The Official Blog of Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters

Fly Fishing for Christmas

2012-01-03T01:12:00.000-08:00

Fly Fishing on Christmas

By: George Revel


Location: Trinity River Conditions: Frigid

My family tradition dictates that my Dad, My brother and I head out on a fishing trip every year on Christmas. It would be like any other day but this one day takes work. Basically we must argue, beg, defy, haggle and then catch hell form our ladies (moms, wives, girlfriends.. and the list goes on.)

Like every year past we headed up to the Trinity River. The past few years have been different though... Using "the benefits" of working at Leland provides my brother and dad the latest and greatest gear before we head to the ice locker. The purpose of this is two fold; I get honest feedback from my dad and brother and they get sweet gear.

This years Gifts:
Patagonia Bulkley River Fleece Pants (Dad and Bro):

I chose these because they are the warmest fleece around. They are light yet provide excellent loft keep lots of warm air around your legs. By far the best fleece pants I have come across. They have a zippered pocket that keeps will keep my dads wallet on him. My brother and I always seem to lose our wallets when its time to buy chili at the Douglas City gas station. They make pretty solid sitting by the fire pants too.

Patagonia Bar Boots (Dad)
I got a pair as well to test form Patagonia. I figured my pops tail bone could benefit from some more metal on his feet. My dad was skeptical of the "Fancy Boots" he was strapping on his feet, but we both were amazed at how normal the boots felt. As soon as he laced them up and began walking around as if he was trying to find something wrong with them; he said "lets go fishin'." Over icy boulder and frozen banks the boot performed great. Nether of us could recall slipping once at the end of the day. The fit was large on the boot. I recommend getting your true size and not going one size up. They we very easy to take off; as soon as the laces are undone the boots fall right off you feet. This eliminated the need for my brother or I to tug the boots off my dads feet reminiscent of pulling off his cowboy boot when we were kids.

Simms Boot Socks 2 Pack (Dad and Bro)
Benefit #1 a solid savings of $14.95 over buying just the single pack.
Benefit #2 They are some of the comfiest sock on the planet

Simms Down Under Merino Wool (Dad and Bro)
We are all big fans of wool. My dad likes it because it last and long time and its warm. While, my brother and I are fans because of the uncanny amount of time you can wear it without it stinking. The cut is great (We are 6 ft and range from 155-185) we all took a medium. Simms did a great job on this piece! This garment features tag-less markings, Raglan sleeves for unimpeded range of motion, tapered sleeves to prevent sleeve creep, very slim well placed seems, and sheep technology.

Redington Sonic Pro Waders (Bro)-
He really liked the waders. He was in awe how comfortable and well designed they were. He had the the front pouch filled up as his mobile steelhead command center before we left the truck. The barbed hemostat holder is on of the most impressive feature on a wader flip out of any on the market. Now my brother is penny pincher.. (mainly on account of him being a broke college student/Steelhead bum) I could see him doing the math on how many dollars he would save by not having to replace his hemostats once a month... If you have this problem click here:
The real benefit to the seamless construction is the way they were able place the panels allowing for maximum range of motion. He gave them 5 stars but couldn't really say until the end of steelhead season. My brother is a the classic hiker fisherman. We hike miles up stream just to see whats up there and fish our way back generally getting to the truck hours after the sun has gone down. One time we hiked 3 miles down a few 1000 ft ravine, cut over years by a raging mountain stream. the first flat mile was on out hands and knees with our rods broken down crawling under bushes. the next two were spent climbing, jumping, and falling over giant redwood log jams. Lowing each other down 20 ft water falls.. both of fixated on how good the fishing was going to be and not how we would get back up. So, you can see why think he is worthy to test these waders for me.

Patagonia Down Sweater (To me from my lady)
Yup, I am very luck guy! This jacket rocks! Honestly, I am never going to take this thing off. It is 1 am in the box and its warm thanks to my down sweater. I recommend black because it absorbs light therefore making you warmer. You need this jacket!

The fishing was good... but that was not the point... if nothing else this is a list of gear that passed the test of the most cynical assholes I know.

Tight Lines,
George Revel

Loop Opti 8107-4 Line Systems

2011-12-03T19:00:00.001-08:00

BALANCED OUTFITS _ Loop Opti 8107-4 Switch
By George Revel

First off, I would like to say "I become more impressed with Loop gear every time I cast one of their rods."You learn to like the X-grip... It's weird at first but it settles in nicely (and no cork filler to fall out.) I would happily wander north with this setup, a spool of 12 pound maxima, a solid selection of flies, and my gps. You might not every hear from me again.... Sadley chained to my desk with the increase in holiday orders; I am relegated to balancing outfits for my customers... Don't worry when December 25th rolls I am outta here! I hope to post more balanced outfits, If you have a rod we carry I am happy to spend some time balancing it out with lines.

The Switch Rod: The Loop Opti Switch 8107-4

The Reel: Loop Opti Runner

The Running line: Rio Powerflex Core Running Line .030

Summer and Fall Line:
This line is your “Dry Fly Line” if you will. Delicate perfect for mudlers (pictured), Assasins, Burlaps (Flies you fish on the Klamath River in the Fall.)

SKF390PM > 390 Grain Airflo Rage Spey Line - This line has nearly the power of the Airflo Compact Skagit and the Finesse of the Airflo Scandi Compact

I like to balance this out with a Airflo 10 ft polyleader.

For Winter Fishing (you are swinging big flies like the Squidro)
12777> Airflo Skagit Switch 450-480 Grains. I like the 480 a little better.

Ideally the tip system is the Rio Skagit MOW Tips because of how much they simplify everything. They are spendy. I can build you some custom tip for 1/3 rd the price.

Indicator Fishing:

The Rio Switch Line 7/8 Line Is the best choice.

This would be a complete balanced set up. 1 reel has the indicator line on it. The other reel would have my Running line and whichever head was seasonally appropriate.

Ben's Video:

Loop Classic Fly Reels

2011-11-04T16:03:00.000-07:00

November 3, 2011 (San Francisco, CA): Fly reels can say a lot about an angler. They separate the traditionalists from the gearheads and old-school styling from new-school innovation. Now you don't have to choose between timeless design and state-of-the-art engineering: where the ageless aesthetics of the past and the technologies of the future converge, the Loop Classic Fly Reels stand in a class all their own.

Paying homage to the most iconic fly reels ever produced—a lineage spanning from Edward Vom Hofe to Stanley Bogdan to Hardy Cascapedias—Loop Classic reels are a modern take on a centuries-old legacy of angling style. From the sleek S-handle down to the handcrafted leather reel case, every feature of Loop Classic Fly Reels speaks to the rich history of fly fishing and the satisfaction that comes from connecting with its ongoing heritage. If it's possible to build a piece of tackle that is emblematic of the finest elements of the sport of fly fishing, the elegant and ergonomic Loop Classic Fly Reel might just be it.

The Secret: The Loop Classic Fly Reels are some of the finest reels around, and as impressive as they are on the outside, it's what's under the hood that ultimately makes a premier reel. Loop Classic Fly Reels feature an indestructible, fully-sealed, fully-adjustable drag system for a lifetime of angling style.

The Lineup: The Loop Classic Fly Reels satisfy the range of applications, from the smallest streams to the open ocean. If you are looking for the ideal all-around trout reel, the Loop Classic 4/6wt Fly Reel is a great option for the backpackers and weekenders who want the best. The Loop Classic 5/8wt Fly Reel is also good for larger trout and bass, with a fully-adjustable drag system so you can make changes on the fly. If you are a steelheader with discerning taste, the Loop Classic 7/9wt is impossible to top and will give you all the power you need for the chrome of a lifetime. And for huge Alaska kings and Atlantic salmon, the Loop Classic 8/11wt is the reel of choice for the Loop team. Finally, for the saltwater enthusiasts, the Loop Classic 10/13wt is the embodiment of what a great big game reel should be. Pairing timeless style with monstrous saltwater-ready power, you'll be set for tarpon, sailfish and everything in between.

See For Yourself: The Loop Classic Reels are in stock at both Leland locations. If you're on the fence about picking one up, try one out for yourself on the ponds at the Leland Sonoma Ranch. Trust as, as great as the photos are, they simply can't do justice to the Loop Classic Series.

Bottom Line: With a name like the Classic Series, Loop set the bar of expectations high. But leave it to Loop to surpass any expectations of what a fly reel is capable of.

Loop Göran Andersson Signature Series Fly Rods

2011-10-13T20:22:00.000-07:00

October 13, 2011 (San Francisco, CA): Ask the legendary Göran Andersson about his signature series of Loop fly rods, and he'll talk to you as an artist or composer would about their finest work. Fishing one produces a kind of harmony between angler and environment made possible when the right rod—like a finely tuned instrument—sharpens the experience and transforms instincts into effortless, intuitive casts. Meet the father of modern fly tackle and experience the first production fly rods to bear his name: the Loop Göran Andersson Signature Series.

The Rodmaker's Rod: This is not a fly rod that's a year or two in the making, it's the culmination of sixty years of Göran Andersson's expertise distilled into an unprecedented rod taper, constructed from the latest materials, and available to everyone who appreciates the power of the right tool. The son of a Swedish fly fisherman and rodmaker, Göran Andersson started tailoring fly lines at age eight and began building his own fly rods soon after. That passion would become his life's work, devoting himself to the art of the cast and tools to constantly better his techniques. Despite developing rod designs for the world's leading manufacturers, pioneering the underhand cast, and contributing immeasurable insight into the sport of fly fishing, this is the first series of fly rods to feature his name. Why? Because Andersson's Signature Series Fly Rods are not simply another of his cutting-edge creations, they are the fly rods he brings with him to fish the world's blue-ribbon waters. Delivering the precision, accuracy, power and finesse that a man of Andersson's ability demands, Loop's GA Signature Series is a crowning achievement in fly rod design.

The Secret: Göran Andersson has been more influential to today's fly fishing tackle than just about anyone out there, and yet many anglers on this side of the pond haven't heard of him. The Andersson Signature Series is sure to develop a following of devotees as the secret of Loop starts to spread.

The Lineup: Loop Göran Andersson Signature Series Fly Rods are available in Single-Hand and Double-Hand models. The single hand series consists of two models, the 9' 4'' 4wt and the 10' 7wt. The first is ideal for all trout applications while the latter is a great summer steelhead pick. The double hand series features a range of weights and lengths for everything from sea trout to steelhead and salmon. Ideal for the Atlantic salmon of Loop's homeland, the 11' 6" 9wt and 12' 6'' 9wt (Göran's rod of choice) are heavy-hitting rods with finesse. Whether you want the length and power of the 14' 6'' 10wt or the unique experience of casting a 14' 8wt for steelhead, or the 12' 6wt for huge trout, the Loop Göran Andersson Signature Series has a rod for every style.

Need a Reel? Both the Loop Opti Fly Reels and the Loop Classic Fly Reels are perfect compliments to the Loop Göran Andersson Signature Series, delivering the balanced performance and uncompromising efficiency.

See For Yourself: Stop into our downtown San Francisco location to check out Loop's Göran Andersson Signature Series Fly Rods in person. But to really do them justice, stop by the Leland Sonoma Ranch to cast them on one of our ponds and experience the incredible rod action.

Bottom Line: These fly rods might not make you cast like Göran Andersson, but they're guaranteed to expand your territory on the water. And let's face it, the more spots you can fish the more fun you're going to have.

Cast With a Fly Fishing Legend

2011-10-07T14:36:00.000-07:00

Göran Andersson Casting Demonstrations:
Friday - 11am and 2pm
Saturday - 11am and 2pm

Leland Welcomes a Legend...

The Leland Ranch has seen its share of distinguished anglers and casting pros over the years, all gathering to share their passion for the sport amid the beautiful backdrop of Sonoma County. This spirit of teaching continues with one of our most exciting events to date as Leland welcomes undisputed fly fishing legend and expert caster, Göran Andersson, for a memorable weekend of education and celebration.

You're invited to kick back and fine-tune your technique with a true pioneer and the originator of the underhand cast, the brains behind the very first large arbor reel, and the industry's go-to designer for graphite rod tapers when the technology was widely unfamiliar. In addition to his contributions to fly tackle, Göran dedicates his life to instructing fellow anglers around the world in pursuit of the perfect cast, and now Leland is lucky to have him here. As one of the most internationally renowned figures in fly fishing, Göran is traveling from Sweden to join us for a weekend of casting demonstrations and Loop education. This is a rare opportunity not just to meet Göran, but to get hands-on experience with Loop Tackle alongside the man responsible for many of their signature designs. Leland will have Loop products available for purchase and staff on hand to provide information about the most innovative tackle brand around.

Mark your calendars for the weekend of October 14^th and 15^th from 10am to 4pm, and don't miss this opportunity to see a living legend right here in our own backyard. All Loop gear will be 35% off retail, in person at the ranch only, as we celebrate with one of the most influential fly fisherman, cast the most innovative tackle, and share a brew or two under the Sonoma sun. Don't miss out on this chance to fish the world's best gear with the world's best caster, and we'll see you at the Leland Ranch.

Leland Sonoma Ranch
24120 Arnold Drive
Sonoma, CA 95476707-939-6910
866-672-1959

Loop Opti Fly Reels

2011-10-06T17:52:00.001-07:00

October 5, 2011 (San Francisco, CA): In 1984, Swedish tackle manufacturer Loop produced the first large arbor fly reel—it would be another decade before the rest of the industry caught on and virtually every fly reel was built to the Loop standard. Nearly thirty years after this revolutionary design, the Opti Fly Reel Series continues Loop's quest to challenge industry conceptions about what fly fishing gear is capable of.

Not just another large arbor reel: Loop's groundbreaking Opti Fly Reels illustrate what's possible when tradition takes backseat to innovation and the boundaries of conventional design give way to cutting-edge thinking. Simply put, the Loop Opti doesn't look like your typical fly reel because it's anything but your typical fly reel. Utilizing input from fly fishers around the world, Loop developed their Opti Reels to satisfy the demands of top anglers in tough environments. Each of the six models of the Loop Opti Series features an expert combination of ergonomic, efficient power integrated into a striking and seamless exterior. Sporting a super-large arbor and lightweight design, the Loop Opti Reels represent a new generation of fly reels built to change the way you fish. Whether you are playing wily trout with the Opti Creek or conquering saltwater locomotives with the Opti Big, the Loop Opti Fly Reels are guaranteed to look and feel unlike any other reel on the water.

The Secret: Loop's uncompromising commitment to innovation results in tackle that is constantly evolving and improving the way we fly fish. The super-large arbor is supremely efficient and makes for a fly reel that is unmistakably Loop and undeniably impressive.

The Lineup: The Loop Opti Fly Reel Series features six models to satisfy the spectrum of applications. From the spring creeks to the surf, Loop's Opti Series has you covered. For trout fishing, the Loop Opti Creek (WF3+140yd/20lb) and Opti Dryfly (WF5+190yd/20lb) will be king of any fly rod outfit. With supreme balance and minimal line memory, the Creek and Dryfly highlight the finesses of Opti Reel technology. The Opti Runner (WF7+150yd/30lb) and Opti Speedrunner (WF8+185yd/30lb) are great for everything from steelhead to bonefish, complete with an inset handle that reduces the circumference of each rotation and makes keeping up with fast fish a breeze. Topping of the Loop Opti Series are the Opti Megaloop (WF12+230yd/50lb) and Opti Big (WF12+500yd/50lb). These are guys you want on your side when you are going toe-toe-toe with travally, tarpon, sailfish and salmon.

See For Yourself: The Loop Opti Fly Reels are in stock at the Leland flagship in downtown San Francisco as well as the Leland Sonoma Ranch. While you're at it, experience the rest of Loop's impressive collection and see why they've earned a reputation as one of the preeminent producers of expertly crafted fly fishing tackle.

