Volume 2 Issue 4 - Summer 2008 - Product and Gear Review Issue

Special Rates for our New Preserves

   Introductory summer rates for Williams Ranch and Blue Heron Farm, these are some of the best new private water on the from range and great for dry fly fishing and the opportunity to catch a very large fish. Click on the property name for the latest fishing report. These special introductory rates are only available at Williams Ranch and Blue Heron Farm on trip completed before October 31, 2008 Rates are all-inclusive except gratuity and fishing licenses

           

• All-inclusive Private Water Guided Trip
• $300/one person | $350/two people | $400/three people
• Click here to Search Availability

Flyfisher Fishing Reports and Blog Now Available on Your Desk Top Through RSS Feeds

   Click on this iGoogle link to add our fishing reports to your RSS feeds and your Google Home page. Read our Latest Rants at http://blog.theflyfisher.com/ and subscribe to our blog at: http://blog.theflyfisher.com/my_weblog/index.rdf

Today Show Rescheduled  | 

   NBC rescheduled our fly fishing segment because of the French Open and Wimbledon. Let's hope there is no tennis scheduled for the new date July 12. The story should air between 6:30 and 7:00 AM. We will post the clip on the site after is airs.

Savings for Readers
   Save $50 by booking a trip for 2008 online and using 0308NEWS as the PROMO code. Expires 08/08 | Click Here to Save

UPCOMING EVENTS

July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 2008
4:00 PM to 6:00PM
Happy Hour | Trout’s

July 12, 2008
9:00 AM to 3:00PM
Learn to Catch a Trout in One Day | Lincoln Hills

July 26, 2008
9:00 AM to 3:00PM
Learn to Catch More Fish on Dries | Boulder River Ranch

What’s Hot? | Fishing Forecast for July 2008 | http://theflyfisher.com/report/river.cfm

• South Boulder Creek | The new BIG fish river seasonal summer flows and Gray Drakes dries get everyone excited
• South Platte Deckers & Cheesman Canyon | The caddis are still active and PMD's are on their way
• St. Vrain | Great seasonal flows and prolific caddis and mayfly hatches all month, try the tailwater below Button Rock
• South Platte Downtown | You must be able to see the goldens to have success, these are the last best day of cotton dries

Private Water • Current Rating • July Forecast

• Lincoln Hills • Excellent to Great • Average summer flow and lots of big fish | Time for Dries and droppers
• Boulder River Ranch • Excellent to Great • Large Golden Stones will catch big fish all month | Very aggressive takes on streamers
• Williams Ranch • Great • The water is steady and the bit is too | Dry Dropper, Dry Dropper, Dry Dropper
• Blue Heron Farm • Great • Bass fishing continues to improve as the summer progresses | Caddis hatch on the river every day
• Bartles Lake • Good • The ice is off and the fish are fat and happy | Space is available July 11 and 16
• Perfect Drift • Fair • Flows in the 600 CFS range continue to make fishing difficult | Crystal Lake is fishable
• Boxwood Gulch/Long Meadow • Fair • Should improve then flows begin to drop | Denver Water will keep flows going all month
• North Fork Ranch/The Meadows • Fair • Still tough to navigate and hard to land fish | Denver's drinking water continues to flow

Public Water • Current Rating • July Forecast

• South Boulder • Great • The river is receding and the fish are looking up | Big fish reported below Pinecliffe
• St. Vrain • Great • This continues to be one of the best choices for 2008 | Caddis and PMD Dries with Prince Droppers
• Bear Creek • Good • Seasonal flows and cool water temps keep anglers and trout active | Renegades and Gray Hackle Yellows
• Clear Creek • Fair • This is still enough water to rafts, fishing is steady in the pockets | Be careful for shifting rocks after high flows
• Downtown | South Platte • Great • Must have sun and water clarity for success | Cotton Dries
• Waterton Canyon | South Platte • Fair • Big flows have reached the canyon not the best choice for July | Big weight nymphing
• Cheesman Canyon & Deckers | South Platte • Good • Flows should continue to increase most of the month | Standard nymph rigs
• Dream Stream | South Platte • Good • Expect above average flows as thy begin to move water down stream | Tricos mid month

