIES

FLYLAB - ON THE END OF ANGLING TRADE AND WHAT'S NEXT

HOOKSWAIN - ON TROUT BUMITIS

Let's all have a great week and make sure you take some time for yourself on the water or at the vise.

PATAGONIA - Tying the Pheasant Tail Soft Hackle Dry Fly

One of my favorite books from last year was Pheasant Tail Simplicity and the trio of Yvon Chouinard, Craig Mathews, and Mauro Mazzo teamed up again for this Patagonia paperback which is full of stories, techniques, and fly tying recipes with step-by-step instructions.

In this film, Yvon ties a variation of a soft hackle that floats higher to imitate a mayfly dun or spinner.
 

Order your copy of Pheasant Tail Simplicity on the Patagonia website or pick one up at your local book store or fly shop.  

Want to jump ahead and watch other Pheasant Tail Simplicity videos?  You can find them on the Patagonia YouTube channel.  

SOUTHERN CULTURE ON THE FLY - DAVE MAGAZINE

Dave Grossman of Southern Culture on the Fly would have been 48 years old this weekend if not for his unexpected and tragic passing this past spring.  I still can't believe he's gone but he sure did leave us with a lot of stories and good times to remember him by.  Dave Magazine is a collection of selected stories, essays, photographs, and remembrances of a man we miss deeply.  

Crack open a cold PBR, even if you're reading this over breakfast, and enjoy the read...

BORN TO BE FREE

It's Time to Watch This One Again

I have a short list of films that I can watch over and over again and gain something a little more each time.  A River Runs Through It is one of those films and the passing of Tom Skerritt is a good excuse to settle in to enjoy it all over again.  The last few minutes always gets me.  

THOMAS & THOMAS - Q&A with the Rod Designers on the Lotic II

There has been, and you'll continue to read, quite a bit of content on T.F.M. highlighting the Lotic II series of fiberglass fly rods from Thomas & Thomas Fly Fishing.  I have the 4-weight and 6-weight on demo and am just back from a few days in Montana where I fished both of these fly rods for the majority of the trip.  These are both wonderful in their own way and it's exciting to see new models added to this generation of their latest fiberglass offering.  

There is a short article on the Thomas & Thomas website with the Lotic II designers which answers the questions of what, why, and more.  It's worth a read this weekend.  

Here is some additional reading from past T.F.M. posts along with the latest Q&A...

Q&A WITH T&T'S ROD DESIGNERS
EMERALD WATER ANGLERS - GLASS MAGNIFICENCE
FIRST LOOK: THOMAS & THOMAS LOTIC II SERIES

Which Lotic II fly rod has your eye?  Email and let me know if you have any questions.