Bottom Line: The Loop Opti Series is a milestone in fly reel technology and an incredibly refined addition to any angling arsenal. The design of the Opti Fly Reel series might not appeal to ardent traditionalists, but for those interested in experiencing the future of fly reel design, the Opti Series is sure to make an impact on the water.

Leland Edition Polarized Sunglasses by Oakley

2011-09-30T18:30:00.000-07:00

September 30, 2011 (San Francisco, CA): When Leland set out to create the best fly fishing sunglasses on the market, there was only one name we could trust: Oakley, the premier manufacturer of polarized sunglasses made specifically for angling. The Leland Edition Polarized Sunglasses by Oakley are the apex of fly fishing eyewear technology and we guarantee you won't find a better set of shades for your style.

Keeping things Simple: Here at Leland, it's our belief that elite, expertly-crafted fly fishing gear doesn't need to be complicated, so we set out with a simple vision: two shades of Oakley's premier polarized lenses to cover the spectrum of fly fishing applications and satisfy the needs of anglers everywhere. The Leland Edition Polarized Sunglasses by Oakley are the answer to a market where excellent performance has been lost in a sea of too many options and too few results. With the Leland Edition Oakley Sunglasses, it's as simple as two lenses for every angling style. The All Day lens is the “everyday lens,” designed for bright conditions where the most important factor is diminishing glare and keeping your eyes at ease. Leland's All Day shades perform as well scanning the flats for bonefish as they do spotting steelhead or conquering high mountain creeks on a sunny day. The second lens, the Leland Oakley Low Light Lens, delivers extraordinary clarity in dim conditions for those dedicated anglers who know the best fly fishing often means subpar light conditions. If you love to fish before dawn and don't call it a day until the last traces of light are gone, then the Leland Oakleys in Low Light are guaranteed to enhance your vision and and dial in on the catch.

Face it: A good pair of fly fishing sunglasses is critical. Don't invest in a new fly rod only to hit the river with a mediocre pair of fly fishing shades. The difference between your everyday sunglasses and a pair of the Leland Edition Polarized Sunglasses by Oakley is immeasurable. The Leland Oakleys are engineered with fly fishing form and function in mind, delivering stunning clarity, exceptional protection, and comfort-driven design for long days in environments where eyestrain is both inconvenient and harmful. Oakley's premier polarization enhances your ability to differentiate between subsurface structures and spot the catch of a lifetime, while the shatterproof construction protects your eyes from any rogue casts or trailside branches.

The Secret: When Leland and Oakley collaborate on fly fishing, you can expect results. As the undisputed king of the sunglass industry, Oakley has once again set the bar for quality and performance with the Leland Edition Polarized Sunglasses crafted specifically for the demanding needs of the avid angler.

The Lineup: The Leland Edition Polarized Sunglasses by Oakley come in two shades: All Day for the all-around angler, and Low Light for sight fishing in limited light conditions. The All Day Lens features Oakley's Iridium® coating to reduce blinding glare, while the fine-tuned tint of the Low Light illuminates shadowy waters. Both provide you with an enhanced perspective on the water and an The frames are available in tortoise, black and white: mix and match to your taste and rest assured you'll never need to buy another pair of fly fishing glasses.

“See” For Yourself: Stop by Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters in downtown San Francisco or check out our Sonoma Ranch location to try on a pair of the Leland Oakley Polarized Fly Fishing Sunglasses today. And don't be surprised if you run into a few of us wearing them.

Bottom Line: The Leland Edition Polarized Sunglasses by Oakley are designed for anglers who know what they want out of a pair of fly fishing sunglasses. Cutting-edge lens technology, glare reduction on bright days and optical enhancement for dim-light, and the guarantee of comfort and protection. It's not just about protecting your eyes with the Leland Edition Polarized Sunglasses, it's about revolutionizing your vision.

Sage ESN Fly Rods

2011-09-28T19:43:00.000-07:00

September 28, 2011 (San Francisco, CA): The origins of European nymphing might be up for debate—some say the Czech Republic, others Poland, some believe it has roots in Spain or France—but one thing is certain: regardless of where it began, the future of this innovative technique lies in the revolutionary design of the Sage ESN Fly Rod Series. The Sage ESN, or European Style Nymph, is meticulously engineered for outstanding sensitivity in turbulent runs and currents, where multi-nymph rigs are king and subtle strike detection is the name of the game.

It's all in the tip: If a trout so much as breathes on your fly, the Sage ESN Fly Rod will detect and transmit that vibration with unprecedented clarity. This heightened sensitivity in the rod tip is what sets the Sage ESN Fly Rod apart from the competition, harnessing the power of Sage's Konnetic Technology for unparalleled performance. In traditional indicator nymphing, the connection between angler and fly is interrupted. As such, the angler is inhibited by slack and missed visual cues lead to fewer fish caught. European nymphing supersedes the need for a strike indicator by relying on the subtle sensations of a fish on the take, and the Sage ESN Fly Rod's remarkably responsive tip grants the angler an acute read of the subsurface that other rods just can't provide. Sage ESN Fly Rods immediately relay every minute animation from tip to butt, providing comprehensive control of the action and an uncanny feel of the most subtle n. This emphasis on “feeling the fish” has contributed to the zen-like following of European nymphing fanatics across the globe, all of whom will welcome the specialized of the Sage ESN Series.

The Secret: Like the Sage ONE Series, the ESN delivers exceptional sensitivity and power as a result of Konnetic Technology. Sage worked for three years to pioneer this blend of new materials and manufacturing that makes for the most efficient rod tapers on the market.

The Lineup: The Sage ESN Series truly covers the spectrum of European nymphing. The Sage 2100-4 ESN and 3100-4 are ideal for shallow runs and cunning fish; you might say these are the best ESN fly rods for Spanish and French nymphing. The Sage 4100-4 ESN and 5100-4 ESN excel in deeper pools and pockets with deepier water and choppier slots. These would be the perfect ESN rods for the Czech and Polish nymphers.

Need a Reel? For Sage ESN Fly Rods, we recommend the Sage 4200 Series Fly Reels in platinum to compliment the ESN's hardware. They are great, lightweight reels that will help to optimize the performance of your Sage ESN outfit.

What About Lines? The Airflo Ridge Supple Tactical is a great match for the Sage ESN Fly Rod. It's super sensative to compliment the action of the rod tip, and it's low stretch to keep you in close contact with the fish on the end of your line.

See For Yourself: Stop by our flagship in downtown San Francisco to see a Sage ESN Fly Rod for yourself. The ponds at Leland's Sonoma location are another great place to test out one of the Sage ESN Fly Rods for yourself.

Bottom Line: Sage has been on a roll recently with their specialized rods designed to max out your success on the water. The Sage ESN does exactly that, and anyone who loves European nymphing will love this rod.

Sage Bass II Fly Rods

2011-09-23T12:13:00.000-07:00

September 22, 2011: You wouldn't go off-roading in a Prius or sport water skis on a powder day, so don't settle for a trout rod if it's bass you're after. Sage understands the importance of designing fly rods suited for specific applications, and their new Bass II is the epitome of a specialized fly rod that delivers spectacular results

Purpose-built for the demanding conditions unique to fly fishing for bass and other warmwater species, the Sage Bass II doesn't just continue the legacy of Sage's original Bass series, it rewrites what's possible in the quest for bigger bugs and badder fish. The Sage Bass II is lighter and stronger than its predecessor, delivering a faster action and higher line speed for tighter loops, easier line pickup, and maximum efficiency.

The Secret: Sage has always engineered fly rods for optimal fun and functionality, and their Bass II series is just one more reason to get excited about the weekend.

The Line Up: The Sage Bass II returns with a hard-hitting lineup and some of our favorite rods made even better. The Bluegill, Smallmouth, and Largemouth have all been redesigned from tip to butt for better performance in a highly refined package. The Sage Bass II fly rods feature faster line speed, increased power, and a lighter construction to alleviate the fatigue of battling bruisers. The new addition to the series, the Bass II Peacock Fly Rod, is like nothing ever built before. At just 7'11'' in length, the Sage Bass II Peacock gives you laser-like casting capabilities and huge leverage without compromising the power you need to land tarpon in the mangroves or peacock bass in the Amazon. That means the Sage Bass II Peacock can work in heavy cover against heavier fish without getting snagged in the thickets.

See For Yourself: Come check out the new Sage Bass II fly rods at Leland's San Francisco, California, location. Or, if you want to see it in action, come to Leland's Sonoma Ranch and cast a Sage Bass II Fly Rod on one of our ponds.

Bottom Line: The Sage Bass II is about getting exactly what you want from your day on the water, be it a backyard bass pond or the tight cover of tropical mangroves. Sure, you can catch a bucketmouth with a 9ft 5wt. But when you are fly fishing for bass or warmwater species, the conditions just aren't the same as a spring creek or cascading tailwater. Treat yourself to the best bass fly rod on the market that can huck hairy bugs as if they were dries and yank fish from the cover without getting caught up in the mess. The Sage Bass II Fly Rod is guaranteed to please the most distinct bass angler's tastes, and it's available now at Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters.

New Sage One Fly Rod

2011-08-08T12:33:00.000-07:00

Leland on Sage ONE Fly Rods

As one of the fly fishing industry’s most prestigious brands, Sage has come to stand for hard-won refinement and a tireless drive to innovate. The latest rod offering from Sage, the ONE Series of fly rods, takes the peerless technological resources at Sage and weds them to the human element found on streams, lakes and flats everywhere.

The name ONE hints at a connection between angler and equipment, Sage says, that is unprecedented in the history of rodmaking.

With a new, more efficient blank construction method, a new set of high-end rod components, a modified handle shape and drop-dead gorgeous aesthetics, the Sage ONE Fly Rod boasts heightened performance as but one of its outstanding attributes. Sage’s ONE Fly Rods feel superb in hand, cast brilliantly, and are, in a very concrete way, a distinct pleasure to carry on the water. If you’re looking for the one coveted fly rod series to beat in today’s fly fishing marketplace, look no further than the Sage ONE Series of high performance fly rods.

Sage on the Sage ONE Fly Fishing Rods

Smooth, precise and with an intentionally forgiving “sweet spot” that complements widely diverse casting styles, Sage’s ONE fly fishing rods help fly fishers make a full range of close-in and long-distance fly casts that hit the mark with equal ease. Due to its extraordinary sensitivity and light weight, the Sage ONE fly fishing rod is at home in the hands of seasoned casters as well as aspiring casters who benefit from the rod’s remarkable feedback-enhancing properties. Being able to feel exactly what the fly line is doing through all stages of a fishing cast gives Sage ONE rod users ultimate control such that they can make the minute corrections needed in-cast to land the fly precisely where they want it.

As part of Sage’s commitment to fly rod development and testing, we pitted the ONE rod against some of the world’s toughest gamefish, under demanding fresh and saltwater conditions far exceeding anything most anglers would ever encounter. In its three-year development, the Sage ONE rod took on such fly fishing heavyweights as tarpon, bonefish and permit on trips to Florida, Belize and the Bahamas, redfish in Louisiana and even halibut in Alaska while pushing the rod to its limits. The Sage ONE’s freshwater fly fishing proving grounds included Atlantic salmon on Canada’s Gaspé peninsula and the Tweed River in Scotland, steelhead in Washington state, giant musky in Wisconsin plus trout in Colorado, Montana and Chile. While fly fishing to monster Chilean Browns under typically adverse conditions—throwing massive dry flies into or crossways against the constant winds—the Sage ONE rod’s extraordinary blend of strength and finesse was on full display. As one of Sage’s fortunate fly fishing researchers stated on the trip, “the ONE rod becomes a true extension of your arm, allowing you to place the fly exactly where you want without having to think about the cast.” High praise from a man who is owner and Chief Guide at one of Chile’s premier fishing lodges.

Rogue River Fly Fishing Report: Confluence Outfitters

2011-07-27T20:55:00.001-07:00

Fished the Upper Rogue today with Dax and our Sage Rep George Cook. George was high rod as he hooked 3, one of which he landed. His fish came on a light sink-tip, the new 12' 5wt VXP Sage Spey, and my new Deuce Wigalow fly in black. I hooked one on a skater.

We have great water conditions (despite being a little high), tee shirt weather, and chrome summer steelhead around. What more could you ask for?

Next 10 open days for Dax Messett: Jul 29, 30, 31, Sep 18, Nov 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22

Next 10 open days for Jon Hazlett: Aug 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 25

Toll Free: 888-481-1650

http://www.confluenceoutfitters.com/Contact.aspx

The Lower Sac is Hot- Aaron Gabriel 530-356-2189

2011-07-27T20:20:00.001-07:00

Ladies and Gentle,

Here's the deal the trout are eating steak and eggs! Rubber Legs and Sucker Spawn were the winning combo most of the day. However there was some solid attention given to the caddis amd pmdeeees!! Long story short they are eating! Come on up and enjoy some quality time the sac river we all used to know and love!

I will be getting my new 590-4 Red Truck Premium soon too... So if you have been wanting to try one I've got em!

Aaron

530.356.2189

Fishing Report --- TEST

2011-07-13T22:35:00.001-07:00

Leland Fly Fishing Fim tour in Sonoma ca

George

SAGE ONE FLY ROD

2011-07-12T09:53:00.000-07:00

Sage redefines casting accuracy with the ONE rod

June 22, 2011 (Bainbridge Island, WA) – Sage Manufacturing, fly fishing industry leader, launches the ONE™ fly rod series. The ONE fly rod is the first precision casting instrument to take advantage of Sage’s groundbreaking Konnetic™ technology. Sage's ONE fly rod offers exceptional tracking with virtually no lateral or torsional movement, resulting in astonishing casting accuracy that is unparalleled in the fly fishing marketplace.

The inherent strength of Konnetic technology allows Sage ONE fly rods to be smaller in diameter and 25% lighter than comparable Sage fly rods. These attributes combine to provide augmented aerodynamic efficiency for an exceptional fly fishing experience. The Sage ONE fly rod also includes 70% lighter, low profile ferrules that help direct and carry energy through the fly rod without sacrificing strength, critical action and feel.

“The Sage ONE fly rod becomes a true extension of the angler’s arm,” notes Sage Chief Rod Designer, Jerry Siem. “Sage's ONE fly rod offers a more fluid transmission of energy from the arm to the fly. The eye sees the cast it wants to make and is translated to the hand through the Sage ONE fly rod instantaneously.”

The fast-action Sage ONE fly rod family is intended for all fly fishing conditions thanks to a list of high-end features. A custom cork handle is fashioned in a snub-nose, half-wells grip on the 3-6 weights and a full-wells handle with fighting butt on the saltwater capable 6-10-weights. Each Sage ONE fly rod handle is designed to match the exact taper of the fly rod providing even greater sensitivity and feel. Other details include the Sage designed round eye tip-top which never pinches or binds the fly line, allowing the caster to mend and cast in any direction with full control. On the 3-6 weight Sage ONE fly rods, the elegant walnut insert is perfectly married with the bronze anodized aluminium reel seat. Sage ONE saltwater weights feature all anodized reel seat components. The ONE fly rod comes in a new Black Ice color with a translucent finish that is complemented by black guide wraps and bronze trim wraps. Each Sage ONE fly rod comes with a powder-coated aluminium rod tube with Sage medallion and a hand-made rod sock.

“The Sage ONE fly rod is smooth and precise with an intentionally forgiving ‘sweet spot’ that complements widely diverse casting styles,” says Eric Gewiss, Sage's Marketing Manager. “This helps the angler make a full range of close-in and long distance casts that hit the mark with equal ease. Being able to feel exactly what the fly line is doing through all stages of the cast gives anglers ultimate control of the Sage ONE so they can make the micro-adjustments needed to place the fly precisely where it’s wanted.”

