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 Kirk Deeter |
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I once had rocks hurled at me as I flyfished a western river, by a band of PETA puppets who sped off into the sunset before I could thank them for their gestures (perhaps with one of my own).
Alas, when I saw this deliciously politically-incorrect slogan from Nautilus (one of my very favorite makers of reels), I knew right away it was Fflogger material ...
Here you go Kirk, laces that last. Haven't tried em, but I have to imagine metal laces are going to last more than twenty river days. Korkers makes this lace free system that incorporates switchable soles as well.
At this year's FFR Expo in Denver (where the big manufacturers debut the new stuff) I saw, for the first time in several years, things that I'd consider revolutionary beyond hype:
Rods light as feathers that cast like a dream, lines that float and shoot light years beyond the norm, ultra-light waders, boots, and vests. All good. But they're going to cost you, trust me.
While I am completely jazzed about this new innovation renaissance in flyfishing, I am still left feeling somewhat empty. What I really, really want, when all is said and done, is a set of wader boot laces that might last more than, say, 20 river days. Deliver me from the frayed patchwork of knots and braids for less than $5. Make those laces ... and maybe an air freshener for my truck that smells like frying bacon ... and you'll have my soul and allegiance forever.
By Will Rice
Fflogger learned big tarpon news from a small flyfishing outpost located in a remote area of Costa Rica. According to Jim DiBerardinis, owner of the Tarponville Lodge in Manzanillo, on September 5, 2007 a tarpon estimated to weigh 200.5 lbs was hooked and landed on a green whistler fly pattern just inside Costa Rican waters at the mouth of the Sixaola River. The fish was measured by tape to be 44.5” in girth and 81” in length before being released in healthy condition back into the water. 
Ricko Conje of South Africa was the angler who successfully landed the fish and head guide Carlos Arthurs was behind the wheel of the 26’ panga. It was Ricko’s third day on the water when he hooked up just where the waters of Costa Rica meet those of neighboring Panama. The tarpon was brought to the boat using a 20 lb class shock leader in just over two hours.
“We’re not really concerned about IGFA records here at Tarponville. We strictly require every tarpon that is caught to be released and encourage proper handling of the fish,” said DiBerardinis in recent phone interview. “We don’t use gaffs and try to keep the fish in the water at all times.”
Although the leaders used at the lodge are close to being IGFA (International Game Fish Association) standard, they run longer in length than called for by international record keeping specifications.
“We don’t have scales at the lodge to weigh a fish that big. But neither does the entire village of Manzanillo,” said DiBerardinis with a soft chuckle. “The next biggest fish that has been caught down here by our clients was estimated 174 lbs using the same calculation methodology. We won’t kill fish for record keeping purposes.”
Interested in how to estimate the weight of a big fish? The standard estimation formula for measuring a tarpon is: estimated weight = (girth measurement X girth measurement) X length measurement/800.
Record tarpon or not, the waters of Manzanillo Costa Rica are quickly earning a reputation for monstrous tarpon that will eagerly eat a fly. For most of us, isn’t this all that matters?
I had the honor of being involved in a very special event this past week. Hooked on a Cure brought a number of anglers, corporations, guides, and others together to raise many thousands of dollars for St. Jude's hospital. I got to rub shoulders with some fishing icons like Flip Pallot, Mel Krieger, Joe Humphreys and Jose Wejebe. Organizers April and Will Conrad and their team were fantastic; I could not imagine a more noble cause.
But I want to make a special nod to Bob Streb and his team of guides at Fly Fishing Outfitters in Avon, Colorado (www.flyfishingoutfitters.net). Those folks showed us around the water for two days, burned through their flies, their gas, their tippet, and most importantly, their time during the prime Colorado season. And when all was said and done, they gathered up what tips they got, and donated them back to the cause. To me, you folks are the heroes of the week. Awesome job. (Photo: Monte Stark)