 

2008 Product and Gear Reviews

Korkers Guide Wading Boots - Part 1, 2 and 3

Part 1 - Preview Spring 2007 - It has taken a while for me to get this report out because I had so many problems keeping the sole of the first version of this boot I have not been in a rush to test it again. That being said it looks like they have attempted to solve the problem of the sole coming off mid step and they have an innovative lacing system with wire laces and a crank to tighten and loosen. These are also wire mesh drainage hole.

Part 2 - 1st Impressions, Day 5 - The quick release on the lacing system is working great. I do however anticipate a problem when the weather turns cold and the quick release freezes to the boot. You may need to sit in the truck with the heater on your feet before you can get out. The wire laces are nice and I think they will out last any other wading boot lace on the market, nice because replacing laces on a one month one pair of boot has always been a pet peeve. So far the sole are staying put. They do pop up a bit on the sides but, they have been no where near coming off. I have heard of some people breaking the post off the back of the boot where the sole attaches, I have not had a problem with that as of yet. Stay tuned.

Part 3 - 30 Days In - I replaced the insole insert with a two piece one from Berkinstock like I used to do with my Orvis boots back in the day. That has made the 10 hour days over the large cobble of Boulder Creek much more tolerable for my feet. The boot are still holding up well, looking as good at the first day I put them on. Also a shout out to Korkers for getting the Studded Aquastealth sole right. I am testing a prototype pair and they seem to be bullet proof and very billy goat. Cost: $169.99 Read the entire review at: http://www.theflyfisher.com/reports/gear.cfm

• Preseason Preview | Rating 3 out of 5 - I was so disappointed with the first version, I remain subdued.
• 1st Impression, Day 5 | Rating 3.5 out of 5 - I like the quick release on the lacing system.
• 30 Days in Service | Rating 4 out of 5 - After replacing the insoles I am really enjoying these boots!

Thingamabobber Indicator Fishing Product Preview/Review

Preview - The guides on the Green River in Utah have been working on the balloon concept for may years. This is one balloon we can get behind. They are great for hungry feeding fish. There is no maintenance and they last for about 5 or 6 fishing days before the metal rig pops out and like most other indicators go floating down the river. Do not throw them out when the line begins to cut through the plastic at the ring, they actually fish much more sensitively when they are half filled with water (remember the fly and a bubble). The down side to this indicator is that if you are dealing with subtle strikes you will miss everything. Cost: SRP $4.99 for a pack of 5
Preseason Preview: 3 out of 5 - A balloon we can float.

First Impressions, 1 Day - I must say I liked the Thingamabobber (TAB), well I hate the name, but TAB performed very well. It is extremely low maintenance compared to the standard yarn we have used on our guide trips and in our school in the past. We fished the medium size and it worked very well. Granted the fish were really eating hard today so the strikes were easy to see. I'm not sure how TAB will perform when the strikes are subtle.
Preseason Preview: 3 out of 5 - A balloon we can float.
1st Impression, Day 1: 3.5 out of 5 - Move over yarn there is a a low maintenance alternative.

30 Days In - I am learning how to fish there bad boys. It needs to be mentioned that they come in three different sizes. Most conditions in the fall, winter and spring call for the small size and it can easily float two AB size weights. You can detect most strikes but as will all indicators there are a number of strikes you miss so watching the fish is still critical. The most noticeable difference is how well they cast. You do not feel like you have a water logged weight on your line.
Preseason Preview: 3 out of 5 - A balloon we can float.
1st Impression, Day 1: 3.5 out of 5 - Move over yarn there is a a low maintenance alternative.
30 Days in Service: 4 out of 5 - This thing is getting better and better.