Already award winning, the Sage ONE fly rod has been recognized as the “Best New fly rod” at EFFTEX 2011. The ONE fly rod will be available at Sage authorized retail locations in August / September 2011 with a selection of 22 single hand models. Sage ONE fly rods range from 3-10-weights and will be priced from $715 to $740.

About Konnetic™ Technology:
Sage's Konnetic technology is here, premiering in the Sage ONE fly rod. Konnetic Technology is the most recent and significant evolution in fly rod innovation and uses new materials combined with pioneering manufacturing methods and processes. This technology incorporates an optimized ratio of Sage’s proprietary resin to exclusive high modulus aerospace-grade carbon fiber.

The latest construction methods include Sage’s Advanced Modulus Positioning System (AMPS); a process that precisely aligns and positions carbon fiber materials to exacting tolerances for the greatest blank strength delivering extremely efficient energy transfer throughout the shaft of the fly rod. Using Sage’s High Compression Molding process, carbon fibers are compacted for optimum density and precise alignment while simultaneously fusing the 50% lighter all-carbon fiber inner core.

Sage One Fly Rods

Models:
Sage ONE 8ft 6in 4wt Fly Fishing Rod, 486-4
Sage ONE 9ft 4wt Fly Fishing Rod, 490-4
Sage ONE 8ft 6in 5wt Fly Fishing Rod, 586-4
Sage ONE 9ft 5wt Fly Fishing Rod, 590-4
Sage ONE 9ft 6in 5wt Fly Fishing Rod, 596-4
Sage ONE 9ft 6wt Fly Fishing Rod, 690-4
Sage ONE 9ft 6wt Fly Fishing Rod, 691-4
Sage ONE 9ft 6in 6wt Fly Fishing Rod, 696-4
Sage ONE 9ft 6in 6wt Fly Fishing Rod, 697-4
Sage ONE 9ft 6in 7wt Fly Fishing Rod, 796-4
Sage ONE 10ft 7wt Fly Fishing Rod, 7100-4
Sage ONE 9ft 8wt Fly Fishing Rod, 890-4
Sage ONE 10ft 8wt Fly Fishing Rod, 8100-4
Sage ONE 9ft 9wt Fly Fishing Rod, 990-4
Sage ONE 9ft 10wt Fly Fishing Rod, 1090-4

Scott Howell's Squidro

2011-04-22T17:16:00.000-07:00

Scott Howell’s Squidro Flies are now available

April 20, 2011 (San Francisco, CA): Scott Howell’s new steelhead fly pattern, the Squidro, is now available for purchase exclusively at Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters. Swinging for steelhead will never be the same.

New Thinking: Tirelessly tinkering with ways to catch more steelhead on the swing, Scott Howell has taken the proven intruder fly pattern and incorporated new materials that bring the best out of the intruder design. The result is the Squidro - a resilient fly that offers more fish-catching options to the steelhead angler, regardless of the fishing conditions.

The Fly: Scott believes the bulk of a steelhead’s diet consists mainly of squid. As a result of this dietary preference, all of the Squidro patterns mimic the silhouette and action of a smaller squid. Scott’s belief is that it’s much easier to hook a steelhead when offering them something familiar. Even if they are not hungry, a familiar shape and color might entice a grab from an otherwise lethargic fish.

Materials: Unlike traditional steelhead flies, which primarily use natural materials, the Squidro pattern incorporates rubber legs. The rubber legs not only offer a broader array of color options, they also provide added flash, a bigger fly profile, lifelike underwater action and improved durability. The brighter colors and faster sink rate of the Squidro allow steelhead anglers to fish water that was previously considered “blown” (off color and high).

The Options: Scott’s Squidro pattern options have all your steelhead conditions covered. When fishing for fresh sea-run fish, the Squidro “Sea Food Series” provides more life-like color options for hungry fish, fresh from the ocean salt. When fishing summer-run steelhead, the “Summer Series” is sized slightly smaller with lighter-weight eyes and with more subdued colors. The “Winter Series” is larger with a more pronounced profile. The heavier-weighted eyes keep the fly down deep in the strike zone, while the brighter colors make the fly noticeable, even in darker water.

The Man: Scott Howell’s passion for steelhead began at a very young age. His singular dedication to this fish has elevated his name as one of the foremost fly fishing guides for steelhead. Based in Oregon, Scott puts his clients on the best runs of the best rivers year round as the season dictates. Scott walks the fine line of staying true to the heritage of fly fishing, while always pushing the envelope in tackle, flies and techniques.

The Fish: The steelhead is truly the fish of a thousand casts. Finicky by nature and challenging to catch, the wild Pacific steelhead returns to some of the most beautiful rivers on earth. If you haven’t fished for steelhead before, you should. If you already do and want to increase your catch, make sure to try Scott Howell’s Squidro.

Bottom Line: The Squidro Series steelhead flies provide an unmatched combination of profile, movement, sink rate, castability, durability, and versatility.

About Leland: For 26 years, Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters has serviced fly anglers from around the world with their proven education program, innovative fly fishing gear selection and travel destinations. Scott Howell will be visiting the Leland Sonoma Ranch for his annual steelhead weekend. Be sure to check with Leland for dates and rates.

Contact: Burke White at burke@flyfishingoutfitters.com or 415-781-3474

Squidro Fly Review
Skagit Master: Steelheading Outside the Box
Scott Howell Video
Spey Rods
Switch Rods

New Sage TCX Switch Rod Review

2011-04-13T10:21:00.000-07:00

Sage TCX Switch Rods…the ultimate “do it all” performance fly rod is now available.

April 4, 2011 (San Francisco, CA): What do you get when you combine the world’s best casting fly rod technology with the fastest growing style of fly rod? You get a Sage TCX Switch fly rod: amazing performance and a pocket full of fishing options.

The Right Stuff: Sage fly rods are known around the world as the benchmark of quality and performance. Within their stable of fly rods lives the fabled Sage TCX Series. This series was built to provide the ultimate in casting performance and efficiency. Leveraging Sage’s Generation 5 technology, the craftsmen at Sage were able to make a fly rod that was not only lighter and more resilient than competing rods, but also brings a smile to any skilled caster’s face. Now this same technology is available from Sage in four very useful switch models.

Defining a Switch Rod: As the name suggests, a switch rod is really two rods in one. It can be cast overhead, like a single hand fly rod for increased distance. An angler can also switch technique and use it as a compact Spey rod, employing two hand casts when back-cast room is limited. Once the fly is on the water, the rod’s increased length allows for amazing line control, resulting in better drifts and more fish.

The Line Up: Originally, Switch fly rod models catered primarily to steelhead anglers. However, Sage saw the opportunity to offer Switch rod functionality to trout anglers as well. Offering four 11’9” rod models ranging from a lively five weight to a powerful eight weight, Sage’s TCX Switch series has any angler covered from trout to steelhead and even striped bass

The Build: Like their popular single hand cousins, the Sage TCX Switch rods deliver the goods. Only top-grade cork is used for grip material, ensuring years of velvety smooth contact with your new rod. Low-profile, saltwater-safe, double-uplocking anodized reel seats ensure a solid reel to rod bond. G5, high-modulus graphite makes for a lightweight and efficient rod. All stripping guides and snakes are hard-chromed and ready for years of use. Finally Sage’s TCX Switch fly rods are finished with the iconic “Kryptonite” green color for some subtle “bling.” Store your new TCX in a matching powder-coated green aluminum rod tube for safe keeping until your next fishing adventure.

Need a Reel? At Leland we highly recommend the Sage 6000 Series Fly Reels. These fully-machined, anodized, large-arbor fly reels employ a fully-sealed drag system. These attributes combined offer up one of the best fly reels on the market. Note: When purchasing a fly reel for a Switch fly rod, be sure to choose a fly reel with a line rating at least one to two sizes above your Switch rod’s line rating. See chart below.

What about lines? Two hand and Switch rods are growing in popularity. Fly line options for Switch rods are more plentiful than ever and potentially confusing. At Leland, we’ve made it easy. Just review the line chart below to correctly dial in your new TCX Switch fly rod for optimal casting and fishing performance.

Leland Favorite: We’ve cast all the models in Sage’s TCX series. Our favorite is the Sage TCX 7119-4. This seven weight excels when fishing for steelhead and large trout. Heavy flies and sink tips are no problem. Still, this model is light enough to enjoy doing battle with smaller steelhead and medium-sized trout.

Bottom Line: Amazing fly rod performance, lots of casting and rigging options and on-stream fishing function.

Other Resources:
Sage TCX Switch Rod Video Review
Sage TCX Switch Rod Review
Sage TCX Switch Rods
Sage TCX Spey Rods
Sage TCX Fly Rods
Sage Fly Rods

The Leland Northern California Fly Fishing Report

2011-04-06T21:41:00.000-07:00

Have you seen the Leland Northern California Fly Fishing Report?

Fishhead The #1 Fly Fishing APP

2011-04-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

Fish Head Press Release
April 5, 2011.

Nervous Water Apps introduces the FishHead 1.1 update to the very popular iPhone and iPod touch App.

FishHead is the ultimate on the water and planning fishing application.

Track Weather, Stream Flows, Tides and Lunar tables all from the palm of your hand. FishHead organizes the information by location so that you see all of the pertinent fishing data to make on the water decisions. It’s also equally effective at your home or at work. Track the flows of your favorite stream. Plan your trip around the best tides and look at the latest weather forecasts. This app is designed for both the fresh water and saltwater anglers in mind.

The App has an advanced search engine which allows you to track your current location with the GPS chip in the iPhone or iPod touch; it will tell you the closest streams or tide stations. Once your tide or river station has been selected it will align that information with the nearest weather station. In your favorites view you can now view weather, tide or river flows and the lunar table. If a weather station is down or providing inaccurate data it will automatically find the nearest station that is providing accurate data. You can also search by current location, station name, city or zip code.

The favorites view gives you a snap shot of all of the pertinent weather, tide/river and lunar information all displayed on one view. Each of the different categories can be viewed in greater detail by clicking the detail view which will now give you tide and river graphs and forecasts for weather and future and past tides events. Turn the phone for a horizontal view and the graph appears showing either the tide chart or river chart. Like many other iPhone Apps you can swipe from one favorite to the next.

While there are many other Apps that have weather, tides, and river flows. There is nothing out there that compiles ALL of the relevant fishing information and organizes it for quick and easy detailed info.

FishHead 1.1 Update new features and improvements:

Improved interface which both more appealing to the eye and easier to use.
The Tide data is now global, so now saltwater and estuary anglers worldwide can now experience FishHead!!
Major performance enhancement for quicker downloads of information.

Added Map features to the favorite locations.
Added many missing river stations.
Added Buoy data for both coastal rivers and tides. This Buoy data gives wave height and frequency information, water temps, wind speeds and current data when available.
Added hourly weather information including wind, precipitation, and temperature Graphs.
Added user interaction to the Tide Graph in the form of a slider.
Added Map quick navigation to favorites.

Fish Head is available on the iTunes Apps store for $6.99.

You can learn more at www.fishheadapp.com
For more information you can contact:

John Sherman
Sales Director
Nervous Water Apps
410 Discovery Bay
Discovery Bay, CA 94505
Office: 925-513-3846
Cell: 530-412-2528
HYPERLINK "mailto:john@nervouswaterapps.com" john@nervouswaterapps.com

Now You can Submit A Fishing Report

2011-04-05T13:11:00.000-07:00

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The Five Best Trout Fly Reels

2011-04-03T21:04:00.000-07:00

The Five Best Trout Fly Reels
5 Weight Fly Reels
The perfect laydown. A dragless, short drift under the bank. Suspended emotion as the water dimples and your fly disappears. You pause. Only the big browns take a dry without breaking the surface, so you make sure the fish has turned down before you tighten up. Half an instant longer, then, SET! There it is! Pulsing, constant, and alive at the other end! The stalled world is drawn into motion. Line peels off. You didn't think the hole under the bank was that deep... but the reel's still screaming. This fish could be big, very big. You take your eyes off the water long enough to see your backing appear, bright and startling. Still running. This could be one great fight . . .
Or it could be one great disappointment. What makes the difference? Your equipment, your connection to the fish, your reel! When you're in a situation where all elements count, you want the best. But what is the best? How are you to know what to look for when there are so many choices out there?

1) The Abel Super 5N- $575.00
"The Worlds Finest Trout Reel"

Leland on the Abel Super 5N Fly Fishing Reel
Whether you’re hunting large brown trout in New Zealand or need a light tackle solution for Christmas Island bonefish, redfish or half pound steelies, the Abel Super 5N is the fly fishing reel for you. This newest member of the Abel Super Series is perfectly suited for 5 to 6 line weights and rods and was specially designed with a narrow spool for faster line retrieval and a slim profile. The Abel Super 5N has everything you have come to expect from Abel Fly Reels; a smooth-as-silk large cork disc drag coupled with hard-as-nails anodizing for a lifetime of corrosion protection. Read The Abel Super 5n Review!!

2) The Hatch Five Plus - $495.00
"The Work Horse"

Leland on the Hatch Monsoon Five Plus Fly Reel

Why lose valuable flies just because your drag cannot start quickly enough? The Hatch 5 Plus Fly Fishing Reel has one of the smoothest startups around, so you will no longer be parting ways with those flies, not to mention the fish that are hooked up to them. Slap the Hatch 5Plus on a five weight and find out. The Hatch 5 Plus is a true masterpiece of reel design. These reels are machined from aerospace aluminum and are anodized to be near-indestructible, hence the lifetime original owner warranty. The drag system is sealed, which keeps the water and grit out. The stack of 4 huge Rulon and 3 stainless steel drag washers insure that the drag will not burn out or wear out. When you first see the design you may want to hang this fly reel on the wall, but trust us, fish it and you’ll never go back.

3) The Galvan Torque 5 - $360.00
"Light but Strong- Perfection"
Leland on the Galvan Torque Large Arbor 5

Big rainbows running for the next pool don't stand a chance with the Galvan Torque 5 Fly Fishing Reel. A Silky-smooth, micro-adjustable Galvan drag, with the strength to stop atruck, will still protect even the lightest tippets. This great all-purpose trout reel is one of our biggest sellers for good reason; impressive U.S.A. design and construction at a reasonable price. Your only difficult choice is the color; black, bronze, clear or green? Fish on! The Galvan Torque 5 is a great match for a 5 or 6 line-weight outfit. The uniquely designed cutouts on the frame, spool and drag knob create a distinctive appearance as well as reducing the weight to only 4.8 ounces.

4) Sage 4550 Fly Reel - $390.00
"the ultra light"
Leland on the Sage 4550 Fly Fishing Reel

There's no better reel to match your best indicator rod than Sage's new 4550 Drag Fly Reel, 5-6wt! Designed to handle 5 and 6-weight fly lines, this innovative reel weighs only 4 3/8 ounces so you'll never find your favorite 5- or 6-weight out of balance or difficult to cast. In addition to an ultra lightweight design, the 4550 is equipped with a sealed single rotation, numbered graphite drag system with a beefy, but compact 3:1 gear ratio so you'll have confidence in your drag setting cast after cast, fish after fish. Its bomb-proof finish is available in either black or platinum and spools from the 4500, 4500CF, and past 2500 Series are interchangeable in its elegant frame. If you practice a single handed spey, mends, and roll casts in the back yard with dreams of fast water and big trout, then this is the reel for you!

