FlyTalk

Been on the road for six weeks since August 1. Now I'm home, having just hung up the bow after one of the greatest hunts I have ever enjoyed. Kicked around with Captain Gregg Arnold (Louisiana) and my Telluride brother Paul Zabel high in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. And I never shot a thing.

So I'm picking the guitar, trying to polish the chords to Lyle Lovett's song "Closing Time." And as I play, I get to thinking that there is no more closer analogy to the world of flyfishing we love than a walk through the woods with a bow and arrows. Raw. Primitive. A connection to Nature that soaks in, upward, through the boots.

Of all the sports or traditions in this world, is there anything more akin to flyfishing than bowhunting?

My season's now over. It was immensely rewarding. Back to the river tomorrow, where I'll start making more stories, with the "stick and the string."

Deeter

You know, one of the great things about fishing in Colorado that is you never know exactly what (or whom) you might bump into on the river on any given day... bears... bald eagles... elk... mule deer... even Flip Pallot.

Now, if you're like me, you immediately recognize Flip from his television series, "The Walker's Cay Chronicles," which I believe to be the best written and shot series on flyfishing, ever, bar none. Long before there was ever this Field & Stream gig, I'd wake up, religiously, on Saturday mornings (when I wasn't out fishing) to watch that show. It inspired me beyond words. Moreover, it taught me. Techniques and geography, sure... but more importantly, about a culture, a mindset, and those lessons still guide me.

I'm fortunate enough now to have gotten to know Flip. We've fished. We've hunted (he's a die-hard hunter). In fact, Flip tied the nock indicator on the bowstring of my recurve bow (just used elk hunting) with green dental floss. And in my experience, rarely have I met someone whom I'd seen and heard about, who turned out to be all that, and more. That's Flip. He's the real deal.

And in this day and age, when fishing-turned-television is more about money and sponsors, and guys shaking hands over "money shots" and carcasses... I really think the "Walker's Cay Chronicles" is still a beacon of what could and should be. Oh, there are others who get it, for sure, and other good shows. But, sadly, I can count them on my hands...

What do you think?

Deeter

Made in America. Love it? Live it? Or leave it alone?

I want you got give me your best case for--or against--buying a "Made in America" fly rod. Do you spend the bucks and feel the difference? Or do you say all fly rods are equal?

I'm going to take the most "pro USA" comment, and then I'll take the most "pro import" comment and the three of us will then do a little blinded comparison testing, a la the Pepsi Challenge.

You game?

Deeter

New Zealand has officially canned the use of felt sole boots with waders. Simms announced that it won't make felt boots anymore after 2009. In Simms' case, the company is launching a special Vibram sole that it says sticks to slippery river rocks better than felt. We'll see, but I'm inclined to think Simms wouldn't bet the bank on something that didn't work.

The motivation for all of this is to stop the spread from river to river of invasive species... like didymo (rock snot), mudsnails, and so forth. The problem, for me, at least until now, is that Aquastealth/rubberized boots aren't as good as felt. Plain and simple.

So I'm wondering if good environmental intentions are worth falling on your butt.

Deeter

One other thing I noticed at the FFR expo in Denver: A number of flyfishing companies are reverting back to more models with more "classic," softer actions. I say, great, because as a guide, I'm sick of trying to fix the casting flaws I believe are created by super fast action fly rods. Learn to cast on a more traditional level, where you actually have to groove your timing. Then step up, if you want to boom distance. But too many people rely on technology over technique, and that's a bad thing.

Along those lines, I'm also of the opinion that a 5 weight, the classic trout standard, is overkill for most trout fishing situations. I say 3 weight should be the bread and butter rig. If you're casting more than 40 feet for trout, in 90 percent of situations, you're making a mistake.

What say you?

Deeter

PS Congratulations to Mr. Romano and his new bride Ellie Childs on a wonderful wedding celebration! All the best...