MCFF Open House

GREYS INTRODUCES THE CRUISE REEL AND CRUISE COMBO - 17 Oct 2023

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   GREYS INTRODUCES THE CRUISE REEL AND CRUISE COMBO For the Adventurous Angler On a Budget

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Oct. 17, 2023) – Greys Fly Fishing is proud to unveil our latest offering, the CRUISE reel and CRUISE combo, designed with the dynamic, modern fly angler in mind. For those whose adventures span beyond just fly fishing, this combo is the ideal companion, marrying impeccable performance with unmatched value. Performance fly gear at an exceptional price is the Greys promise, and we’re sticking to it.   For those who don a backpack, love to capture their adventures, and tread both fresh and light saltwater terrains, the CRUISE range stands out as the perfect blend of utility and sophistication. The new CRUISE reel boasts a robust large arbor, stunning, full cage design, durable aluminum construction, and an efficient disc drag mechanism, ensuring your reel is built to withstand the demands of both freshwater and saltwater encounters.   Beyond just the reel, the all-new CRUISE combo offers beginners and enthusiasts a comprehensive package featuring a medium-fast action 4 pc CRUISE fly rod matched with the Greys CRUISE large arbor fly reel and comes ready to fish with backing, WF line, and leader, all neatly packaged in a premium rod and reel case. CRUISE REEL FEATURES: High quality die-cast, machine-finished construction Rulon disc drag system Modern large arbor industrial design Supplied with reel pouch Available in sizes 5/6 and 7/8   CRUISE COMBO FEATURES: 4 pc medium fast action Cruise fly rod Aluminum reel seat with carbon spacer High quality die-cast, machine finished Cruise reel Modern large arbor industrial design Rulon disc drag system Supplied in a quality hard rod and reel tube Matching backing, WF line, and leader Available in a 9’ 5-wt, 9’ 8-wt and 10’ 7-wt   In a world teeming with options, we understand the need for simplicity. The CRUISE Combo is the perfect kit for those who value both quality and price. Take the guesswork out of your first fly fishing outfit and opt for this carefully curated combo that ensures both quality and affordability, and dive into a world of fly without breaking the bank. After all, it's not just about catching the fish; it's about cherishing every moment of the journey.   The CRUISE Reel & CRUISE Combo are now available. Reel MSRP: Starting at $69.95 Combo MSRP: Starting at $189.95   For more details and purchasing options, visit our official website or connect with us on social.   ###   About Pure Fishing Pure Fishing is a collection of the world’s favorite fishing brands. Every day, all around the world, someone experiences the joy of catching a fish with one of our products. From gear for epic battles at sea to a relaxing day with family at the lake, our portfolio includes the most recognized and admired brands in fishing tackle, lures, rods, reels and storage. Abu Garcia®, Berkley®, DAM®, Fenwick®, Fin-Nor®, Frabill®, Greys®, Hardy®, Hodgman®, Johnson®, JRC®, Madcat®, Mitchell®, Penn®, Pflueger®, Plano®, Prologic®, Savage Gear®, Shakespeare®, SpiderWire®, Stren®, Ugly Stik® and Van Staal®.

Sanibel Island Trip 2015

Editor's Note:

   This is an incomplete article I wrote following our 2015 trip to Sanibel Island.  I ran across it this morning and decided to publish as-is after the devastation brought to Sanibel Island and the surrounding area by Hurricane Ian on September 28, 2022.

Evenin' Folks,
  I had the opportunity recently to visit the south west coast of Florida and I've gotten to the point lately that if I'm going to visit somewhere new with lots of water, I'm going to take a fly rod and try to do some fishing!  We stayed in a town called Port Charlotte, a bit north of Ft. Meyers and Naples.  Our hotel was just about a 30 minute drive from world renown Sanibel Island.
  When the Little Girl and I travel, we tend to leave home very early in the morning so we don't waste a whole day driving.  We got down to the hotel in the very early afternoon, so we decided to drive over to Sanibel to check out the area and, perhaps, sit on the beach a little while.  I had done some research before we left home, got some advice from author and friend Steve Hudson on where to fish in the area and an internet search turned me on to a local fly shop.  Norm Zeigler's Fly Shop is a great little local shop and Norm is an incredible wealth of information drawing on decades of fly fishing experience around the world.  Norm gave me some great advice on where to go, what flies to use, how to fish them and, really saving me, he let me rent a Redington Crosswater reel to use with the loaner rod I got from Thomas & Thomas.
  We drove around for a little while, checking out the island, then decided to head to the beach so the Little Girl could enjoy the sun and surf and I could make some practice casts with the Thomas & Thomas Solar 9' 8-weight rod.  We pumped the parking meter with enough quarters to last us several hours and headed down the board walk under a canopy of trees and brush to the beach.  Just before reaching the dunes, a rumble of thunder told us that we may have fed the meter a little too much a little too quickly.  We got onto the beach just in time to see some very dark clouds rolling in and beach goers packing up their towels and heading to the parking lot.  

  We ended up leaving the beach for a while, cruising around the island exploring.  The storm ended after about an hour or so, so we headed back to the beach.  I got to make some casts with the T&T rod, and I gotta say, as much as I love my ultralights, casting the big fly rod was an absolute blast!  We were there during the outgoing tide, but because of all the wind and rain the water was pretty churned up and muddy.  I didn't get a single bite, but I had a lot of fun out there blasting casts into the surf.  So much fun, in fact, that I didn't notice the dark clouds rolling back in.  Another rumble of thunder and we decided to call it a night, grab some dinner and head back to the hotel.  