5) Red Truck Diesel 5/6 - $199.00
"It sounds sooo good"
Leland on The Red Truck Diesel 5/6

“Trout is King.” Fly fishing is synonymous with trout and at Red Truck, they didn’t forget that. To celebrate, they offer their classically-styled Diesel 5/6 trout reel. It’s perfectly sized for a five or six weight line system with plenty of backing, should a large trout head downriver. Not only does this fly reel look and sound like a “true” trout reel, it has all the contemporary performance and crafting you deserve. Fully-machined from solid bar-stock aluminum and anodized for a long life of use, you can rest assured you’ve made a smart investment in your sport.

Abel Fly Reels On Sale @ Red Truck

2011-03-17T17:07:00.000-07:00

Abel Fly Reels On Sale 45% OFF

Switch Rod For Steelhead

2011-03-17T00:32:00.000-07:00

Switch Rods

For Winter Steelhead

I have dedicated this Steelhead season to figuring out how far I can push my switch rod. My suspicions laced belief in spey purity and the sanctity of single hand casting were quickly obliterated! The rivers I fish vary greatly in size. So, I really got to know its limits. With proper technique cast as close as 15 ft (Steelhead like to be close to the bank fish close too) and far as 100 ft are achievable.

The set up I got know and love was:
The Red Truck Premium 7110-4
Galvan Rush 10
20 lbs backing
Airflo ridge running line
Skagit Flight 450 gr
and a bag of tangled tips. If had the dough I would have bought the Rio Skagit Mow Tips

Switch Rods are very effective tools in many situations; however one must resist switch and Speyitis. What I mean is switch rods are not the perfect tool in every situation. They work best with shooting head style fly lines and are less efficient with long belly lines. I Still prefer my single hand rod for nymphing; I find that I can mend with much more control with my switch rod.

What F'n Line Should I Use?

(Winter) Steelhead Swinging- Skagit Lines 19-30ft I find on 11 foot switch rods give or take 6 inches work best with 23 ft heads. The elegant casting Rio Skagit Flight head is an excellent line for winter steelheaders. However when I am gloves off winter steelheading (10 ft tips that are 23.5 grains per foot) I pull out the airflo compact skagit.

When fishing a skagit head you need:

- A Running Line- This is the shooting line that you attach you head to. I fish in colder situations and thing running lines suck to be chasing all day. Get a thick running that you can always hang on to and that has enough friction the guides to turn over you cast.

Top pick: Airflo Ridge Running Line .030
Budget: Slick Shooter 50lb or Amnesia

- Tips- Tips are what get you fly down. If one thing is important with steelheading is it what depth you fly is. Your tips are one factor of controlling you depth.

Top Pick: Rio Mow Kit or slightly less aggressively Rio Tip Kit
Budget: cut up t8-t17 level Tungsten core tips available for bulk purchase.

(Winter) Steelhead Nymphing- You need a longer belly line if you are doing anything other than high stick nymphing. For the first time ever there is a long belly switch line that cast well. The Rio Switch Line has the right amount of shooting head zap with the mend-ability of long belly lines. While I recommend it for Steelhead I have not tested it with trout. Left plenty of heavy mono between your indicator and you line so the heavy line doesn't move your indicator.

The Top Switch Rod Brands and Models

Here are a list of that I have fooled around with. If you want to discuss this further you can call 415.781.3474 and we can talk about what type of fishing you are doing.

-Sage Switch Rods- An Industry Standard of Excellent Casting and Elegant Finish. Sage's pure depth in selection offer a switch for any sitch. A Washington Company. Sage specializes in switch rods for Steelhead and Trout.

- Z-Axis Switch Rods- ($700+) -TCX Switch Rods- ($800+)

- Beulah Switch Rods- True beauty is exhibited by beulah's artistic finishes; Not to be out done the blank design is buttery smooth and can cast a wide range of lines. Beulah is an Oregeon company that specializes in switch rods for fresh water and saltwater applications.

- Classic Switch Rods- ($395) -Platinum Switch Rods- ($495)

- Red Truck Switch Rods- Red Truck has become the underground cult company offering mind blowing switch rods in a range of prices. The limited length and weight offering is evidence in the do it all switch rod for Steelheading and west coast surfishing. A San Francisco Company that specializes in the 11 foot 7 wt switch rod.

- Diesel Switch Rods- ($ 350) - Premium Switch Rods ($450)

-Winston Switch Rods- Winston Green Blanks, beautiful wood, quality nickel silver reel seats, and quality cork will have you drooling at it. Classic Winston feel the offer a pleasurable and relaxing fishing experience. A Montana Company specializing in Trout and Steelhead switch rods.

- Winston BIIMX: Switch Rods- ($795+)

-Scott Switch Rods- Scott Pushes the envelope with the Frankenstein Fiber Hammer Switch Rod ... and I mean Frankenstein in a good way! What can you say other than Scott's are awesome. A Colorado Company that will take you to the edge of fly rod design.

- Scott Fiber Hammer ($695)

Red Truck Diesel Fly Reels

2011-02-03T17:38:00.000-08:00

February 1, 2011 (San Francisco, CA): Old-school anglers take note. With the growing popularity of Red Truck’s proven Diesel Series of fly rods, Red Truck raises the bar again with its traditional series of Red Truck Diesel fly reels.

Red Truck Diesel Fly Reels - Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters from Leland Fly Fish on Vimeo.

Old meets new: Fully-machined from bar-stock, aircraft-grade aluminum, then anodized for a long life of use, these traditionally-styled fly reels are anticipating your next fishing trip. The rim-mounted drag adjustment knob awaits your fingers to fine tune the “click and pawl” drag system. The exposed palming rim is there for you when added drag pressure becomes necessary. Classic porting reduces reel weight and provides that vintage look. The sweet sound of the click and pawl drag will announce “fish on.” A removable brass line guard reduces line wear, while adding to that classic look. Each reel comes in a handsome leather-capped, padded reel pouch.

The Secret: Working with one of the world’s premier fly reel manufacturers, Red Truck leveraged its buying power to design and manufacture a world class fly reel for the traditionally minded fly angler.

The Line Up: The initial Red Truck Diesel series of fly reels is offered in the most popular sizes: 3/4 (for lighter trout use), 5/6 (perfect for all-around trout applications) and 7/8 (designed for steelhead and sea run fish). More models are slated for production in the near future.
The Ultimate Outfit: Red Truck Diesel fly reels will work with any existing quality fly rod. However, if you’re searching for the perfect outfit, make sure to pair up a Red Truck Diesel fly reel with one of Red Truck’s popular, Diesel Fly Rods. They not only balance perfectly, but cosmetically complement one another.

See For Yourself: To examine Red Truck’s new Diesel series of fly reels, visit either Leland’s Sonoma Ranch location or the downtown San Francisco, California store. You can also take advantage of Leland’s 365 day return policy and see for yourself at home.

The Red Truck Challenge: Red Truck is so confident in their Diesel series of fly reels, that they bravely request you compare them against your current fly reels. Regardless of brand and price tag, they believe it will be your new favorite fly reel. If it isn't, they want you to send it back for a full refund.

The Red Truck Warranty: Red Truck proudly stands behind its Diesel fly reels. If during normal use, your Diesel fly reel should not perform to your satisfaction, contact them directly. Red Truck will make it right!

Bottom Line: Classic styling meets contemporary performance. Acoustically perfect…sounds like a “real” fly reel should. The reel your grandfather should have fished.

About Red Truck: Red Truck was formed with one goal: to make fly fishing better for everyone. At Red Truck, they think everyone should have the opportunity to fish with the best equipment available, at the best price possible. At Red Truck, you get more!

Contact: Burke White at info@flyfishingoutfitters.com or 415-781-3474

Skagit Master II- Scott Howell: Steelheading Outside the Box

2011-01-10T17:24:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Skagit Master DVD Volume 2 now available

January 7, 2011 (San Francisco, CA): As a proud sponsor, Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters is happy to finally announce the availability of Skagit Master 2, Steelheading Outside the Box, featuring Scott Howell.

Delivering the Goods: Filmed in British Columbia and Oregon, Skagit Master 2 is the most insightful technique-focused steelhead film in over twenty years. There are no indicators or dead drifted nymphs in this film, only steelheading on the swing. Whether it’s dredging the depths with a custom-styled intruder or popping a foam-lipped Ska-opper over a rock garden run, Scott Howell gives you all the information necessary to increase your odds of crossing paths with a steelhead on a two-hand fly rod.

The Man: Scott Howell’s passion for steelhead began at a very young age. His singular dedication to this fish has elevated his name as one of the foremost fly fishing guides for steelhead. Based in Oregon, Scott puts his clients on the best runs of the best rivers year round as the season dictates. Scott walks the fine line of staying true to the heritage of fly fishing, while always pushing the envelope in tackle, flies and techniques.

New Thinking: Scott Howell’s innovative approach to chasing steelhead with a two handed fly rod will challenge traditional fly anglers to think outside the box and will launch newer two-handed steelheaders on a more productive approach to the sport.

The Destinations: Stunning footage from some of the most fabled rivers like Oregon’s North Umpqua combined with British Columbia “no-name” rivers make for a visually compelling fishing experience. The scenery in this video is only surpassed by Scott’s fishing information and of course the steelhead.

The Gear: Scott shares his favorite fly rod models, line systems and flies for both summer and winter run steelhead success. His no nonsense descriptions on tackle and technique will streamline your gear list and make two-handed steelheading more attainable.

The Fish: Steelhead are truly the fish of a thousand casts. Finicky by nature and challenging to catch, the wild Pacific steelhead returns to some of the most beautiful rivers on earth. If you haven’t fished for steelhead before, this video will change your mind.

Leland Media Group: Leland’s own video team was honored to lend a hand in the production of Skagit Master 2. Look for more videos from the Leland team as they celebrate the sport of fly fishing by visiting Leland Fly TV.

Bottom Line: Scott Howell shares with you his recommended tackle and proven angling techniques on some of the best Pacific steelhead rivers. You’ll learn how to fish confidently for summer and winter-run steelhead by reading water correctly, choosing gear and selecting the best fly for ever-changing water conditions.

About Leland: For 26 years, Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters has serviced fly anglers from around
the world with their proven education program, innovative fly fishing gear selection and travel destinations. Scott Howell will be visiting the Leland Sonoma Ranch for his annual steelhead weekend. Be sure to check with Leland for dates and rates.

Contact: Burke White at burkeflyfishingoutfitterscom or 415-781-3474

2010-12-08T07:55:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Leland is excited to now offer Sage’s new TXL-F series of fly rods. November 22, 2010 (San Francisco, CA): Since 1985, Sage has endeavored on perfecting performance by handcrafting fly rods in Bainbridge Island, Washington. This year Sage’s master rod builder, Jerry Siem, has developed a new series of dedicated small stream fly rods named TXL-F. This latest rod offering provides big rod performance in a small package.

Celebrate small stream fishing: Ultra-light rods in general have a reputation for being "noodly". Not so with the TXL-F, which responds to the same casting stroke that efficiently loads and unloads Sage's high-performing, fast-action rods. Now an angler can splay “small ball” on tight trout streams without sacrificing performance.

The Secret: Besides its near weightlessness, the TXL-F (the "F" is for "feel") Series of fly rods has received a tune-up in the form of increased sensitivity and performance with the latest version of Sage's exclusive G-5 technology, as well as new and improved micro-ferrules. The series even has a brand new grip: a "snub-nose half wells" that correctly positions the caster’s hand for more control.

The Line Up: The TXL-F rod weights start with an incredibly light “000” and runs to a 4 weight. Roth lengths vary from 6’10” to 7’10”. All rods are 4- piece for convenient storage and make for ease of travel, especially when backpacking to that special stream.

Outfit Option: Sage’s new TXL-F fly rods pair perfectly with Sage’s Click Series fly reels. The Sage Click Series of fly reels brings old school fly anglers a traditional click and pawl reel with modern materials and sophisticated design. Add one of Sage’s new Quiet double taper fly lines and you’ve got the ultimate, lightweight, balanced trout fly outfit.

Leland’s Pick: We had the chance to cast all of the models in the TXL-F line up and we feel there is one standout. The 7’10” four weight is the perfect small stream trout fly rod. At 7’10” in length, an angler can still load the rod while casting in tight quarters. As a four weight, this rod delicately presents small flies on light tippet to nervous trout, yet still has enough mass to deliver larger flies even in gusty winds, should they arise.

See For Yourself: To test drive Sage’s new TXL-F fly rods, visit either Leland’s Sonoma Ranch location or the downtown San Francisco, California store. You can also take advantage of Leland’s 365 day return policy. Buy a new TXL-F and try it out in your own back yard. If you’re not completely satisfied with your new fly rod, return it in new condition for a full refund.
About Leland: Founded in 1985 in downtown San Francisco, Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters has serviced avid fly anglers with the best in education, equipment and angling experiences. Leland’s Fly Fishing Educational Ranch, located in Sonoma, California promotes the great sport of fly fishing through celebrating the cast. Online at www.flyfishingoutfitters.com fly anglers can find relevant information and a robust product selection.

Bottom Line on TXL-F: The ultimate small-stream performance fly rod. Adds a new level of enjoyment when fishing creeks and tighter streams. Makes every cast fun and small fish feel big.
Contact: Burke White at burke@flyfishingoutfitters.com or 415-781-3474
# # #

Scrub, Wipe, Rinse and Hope Like Hell It Works!

2010-02-04T12:16:00.000-08:00

Best practice advice is to treat every waterway you leave as contaminated and every one you enter as clean. This means that in order to avoid transferring invasive species from one river to another you should decontaminate your gear every time you move from one body of water to the next, regardless of what you think its infestation status is. Here is a mantra for you:

CHECK:

Before leaving a river or lake’s edge, look for clumps of algae, sand, sediment, and remove them from your wading fishing equipment including nets, boats, and trailers. Leave them at the site.

CLEAN:

Some government and conservation organizations are now promoting simple scrubbing and cleaning of your equipment with water only. Preferably at home but using water at the site is better than not cleaning. This simple cleaning will, as they say in risk management, reduce the risk of transporting invasive species. However, it will not kill the invasive species so there is a chance that an invasive remains on your equipment. Many of the invasive species have a form of their development that is microscopic or at least very hard to distinguish with a naked eye. There does not seem to be any studies to substantiate that cleaning with water only signficantly reduces the risk of contamination.

Killing the invasive species on your equipment lowers the risk of transporting live specimens the most.

Most invasive species are sensitive to hot water. Clean using very hot water and/ or completely dry all materials, see sections below for recommended methods and temperatures.

Steam or boiling water are alternatives that may be applicable for use with boating equipment. Several reservoirs in Colorado now have inspections stations and high pressure hot water cleaning stations that you may required to use. Other bodies of water you may be required to provide proof of adequate cleaning before you can launch your watercraft.

Freezing all of your equipment overnight is another method that works.

Most aquatic invasive species are susceptible to complete drying over an extended period of time.

If any of those are not reasonable then use of another set of fishing and boating equipment that has already been cleaned and dried previously is a good option.

Don't forget to clean and dry your wading dog. Fur will retain these invasive species quite easily. Especially between the the dog's toe pads. So just like your wading equipment the recommendations are to thoroughly and completely dry the dog out and then wait an addition 48 hours before taking the dog to another body of water. You are responsible for your dog.

READ THE NON-CHEMICAL METHODS LISTED FURTHER DOWN THE PAGE FOR MORE THOROUGH DETAILS.

Chemicals or cleaners:

Other than very hot water, freezing for extended periods or thorough drying for several days to over a week, the only other alternative to kill the invasive is to include chemicals in the cleaning process to sanitize your equipment before entering another body of water.

