HARDY MARKSMAN Z FLY ROD WINS TOP HONOR AT ICAST 2023

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   HARDY MARKSMAN Z FLY ROD WINS TOP HONOR AT ICAST Beating out stiff competition, the Hardy Marksman Z captures prestigious Best in Category Win for Fly Fishing Rod at ICAST 2023   ORLANDO, FL. (JULY 12, 2023) – The Hardy Marksman Z Fly Rod, designed to be an angler's ally in the unpredictable and varied challenges of the saltwater environment, has won the prestigious ICAST Best in Category for Fly Rod Award. The Marksman Z, which has been meticulously crafted in partnership with some of the world's finest saltwater guides, seasoned anglers, and industry legends is the perfect tool for your moment in salt. Built with Sintrix FLT that is applied to an updated mandrel design, the Hardy Marksman Z Fly Rod stands up to the most demanding saltwater conditions offering the reliability needed for everything from Gold Cups to Grand Slams and a thousand different challenges in between. Regardless of the changing tides or shifting winds, the Hardy Marksman Z is your steadfast companion in the saltwater world. “The Hardy team spent many hours and days on the water listening to the concerns of our best anglers. We knew we had to replace the Zane Pro, and that was a challenge,” said Jim Murphy, Director of Fly Fishing for Hardy. “We had to develop new materials, new tapers, and test them with the most demanding anglers. The feedback we received was that they could not believe we improved on the Zane Pro. We are happy to maintain our position as the best saltwater fly rod in the world.” Key Features: Sintrix FLT on an updated mandrel design Increased lifting power in the lower section  Reduced overall in-hand weight Easy to load yet fast tip recovery for more accurate casts under pressured situations Hybrid ring specification that blends durability and practicality using both Cerecoil and recoil stripper guides Aluminum uplocking reel seat with easy to grip locking nuts to ensure a solid reel fit MSRP: Starting at $995 Available:  September 2023 Experience the strength, agility and durability of the all-new Hardy Marksman Z Fly Rod and feel the difference in every cast. To learn more about Hardy Fly Fishing, click here. For more information about the 2023 new products from all the Pure Fishing brands, including downloadable press releases, spec sheets, images and logos, click here.                                                            ### 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®.

