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Often overshadowed by their two bigger brothers, the Asquith and the NRX+, the IMX-PRO and IMX-PRO Short-Spey series of rods are not to be dismissed. With models to fit nearly all styles of fishing, there is a rod for everybody.
For the trout fisherman, the 9’ 5wt serves as a great all-round, capable of delivering dries with delicacy or turning over nymph-rigs with ease. The 11’11” 3 and 4wt Short Speys are a trout fisherman’s two-hand paradise. The extra length enables those who fish larger rivers the ability to effectively present their flies to more fish. The 3wt is perfect for long distance dry-fly fishing, wet-fly fishing, or nymphing. The 4wt is more suited to delivering larger streamers or heavier nymph rigs. The IMX-PRO 9’ 8wt is a great all-round big-fish stick. Not only is it great for striper fishing in the Northeast, but it is perfectly suited for bonefishing in the tropics. For those looking for a great salmon rod, look no further. The 9’ 8wt does it all. As an avid steelhead fisherman myself, I find joy in rods able to get my fly where it needs to be. The 6 and 7wt Short Speys are capable of delivering steelhead flies into the next time zone. At 11’11”, they are longer than your average switch rod, enabling them to make long casts with ease. On the same token, they aren’t as long as your average spey rod, making them great nymph sticks as well. Another great steelhead rod is the 10’ 7wt. The blank on this rod is truly exceptional. Not only does it have plenty of power and quick recovery, but it has plenty of feel as well. When the bite is light, this will dramatically improve strike detection. Overall, these three rods are perfect for any steelhead angler.
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 Sage Trout Spey HD
The Trout Spey game has been gaining steam across the country. Two-hand rods downsized to fit trout applications provide the off-season fix for salmon and steelhead anglers, and a fun new approach for your average fly-fisherman. While typically seen as streamer rods, trout speys are extremely versatile, and can be set up to fish a variety of different situations from dries to nymphs and wets. For the past few years, the Sage One held the lead as perhaps the best trout spey on the market. Being one of our favorite rods at the shop, we were looking forward to see what Sage was going to come out with to replace the One. A quick preview of the Trout Spey HD during our June event revealed a rod that not only met but exceeded our expectations. Sage’s new Trout Spey HD truly represents the benefits and advancements found within Sage’s Konnetic HD technology. The higher density composite results in a rod that is lighter, more sensitive, and more responsive than the One. Not only does the rod excel in performance, but it looks great as well. The conifer blank matched with dijon wraps, vera wood insert reel seat, and cork inlays pays homage to rods of Sage’s past. Available in five different models, ranging from 1wt through 4wt, there is a rod suitable for every situation. Model Review 1109-4 10’9” 1wt The perfect light trout rod. Great for wet flies, light nymphs, and dries. A blast on smaller fish, but still holds plenty of power for your average and larger than average trout. We like the 1wt when fishing small dries on light tippets even to big, wary trout. Line Recommendations:
Airflo Skagit Scout 180-210gn 2109-4 10’9” 2wt Our favorite all-round trout spey. Stronger than you’d think, the 2wt is perfect for wet flies, nymphs, dries, and small-medium sized streamers. The 2wt is our rod of choice on the Delaware river system, capable of landing large fish while still possessing enough softness in the tip to protect light tippets. Line Recommendations:
Rio InTouch Trout Spey #2 3103-4 10’3” 3wt The perfect rod for tighter streams or tossing shorter skagit heads with streamers. Great for single-hand casting as well, and suitable for larger trout and bass. We like the short 3wt for smaller streams where large trout are present. Line Recommendations:
Rio InTouch Trout Spey #3
Airflo Skagit Scout 240-300gn 3110-4 11’0” 3wt A great all-round rod for larger nymphs, medium sized streamers, and large dries. Good for average sized trout and larger, and for bass as well. We like this 3wt for general purpose streamers for trout and bass. Line Recommendations:
Rio InTouch Trout Spey #3
Airflo Skagit Scout 240-300gn 4113-4 11’3” 4wt A great rod for those hunting larger fish, or for when the water is up and streamers are the name of the game. Matched with a short skagit head, sink tips and larger streamers are no problem for the 4wt. We like the 4wt during higher water or when throwing bigger, heavier streamers for larger fish. Line Recommendations:
Rio InTouch Trout Spey #4
Airflo Skagit Scout 270-330gn Sage Trout Spey HD  Tiger trout from an NJ TCA Summer trout fishing in the New Jersey area can be a delicate venture with low water and high temperature. Warm water species such as bass and pickerel become a fun pursuit on a fly rod during the dog days of summer. After a soaking rain, vibrance and life returns to a trout stream in the summer. Just as farmers, anglers, and conservationists say “Rain is a good thing”. On a late July evening after some rain, I caught my first wild tiger trout.