However, there is no one chemical that has been tested to take care of all of the invasive species to be concerned about. The use of chemicals present issues you have to consider and figure out a personal method to deal with it. Some of those issues are: Storage, safe transport, keeping them away from children, limited availability of many of the chemicals, limited applicability for a species and what is the appropriate disposal of the chemicals. Many organizations are staying away from recommending chemicals due to concerns of liability, limited applicability to cover all invasive species, potential for lawsuits from any one with a desire to, and a perceived potential of contamination of the water ways and lands with these chemicals by indiscriminate fishermen.

My personal view is that after cleaning then rinsing one's equipment the amount of disinfectant transported to the stream will be very minor and has a lot less of an impact than the snails, whirling disease, and Didymo will have.

Read the chemical methods listed further down the page.

DRY:

If using only warm or cold water for your cleaning then complete drying is important for maximum risk reduction of transferring an invasive species.

If possible, leave your boat and gear to completely dry as an extra precaution. Many invasive species are susceptible to desiccation from drying out.

If cleaning is not practical, thoroughly dry all items. Materials and equipment have to be totally dry all the way through to kill invasive microscopic species that can penetrate deep into "soft materials." After achieving what you think is dry then leave it to dry for at least another 48 hours before using in another water system. Felt soles, fabric and other soft absorbent materials in clothing,boots, boats, trailers, etc. will required longer to completely dry all the way through. Typically a day to a week. In the case of dense soft materials like felt soles, ropes, web strapping, and items in enclosed spaces this can require weeks.

Read the non-chemical methods listed further down the page.

or FREEZE:

Freezing over night is another good option Freezing will kill didymo, mud snails, and many other invasive plants and animals.

Read the non-chemical methods listed further down the page.

DON'T DISCARD OR RELEASE in the water-

Don't transport live bait or game fish from one body of water to another as they can carry disease with them or populate another body of water thus becoming another invasive species. This is illegal in many places.

Don't discard dead fish or fish parts or use it as cut bait into a body of water as any disease such as WD will be freely dispersed into the water.
Colorado now has Quagga Mussels, and Zebra Mussels as well as the New Zealand Mudsnails, Didymo and the aqua plants Hydrilla and Eurasian Milfoil (mostly found in still waters).
Don't rely on visual inspection.

Visual inspection has been proven to be ineffective during the California DFG wader equipment New Zealand Mudsnails (NZMS) cleaning test. These snails may be no bigger than a grain of sand and actually appear to be a grain of sand or a pebble. Note also that the young of Quagga Mussels and Zebra Mussels are also exceedingly small. You can't depend on visual inspection for Whirling Disease spores or Didymo either as these are microscopic organisms. Didymo can form into very large mats of materials but each individual entity is microscopic. The same is true of immature (vilger) Quagga / Zebra Mussels. All of these organisms at one or more stages of their lives freely float in the water.

NZ Mudsnails on removable inner soles after visual inspection inside boot
photo provided by Federation of Fly Fishers

During the CA DFG wader testing program they found that it is extremely easy for the snails to get between the removable inner soles and the boot. All samples even after initial inspection had at least a few left in the boot. So, if you have removable inner soles extract them before cleaning. This also means that even with fixed inner soles there will be snails on the stuck in the crevices inside of your boots.

Use Felt Soles?

A number of environmental and state wildlife organizations are now discouraging the use of Felt bottom soles due to the porous soles allowing diseases and small organisms (such as whirling disease spores, and rock snot diatoms) to penetrate deeply into the felt. Thus it is hard to adequately kill the organism but at the same time the organisms can come back out of the felt later on. Testing by the New Zealand Bio-security has proved this. It also has proven that many cleaning agents are not able to penetrate deep into the material in a reasonable period of time.
Then it is also quite hard to completely rinse cleaners and disinfectants out of the sole which then can leach out in the stream. This may or may not be a small issue but it does give concern to government agencies and probably causes heart palpitations to extreme environmentalist. Certainly non-chemical options such as high heat drying and hot water would have no environmental impacts so use them whenever possible.
Rubber or Simms StreamTread soles with studs or cleats is an attractive option. The Simms "star cleat" configuration is quite aggressive compared to many manufacturer's stud designs. Now Simms boot models have StreamTread rubber soles that utilize their replaceable "Hard bite boot studs or star cleats", which have carbide beads welded to the screw head or multiple cleat heads. Cleats and studs can be destructive on boats and float tubes and some boat owners will not allow you into there boats with studs on.
See our earlier Blog when we tested Simms StreamTread and star cleats together!

You still need to clean your equipment, including boots, even if you use rubber soles or any other type of sole. Even those listed as helping to combat invasive species. Invasives such as Didymo and whirling disease are microscopic and can be anywhere on your equipment. The microscopic species can be penetrate into any webbing, foam, cloth, shoe laces, etc. on boots and any other equipment.

Rinse Well to remove cleaning agents and disinfectants before reentering the water.
We will not know a river is contaminated until MONTHS OR YEARS after it is infested. Thus assume that the body of water you are leaving is contaminated with some unknown ANS, Aquatic Nuisance Species.
Non Chemical Methods of Cleaning Hot Water, Drying, Freezing

Hot Water Method
For NZMS Give your gear a hot water bath (120 -130ºF) for at least five minutes. Water must remain the recommended temperature during soaking the equipment- Water in your bath tub may be able to maintain this temperature for the required time. Your dish washer should work well but you should check the water temperature in the dishwasher first. Multiple cycles may be required for the recommended duration. For Didymo, Whirling Disease and Quagga/Zebra Mussels 140ºF or higher is recommended but duration varies.

A NZ Biosecurity evaluation demonstrates that Didymo can be killed by submersion in water heated to 60ºC ( 140ºF) for 1 minute or 20 minutes at 45ºC ( 113ºF) of submersion. This is for none porous items that do not absorb water.

For boots with felt soles or other soft absorbent materials it takes full submersion in hot water for 40 minutes , at least 104ºF (40ºC). With using 5% dish detergent in the water then you can get away with 104ºF for 30 minutes. Note that 5% means 6.5 fluid oz. (over 3/4 cup) of dish detergent for each gallon of water. One needs to validate the temperature of the water was maintained through the whole process. Other soft items that absorb water will require similar treatment. Examples of these soft items would be leather uppers on boots etc. web straps, soft fabrics of boots, shirts, socks

A person can with some pain keep their hands in 104ºF water. At 140ºF the water is too hot for the hands to remain submerged.
The 100th Meridian website says for Boats and other Recreational equipment: "Live steam, boiling, and hot (> 140 ºF) power washing are all believed to be effective against all zebra/quagga mussel life stages. Work a small section at a time with a minimum exposure of 3 min. at full heat for each area."
Quagga/Zebra mussels, and WD.

Here is one way a camping fisherman says he achieves decontamination for NZMS:
"I've found one of those Zodi portable hot shower kits (http://www.zodi.com/web-content/ ) and a 5 gallon bucket makes a nice portable sterilizer without having to carry chemicals, and lets me take a hot shower while camping. The Zodi unit is a continuous operation heater. I just put the inlet and outlet hose in the same bucket, turn it on and let it run. I monitor the temperature with a cheap kitchen thermometer and once it gets up to temperature, I leave it running for another 5 minutes to be safe then shut it down."
Dry Out The Equipment:
The general guidelines recommends thoroughly drying the equipment. For Didymo many web sites recommend thoroughly drying the equipment to touch. Then allow another 24 min but 48 hours recommended before using the equipment. Thoroughly drying the equipment can be a lot harder than you think. Felt soles and other soft materials (fabric, fabric straps, rope, etc.) may take days to weeks to dry completely through the depth of the material. A testing program by the New Zealand Biosecurity demonstrated that microsopic organizisms readily penetrate in the interior of porous materials. You also have to make sure all creases and crevices outside and inside the equipment are completely dry, such as inside boots or boat bags. NZMS have survived several days in a dry environment and 50 days on a moist surface. Didymo also will survive if there is any moisture present

The "Protect Your Waters" website sponsored by The national Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the US Coast Guard recommends;" If possible, allow for 5 days of drying time before entering new waters."
Complete drying of equipment is a method recommended by New Zealand Biosecurity for killing Didymo on your equipment. Using heat to facilitate the drying helps.

For Killing Didymo, Whirling Disease -WD, Quagga/Zebra Mussels and NZMS- New Zealand Mud Snails
Dry Heat:

* Dry Heat will kill NZMS, and WD. Spray with "Commercial Solutions Formula 409 Cleaner Degreaser Disinfectant" or other soap/ detergent and let waders and boots dry in the hot sun for several hours. The air must be low humidity and over 84 Degrees F for 24 hours or 104 Degrees F (or higher) for 2 hours for NZMS and WD. (The reason for the soap is because it breaks down the mucus the mud snails utilizes to hold onto wet surfaces)

Any residual mud must be completely dried through. Inside surfaces such in boots and felt soles must be thoroughly dry also which typically takes a day to several days to thoroughly dry.

For Didymo the New Zealand Biosecurity states the following "Relying on ambient drying as a stand-alone treatment for decontaminating highly absorbent risk goods such as felt-soled waders and boots is not recommended in situations where use between waterways is frequent (daily, weekly or even monthly). Drying should only be relied upon as a decontamination treatment if great care is taken to actively and completely dry the felt (such as by using a heat source where temperatures around the felt are assured of reaching 30 °C (86 °F)). Once the felt appears dry, complete dryness must be confirmed by a tactile inspection of the felt pile to the base of the fibers. Once completely dry, items must remain dry for at least another 48 hours before use in another waterway."

Felt soles can remain wet for several weeks even in the house. The above requires the felt to be dry all the way through the material. To a lesser degree this will also be true of other absorbent materials on your equipment. Laying the boots on the sides so the felt is exposed to the air should help speed the dry time. Additional heat may be required.
From a New Zealand Biosecurity Study recommendations:

"Drying should only be relied upon as a decontamination treatment if great care is taken to actively and completely dry the felt (such as by using a heat source where temperatures around the felt are assured of reaching 30 °C). Once the felt appears dry, complete dryness must be confirmed by a tactile inspection of the felt pile to the base of the fibres. Once completely dry, items must remain dry for at least 48 hours before use in another waterway. These findings for felt soles can be extrapolated to other absorbent materials."
Freeze Your Gear:
Freezing waders, boots and equipment for 4 hours minimum (for those winter die hard addicts or those with unused freezer space). ALL The interior recesses must be frozen, also. Additional time must be added for the recesses and insides of boots to reach freezing as well as the thick absorbent parts of items. Thus the best thing is to freezing all over night.
Note - handle your frozen waders and boots carefully and thaw out before bending or unfolding. Frozen water absorbed by breathable materials, foams and leather has the potential to crack the gear material when bending it.
Didymo - Freezing temperature = 0° C minimum (32° F)
NZMS - Freezing temperature = 0° C (32° F) minimum
Whirling Disease = -20° C (-4° F) minimum
Quagga/ Zebra Mussels = 0° C (32° F) minimum

This kills Didymo, NZ mud snails, Whirling disease, Didymo, Quagga/Zebra Mussels.
Washing Your Wading Dog: When you take your favorite fishing buddy, your dog, with you he/she walks in the same river bottom you do and thus can easily transport organisms as well as you can. Therefore, before taking your pet to another body of water you need to wash your dog with water as warm as possible and brush it's coat. Clean well around paws. Better yet, don't take your dog to another body of water with you for 7 days as the above method is not rock sold effective. It is a lot of work to wash your dog.

Chemical Solutions
for use with the above cleaning methods
Most of the following chemicals are not universally available in any given locale. Neither are you likely to find any one method of cleaning discussed on this page as being universally useable in your various fishing situations. Thus you will need to select the chemical and/or method that best fits your given situation.

Products containing biocides or algaecides are registered for certain uses. When one uses it for another purpose or beyond the product specifications it is against the law.

Formula 409 with Degreaser & Disinfectant - a "Commercial Solutions " product:
**** ALERT ****
The only Formula 409® Product tested for effectiveness against NZMS and be safe for boots and waders is:

"Commercial Solutions Formula 409® Cleaner Degreaser Disinfectant"
It can be found in some stores. Not grocery stores, though.
The only other Formula 409 products with the same disinfectant in it is:

"Formula 409® All Purpose Cleaner Antibacterial Kitchen Lemon Fresh"
available in many locations but probably in small containers that you may find inconvenient.

"Formula 409® All Purpose Cleaner Antibacterial " is a new product with the same Antibacterial compound now available in some locations such as Costco and this one comes in large 1.4 Gallon containers.

Most Formula 409 products do not have a disinfectant / antibacterial in it. The disinfectant or antibacterial is what will kill the snails. Note that Clorox brand cleaners with disinfect contain chlorine as the disinfectant. See the chlorine section for info about chlorine.

Other types of Formula 409, as well as other cleaning fluids with surfactants and detergents, are helpful in that it would force the snail to loosen it's hold on the surface it is hanging on to so that the cleaning processes can wash them off. But it would do little to kill any. Thus it is, by far, best if you use the formulations listed above for loosening the snails hold plus killing them. Other cleaning fluids formulations may damage wading equipment.
Formula 409® products which contain Disinfectant or Antibacterial are the only correct 409 products to use. The product straight from the bottle is best but most places still recommend a 50% solution. The 409 product must have a disinfectant / antibacterial in the product for it to kill the snails. See the full name of the products below.
Both products can be kept and reused a number of times. However, the disinfectant is susceptible to being neutralized by organ material such as dirt and grass thus remove as much as reasonable before soaking.
Spray application is unacceptable for this product.This solution is deemed safe for your waders and boots though some visual aberrations may show. A number of other household cleaners were tested but they affected integrity of wading equipment. Long term Impacts of many fisherman wading with this chemical on their boots has not been studied. Thus rinse your wading equipment well, especially felt soles. The disinfectant in these two Formula 409 products is a quat, Quaternary Ammonium Compound, A test at U.C. Davis has demonstrated the quat in Formula 409 kills the WD spores in 10 minutes at 1500 PPM (50/50 mixture of Formula 409 Disinfectant). I have not located any validation that Formula 409 will kill Didymo however New Zealand Biosecurity testing of another product that contains the same quat does kill Didymo.
Copper Sulfate Solution (252 mg/L Cu) -
Immersion and Dry bag methods work. Another option for this solution which maybe handy on a multiple day traveling trip is to use the spray application for 5 minutes minimum. Copper Sulfate solution is the only tested solution proven to be effective at killing NZMS when sprayed on to the equipment.
Some brands of Copper Sulfate are registered in Colorado as herbicide and algaecide. Probably would kill invasive weeds like hydrilla and algae like Didymo on your wading equipment. Solution can be kept and reused many times. This solution is deemed safe for your waders and boots. (CA DFG test Result) Long term impacts of many fisherman wading with this chemical on their boots has not been studied. Thus rinse your wading equipment well, especially felt soles.

This method has been proven to be effective for killing NZMS. Copper sulfate will kill Quagga/Zebra Mussels- concentration and duration period unknown. Not data for WD. Copper sulfate kills Didymo. Copper sulfate has commonly been used for many years to kill algae in lakes ponds, and canals. I suspect that soaking in tub would increase it's effectiveness but penetration all the way into felt soles may be a problem just like it is with all other chemical solutions. The use of detergents with it should improve the penetration since detergents have surfactants.
Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate Crystal is commonly sold at Hardware stores under various brand names as a root killer for sewers. Typically the instructions call for dumping 2 lb. of crystal into the commode. Some Farm and Ranch stores carry 50 LB bags of Copper Sulfate.

In the western US, where there are many mines, some rivers are listed as impaired waterways due to high copper content. The state of Colorado has several rivers listed as such (The Arkansas, Colorado, Clear Creek, South Platte, Gunnison Rivers). Copper is hard to remove from the water supply to maintain compliance with federal regulations. Plus most water treatment plants rely on biological processing to treat waste water before releasing the water back into the river. High copper content can kill the biological organisms in the treatment plant. Biocides and algaecides such as quats can also cause the same problem.