ALL-NEW HARDY MARKSMAN Z FLY ROD - Pure Fishing Press Release 5 July 2023

 I received a new press release from the folks at Hardy this morning!  Looks like they're introducing a new line of Saltwater Fly Rods!  I hope they'll have them at ICAST, I can't wait to check these out!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW HARDY MARKSMAN Z FLY ROD Redefining Performance in Saltwater Fishing   COLUMBIA, S.C. (July 5, 2023) – Just in time for those saltwater flats trips, the Hardy Marksman Z Fly Rod is a groundbreaking addition to our premier saltwater rod range. This innovative rod leverages the latest in performance materials to deliver a level of strength, reduced weight, and durability unmatched in the market. The Hardy Marksman Z Fly Rod is designed to be an angler's ally in the unpredictable and varied challenges of the saltwater environment. From calm, early morning runs to windy afternoons, the Hardy Marksman Z ensures an optimal cast, even from an unstable platform.  This rod is designed with a unique blend of feel, power, and recovery, resulting in a product that promises an unrivaled fishing experience. As a hundred pounds of chrome goes airborne, or as six pounds of silver leaves the flat as if fired from a gun, you can be confident that the Marksman Z in your hand can do the job and, of course, the adrenaline rush is guaranteed.  This exceptional blend of characteristics was brought to life through a collaborative design process. In partnership with some of the world's finest saltwater guides, seasoned anglers, and industry legends, we've crafted the Hardy Marksman Z to be the perfect tool for your perfect moment in salt. Built with Sintrix FLT that is applied to an updated mandrel design, the Marksman Z was created with a strong butt section that gives you increased lifting power in the lower section of the rod making it strong enough to pull big fish from cover yet extremely light in the hand. The Hardy Marksman Z Fly Rod stands up to the most demanding saltwater conditions, offering the reliability needed for everything from Gold Cups to Grand Slams and a thousand different challenges in between. Regardless of the changing tides or shifting winds, the Hardy Marksman Z is your steadfast companion in the saltwater world. "We're delighted to introduce the Hardy Marksman Z, the newest addition to our superior range of fishing rods," said Jim Murphy, Director of Fly Fishing for Hardy. "Our goal is to provide anglers with the best possible equipment that can stand up to any condition, and we believe the Hardy Marksman Z Fly Rod exemplifies this commitment." Features:  Sintrix FLT on an updated mandrel design Increased lifting power in the lower section  Reduced overall in-hand weight Easy to load yet fast tip recovery for more accurate casts under pressured situations Hybrid ring specification that blends durability and practicality using both Cerecoil and recoil stripper guides Aluminum uplocking reel seat with easy to grip locking nuts to ensure a solid reel fit MSRP: Starting at $995 Available:  September 2023   Experience the strength, agility and durability of the all-new Hardy Marksman Z Fly Rod and feel the difference in every cast. To learn more about Hardy Fly Fishing, click here. ### For an exclusive look at the Hardy Marksman Z and the entire lineup of new fly fishing gear from Hardy, please consider joining Hardy and the rest of the Pure Fishing brands for an exclusive preview of its New Product Showcase entries at On the Water from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 11 at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) North Building Ponds. Also join us at the Pure Fishing press conference in Room S310 A-B of the OCCC, at 3:30 p.m. to hear directly from some of the biggest brands in the fresh and saltwater fishing industries. And finally, please consider voting for the Hardy Marksman Z at the ICAST New Product Showcase starting Tuesday, July 11. For more information about Hardy, click here.   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®.

Renzetti Fly Fishing & Rod Building Fair 2018

Hanging out at the Renzetti factory today! I've wanted to tour this place since I moved to Florida!

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

Casting the Mauser Waterman 486

I was very impressed casting the Mauser Waterman 486 while I was in North Georgia! Testing will continue and video and write up will be posted as soon as I can get to it! Give @mauserflyfishing a follow and check them out if you haven't already.

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BorgE5BnhcA/

My Favorite Fly Rods from IFTD and ICAST 2015

Mornin' Folks,

  Here's the last installment of My Favorite products from ICAST 2015.  This time I cover the fly rods that were presented at the show.

  Enjoy the pictures and let me know if you have any questions!

  Tight lines!

     -Nick

 Thomas & Thomas

Thomas & Thomas makes rods with everything from Bamboo and Fiberglass to Graphite and Resin, by hand in Massachusetts.

The guys at Thomas & Thomas were kind enough to let me cast the new Aeros medium action rod on the casting pond.  The classic feel and styling of this rod exudes technical, small-stream dry fly fishing.  Available in 3-5 weight and 8', 8'-6" and 9' lengths, I know a few brook trout I would like to introduce this rod to!

From 2 weight to 12 weight in a variety of actions and materials, Thomas & Thomas has an heirloom quality rod to suit your needs.

Douglas Outdoors 

Douglas Outdoors was in attendance at the show with their line of rods.  Being an ultra light enthusiast, I was immediately interested in the new Upstream series of rods.

The Upstream rod was in the ICAST New Product Showcase.  Intended for upcountry and deep bush fishing, the Upstream was designed with close casting and line control in mind.  Available in 2-4 weight and 6'-6" to 8'-6" lengths the Upstream includes an aluminum rod tube and retails starting at $350.

Winston Rods 

The R.L. Winston folks always have gorgeous rods at the show.  The ones that caught my eye this year are their line of Bamboo fly rods.  Winston has been making bamboo rods since 1929.  Handcrafted in Montana, these rods are available from a 6' 3-weight up to a 9' 10-weight.  Grass rods are just a small segment of the full line of premium fly rods made by R.L. Winston.

