Rio's New Scandi Short

Rio's new Scandi Short VersiTip.......Maybe it should be called Skandi Short instead.  Take a look.

Rod Review - TFO Deer Creek Spey 12'6 5/6

Temple Fork Outfitters - Deer Creek Series Spey Rod. This spey rod has a traditional design by Bob Meiser and Mike Kinney. 

Rod Specifications:

12' 6" 5/6 weighs 7.6oz, 4 piece.  It is rated for 350-550 grains.

I recently got this rod for a client rod and what a fun light rod to fish with.  I have it loaded up with a 425grain Rio Skagit Flight and it will cast 10' of T-11 and decent size weighted fly with some serious flight time.  I mostly fished it with 10' of T-8 and poly leaders, with very little effort this rod will make some really long casts.  Being a 5/6 weight, it is great tool for fighting fish, you really feel the fish and the feel of the take is awesome.  This rod is the perfect Steelhead Spey rod for the Salmon River.

The price point of this rod is $349.95 and accompanied by the "No Fault" warranty, in my book it’s as good as gold, trust me I know. I broke the tip off  another TFO rod in the truck door, sent the rod back with $25 on a Thursday and had it back in 5 working days.

Rod Review - TFO Deer Creek Switch 8110-4

First off I will answer the question, What is a switch rod? "Switch Rods" are multi-task fly rods designed to allow a variety of both one handed and two handed casting options.

Temple Fork Outfitters - Deer Creek Series Switch Rod. This switch rod has a simple design by Bob Meiser and Mike Kinney. The rod is rated as an 8wt and for 400-600 grains and is 11 feet in length.  It's a deep cobalt blue blank with blue & copper wraps.  The handle is spot on in length for the 11' rod and looks great too.  The rod is light and a pleasure to cast all day long.

I have mine loaded with a 600 Rio Skagit cut back to 24' (brings down to about 535 grains).  Using 10' tips of T-8 up to T-14.  If you keep your stroke really tight, this setup will sing.  For Dryline swinging, I use a Delta Spey 7/8 which casts really nice, you just need to find the right loading point for your casting stroke on the head, for me a few into the head is perfect.


The price point of this rod is $349.95 and accompanied by the "No Fault" warranty, in my book it’s as good as gold, trust me I know.  I broke the tip off in the truck door, sent the rod back with $25 on a Thursday and had it back in 5 working days.
 
TFO Line Recommendations:

Scandi: Rio AFS 7/8
Skagit: Airflo Skagit Compact 450/480 & Tips to +-130 grains
Short belly Spey: Delta 6/7

This is a great rod for the Salmon River, it's short enough to sneak into small spots when the river is crowded and swing thru pockets, yet powerfull enough to make a 80' cast if needed.

Review - Ross CLA Fly Reel

If you’re looking for a tough dependable reel that won’t break the bank, the Ross CLA is a great choice. Guiding for steelhead is without a doubt one of the best tests for a reel’s longevity. They’re constantly being thrown around, fallen on, set in the dirt, and most of all, given a good work out by pissed-off steelhead.  While they lack some of the aesthetics of higher priced reels, they make up for it in price and over-all dependability.

The #6 Reel Specs:

• Frame / Spool Material - 6061 TT6 proprietary aluminum alloy.
• Drag - Delrin 500AF with impregnated Teflon and maintenance free.
• Width: 1.20"
• Diameter: 4.25". 
• Weight: 9.1 oz.
• Line weight: 10-12wt, WF11 + 275yds Spey lines 9/10/11 +200yds.
• Retail Price: $270