To help avoid the potential of exceeding copper content limits some municipalities discourage the use of high concentration copper based compounds such as copper sulfate pentahydrate. For the same reason some municipalities have stopped using copper sulfate in lakes and reservoirs to kill algae. It is recommended that you keep this in mind when disposing of rinse water and unused solution. Contact your local government regarding regulations.

Golden Colorado asks city Vendors for voluntary compliance to keep copper sulfate pentahydrate root killer off their shelves since in a number of years past the City had exceeded copper content limits in their fresh water and waste water. The city no longer uses copper sulfate in it's water storage reservoirs to control algae and weeds. West Denver Trout Unlimited recommends not dumping Copper sulfate into rivers, ponds, lakes, storm drains or sewers.
Bleach
(which contains 3.5% Sodium hypochlorite - NaClO)- A solution of household bleach is NO LONGER recommended for NZMS. The 2005 CA DFG testing report demonstrated bleach is very ineffective at killing snails when it's operculum is closed. (Trap door kind of thing the snail closes over it's opening). A solution of bleach may cause some discoloration. Strong concentrations can affect wading equipment material integrity. However, a weak 2-10% solution of bleach (by Volume) is still effective for killing other invasive species such as Whirling Disease (10% bleach by volume solution soaking the item for 10 minutes), Didymo (2% by volume solution soaking the item for at least 1 minute -longer for items or parts of items that absorb water), and Zebra Mussels. Thus you will still see it promoted on many state wildlife websites and the "Protect Your Waters" website.

10% solutions = Put 13 fluid oz. in pail then add water to the 1 gallon mark.
2% solution = Put 3 fluid oz in pail then add water to the 1 gallon mark.

Bleach solutions break down quickly. They should be replaced daily per The New Zealand Biosecurity test reports. More often if heavily used.
Pure Vinegar
Soaking in pure vinegar is reported as being effective for Quagga / Zebra mussels. Required Soak time varies from source to source as; 20 minutes to 4 hours minimum but 24 hours recommended. Vinegar has not been tested for effectiveness on NZMS or Whirling Disease. The New Zealand Biosecurity does not recommend this for Didymo. It takes a pH of 4 or less to kill Didymo. Acetic acid, vinegar, has a slightly lower pH of 3. However any wetness will dilute the vinegar quick to where the pH will rise past 4. Thus Biosecurity does not recommend the use of vinegar.
This method NOT tested on NZMS,and WD. Not recommended for Didymo.

Dish Detergent:
A 2-5% solution will kill Didymo. For 1 minute soak time of non-adsorbing materials 5% is required which would be 6.5 oz (a little more than 3/4 cup of detergent) for each gallon of water. A 2% solution requires 10 minutes soak time. Longer for absorbent materials. Palmolive and Sunlight were used in the New Zealand tests. ‘Green’ products are less effective and not recommended for disinfecting. Dish detergent does not work for NZMS and appears to not have been tested or is ineffective on WD, and mussels.

Though soap will not kill New Zealand Mudsnails it will help to release them from the surface they cling to. Thus washing them off of your equipment will be easier. But if you don't kill the invasive then you are leaving the possibility of the invasive remaining in your equipment crevices and recesses.

This method has been proven to be effective for Didymo. I have no data for WD, Quagga/ Zebra Mussels. Does not work for NZMS.
All of the above solutions for cleaning and maintaining your gear are recommendations aggregated from various web postings from CA DFG, New Zealand Environmental Commission, and other reputable organization sites. Please do further research to educate yourselves as there is scores of information available online to help you decide which solution to use.

Remember; scrub, wipe, rinse and hope like hell it works!

Faster Than a Speeding Bullet, More Powerful Than a Locomotive... The Rainbow Trout

2009-12-07T10:41:00.000-08:00

"The Extraordinary Rainbow Trout"
by Ron Newman

Throughout the fishing season I frequently hear other fly fishers comment about the Rainbow Trout they have just caught. The comments usually follow the theme of; how beautiful, how amazing, how fantastic or how well it fought. But have you ever REALLY thought about the attributes of this incredible fish?

For example, consider that a moderate size Rainbow can accelerate from a standstill to about 23 mph (or 37 kilometers per hour) in about one second. A larger fish can get in an extra one or two mph. Almost instantly the fish is traveling more than 33 feet per second and can maintain that speed long enough to easily strip a hundred yards of line and backing off your reel. Its no wonder that if a fly fisher is going to loose a Rainbow, it usually happens within two or three seconds of being hooked. Can you think of another member of the animal kingdom that can reach that speed so quickly? Even those animals known for their speed, such as the Cheetah or Greyhound, cannot accelerate that fast.

And just how strong is that Rainbow Trout? A trout of three pounds can easily break a leader tested to six-pound strength. That's double its body weight. I defy you to break, rather than cut, monofilament tested to just your own body weight. Few members of the animal kingdom can accomplish this feat but some larger trout do this on a regular basis.

Rainbow Trout are also known for their jumping ability. A Rainbow can easily leap into the air three or four times its body length. In the animal kingdom, jumping to a height of more than two body lengths is uncommon even on dry land. The household Cat and a few other members of the animal kingdom can make similar leaps but that doesn't detract from this incredible ability. In human terms, the trout is jumping 18 to 24 feet into the air out of a swimming pool.

Have you ever thought about why the Rainbow is extremely agile, can stop on a dime, or has teeth but doesn't chew? How does it change color to match its surroundings or suck oxygen from water without clogging its gills in underwater debris or how can it remain suspended in the water column with virtually no fin movement? These can all be explained but will have to wait for a longer article. The main point is that even though all these physical attributes are amazing, the 'senses' of a Rainbow Trout are even more amazing.

The sensory input received by a Rainbow is estimated to be 500 to 800 times more acute than the sensory input received by a human. This fish can perceive its surrounds to a degree that we can only imagine. The fish's brain is entirely devoted to bodily functions and sensory input. It doesn't possess a Cerebrum and yet is quick to learn from experience. The Cerebrum is the center for thought and reasoning in humans.

The eyes of a Rainbow do not have eyelids. They are quite sensitive to bright sunlight. A trout is somewhat near sighted but can see quite well up to distances of about twenty feet. Sight is used to locate food at close distances while its other senses are used to locate food at further distances. The eyes of the Rainbow are well designed for seeing color. They see color in the red to blue wavelengths about the same as a human. However, in the yellow to green wavelengths the trout see color much better than we do. Part of the reason for this enhanced color perception is that the yellow to blue wavelengths of light travels better in water than in air.

Having the eyes on the side of the head also gives the Rainbow Trout a different perspective on the world. This placement of the eyes allows the fish to see to the front, sides and most of the way behind. The only blind spots are immediately behind and directly below the fish. Upward and directly in front, the fish has depth perception or binocular vision as both eyes come into play. Toward the rear and to either side, only the eye on that side is used and the trout has monocular vision without depth perception. Viewed from below, the water surface reflects light when viewed at an angle. So the trout can only see the upper world through a small round 'window' that is directly above and has a diameter that is about twice the depth of the fish. A trout cruising 10 feet down can only 'see' a dry fly presented within about 20 feet of its location. Ears? No, the Rainbow doesn't have an external ear yet it can hear sound better than almost all land animals. The trout's three-chambered 'internal' ear picks up sound very well. If you drop your glasses in the bottom of the boat, a trout across a large lake will easily hear that sound and the nearby trout will probably be spooked into a non-feeding phase by the noise. The ear also serves as an organ for balance. Land animals use fluid in the ear for balance. In a fluid environment, the trout uses calcified stone in each ear chamber to help it tell up from down and left from right.

The senses of taste and smell are particularly well developed in the Rainbow Trout. They are better developed than the legendary Bloodhound and about 500 times more sensitive than these senses in a human. It is believed that Rainbow Trout, steelhead and salmon (all of the scientific Order of Oncorhynchus) use taste and smell to help locate the waters of their original spawning streams.

A Rainbow Trout can smell the difference between two aquatic plants of the same species that are side by side. It can even taste the difference between two species of Chironomid and thus will have a preference for one species over another. Rainbow Trout are very sensitive to differences in ph, salinity and the differences in amino acids as found in their food sources. It is thought that the Rainbow may even have taste and smell sensors on parts of its body other than in the nostrils and mouth and that these may actually help the trout in locating its food.

Would you believe that we have yet to come to the most astounding aspect of the trout's senses? Besides the normal touch sense that most animals have, the Rainbow Trout has what scientists are calling the "Distant Touch" sense. This is sort of like Extra-Sensory Perception or ESP. The scientists aren't exactly sure how this all works but here are a few of the known details.

Water is 800 times denser than air. In part, this is why the trout can hear, smell, taste and see color so well. As a denser medium, water carries the mechanisms for sensory input much better than air. The senses of touch and perception are no different. The Rainbow can feel and perceive distant objects or movements about 800 time's better than we can and may even have a form of echolocation.

Imagine that someone drops a ball of cheese at the other end of a football field. Other than the fact that you saw it drop, you probably wouldn't know that it had happened. At that distance, with its eyesight, a Rainbow Trout wouldn't see the cheese ball drop. However, underwater it could 'feel' the concussion of the cheese ball hitting the ground, hear the sound it makes when it hits and may even be able to smell and taste the cheese shortly after the hard outer cover breaks. It is even possible that, through echolocation, the trout could tell us exactly where the cheese ball hits in the end zone.

A person capable of doing the same would be considered to have ESP. The trout's primary receptor for this ability is the Lateral Line. It is also known that the Supra-Orbital and Sub-Orbital lines on the jaw and back on the trout's skull play a similar role. The trout may have other distant touch receptors of which we are yet unaware. The full sensory capabilities of the Rainbow are yet to be determined by the scientific community.

With its distant touch sense, a Rainbow can detect the slightest movement of an aquatic bug (or fly) at quite a distance and even on the darkest of nights. It can just as easily detect if the movement is wrong. For the fly fisher, the reward comes when the trout 'inhales' the fly very softly. That's a sure indication that the trout is feeding on the fly rather than taking it out of aggression or territorial protection. They will 'strike' a fly, sometimes very hard, for a number of reasons but they will only 'inhale' the fly when they are confident that it is their desired food source.

In human equivalents, we seem to have an animal that is faster than a speeding bullet, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, is stronger than a charging locomotive and even has its own form of X-Ray vision or an equivalent there-of. Remind you of anyone? I'm not sure about you but I consider the Rainbow Trout to be the Superman of the animal kingdom. If we were handing out awards, I would certainly vote for Mother Nature and her creation of the Rainbow Trout.

A 'few' Fishing Tips related to this article:

Let a trout have as much line as it can take immediately after the strike.
Set any fly 'softly' as the fish may already be making a run.
Use a leader strength that is 'double' the weight of the fish you may expect to catch.
Let a jumping or running fish 'strip line' off the reel but be prepared to take up slack at any time.
Fish a sinking fly deeper in the water when there is bright sunlight.
Don't expect success to be too great on a dry fly on or near the surface when there is bright sunlight.
Fish dry flies fairly close to where you saw or 'expect' a rise but use a 'soft' presentation.
Ensure your retrieve represents the 'bug' being fished. Change retrieves if necessary.
Make the imitation of yellows and greens in a fly as close as possible to the actual bug.
During daylight and at close distances the fish will 'look' at your fly so make sure it will pass the 'close' inspection.
Don't make moderate to loud noises while fishing or anchoring as they may 'spook' the fish in that area of the lake.
Avoid getting any smells on your fly that the trout may consider 'foul'. Particularly those that are acidic, or basic, or salty, or taste like sun-tanning lotion.
Try some of the commercially available odors on your fly that supposedly attract fish. You may find one that actually works and improves your success.
Be prepared to fish a fly pattern, even small ones, after dark. Fish will 'find' and accept that fly if retrieved correctly. The larger fish actually feed at and after dark.
If fish are 'slamming' your fly, they are not taking it as a food source. You may improve your success by changing the fly or the retrieve. However, sometimes they will only take an attractor fly.
Feeding fish will come from more than a 100 feet away to take a properly presented food source.
Trout can perceive a fly from a considerable distance. Make sure their 'first' impressions are good.
If you are matching the "beginning of a hatch" without success, try some various colors or sizes as the fish may have specific species preferences.

Inspires more respect for such an astounding creature. Food for thought when targeting Rainbows anywhere!

You've Entered, The No Felt Zone....

2009-11-17T12:50:00.000-08:00

Okay, I have been inspired to write something about the debate on rubber versus felt wading boots, since I hear this discourse quite often in my trade. I realize this has been intellectually massaged many times before, but much has recently come to light. This all came about because of a recent 3-day trip to the mecca of wading products, Bozeman Montana and the Simms factory. And I have to say, those hallowed halls of fishing research and technology revealed a lot! More than I can discuss in this forum.

Simms will be the first to tell you that their 4-year R&D relationship with Vibram was for one reason... to make a sole product that was as good as felt, NOT better. When we hear the fly fishing public out there debating which is "better", the real conversation should be, does Vibram rubber perform as well? That was Simms goal for the most part. The future may reveal more successful revisions and product versions, which might take it beyond felt. But for the time being, it is my opinion that they accomplished exactly what they set out to do.

Some personal insight...
I previously used the Simms G3 Guide Boot, which if you know the boot, was a nice leather upper over felt soles. Lots of boot volume (not always good), great fit, tons of support, fairly grippy, but still required the security of studs because of my variety of fishing locales. Not one river does a good consistent sticky sole make. Anyway, the felts were good, sometimes slippery, as all felts can be, but I was relatively happy with the performance, especially with river studs on.

But, since rubber is going to change the face of the wading boot scene, especially in the coming year, I decided to give in to progress and purchase new boots. Simms set me up with the awesome Guide boot with Vibram rubber on a float trip on the Madison. They requested we all try one boot with felt and the other with rubber (un-studded on each) to test performance side-by-side. A great test, I must say! They both work about the same in the water. Sometimes they slipped, most times they didn't. I found that on larger bowling ball rocks, wet or dry, the Vibram rubber worked slightly better, though nothing significant. I also found that walking anywhere on dirt trails or anywhere there was an uneven grade, the rubber soles with their sole pattern worked decidedly better. Yay, finally, trail worthy wading boots!

Next, I tried studded versions of felt and rubber for each foot. This is where the rubber meets the road! Sorry, I digress. The studded rubber performed flawlessly. The felts were good too, but there are some distinct differences where rubber out performs felt. Here's where the benefits come noticeably into play. The felt accentuated the feel of the studs because the felt material compresses when walking or wading. It feels like you are walking on little pebbles under your feet. The Vibram rubber? You could barely feel the studs (especially with the newer star cleats, which I'll get to in a moment). The feeling was more secure. And, now walking anywhere out of the water was comfortable and more secure.

Some other Vibram rubber benefits; they dry faster, period! You can drive your car easier without the heavy, watered down felts packed with mud and debris drizzling all over your car mats and carpet. Even the uppers seemed to dry quicker? ANS issues are reduced. Easier and more secure to resole than felt ($60). Lots of inconsistencies with felt in resoling. Snow? Yep, snow. Ever walked around in snow lined rivers with felts and built up frozen Herman Munster platform boots just waiting to send you ass over tea kettle? Mostly eliminated now with rubber soles.

Since getting them, I have been happily using my new Guide boots with Vibram rubber and studs on different tough river situations, and I have to say that I am convinced that rubber is as good in performance as felt. But, the ancillary benefits as described far out weigh felt, and that makes them better in my opinion.