 Eagle Claw / Wright & McGill

 

Wright & McGill were displaying their Generation II series of fly rods.  Available from 2-8 weight and 7'-0" to 11'-0", they're built with strength and sensitivity in mind.

 

  I think these are the first rubber gripped fly rods I've ever seen.  They almost have a tactical look and they feel very comfortable in hand.

 

 Echo Fly Rods

 

 

 

  Echo Fly Rods was at the show with a huge booth displaying their full line of fly rods.  When I say "full line" I don't mean just the line of rods they make, I mean that Echo makes a rod for every fly fishing style, situation and budget! 

 

  Echo had one of the largest UL fly rod selections at the show!  The Carbon line of rods is the most popular series in Echo's history and also one of the most budget friendly.

  L.L. Bean

  L.L. Bean didn't have any new rods at the show this year, but I do love the classic feel and styling of L.L. Bean's fly gear.  While not exactly ultralight at 4 and 5 weights, the little Pocket Water outfit (shown at top) really grabs my attention!

Hardy Fly Fishing

 

Sorry for the horrible photo, but this is the Hardy Zephrus 8' 3 weight that I got the opportunity to cast on the casting pond.  The fast action blank used in the Zephrus really helps to punch the light line out for a great cast.  It was certainly help ultralight fly rodders when casting on a breezy day!

St. Croix Rods

 

With 7 series of fly rods spanning from 2 weight to 12, St. Croix Rods will have a fly rod to suit your needs! 

  St. Croix's new Mojo Bass series rods won the Best Fly Fishing Rod in the 2015 ICAST New Product Showcase.  Finally a rod built specifically for throwing big, wind resistant bass flies and ripping a big bass out of the weeds or from under cover.  At 7'-11" and 7, 8, and 9 weight, this is the rod to have for the local bass pond!!

 

  G. Loomis

You gotta love the G. Loomis logo stamped on the reel seats of their fly rods!

Talk about a wide range of rods, this was only about a third of the freshwater side of the G. Loomis fly fishing booth!

 

This Pro4X LP rod was made with easily spooked, native trout in mind.  Designed, specifically, to cast light tippets with small dry flies, but with exceptional control.  Available in 2-5 weight and 6'-9" through 9'.

 

 

For a long, delicate cast the G. Loomis NRX Lite Presentation might be the way to go.  In 7'-6" 3 weight up to a 9' 5 weight, the matte black reel seat is paired with a matte black blank with blue wraps or Evergreen blank with green wraps to help you sneak up on wary trout.

Fenwick

 

"Like our founders, our customers believe that there are few things in their lives more essential than fishing. For them no other activity offers the same emotional and psychological satisfaction. They are students of their sport, constantly experimenting with new tools and technologies with which to refine their techniques. These are fishermen who measure success not just by the quantity of their catch, but by the quality as well."  --FenwickFishing.com

Fenwick's Fenglass series runs from a 6'-6" 3 weight through an 8'-3" 8 weight.  The light weight, medium action rods are designed for smooth, accurate fly presentation.

 

First Cast #006 Thomas & Thomas Solar

Mornin' Folks,
  This morning on The Suburban Angler's First Cast is the Thomas & Thomas Solar 9' 8 weight fly rod. This episode is more review than preview because I fished this rod in the Florida salt over the summer and really fell in love with it. Easy to cast and it didn't wear me out like I thought a big saltwater rod would. The T&T Solar is beautifully crafted, right here in the US, and I had an absolute blast fishing with it. I hope you enjoy this edition of First Cast. Thanks so much for watching.
  Tight Lines,
      Nick

First Cast #002 TFO Finesse Half Weight

Quick and Dirty ICAST and IFTD 2015

Evenin' Folks,

  I'm still in Florida, heading home very early tomorrow morning, but I wanted to make sure and get a bunch more IFTD photos posted up for your enjoyment.  I'm not going to caption them tonight, but make sure you check back, I'll get the post re-edited as soon as I get home!

  I hope you're all doing well.

     -Nick