Orvis Down The Hatch Atlanta 2015

Mornin' Folks, 

  I just wanted to give a quick reminder that the Orvis Down the Hatch Fly Fishing Film Festival co-sponsored by Sweet Water Brewery is just a week away!  We've got our tickets and can't wait for the show. Make sure to get your tickets very soon because they sold out last year. Part of the proceeds from the show go to help Chattahoochee River Keepers, definitely a worthy organization.  So make sure you get your tickets from Ticketmaster and click here to see my write up of last year's show. I hope to see you all there!

Tight Lines,

    -Nick

Norcross Gun Club and Range

Mornin' Folks,
  The weather has been pretty lousy for fishing around here lately. Hurricane Jaoquin stalled around Bermuda and has really walloped the Carolinas with rain. Our thoughts go out to all of our friends that have been affected by the flooding. Here in North Georgia we've gotten some rain and minor flooding, just enough to make fishing iffy. So, this weekend, instead of wetting a line, I met a buddy at the Norcross Gun Club and Range to do a bit of target shooting.
  This was my first visit to this range and I very much enjoyed it. The range area is comprised of 14 shooting lanes in two rooms, each with an electric target trolley. The block walls between each booth were covered in an acoustic material to reduce the noise and there were several cans provided to recycle brass, foam cartridge dividers and paper boxes and targets.
  There is a small "pro shop" style store that has a nice selection of firearms for purchase, range ammo, paper targets and any other supplies you may need for an afternoon of punching holes in paper.  The Norcross Gun Range also has a large number of firearms for rent, from handguns to long guns, and the reasonable rental fee is for the day, not for the piece, so you can try every gun on the rack for one price.
  I thoroughly enjoyed my time, shooting my beloved Ruger GP100 .357. I will definitely be returning to the range very soon, I've spent way too much time away from the shooting hobby. With an all day range fee of $18, the limiting factor is only the high cost of ammunition we're all dealing with.
  I hope you're all doing well.
    Tight Lines and Happy Shooting,
      -Nick

First Cast #003: Hodgman Aesis Jacket

Mornin' Folks,
  Here's the third video in the First Cast series. This one is previewing the new Hodgman Aesis Hyper Dry Down Jacket.  I'm looking forward to the weather cooling down so I can really put this jacket to the test.
  Thanks for watching. Please like and subscribe if you enjoyed and I'll keep bringing you First Cast preview videos. Send me an email or message me through social media if there's a product you'd like to see on First Cast and I'll do my best to make it happen.
  I hope you're all doing well.
    Tight Lines!
       -Nick

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

First Cast #002 TFO Finesse Half Weight

My Favorite Fly Reels from IFTD and ICAST 2015

Evenin' Folks,
  This is my second time writing this post, after I accidentally deleted it the first time!  It's taken me a little while to get back to it, and I apologize for that, but here are some of the reels that stood out to me at the 2015 IFTD show this year.  It's fun to look at reels in catalogs or on websites, but you just can't beat getting them in hand, spinning the spool a few times and listen to the beautiful clicking they make.  There are a couple of companies that I enjoyed seeing their reels, but I either wasn't able to get pictures or just plain forgot.  If you have a moment check out Tibor Reels and Douglas Outdoors for more reels that I would love the chance to use! 
  I've got one more post I'll be doing on my favorites from IFTD 2015, that'll be the rods post so make sure you check back soon to see it and check out the other posts from the Favorites series to see more products from IFTD and ICAST 2015.
  I hope you're all doing well.
    Tight Lines!
       -Nick

Taylor Reels

The Taylor Reels Type 1 is definitely an attention grabber in the green anodized finish.  Available in 3 through 6 weights, it has a carbon drag system and a large arbor design for quick retrieval.

The new 4-12 weight Revolution from Taylor Reels features a water tight sealed drag, ultra large arbor and four beautiful anodized colors.  I especially appreciate the large, easy to grip drag knob and affordable price for a big game reel.

On the right you can see the Array, a 3-8 weight reel available in black, gray and matte silver that would be great for chasing skittish brookies. 

Hatch Outdoors

The Finatic series from Hatch runs from the 0-2 weight 1 Plus (shown here) through the 12-16 weight 12 Plus.  The reels are available in multiple color anodizing options.The 1 Plus weighs in at only 2.8 ounces and features a mid-arbor design for quick line retrieval.

 

The 2 Plus shares features with the 1 Plus, but features a large-arbor that will handle 2-4 weight lines.  And, like all Hatch reels, made in the U.S.A.

Galvan Fly Reels

I was so glad I got to see the Galvan family at IFTD again this year.  They had the full line of the made in U.S.A. Galvan Fly Reels on display, including the new Grip series of big game reels

 

The soon to be released Grip reels will be available in 8-, 10- and 12-weight.  These beautiful reels are just screaming to be taken on a bonefish hunt in the Bahamas!

Aspen Reels

Aspen Reels say that theirs are premium reels at reasonable prices.  Made in a state of the art contract machine shop in California that decided to try making fly reels.  Looks like they succeeded!  The tactical look of the matte finish would be great when a shiny reel could spook wary fish.

Aspen has reels in several models ranging from 3 through 12 weights and three different finishes.  No tool spool removal, large drag knob and hollow main shaft (for heat dissipation) are just some of the well considered features that go into this great looking reel.

Cheeky Fishing

The hybrid die-cast and machined Tyro series reels are available from 2-8 weights.  With the carbon drag system, quick change spool, silent retrieve and low price make these a fantastic entry level reel choice.

Hardy Fly Fishing

I was invited by the folks at Hardy to visit their booth and try casting one of their rods and reels on the casting pond.  It was my first time using the equipment of one of the legends of fly fishing and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

 

The 2 3/4" Duchess was the first new "classic reel" from Hardy in over a decade.  An elegant looking, English made reel featuring a "Split Cage" frame design, twin line guides, hollow stainless steel spindle and a wooden handle.

What fly fisher wouldn't love to have a table that looked like this somewhere in their house?

 

The Hardy Lightweight Series of reels feature the 2-3 weight Flyweight, the 4-5 weight Featherweight, the 5-6 weight Lightweight and the 6-7 weight Princess.

The Ultralite DD is the reel that I got to cast at the show.  Available in 3-12 weights the Ultralite DD series feature 360 degree color coded drag, captive spool release and an ultra large arbor.

  

Another shot of the "Heritage Series" Duchess reel.  Classic good looks.

First Cast #001 Galvan Brookie