Tiger trout are naturally occurring hybrids of brown trout and brook trout. Brook trout are one of the more delicate species of trout that require cooler water to thrive. Brook trout are the only true native trout species in the northeast and are also New Jersey’s state fish. This year New Jersey has modified their trout fishing regulations and there are a few important changes and additions to account for. The purpose of these regulations is to enhance wild and native trout populations. Along with trout fishing regulations there are also several ongoing watershed improvement projects like dam removals and riverside tree planting. NJ’s new regulations include the brook trout conservation zone, brook trout dominant wild trout streams, multiple wild trout species present streams, and wild brown trout enhancement streams among other modifications. One of the most important changes to note is that in all catch and release sections barbless hooks MUST be used. For more information regarding New Jerseys updated trout fishing regulations visit their website at (https://www.njfishandwildlife.com/pdf/2018/trtregs18.pdf) or pick up a copy of the 2018 NJ freshwater fishing digest. I believe this trout is an example of how proper regulation and conservation efforts can benefit a fishery. -Samuel Casqueira New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York's trout seasons are off to a great start. Water tables through out all three states are on the higher side, which has stunted our early spring hatches, Warmer weather is forecast for the end of the week which should get the bugs going in NJ and PA. We're still a couple of weeks away from any good bug activity on the Upper Delaware and Beaverkill Rivers. Although, streamer and nymph fishing have been productive, Keep an eye out for upcoming hatches of Hendricksons, Blue Quills, Red Quills, Quill Gordans and caddis including chimarra and grannom, especially in the catskills and eastern PA. NJ rivers will see mostly Hendricksons, Red Quills, caddis and some Blue Quills in the early season. Our guide page is now live, and we look forward to sharing our knowledge with you. Whether you are a complete beginner or seasoned angler we have programs to match any skill level. For more information please check our guide page under the resource tab. Below are some pictures from our customers on New Jersey's opening day. This winter, Tight Lines has a full list of well known and knowledgeable guest tiers and speakers coming. Click on the pictures to learn more about each guest's day at Tight Lines! Fishing reports have been pretty constant the last few weeks. Our larger NJ river have been fishing much better due to water levels. Now's the time to really start looking at smaller patterns. Most mayfly nymphs this time of year range from 18-24's. Midges and "junk" patterns play a big part of late fall/winter fishing. Stoneflies, some caddis patterns, cranefly larva and even damsel nymphs are good choices for larger offerings this time of year. Salmon river has been fishing very well still. If you have all been hesitant to make the trip because of the last few years, don't be! Customers and reports have been very encouraging. Our guest speakers and tying events have started for the year. Check under the "Guest Speakers " tab and sign up for a class you'd be interested in. Below are some recent fish caught and some of the patterns used to catch them. We want to share a few pictures from a customer of ours Ron Halick. Ron is an avid fly fisher who loves to travel and one of his yearly destinations is for Musky on the St. Croix river. Pictured below is 3 big musky and a big pike he has caught over the last couple of seasons. Congrats Ron on some big beautiful fish! Fishing reports in NJ and the Catskills remain much the same as last week. The Salmon River is receding back down to normal flows. Steelhead should be pretty well spread out in the system. Reports from Oak Orchard and 18mile have been good as of late. Plenty of big Browns are being caught in both rivers. The Cattaragus is high with high water tables so it is coming down slowly. However, it's clearing high so it's plenty fishable. Just be sure to work the banks and softer water for resting Steelhead. Matt Grobert is our next guest tier on December 2nd. Be sure to sign up if you'd like to tie along and learn from one of NJ's great.
Fishing these past couple weeks have been great! We finally received that heavy rain we've all been waiting for. The state did not disappoint with the fall stocked fish. Customers have been catching some bruisers on local rivers. Fishing in the Catskills has still been rather productive. It's mostly a nymph and streamer game right now, but this is a good time to learn. When the bugs aren't rising, it forces you to really look at the anatomy and structure of the water. Larger water can be intimidating at times, but take each section piece by piece and fish the sections accordingly. Remember, fish need shelter and food. Find the structures, foam lines, riffles (especially the tail outs as the water temps get colder), and work on maintaining your drag free drift. The Salmon River has been high, but that could potentially mean big pushes of Steelhead. The high water will also help to spread them throughout the system. There's a bit of rain in the beginning of this weeks forecast so fishing should remain stellar. Always be on the look out for Redds. We like to promote and practice good ethics, so if you see a fish on a Redd let it do its business. There has been some changes to the 2018 NJ Fishing Regulations so be sure to familiarize yourself with them. NJ is definitely taking a step in the right direction!
Reports this week have been good. Locally anglers are getting into the nice fall stocked fish. In the Catskills region there are still enough bugs to keep the fish looking up. Especially on the East side and on the Beaverkill. They've been releasing a good amount of water on the West which makes for good streamer fishing. Rainbows on the Mainstem have been very active. Nymphing, Streamers and Dries have all been poductive. Fishing on the Cattaraugus, Salmon River and Oak Orchard has been stellar. Steelhead on the Catt and Salmon River have been pushing through in good numbers. Browns on Oak Orchard and surrounding tribs have also been showing up in good numbers as well. Albie fishing recently has been excellent. We haven't heard to much as far as Stripers go, but it's also been warm still. Tying classes have begun and our 1st guest tier Allen Landaheer is scheduled for November 4th. If you're interested in any of our classes please call or stop in the shop to sign up. |
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Thank you for visiting our blog! Here you will find info regarding fishing conditions, shop trip highlights, events, guests that will be visiting and much more. Please call the shop if you have any questions. Archives
March 2020
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