120 Days In - The large size really excelled in the monster high runoff flow of the spring, carrying almost 3 ounces of weight without problem. The medium has its place in the average flows of summer, however, if the strike is subtle switch to the small. The plastic will eventually split where line connects through ring and I have found that they are more sensitive when half full of water (the fly and a bubble concept). We kept fishing them until they came off casting or more frequently setting the hook Cost: $4.99 to 5.95 for a 5 pack depending on the location.
Preseason Preview: 3 out of 5 - A balloon we can float.
1st Impression, Day 1: 3.5 out of 5 - Move over yarn there is a a low maintenance alternative.
30 Days in Service: 4 out of 5 - Thing thing is getting better and better.
120 Days in Service: 3.5 out of 5 - A great value for the money and a good product to help you hook fish.

Simms G4 Pro Jacket Fishing Product Preview/Review

Preview - This is basically a better fitting G3 Jacket. One big improvement for those muggy day after noon thunder storms we seem to be getting, pit zips. The zipper has also been improved and is easier to pull up and down and less bulky than on the G3. Other than that we do not see much difference between the G4 Pro Jacket and the G3. Other than the price which has increased by $50, man those zippers must be expensive. The Simms G4 Pro Jacket will set you back $449.95.
Preseason Preview: 5 out of 5 - More supple, better colors and pit zips, what more could you ask for?

First Impressions, 2 Day - The zipper is much improved from the G3 Jacket. It zips up much easier and still appears to be waterproof.
Preseason Preview: 5 out of 5 - More supple, better colors and pit zips, what more could you ask for?
1st Impression, Day 1: 3.5 out of 5 - The zipper is moving freely up and down.

30 Days In - This is simply the best wading jacket I have ever worn. The color and weatherproofing aside, the cut is better and the sleek front offers enough storage that there is no vest or pack required on cold winter days and you still will not feel like your fishing in a life vest. The cuffs have kept me dry 2 feet under the water and the hood is roomy enough that I do not feel choked out. The jacket is also very packable and the XXL easily fits into a space 6X6X2. I am taking half a point off because it is too techy to wear around town and for $450 I want the world.
Preseason Preview: 5 out of 5 - More supple, better colors and pit zips, what more could you ask for?
1st Impression, Day 2: 5 out of 5 - The zipper is moving freely up and down.
30 Days in Service: 4.5 out of 5 - Like a fine wine this jacket is getting better with age.

Winston Boron II MX Fishing Product Preview/Review

Preview - Here we go again. This time Winston is trying to be Sage. We love the soft, slow rods Winston is know for, lets see how they do when they try to speed it up. Hopefully this will turn out better than their attempt at budget rod making. Cost $655
Preseason Preview: 2.5 out of 5 - Shouldn't Winston stick to what they do best?.

1st Impressions - Day 1 - This rod is a canon. As far as fast actions rod go the BII MX has the backbone to get the job done. The five weight was easily putting out 80 feet of line into a head wind and was able to pick up about 60 feet of line off the water to begin a new cast. I fished a heavy nymph, double bunny streamer, and a size 4 hopper with a tungsten bead dropper and it delivered them equally well. Not lost in the drive for fast action is what I love about Winston, the ability to fight a fish into the butt of the rod and still have a tip soft enough to protect light tippets.
Preseason Preview: 2.5 out of 5 - Shouldn't Winston stick to what they do best?
1st Impression, Day 1: 3.5 out of 5 - Better than expected, the final verdict is still out.

Simms G3 Wading Boots Fishing Product Preview/Review

Preview Spring 2007 - I have never been a huge fan of Simms wading boots. As good as their waders are there boot have always lacked something for me. I am excited to test the new G3 wading boot this season because it is a new idea in wading boots. They have gone away from the soft hiking boot style wading boot now so popular and moved toward an alpine touring boot look and design. For a larger guy like myself (6"3" 200+ lbs.) I like the stout construction. Cost: $179.95
Preseason Preview: 4.5 out of 5 - Love the concept to bad there is no Studded Aqua Stealth.