Oh, yeah, the "star cleats". This is a new product from Simms which I've been testing on my Guides lately. Simply put, they are awesome for Simms Vibram rubber soles! Each "cleat" is a three star design that sets perfectly into the sole pattern on Simm's Vibram soles. They use stacked hard carbide steel on each end of the star, very low profile and grippy as all hell! Very hard to lose, once mounted and easy to install. They seem to stay put. Also, it's hard to feel them under your boots even when walking on solid ground. Nice! They are designed as proprietary to Simms sole depth and plastic plate between the sole and boot material, and come eighteen star cleats to a pack, so plenty to secure your Vibram boots.

But, as most river boat guides will tell you, no studs in my boat! So if you are one to hire guides and boats, get the Vibram studs pack with the little key chain tool that removes them and installs fairly quickly.

Hopefully this long description helps some of you out there that are still discussing and debating which is better, felt or rubber. As stated, the benefits are what make that decision easier.

Tight lines all....

The Leland Upgrade Program

2009-10-31T15:23:00.000-07:00

We think the Leland Upgrade Program is one of the greatest services we can offer our customers. Obviously, so do others:

October 19th, 2009
Dear Leland Team!

So here I am in Bedford, New Hampshire wondering what to do with some quality fly-fishing gear that hasn't seen the water in just about two years. According to Mapquest my home is 3,128 miles away from your flagship store in San Francisco. That said having done business with you in the past via eBay I decided to take advantage of your upgrade program and let's just say I am so glad I did. From the very beginning Ariel Molina was tremendously helpful guiding me through the description and shipment process. As promised the shipping labels arrived via email, I shipped them from the local UPS Store and I was told my gear arrived safely. A few days later I checked out my gear on eBay under the Leland banner and I was stunned at the quality, professionalism and presentation of my gear on eBay and not only that one week later I was very very pleased with the result.

For anyone reading this email I have a little bit of advice for you, buy the best gear you can afford, take good care of your gear and if you ever want to upgrade or sell your gear use the Leland Upgrade Program !

Thank you Leland and thank you Ariel !!

Best regards, Kent Richeson, Bedford, NH

Bear Grylls bit my fish!

2009-10-31T11:23:00.000-07:00

From John Ng, Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters Shop Pro

I fished a few weeks back and just remembered about this photo I took. Here's what happened...

I started my 11 o'clock morning wading up along the uneven granite banks of the river that will be unnamed. My game plan was to explore and fish new water before reaching the "Glory Hole." Trekking through endless thorns and slippery rock, the detour was worth it. I arrived to "the spot" right on schedule with a couple of hours of light left and I was already pushing a 30 fish day ( I don't know how many but it was good...) After poking a few more, I hooked a real fighter. Her take was more deliberate than any other fish and she took off faster than the current. Through the water I could see my pale green line bow to the shape of a C against the friction of the water. 50 Feet later, she broke the surface. After revealing herself a few more times, I noticed a rather large red shape on her back. Regaining line, I could see this rose colored imperfection beneath the water's surface making its way closer to me. My original thoughts were that I snagged a peddle of a flower that "zip lined" its way to the back of the fish. To my surprise it was a hole in the fish too large and to fresh for any fish to fight that hard. Despite the inevitable, I still released her in hopes that the wound would some how heal. Hopefully Wonda didn't suffer?

Thinking back on that fish, it was probably bitten by an otter in mid fight... that would explain the sudden surge of line take.

Any experienced animal behavior input out there?

John Ng

Our First Winter Storm In NorCal

2009-10-14T14:57:00.000-07:00

Our first winter storm in NorCal brought buckets of rain, howling winds and the fruitful promise for a great Steelhead season. Yes brethren of the fly, all this fresh water running to the northwest coast should get these hardy monarchs of the river looking for their home waters again. Reports have been coming in from the Klamath, Yuba, Trinity, Lower Sac, American and Feather rivers. Until this recent storm, fish had been located staging in riffles in morning and evenings, moving to deeper pools during the day. As of this morning the Smith River near Cresent City appears to be above 3500 CFS, so lots of water moving through. Patience, wait and see when these waters clear. Whether you Spey, single-hand, swing, skate or nymph, this promises to be a great year for "chrome" in our NorCal waters. Gentleman, get your drift boats ready!

Tight lines...

Tarpon, Bonefish, Steelhead, Stripers... What's Your Flavor?

2009-10-10T13:59:00.000-07:00

Regardless of your choice of species, Leland Fly Fishing Ranch in the heart of the Sonoma Valley is your connection for learning about all types of fish species you can target with a fly. From specific casting instruction for each type fish, to understanding the dynamics of hunting these fish, we have an instructional program that shows you the way. Our casting instructors and shop professionals have tremendous experience and insight for showing you how to get results on the water.

If you always wanted to know how to indicator fish properly or shoot a Tarpon line through the wind... come see us.

http://www.flyfishingoutfitters.com/p/p.aspx?mlid=2444

Teens Saving Struggling North Coast Steelhead

2009-10-09T13:57:00.000-07:00

This is a miraculous story. Once upon a time a high school biology teacher named Tom Furrer decided to save and restore a little known trickle of a dead creek directly across the road from his high school. Why you ask? Well, this little watershed, called Adobe Creek, used to provide spawning habitat for migrating Steelhead trout on the north coast of California. Now, 27 years later, Casa Grande High School in Petaluma is ground zero for trout study, stream restoration and a continuing education center for these big monarchs of our northern rivers and streams. Hence United Anglers, a non-profit organization of Casa Grande High School, was born and have successfully managed these restoration projects without significant help from federal or state agencies.

Tom and his high school students have exclusively done all of the creek cleanup work, fish counting, public education and habitat restoration since the early eighties. Starting with building a small greenhouse-like hatchery made possible with a tiny donation, Casa Grande High has fund raised consistently throughout the years which has enabled them to finally construct a state-of-the-art, multi-run hatchery complex. This building is also conveniently attached by a common wall to Tom's homeroom classroom at Casa Grande High. With the much larger building and extensive equipment required to run it, you can imagine what their current annual operational budget is now.

These high school kids enthusiastically do all the work themselves. They are 14 to 17 year old kids. They're dedicated, they're smart and they love these fish, and of course, Tom Furrer. Sometimes Tom's students from twenty years ago come back with their families to visit him and visit the creek banks where they planted scores and scores of trees and put their own time and hard work efforts into habitat restoration on the creek. Teary eyed and proud of their accomplishments, they attempt to explain to their children what has taken place here at the now thriving, protected creek across from their old high school.

Much work is still needed and fund raising is ongoing. November 7th United Anglers of Casa Grande High School will be hosting their annual fund raiser at Lucchesi Center in Petaluma CA. Visit their website for further info about the program and how you can help these amazing kids... and amazing fish. You will find lots of video and information about this extraordinary group of dedicated people and how to contact them.

http://www.uacg.org/index.html or (707) 778-4703 for info.

Rachel Andras Women's Casting Class at Leland Ranch

2009-10-09T10:35:00.000-07:00

Back by popular demand! World traveling fly fishing luminary and FFF certified casting instructor, Rachel Andras, will be conducting two women's casting classes coming up at Leland Fly Fishing Ranch in Sonoma Valley, CA on October 16th & 17th 2009. Both classes are from 9am to 1pm and will be featuring the Leland Ranch property with two trout filled casting ponds in a beautiful ranch setting. Her class in September quickly filled up, especially with only 8-students per class. This casting series will held over two days at the ranch to accommodate the popularity of the event.

Rachel has developed a proven technique for not only teaching all aspects of the proper casting stroke, but a unique curriculum for teaching women students. This was developed during her seven year stint as a casting director for the Mel Krieger Schools family summer FISHCAMPS.

Some slots are currently open. If readers are interested, please contact us at Leland Fly Fishing Ranch in Sonoma for details or for reservations. (707) 939-6910 or dean@flyfishingoutfitters.com

Hope to see you here at the ranch!

Tight lines....

East Carson River Was Insane!

2009-10-07T14:39:00.000-07:00

Fished the East Carson River this Monday & Tuesday and was NOT disappointed! 20" to 23" 'bows taking #14 Olive Sparkle Duns like a kid chomping Candy Corn at Halloween. Once they got used to that pattern, simply switched to a #8 brown sparkle Wooley Bugger stripped real fast right through them. Then, hold on!

Decided to demo the Winston 9'-5wt Boron IIx to see how it would perform on larger trout with shoulders. This awesome rod met all expectations and then some. Its the beautiful Winston feel, with a new, updated action. Light, responsive and enough muscle to fight BIG fish in a bad mood. Paired the rod with Rio Gold line that appeared to work very well with throwing smaller size drys to relatively larger strip leeches in some canyon wind.

Check out the rod specs here and go out to your Bay area Leland shop and try one:
http://www.flyfishingoutfitters.com/p/s/listing.aspx?sid=ROD-WIN-BIIX

And, by all means, get yourself out to the East Carson River before another "River Runs Through It" premieres and fills up this great stretch of water!

Tight lines....

iFish

Redtruck Reel Sale

2009-08-02T14:47:00.000-07:00

We have reels up to 50% off through Monday 8/3 on http://www.redtruckflyfishing.com! What a great deal!

"A River Runs Through It" Film Coordinator to Retrace Steps in TV Show

2009-07-16T06:31:00.000-07:00

Holywood-based scene coordinator and fly fishing fanatic, John Dietsch, made a name for himself for his brilliant work as a consultant to producers of "A River Runs Through It." This Friday night, Dietsch returns to Montana to discuss fly fishing, ecosystems, and the rivers that have made Montana North America's fly fishing epicenter in a TV show called "Adventure Guides".

Dietsch is the producer and host of "Adventure Guides." The show airs on Friday at 8:00 p.m. EST on Outdoor Network. Read the entire story here.

Leland Gear Guide Videos in ... wait for it ... HD!

2009-07-14T12:04:00.000-07:00

Leland's newest slate of fly fishing gear guide videos and product reviews are now shot in brilliant HD.

Check this out:

And this:

Like what you see? Watch them all at www.youtube.com/user/lelandfly

New Leland Ranch Photos

2009-07-09T16:59:00.000-07:00

We have uploaded more photos of the beautiful Leland Ranch located off of route 121 in Sonoma California.

Click Here to check them out

Tight Lines!

The Leland Team

Deal Of the Day

2009-07-01T17:31:00.000-07:00

Sage: FLi: 5 Weight 9' Fly Rod, 2 Piece, 590-2

Leland on the Sage FLi 590, 2 4 Piece Fly Fishing Rod Mr. and Mrs. Ubiquitous fly rods , the Sage FLi 590-2 and -4 fly fishing rods; you'll have to assign the moniker! This east casting five-weight, 9-foot fly rod is by far the most popular of trout fly rods and has you covered from hoppers with a dropper or tight pocket water . It provides the muscle for big or multi flies and the line speed for soft but accurate presentations . This rod has all the power and grace of Sage rods and like all Sage fly rods it was designed and is manufactured in Bainbridge Island, WA . Give the Sage FLi 590 fly rod a try see what we mean; name the stream and this fly rod will be there for you!

Specifications:
-Line Size: 5
-Rod Length: 9'
-Sections: 2 and 4
-Weight: 3 1/2 and 3 9/16 oz.
-Handle: Cigar
-Reel Seat: Uplocking with wood reel seats
-Action: Fast

Was 275.00 Now 178.75

Hot New Ink: The Leland Fly Fishing Ranch

2009-06-24T12:15:00.001-07:00

The Leland Ranch hits the pages of the Sonoma News!

"Local fly-fishers are anxiously awaiting the opening of the Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters new retail store here sometime very soon (possibly within two weeks). The shop will be located at their new "Leland Fly Fishing Ranch" on Arnold Drive just south of the Schellville Airport..."

To read more, click here.

If you'd like to see more recent Ranch buzz, check out Trout Underground.

New Hours at the Leland Fly Fishing Ranch

2009-06-22T12:47:00.000-07:00

The Leland Fly Fishing Ranch

World-class fly fishing education has a new home in Sonoma, CA.

The Leland Fly Fishing Ranch is a state-of-the-art fly fishing education facility in a stunning setting. Situated in a broad winemaking valley, a few hundred yards from the steelhead running in Sonoma Creek, the Ranch is the product of years of design, planning, and construction, and boasts countless educational opportunities for beginning, intermediate, and expert anglers.

In addition to a tremendous slate of learning opportunities in fly fishing, visitors to the Leland Ranch will find a full service fly shop loaded to the gills with the best fly fishing gear, apparel, flies, and accessories.

The Leland Fly Fishing Ranch is now open 9AM to 7PM, Thursdays and Fridays, and 10AM to 6PM on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, please call 707-939-6913 or toll free at 866-672-1959.

Simms Gear up to 55% off at Red Truck Fly Fishing Co.!

2009-04-30T08:51:00.000-07:00

Our Grand Opening Sale was epic.
Our next sale? Well, it's Even bigger!!

For FOUR DAYS ONLY, Red Truck Fly Fishing Company is offering a ridiculous 55% deep discount on top-shelf fly fishing gear and clothing from Simms, THE trusted name among the top fly fishing guides in the United States.

As always, Red Truck’s entire inventory is either overstocked or discontinued, so it's available in limited quantities only… so be quick or you may miss out!

To check out the full slate of sweet deals available during the Red Truck Simms 55% Off Blowout Sale, CLICK HERE, and get 'em before they're gone!

Here's just a taste of some of the killer deals you'll find during this unprecedented Simms blowout sale at Red Truck:

GUIDE SHORTS 3X Dry

The perfect shorts to keep you dry and cool on the water, at camp, and at the bar in town! With awesome wicking ability and sun protection built in, we'll catch you drifting Montana's big water, cruising the flats of Belize, or slicing up the spring creeks of New Zealand!

Regular Price: $39.95

Red Truck SALE PRICE: $17.98

TROUT POLO 3X Dry

An excellent polo shirt for serious trout bums! It keeps things cool on the way to your favorite hidden spring creek, speeds up a casual day at the office, and performs even when you're sneaking in some extra swings on the driving range.

Regular Price: $39.95

Red Truck SALE PRICE: $17.98

KEEN RIVER SANDALS

Where we're from, we do a lot of wet wading during the summer months, and we bet you do too! The Simms Keen River Sandals are a fantastic choice for days when the waders are better left at home.

Regular Price: $79.95

Red Truck SALE PRICE: $35.98

CLASSIC GUIDE JACKET

Simms' Classic Guide Jacket is aptly named. With a clean and comfortable design, a hardcore approach to durability, and a breathable GORE-TEX construction, this all-business fishing jacket will keep you on the water and in the cut for hours.

Regular Price: $299.95

Red Truck SALE PRICE: $134.98

Leland Trucker Hats are Here!!!!!

2009-04-17T12:32:00.000-07:00

Don't start Summer without one!!
Call and get your noggin a new best friend!!
415.781.3474

These fine hats are rumored to increase your fish to hand ratio by 25%*
*this statement is BS

Swinging Southern Oregon 09

2009-04-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

Silhouette of a Swinger

Simms Hand Warmer Pocket Testing

The Applegate Gives it up!

Shunji in stealth mode!

Hey!! come back....you left me!

You definitely don't want to low hole this posse.

Bug of the Month: Hill's Designated Hitter Golden Stonefly

2009-04-13T08:51:00.000-07:00

In Major League Baseball’s American League, one player in each team’s line-up is paid millions to do one thing and do it well; the designated hitter is employed to put runs on the scoreboard. Similarly, in the sport of fly fishing, the Designated Hitter fly pattern is a stonefly imitation designed to catch big trout – and nothing else.

Professional fly fishing guide and accomplished fly designer and tyer, David Hill, constructed the “DH” Stonefly during the 1990s while guiding clients in the Missoula, Montana area, and this highly productive fly pattern is built to last, cast after cast.

