Ross Reach Switch Rods for 2011

Ross Reach Spey Rods -

The ReachTM spey rod series was designed with the help of an underground group of soulful spey junkies that eat, sleep and breathe big water, big fish and two-handed rods. Our goal was very simple - produce a series of spey rods that will handle a full range of fly line types and successfully execute all types of spey and Skagit casts. Mission accomplished! This 4-piece, fast action rod series is made from our proprietary R4 graphite design, resulting in a series that is lightweight, powerful and precise. The rods load deep into the core, allowing for a fast action design that still maintains casting sensitivity and tremendous line control. The Reach series easily covers big water, be it with AFS, Skagit style or longer bellied spey lines. This lightweight rod series is easily cast by anglers of all skill levels. Once you have experienced the sensitivity, responsiveness and performance of this series, you will be left wondering why it doesn't cost twice as much. Hey, a spey junky still has to eat, right?

- The ReachTM spey rod series comes with the following standard features:
- Ross proprietary R4 graphite design
- Fast action rod taper, perfect for all types of spey and Skagit casts
- 4-piece design - great for travel
- Smooth casting, powerful and precise
- Titanium oxide, super strong guides
- Rod piece alignment dots
- Anodized aluminum reel seat
- Two-handed spey handle with fighting butt
- Cordura rod case
- Lifetime warranty

  

         
5109-4    10'9"    4 Piece       5WT      $359.00.

6113-4    11'3"    4 Piece        6WT      $379.00.

7119-4    11'9"    4 Piece        7WT      $379.00.   


For more Ross Products check out their site.

RIO SWITCH LINE for 2011

RIO Switch line

New for 2011
RIO's Switch line is designed for a multitude of applications for anglers using Switch rods. The long head and thick diameter tip turns over big flies and indicator rigs while allowing anglers to throw mends and control the fly's drift at great distance. The front taper and weight distribution form tight loops with minimum of effort, also enabling anglers to cast streamers and sinking VersiLeaders. The perfect all round line for Switch rods.

Sizes: 4/5, 5/6, 6.7, 7/8 & 8/9
Length: 100 ft (30.5m)

Color:Beige/Pale green.

This should be a very popular line for the Salmon River Switch Rod angler.

River Etiquette

Here’s the Dean River Angler’sCreed, as posted at the airstripnear the mouth of the river. This is a pretty good set of commitments to make on anyriver, wouldn’t you say?

Dean River Anglers’ Creed

I will:

• respect the river, its fish and fellow anglers.
• share the water and practice rotation angling.
• park my vehicle out of sight and sound of other anglers.
• keep my camp clean and bearproof.
• leave only my footprints: my garbage goes out with me.
• be careful with my campfire.
• maintain a pit toilet and not foul the river.
• give wading anglers a wide berth with my powerboat.
• not discharge firearms unnecessarily.
• respect and not harass wildlife.

I found this on Deneki's blog. Lack of river side etiquette is rampant on all rivers and streams. I think it is just an extension of our current society and I'm more than certain this lack of etiquette carries over into their everyday lives.

The Fall Swing: Keep it High and Tight!

As I enjoy a day off the water, I find myself pondering the steelhead swing on our unique, dynamic, shallow river. Two very common mistakes I see anglers make is the depth of their presentation, and lack of tension. I believe these are rooted in the Salmon River tradition of drifting flies.