First Impressions, Day 4 - Sturdy and comfortable, without question they are heavy but what else would I expect from three times the boot as the soft hikers. This is one bad ass boot, by far the most comfortable boot I have ever worn and they look good when I look down at them! This is a real plus cause you know the better you look the more fish you catch. What seems to be another breakthrough is the cam lacing system. Someone should have thought of this yeas ago. I bet one pair of laces will last most of the season. Unheard of for a Simms lace, I will keep you posted.
Preseason Preview: 4.5 out of 5 - Love the concept to bad there is no Studded Aqua Stealth.
1st Impression, Day 4: 5 out of 5 - Holla if ya hear me, I feel like I'm gellin' with out Dr. Scholl and the cam lacing system, wow!

30 Days In - The laces are still going strong with no signs of exposing the white core. For me this is the longest a pair of laces has ever lasted in a Simms boot. As the boots break in they feel better and better, no pain in my feet, plenty of space to wiggle my toes, yet no sliding around banging my toes into the front of the boot. These are a true fit boot; I wear a 12 street shoe and the 12 boots are perfect, they have not shrunk once bit, even without shoe trees.
Preseason Preview: 4.5 out of 5 - Love the concept to bad there is no Studded Aqua Stealth.
1st Impression, Day 4: 5 out of 5 - Holla if ya hear me, I feel like I'm gellin' with out Dr. Scholl and the cam lacing system, wow!
30 Days in Service: 5 out of 5 - My feet could not be happier and my leg muscles are getting bigger to boot.

120 Days In - Still going strong. These boots are showing no signs of breaking down and I still love them. The look as good as the first day I put them on and they are as comfortable as ever. I no longer notice that they are heaver than my old boots and my feet are so happy it would not matter anyway, plus I my wife digs the increased leg muscles. I highly recommend this boot for anyone who hikes hard and fishes even harder.
Preseason Preview: 4.5 out of 5 - Love the concept to bad there is no Studded Aqua Stealth.
1st Impression, Day 4: 5 out of 5 - Holla if ya hear me, I feel like I'm gellin' with out Dr. Scholl and the cam lacing system, wow!
30 Days in Service: 5 out of 5 - My feet could not be happier and my leg muscles are getting bigger to boot.
120 Days in Service: 5.5 out of 5 - Fish On, these boots got you're back.

End of Season 178 Days in Service - I have worn through the felt and the studs are pulling out one by one. I should stop wearing them now and take them to get resoled but, I love them too much and have forsaken all other boot until spring or until the snow built up on the felt this winter gets so bad I am forced to go to rubber. This may be my favorite Simms product of all time although I should probably wait until the euphoria were off before I make such a claim. When fishing, like skiing, nothing can ruin your day like sore feet and bad boots, this will not happen in the Simms G3 Wading Boots. These are my favorite wading boots of all time even without the Aqua Stealth. When I do finally take them in for new sole I'm going with studded Aqua Stealth and I can't wait!
Preseason Preview: 4.5 out of 5 - Love the concept to bad there is no Studded Aqua Stealth.
1st Impression, Day 4: 5 out of 5 - Holla if ya hear me, I feel like I'm gellin' with out Dr. Scholl and the cam lacing system, wow!
30 Days in Service: 5 out of 5 - My feet could not be happier and my leg muscles are getting bigger to boot.
120 Days in Service: 5.5 out of 5 - Fish On, these boots got you're back.
178 Days in Service: 6 out of 5 - It does not get any better than this!

Simms G4 Waders Product Preview/Review

Preview Spring 2007 - I love to wear the latest gear, somehow it make me feel more fishy, maybe it is because new gear forces you to examine your fishing IQ and puts you on your best behavior for a new season. However, the price tag on these waders makes me nervous, even at the discounted guide rate. How can a wader possibly live up to this astronomical price tag? Trying to improve on the already improved G3 waders we are currently wearing will take some work and with the expectations attached to a dramatically increase cost they better be good, no make that GREAT; is a zipper really worth the extra cost. Cost: $699.95
Preseason Preview: 2 out of 5 - No love for $700 waders no matter what the reps say.