The Designated Hitter Golden Stonefly is a fantastically attractive and durable imitation of an emergent or adult Golden Stonefly. It’s got rubber legs for the ultimate bug factor, a ragged dubbed body, closed cell foam butt, and a stiff deer hair wing for visibility and flotation. When it comes to effective stone fly imitations, this fly pattern’s got all the bases covered!

Quick Hits

- This fly was developed for Umpqua Feather Merchants by well-traveled professional fly fishing guide David Hill

- The fly is constructed with a butt of closed cell fly tying foam, realistic wings, attractive rubber legs, and stiff deer hair for high floatation

- Golden stonefly imitation in the emerger or adult life stage

- Use as either an impressionistic searching fly or as a realistic imitation when matching the hatch

- Drift the fly through different water types; faster riffles and shallower water near the banks of a river with moderate to slow currents are the most productive water types for this fly

- Golden stoneflies are available to trout all year long in trout water throughout North America

- Hatches occur consistently and with long duration throughout the daylight hours

- Strikes on golden stoneflies are often far from subtle because trout must often be prepared to rip these strong clingers from their rocky homes

- When approaching a shallow water environment with a stonefly imitation, be extremely careful not to spook happily feeding trout

Alex Circumvents the Mahseer, Pt.1

2009-04-10T01:33:00.000-07:00

As a member of Leland's far-flung and illustrious network of copy writers, I'm currently based in southern India, where I'm following an internship in rural health and development finance. In addition to that commitment, I am trying to steal away to explore the fly fishing opportunities in India, a country where the sport is pretty much unknown. Two weeks ago I returned from a stay at the camp of The Himalayan Outback, on the Western Ramganga River in Uttarakhand, a state in northern India just west of Nepal. Here’s a brief, fairly factual synopsis, which I hope to follow up with some more vivid anecdotes in the days and weeks ahead:

The Himalayan Outback (THO) is an Indian outfitter with their background in rafting expeditions and spin-fishing for mahseer, now moving into the pursuit of mahseer with a fly. There are a few different types of mahseer (pronounced “MaH(a)-seer”, like it almost has three syllables), all distant relatives of carp, apparently inhabiting watersheds large and small throughout the greater Subcontinent. In the north, in the rivers that drain the Himalayas, mahseer have taken on an unusual golden color (thus, Himalayan Golden Mahseer) and seem to have developed into a sort of apex predator. Alongside the Nile Perch, the Golden Mahseer is a species whose admirers find that it must be “the hardest-fighting freshwater fish in the world.”

The Himalayan Outback’s lodge, which they’re currently putting the final touches on, features four single-occupancy mud brick cottages with thatched roofs, running water, and flush toilets. Foundations are laid for two additional, double-occupancy cottages, to be completed later this year.

Fantastic meals and cocktails (the visiting Russian clients took full advantage) are served on an open-air, covered veranda, or can be taken by the adjacent fire pit, lit nightly. The staff is a hard-working, fun-loving, and incredibly friendly group of guys who get a huge kick out of foreigners who try to express themselves in Hindi. The camp is perched on a breezy plateau with a commanding view of one of the river’s broad, arcing stretches. Situated in the territory where Jim Corbett once hunted man-eating leopards and tigers, it bears a slightly colonial aesthetic. This feeling is brought into sharper focus upon perusing the camp's small library, which features the work of several British officers-sportsmen from the late 19th and early 20th centuries: titles like "The Rod in India" and the better-known "Circumventing the Mahseer".

The river, for its part, is crystal clear, with a visibility of about three meters, or ten feet. It is warm, and, in the bottom of its immense riverbed, is obviously running at a small fraction of its floodstage. For most of its mileage (kilometrage?), the Ramganga tends toward shallow pocket water. Some mahseer will hang in this stuff, out of view, under roils and foam, behind rocks and in rapids. Periodically the river slides into pools, some deep, some shallow -- this is where the fish appear to be concentrated, at least at this time of year. From trees and cliffs above these near-slack pools, I was able to see hundreds of fish in the 5-10kg, or 11-22lb, range. One morning I saw a pair of fish waltz down the center of a pool that each had to have been approaching 20kg.

With the clarity and stillness of the water in these pools, presenting a fly without spooking the fish proved difficult despite meticulous planning, patience, and painstaking attempts at stealth. Enticing a strike from the many fish in the pools proved impossible in full light conditions. For their part, the group of four Russians had limited success swinging flies in rapids during the day. They didn’t fish at night as much as they might have.

While known to be omnivorous and opportunistic, the mahseer of the Ramganga seem right now to be focused mostly, maybe exclusively, on the nocturnal hunt of baitfish. They feed by suction and, after dark, thunderous implosions can be heard occasionally in the shallows. In all the time I spent watching the fish during the day, they seemed to only be playing – never hunting, foraging, or keying in on insects.

Using a crease minnow, I caught my only fish, a 7-or-so pounder, at 5am one morning before dawn.

Thanks for reading, and more on mahseer to follow!

Pleasonton Fly Fishing Only Show

2009-03-06T10:55:00.000-08:00

Shows Best T-Shirt

Photo: Paul Waters

The Crew
Photo: Paul Waters

The Booth

Photo: Paul Waters

Keith Westra Pre-Mexico Trip

Photo: Paul Waters

Check Out Catch Magazine

2009-03-05T13:43:00.000-08:00

Catch Magazine Press Release

The Journal of Fly Fishing Photography, Video and Film

On September 1, 2008 the Premier Issue of Catch Magazine hit computers around the world. This on line fly fishing magazine is dedicated to showcasing the best fly fishing photography in the world. Through a big and bold format that includes photo essays, slide shows and video shorts, the viewer is taken around the world through the photographer’s eye and camera. The results are exciting, artistic and educational. Viewers can subscribe for free and receive Catch Magazine on the first day of every odd numbered month. This new, dynamic format brings the beauty, the action and the worldwide appeal of fly fishing to anyone’s home or business computer. Catch Magazine is in over 105 countries, 5,250 cities and is growing fast.

Please click on - www.catchmagazine.net – Give it a minute to load, then click on the big, right hand arrow to turn the pages. You can also click on the back issues and all advertisers have hot links to their websites.

Todd Moen and Brian O’Keefe and the Leland Staff.

Leland Ranch... We're Nearly There!

2009-03-05T13:08:00.000-08:00

We're nearly there! Leland Fly Fishing Ranch in its final stages of landscaping! Opening Spring 2009!

Fly Fishing Film Tour

2009-03-05T12:22:00.001-08:00

The Fly Fishing Film Tour Coming to a theatre near you!!

For a complete schedule click here.

Bug of the Month: Chocklett's Tungsten Gummy Black Stonefly

2009-02-26T07:49:00.000-08:00

Blane Chocklett tapped the knowledge and ingenuity of his friend and former Virginia Tech professor, Harry Steeves, to create his famous Gummy Minnow. The new partners in fly fishing decided they needed to develop a new non-traditional synthetic material that would make fish go crazy! The gamble worked and Sili Skin was born. Today, the Gummy Minnow is taking both anglers and bass by storm!

Chocklett’s Tungsten Gummy Stonefly - Black Stonefly (Giant Salmonfly) is not a streamer pattern used to catch striped bass, but it incorporates the very same Sili Skin that has made the Gummy Minnow so effective. The Gummy Stonefly also uses the added weight of tungsten to help keep the fly low in the water column – where it should be. This fly pattern is extremely realistic, and the perfect answer to fishing those prolific early season giant salmonfly hatches in fast water!

Quick Hits

- This fly pattern was developed by fly tyer and Virginia-based fly fishing guide Blane Chocklett

- Black stonefly (giant salmonfly) imitation in the mature nymph life stage

- Use as either an impressionistic searching fly or as a realistic imitation when matching the hatch

- Drift the fly through different water types; faster riffles and shallower water near the banks of a river with moderate to slow currents are the most productive water types for this fly

- Black stonefly nymphs are available to trout all year long in trout water throughout North America

- Hatches occur consistently and with long duration throughout the daylight hours

- Strikes on black stoneflies are often far from subtle because trout must often be prepared to rip these strong clingers from their rocky homes

- When approaching a shallow water environment with a stonefly nymph, be extremely careful not to spook happily feeding trout

- Added weight of tungsten will keep the fly low in the water column

- Sili Skin gives a unique, buggy appearance to this fly pattern

To read more about Chocklett's Tungsten Gummy Black Stonefly or to add a row of these badass bugs to your fly box, click here.

If you'd like to browse all of Leland's hand-selected trout flies, click here.

Leland Gets Kudos

2009-02-25T22:27:00.000-08:00

Midcurrent.com gives kudos to the Leland Upgrade Program. Check it Out!

Bill Lowe Spots Steelies

2009-02-25T17:29:00.000-08:00

Bill Lowe snares the elusive steelhead on film:

Bill Lowe, guide on the American River in Sacramento shot this!!

Leland Fly TV

2009-02-25T17:19:00.001-08:00

Check out Leland Fly TV

For the sweetest product and fishing videos you have ever seen!!

2009-02-25T11:04:00.000-08:00

Leland Q&A With:

Come in Monday, March 2nd, and speak with company Representatives from Sage, Redington, and Rio. These folks are some of the best in the industry. Come in and throw some questions at them from 3:00pm to 6:00pm Monday.

Jamie Lyle, Product Rep for Sage, Rio, Redington, Umpqua, Outcast, Tibor, and C&F Design.

Karen Wilken of Redington

Zack Dalton of Rio

Paul Johnson of Sage

Events

2009-02-24T09:20:00.000-08:00

Events at Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters:

Monsters of Jurassic Lake:
Day: Wednesday, Feb 25
Time: 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Come on in to the shop on Wednesday, Febuary 25, to enjoy Argentinian Wine and cheeses. Mike Nelson, owner of the Patagonia Fishing Company, started outfitting in Argentina in 1999, and has since grown to 5 great fly fishing operations covering most of Patagonia, including Tierra Del Fuego and Jurassic Lake. Please join us and Mike Nelson as he walks you through all of the fishing possibilities of Argentina moving north to south. With numerous great videos, some argentine wine, and snacks, hopefully you will enjoy some time hearing about the fishing possibilities within Argentina and Patagonia. We will cover everything from high end lodges to camping/float trips, Sea Run Browns to enormous Rainbows, technical dry fly opportunities to down-n-dirty streamer fishing, and just about every other scenario you can imagine for a fishing trip to Patagonia. We promise this to be fun, educational, and lots of fish footage.

Jurassic Lake is nothing short of a biological anomaly and must be the most prolific trophy rainbow fishery on the planet. The lake itself is a large desert sink measuring approximately 20 by 20 kilometers. It is located at about 3,000 feet elevation in the wide open, desolate expanse of the Patagonian steppe. And while the lake looks like a saltwater body of water with its wind-chop, blue water channels and shelves, it is teaming with small scuds and massive rainbows. Here the fish average over 10 pounds with countless fish in the mid-teens as well as good numbers of fish in the 20-30 pound class. These fish are freakishly stout, incredibly strong and wildly acrobatic.

Hear it from the Horse's Mouth!!

Well....Sage, RIO, and Redington's mouth any way. Monday, March 3, Paul Johnson of Sage, Zack Dalton of Rio, and Karen Wilken of Redington will be at Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters for a 3 hour Q&A. Jamie Lyle, pictured above, will also be answering questions on product and CA Fishing. Come on down and eat some free food, and talk Fish'n with us.
Day: Monday, March 2nd
Time: 3:00 pm- 6:00 pm

Photos

2009-02-23T22:39:00.000-08:00

Fishing Gore Creek Photo: Eddie Schoenbein Trinity Steelhead Photo: Dusty Revel

Spey on The American Photo: Ian McNemar

Spey on The American Photo: George Revel Spey on The American Photo: Ian McNemar

Leland Ranch Video

2009-02-23T22:28:00.000-08:00

20% OFF ABEL REELS

2009-02-23T21:46:00.000-08:00

Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters Presents:
20% OFF ABEL REELS FOR FOUR DAYS ONLY!!
Beginning Thursday (Feb. 26) and Ending Sunday (March 1st)

DON'T PASS UP THIS OPPORTUNITY!!!!!!
**If you order an Abel Reel on one of these days, we will give an automatic 10% Off the price. Abel will then issue you another 10% rebate check!!! Discount does not apply to discontinued reels (Super 5, Super 12, Big Game #2 and #0, and Anti-Reverse 3N)

The Official Blog of Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters

Fly Fishing for Christmas

Loop Opti 8107-4 Line Systems

Loop Classic Fly Reels

Loop Göran Andersson Signature Series Fly Rods

Cast With a Fly Fishing Legend

Loop Opti Fly Reels

Leland Edition Polarized Sunglasses by Oakley

Sage ESN Fly Rods

Sage Bass II Fly Rods

New Sage One Fly Rod

Rogue River Fly Fishing Report: Confluence Outfitters

The Lower Sac is Hot- Aaron Gabriel 530-356-2189

Fishing Report --- TEST

SAGE ONE FLY ROD

Sage redefines casting accuracy with the ONE rod

Scott Howell's Squidro

New Sage TCX Switch Rod Review

The Leland Northern California Fly Fishing Report

Fishhead The #1 Fly Fishing APP

Now You can Submit A Fishing Report

The Five Best Trout Fly Reels

Abel Fly Reels On Sale @ Red Truck

Switch Rod For Steelhead

Red Truck Diesel Fly Reels

Skagit Master II- Scott Howell: Steelheading Outside the Box

Scrub, Wipe, Rinse and Hope Like Hell It Works!

We will not know a river is contaminated until MONTHS OR YEARS after it is infested. Thus assume that the body of water you are leaving is contaminated with some unknown ANS, Aquatic Nuisance Species.

Faster Than a Speeding Bullet, More Powerful Than a Locomotive... The Rainbow Trout

You've Entered, The No Felt Zone....

The Leland Upgrade Program

Bear Grylls bit my fish!

Our First Winter Storm In NorCal

Tarpon, Bonefish, Steelhead, Stripers... What's Your Flavor?

Teens Saving Struggling North Coast Steelhead

Rachel Andras Women's Casting Class at Leland Ranch

East Carson River Was Insane!

Redtruck Reel Sale

"A River Runs Through It" Film Coordinator to Retrace Steps in TV Show

Leland Gear Guide Videos in ... wait for it ... HD!

New Leland Ranch Photos

Deal Of the Day

Hot New Ink: The Leland Fly Fishing Ranch

New Hours at the Leland Fly Fishing Ranch

The Leland Fly Fishing Ranch

World-class fly fishing education has a new home in Sonoma, CA.

The Leland Fly Fishing Ranch is now open 9AM to 7PM, Thursdays and Fridays, and 10AM to 6PM on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, please call 707-939-6913 or toll free at 866-672-1959.

Simms Gear up to 55% off at Red Truck Fly Fishing Co.!

FEATURED PRODUCT -

GUIDE SHORTS 3X Dry

FEATURED PRODUCT -

TROUT POLO 3X Dry

FEATURED PRODUCT -

KEEN RIVER SANDALS

FEATURED PRODUCT -

CLASSIC GUIDE JACKET

Leland Trucker Hats are Here!!!!!

Swinging Southern Oregon 09

Bug of the Month: Hill's Designated Hitter Golden Stonefly

Alex Circumvents the Mahseer, Pt.1

Pleasonton Fly Fishing Only Show

Check Out Catch Magazine

Leland Ranch... We're Nearly There!

Fly Fishing Film Tour

Bug of the Month: Chocklett's Tungsten Gummy Black Stonefly

Leland Gets Kudos

Bill Lowe Spots Steelies

Leland Fly TV

Events

Photos

Leland Ranch Video

20% OFF ABEL REELS