  On Saturday morning we headed out early (after some cinnamon rolls from the Holiday Inn Express breakfast bar!!!) and went to the first beach on Captiva Island, literally!  I made some casts from the rocks toward the bridge that links Sanibel and Captiva.  The water was still pretty dirty from the rain the night before, even the bait guys weren't getting any bites.  I ended up giving up on fishing after a couple hours or so, I was really concerned the someone might walk into my back cast and more than once a swimmer swam way to close to my fly for my comfort.  After relaxing on the beach a little longer we packed up the car and went for a drive.

  We decided to drive through the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge in hopes of spotting some interesting wildlife.  After driving for a little while we stumbled upon the realization that we weren't going to see much from the car.  Along the roads for most of the refuge, all you really see are trees and mangroves.  Most of the spots big enough to pull the car over and look around were full and there were a lot of people out fishing in all of the open spots along the road.  We found an empty pull off and got out.  There was a board walk that lead to a fishing platform over the water.  At the urging of the Little Girl, I grabbed the Solar rod out of the back of the car and we headed to the platform.  The fishing platform was surrounded on three sides with dense mangroves, but in front of the deck was a gorgeous little cove.  The length of the 9' Solar rod gave me the reach I needed to make some side casts over the railing and into the lagoon.  I was amazed by the number of fish we could see swimming around in the water.  I'm pretty sure I saw a school of redfish hugging the bottom within easy casting distance.  The were unfazed by the Norm Zeilger Crystal Schminnow that I was throwing to them.  I cast a few (dozen) more times, then cast the fly out one more time so I could load the line back on the reel and we could retreat back to the air conditioning of the car.  With my line out in the water, I stood there a moment talking with the Little Girl, laughing about how much fun she was having taking "selfies" with my phone, when my line tightened and took off across the lagoon.  

Rod Vault ST, ICAST 2019

Working on orgainizing my pictures from ICAST 2019 and ran across some that never got posted. Like this new Rod Vault ST from the folks at Denver Outfitters. They've been making their fly rod carriers for quite a while now, but the ST is designed to carry 6 mid-size spinning and casting rods.

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/B0LyxWLBnHY/

Castek, ICAST 2019

I was finally able to beat the crowd at the Castek booth. They call this rod rack a "Wall to Water" system, because it hangs on the wall for storage, becomes a securd carrier for transport and the deploys legs to make a sturdy rod stand at the water. Such a fantastic idea! And, it'll hold flyrods, I checked!

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BzycKmFBCUj/

Yakima DoubleHaul, ICAST 2019

Glad to see Yakima release a roof top fly rod storage solution! The Double Haul can accomodate 4 rods up to 12-weight, fully rigged! By sliding the rods in sideways it keeps pressure and wear off the guides.

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzx1wfGB3QN/

G. Loomis Musky Rod, ICAST 2019

I visited the G. Loomis booth to find their new Musky rod. This stick is packed with all the features that those freshwater predator fishermen have been asking for! Extra, larger and stronger guides, strong backbone and a rubber/cork composite grip designed to help with the figure eights by the boat! .

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzvt7EqhQAJ/

St. Croix Imperial Salt Rods, ICAST 2019

Getting a closer look at the new Imperial Salt rods from St. Croix! Great feel in hand on this rod, now I need to cast one!

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzvk1iFhyYx/

Mauser Waterman 486

I am really looking forward to putting some bends in this Mauser Waterman 486 next week!

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BoW2AT7nPQq/

27 days left!!! Throwback Countdown: Waterworks-Lamson Center Axis

Still counting down with 27 days left until the largest fishing and flyfishing shows in the world!! At the 2017 IFTD Demo Day I was able to cast the new Waterworks-Lamson Center Axis rod and reel! To be honest with you, I've wanted more time with it ever since!! Check it out if you haven't already and let me know what you think if you've had the opportunity to cast one! www.waterworks-lamson.com

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj-FuFeHZQV/

Thomas & Thomas, The Fly Fishing Show Atlanta 2018

Always good to see the folks from Thomas & Thomas at the shows! Check TheSuburbanAngler.com archives for my thoughts on the Solar rod they let me borrow. Loved casting that rod!!

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BevoC2Vl1C7/

Spooling Up

I finally got around to spooling up the Aspen Reels Aspen 300 mid-arbor fly reel. I lined it with Risen Fly Omega Supreme 4 weight line and will mount it on an Eagle Claw Featherlight rod. This feels like a nearly bullet proof set up that I'm really looking forward to putting to use!!

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2yVNIy1

Still going through the pictures

Still going through the pictures from my last trip. I'm ready to go back!

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2hYxduS

IFTD 2017 Best In Show Award

IFTD 2017 Best In Show Award goes to Sage Fly Fish for the Salt HD flyrod! Congratulations to the folks at Sage!!!

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2tk5LuZ

Scott Flyrods IFTD 2017

Checking out the updates to the G Series of rods from Scott Flyrods. Naturally, I gravitated to the 2 weight, but the heavy rods are sweet casters as well!!

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2uiS1or

G. Loomisfly IMX-Pro

Another new this year rod is the G.Loomis IMX-Pro. I cast both the 5 and 6 weight and really enjoyed the action on these rods!!

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2uMxhU9

Orvis Helios 3F

The new Orvis Helios 3F 8 weight with Scientific Anglers new bonefish line was an incredibly smooth system!!

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2v7NAKx

The new Center Axis rod from Waterworks Lamson

This new Center Axis rod and reel setup from @waterworkslamson has a very different feel when cast side-by-side with an identical traditional setup!

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2tJdBjF

New Sage SaltHD rods!

Sage Fly Fish brought out some of their new SaltHD rods with an update to last year's new Konnetic Technology. Very soft, easy cast on this 7 weight saltwater rod!

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2u4qFTk

Trying to squeeze in a few casts

Trying to squeeze in a few casts before the rain hits!

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2rNGybL