What's the secret to tiny trout?

What's the secret to tiny trout on ultralight gear in skinny streams? Leave no riffle unfished!

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Still more than half a week away...

Still more than half a week away, but I'm already counting down the hours until I'm back, knee-deep in cold water waving a stick in the air! Find me at the Orvis Down The Hatch show in Alpharetta, I'll have stickers with me!

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IFTD Demo Day 2017

Evenin' Folks,

  I thought I'd start off the series of AFFTA IFTD 2017 posts with a recap of Demo Day.  IFTD Demo Day is an event where members of the media are invited to the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes in Orlando before the opening of the IFTD Show and given the opportunity to talk with some manufacturers and use their new products on the water, under real conditions with a rep's (or in some cases, the designer's(!!!)) coaching and input.  It really is an incredible opportunity that I very much enjoy.  

  The setup was a little different this year in that all of the participating manufacturers were lined up along one long pond, which really made it easier to get to all the booths and make sure there was time to try all the new toys.  And, I don't want you to think that this was like casting into a 2-inch deep pool like the indoor casting ponds at various fly fishing events.  No, the water hazards of the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes golf course are trophy managed bass ponds.  Certainly not easy ponds to fish, but if you are lucky enough to hook up it's with a largemouth bass worthy of the latest and greatest products being tested.

  Unfortunately, I was skunked.  But, I was skunked using some of the most advanced fly fishing products to date.  And I had a hell of a time doing it and can't wait until Demo Day 2018!  Follow along with the photos below.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on any of them.  And be on the lookout for the next article in the IFTD 2017 series very soon.

  I hope you're all doing well,

     -Nick

IFTD 2017 Demo Day 7am at the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes, Orlando, Florida

The J.W. Marriott Hotel at the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes Golf Course, Orlando, Florida

Hardy Fly Fishing let me cast one of their new Zephrus Ultralight Series rods in 9' 5-weight with one of their classic Bougle reels.  This setup was designed for delicate presentations and was a pleasure to cast!

The new Salt HD from Sage Fly Fishing has a very soft, smooth cast and the KonneticHD technology helps put the power on for the quick casts that sight fishing saltwater fish requires.

I had the opportunity to cast the new Waterworks-Lamson Center Axis rod and reel side-by-side with an identically outfitted conventional fly rod and reel and the difference was quite astounding! 

At the Scientific Anglers station I got to cast their new Bonefish line on an Orvis Helios 3 rod.  This combination made for near effortless casting of this 8 weight!  I'd really like to spend some more time fishing with this setup!

G. Loomis introduced their new IMX-PRO series of rods this year.  These rods take advantage of the IMX-PRO Matrix graphite that they've been using on their tournament bass rods.  This strong, lightweight rod was a pleasure to cast and with a price tag around $500 it's a high quality rod that's not totally out of reach.

We weren't the only ones fishing at the Ritz-Carlton!

I spent some time talking with Nick (good name!) from Simms Fishing in front of the Simms Bus.  As a Large Outdoorsman myself, I was very happy to hear the Simms has starting increasing the sizes available on some of their more popular lines. 

The Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes is a beautiful venue for the AFFTA IFTD Demo Day.  They hotel even provided drift boats and guides to help put attendees on fish!

Hardy Fly Fishing IFTD 2017

Hardy Fly Fishing's new Ultralight series of reels certainly caught my attention today!

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More ultralight goodness!!

More ultralight goodness!! A Reelwood Bamboo 3 weight with an L. L. Bean Double L reel on a stony streambank in north Georgia.

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Addicted to Ultralight Flyrods

Just out of curiousity, anybody else here addicted to ultralight flyrods?

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New Hardy Sirrus Sintrix fiberglass Rod

I've gotten some questions about the new Hardy Sirrus Sintrix fiberglass rods. I believe it's due out in September. Here's what Hardy says about it: "Sirrus Glass rods are a range of super smooth, deep loading fly rods bringing the advantages of SINTRIX® technology to a classic rod range. Perfectly suited to short range presentations on small streams and creeks the Sirrus range also features incredible impact resistance and an ability to "Self load" at the closest distances." I can totally agree with that! The short cast accuracy was really impressive as was the ability to load for a shorter cast. It'll be available from a 6' 2 weight through an 8' 5 weight!! Shoot me a message if you have any more questions and I'll see about getting them answered!!

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Fishing a Hardy fiberglass rod...

Fishing a Hardy Sirrus Sintrix Glass fiberglass rod on a Ritz-Carlton golf course in front of a J. W. Marriott hotel was a bit surreal! But check out how that 'glass bends!!!

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No luck fishing the salt...

No luck fishing the salt this trip. I'm looking forward to getting back to the 2 weight and catching some bream!!

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You'd think by now I'd learn to wind the line back on the reel It's the simple things in life, that's why I flyfish the small streams.

You'd think by now I'd learn to wind the line back on the reel before I take a picture! Actually, I just leaned the rod on a tree momentarily to get my water bottle out and thought it made a nice shot with the moss covered rocks. It's the simple things in life, that's why I flyfish the small streams.

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Here's a beautiful rainbow trout!!

My apologies for such a horrendous photo of such a beautiful fish!! My camera was deep in my sling pack and I'm still learning how to use the GoPro! But, here's a beautiful rainbow trout from the small water of the Upper Chattahoochee River.
 

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Chasing trout with the 2 weight!!

Spent a fantastic morning in the mountains chasing trout with the 2 weight!!

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An Interesting Conversation...

I had an interesting conversation with a new neighbor yesterday. He saw my TFO 2 weight leaned against my workbench and questioned how I could get enjoyment out of that as compared to the deep sea fishing he prefers. I think it's all about keeping your expectations in check and enjoying the ritual and the process. Big fish are always fun, but small fish feed the soul. I'll take light rods, small streams or ponds and beautiful little fish any day.

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A white popper was the fly of the day.

The bluegill are pounding the topwater right now! A white popper was the fly of the day. It's amazing to watch big 'gills fight over it!!

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Private Pond Bluegill

I was invited to fish a small, private pond tonight and to say it was a successful trip is an understatement!! This big 'gill was easily over a pound and I honestly felt a bit under gunned fishing the 5' TFO Half Weight!! It horsed him in like a champ though, along with a few more and a bunch of small largemouths! Talk about a fantastic evening!!

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Making plans for the weekend!

Making my plans for the weekend. When I get out of the office I like to get WAY out of the office! If you're getting way out this weekend, don't forget to leave your itinerary with at least one trusted friend. Stay safe out there!!

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Nobody else ever...

Had a great evening on the office pond. I managed to catch all 5 on the same fly and still didn't lose it! Seems I normally lose a fly 1 or 2 casts after landing a fish. Thats just me, though, right? Nobody else ever loses the one fly working that day.

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You just can't beat...

You just can't beat catching bluegill on a 2 weight!!

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"When you come to a fork in the road, take it!" Nice and wide here, but only about 6"-8" deep! #smallstream #streams #creeks #skinnywater #northGeorgia #mountains #flyfishing #trout

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Does the Galvan Brookie click?

Evenin' Folks,
  I had a question on the First Cast: Galvan Brookie video on YouTube asking if the Brookie made an audible click when reeling in or paying out line.  I recorded a brief video to answer the question and demonstrate.
  Hope you're all doing well,
     Tight Lines,
        -Nick