First Impressions, Day 7 - The fit is much improved, slim but roomy at the same time. The new front seams are also working well, much better that I thought after the preview. I anticipate all waders will be made this way in the future. The zipper is great for getting in and out of the waders. Anyone who struggle getting into and out of waders will appreciate this, however I still have not used the zipper as intended, I guess all those years of training my bladder not to go has worked, so I'll get back to you on that. Overall I like them so far but I'm still buzzing from the cost.
Preseason Preview: 2 out of 5 - No love for $700 waders no matter what the reps say.
1st Impression, Day 7: 3 out of 5 - The fit is much better in the feet and overall, the new front seams allow much greater movement.

30 Days In - I do feel like I am getting what I paid for because the Gortex is noticeably thicker everywhere you may come in contact with a sticker, rock or fence. It is so thick it felt almost to stiff right out of the box. After 30 days it has begun to work its way in and I almost feel like I am wearing a pair of thick jeans. The feet have been a joy. Easy on and off no more struggling to get the neoprene stocking foot off at the end of the day. The suspenders are much more comfortable and the zippered hand warmer pockets have become my new stash for weights. The neoprene gravel guards that are built in are also a dramatic improvement over the mesh of the G3. I am beginning to stop buzzing and starting to enjoy.
Preseason Preview: 2 out of 5 - No love for $700 waders no matter what the reps say.
1st Impression, Day 7: 3 out of 5 - The fit is much better in the feet and overall, the new front seams allow much greater movement.
30 Days in Service: 4 out of 5 - Suspenders are much improved and the thick Gortex is softening up.

120 Days In - I'm still not leaking and like all walk wade guides will tell you 120 days is an eternity to go without a leak. They have continued to hold their shape well and to my surprise the front seams are performing like a champ. The zipper does work for its intended purpose and I must admit it is very nice when the weather is cold and snowy or rainy. Hold your breath I'm upping the rating to a 5, these may be my favorite waders of all time. Let's see if we can get to the end of the year without a leak.
Preseason Preview: 2 out of 5 - No love for $700 waders no matter what the reps say.
1st Impression, Day 7: 3 out of 5 - The fit is much better in the feet and overall, the new front seams allow much greater movement.
30 Days in Service: 4 out of 5 - Suspenders are much improved and the thick Gortex is softening up.
120 Days in Service: 5 out of 5 - Still not leaking, now that's impressive.

End of Season 162 Days in Service - Finally found a leak somewhere around day 150 in the lower outside of my right leg. I still have not fixed it because it is not enough to really get me wet, I only saw it because it was way too cold to sweat and there was a 3 inch diameter wet spot on my pants. So the verdict is in and it reads "best wader I have ever worn and well worth the price." I would rate it higher that a 5 but, at $700 it will take a little more time to get beyond price no matter how good they are. I like them so much they are reserved for fishing only, I have relegated the G3's to stream improvement work.
Preseason Preview: 2 out of 5 - No love for $700 waders no matter what the reps say.
1st Impression, Day 7: 3 out of 5 - The fit is much better in the feet and overall, the new front seams allow much greater movement.
30 Days in Service: 4 out of 5 - Suspenders are much improved and the thick Gortex is softening up.
120 Days in Service: 5 out of 5 - Still not leaking, now that's impressive.
162 Days in Service: 5 out of 5 - Better in every way!

Gear Reports Ratings
Our ratings are based on a five point scale, five being best; we rank products five times throughout the season:

1. Preseason previews
2. First impressions (first couple wears)
3. Sixty days in or 30 uses
4. 120 days in or 90 uses
5. End of the season with 120 plus uses (if they make it that far)