Steelhead, as all fish, are built to look up an away-using a "cone of vision." This cone grows in radius as the depth increases, so the fish can see farther away the deeper the water is. Logically, the swung fly will draw more fish when the number of fish exposed to the fly is increased. By simply shifting the depth of the swing up in the water column, you will allow more fish to see your creation, and for a longer period of time. A drifted fly should be "with the fish" as the intent is to make it easy for the fish to eat-however we are not trying to make it easy when we swing, that would result in lost tips and boring bites. Who wants that!? I firmly believe the angler will recieve better bites, and more of them, when they lighten the load and swing higher in the column. Temperatures need to be factored, as does depth and speed of the current when selecting tips. However, it is rarely necessary to plummet to the depths, the steelhead we want will come to the fly. I find that a proper swing depth has a certain feel to it-when the hairs on my neck stand erect, then I know I have the right tip. Once I gain that feel I stick with the tip unless the conditions change very drastically. I will make minor adjustments by shifting my cast angle or how I lead or follow the swing with my rod tip. I want my fly as high in the water as the fish will move! It's a game of chess, but for me, the quality of the take is more important than the number of takes. My efforts are directed at finding that area of the column that will be up near the maximum distance the fish will move, but just close enough to them to get consistent results.

Tension on your fly is absolutely required in order for the fly to come to life and attract fish. Tension should be established immediately after the cast, or the pull mend if required, and sustained throughout the entire drift. One of the magical properties of swinging flies is that you can incorporate all of your senses into the experience. By learning to "feel" the water against your fly, you can free your mind to smell, listen, taste, and hear the river environment as your fly does its work. I see too many anglers cast upstream, toss repeated mends, and swing spaghetti with tiny flies. Simply put, that approach is limiting their success; the fly is not alive since it is not under tension, and with all the slack bite detection in minimal at best. Even if you did get, and detect, a bite it would be BORING! You would be better drifting the fly in a straight line path to maximize response time. A swung fly needs to be seen for an extended period of time (read: ABOVE the fish), and it needs to be ALIVE (read: under tension).

So, next time out try swinging high and tight!

When it all comes together



Paul aka "Fish Tech" laying out a nice cast.

 You spend hour upon hour hour practicing the lift, anchor placement, watching the D-loop, the sweep, the foward casting stroke and trying to figure out how to hold all the loops of running line, but when it all comes together its a sexy thing..

What more could you ask for

We got all the bases covered, two handed spey rod, skagit line, a MOW tip, some Hot ass flies and a pimped out Drift Boat.  Just add some prime water = Fish on!

Anchors and fast water.....

Fishing the fast water this time of year is absolutely necessary, and productive. Especially with the Rio MOW tips. I used to pass up this type of water because I wanted to fish the classic runs and pools. But ended up getting crowded out of the "classic" runs in the fall. So I started hitting the pockets and faster areas. Whoa, was I nuts. With water temps around the low 50's, Steelhead can be found in the pockets and faster water. Sometimes in really fast water. But this type of water can create havoc with your anchor placement, whether it's an upstream anchor or downstream anchor.

There are a few things that can help remedy this while providing maximum casting performance out of Sustained Anchor casting (skagit casting). On an upstream anchor you can simply place your anchor a few feet further upstream than normal. This will give you the time to complete the cast into the sweep, 45 thrust, and turnover before your anchor is swept back down to you by the current. This is fine and the only drawback I have found with this is that it requires a fairly significant change in how I lift and drag my line into the set. I like to keep things as consistent as possible. So, on the upstream Perry Poke, after I set the anchor, I don't let my rod tip hit the water like I normally would on that cast during the stop, or "poke" portion of the cast. I find that the faster current not only helps grab the line and create water tension immediately, but it does a good job of keeping it there as well. This will aid in "blown anchors". Same with a down stream Poke. I like to drop the rod tip down within 3' or so of the water instead of INTO the water as you would in a normal Poke.

Don't overlook the faster water, heavy chops or pocket white water. With the proper presentation and frisky Steelhead, you'll be surprised at the results. Plus it's a fun challenge managing line, anchors, and getting a good presentation in fast water.

Salmon River Sport Shop

The Salmon River Sport Shop located at the Short Bridge in the center of Pulaski is now carrying RIO Spey products. They also have a good selection of spey flies that have arrived and just need to be put in stock.  So if your if your fishing the lower end of the river and are in need of spey gear, check them out.

After the Flood -

Looks we'll be fishing a whole new river, learning it all over.  At the present time the river is very muddy still, be safe.