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Currents of Belize from McJ Digital on Vimeo.

This is one of the coolest little documentaries on Belize. We have a hosted trip coming up this April to San Pedro Belize and a lot of this film takes place right there.

Our 2010 trip is quickly approaching!

I just broke through the clouds in one of the prop planes that fly from Great Falls, Montana to Seattle. I’ve only had 2 cups of coffee at this point, pre-8am, and thinking about fly rods keeps prop plane turbulence out of mind. Picked up a couple of publications with the latest fly rod reviews, read ‘em, in my opinion they were terribly biased. So here is mine, yes they are biased, but not because I got payed to say anything particular about any rod or company. They are biased because of who I know is behind the rods, what I know about the companies, and because I have fished them all. I’m not going to comment on a rod I haven’t fished against a comparable rod in this review, and I will say negative things about a rod that I don’t think is up to par, regardless of the company behind it or the marketing that has been spent to make it “cool.” I am going to break the categories in to switch rods, saltwater rods, fast action trout rods, and general trout rods. I feel pretty comfortable speaking educated on these categories of rods. You are probably going to notice that almost all of the rods that we review here are in our fly shop… well that’s because we decide what rods we sell and we can sell which ever rods we want to. So naturally we have the rods we think are the best to sell. General Trout Sticks: This is a difficult choice. The first decision that cuts your choices in half is whether or not you are going to buy an American made rod, or if you are okay with an import. At our shop we carry both. I honestly feel that the American made rods have a much more hand crafted look and feel but they should, they are at least twice as much money. Off shore rods have come a long way. Echo, Temple Fork and others are making rods off shore that are very good fishing tools for the money. From $99 and up. Some rods, like the St. Croix Imperial have moved their production to Mexico, to at least have their lower price point rods made in North America. Skill levels make a difference in choosing a trout rod. A beginning caster should not consider a really fast rod to learn on or it will be difficult for them to learn to properly cast because they will never understand how to load the rod. I even have found myself going to more medium action rods for trout because I have very little need to cast long distance (past 50-60 feet), and I have more feel and mending capabilities. One other little marketing gimic I’d like to clear the air with is about graphite or carbon fiber that is used in the rods. Please don’t be fooled in thinking that one of these little tiny fly rod companies is getting any type of space age carbon fiber from NASA to build their fly rods with. They aren’t. They are all buying from one or two places in the world and it is the same stuff. There are some different formulas in the scrim but the carbon fiber is all the same in higher end fly rods. Taking all of these variables in to perspective I have a favorite trout rod, a favorite value rod, and the “Trout Bum Award.” My favorite trout rod is the Scott G2 9 foot 5 weight. This rod has that artistic trout lover appeal, almost a boutique style hand crafted look, and cast like a dream. I think the internal ferrule design is rad, with no bulkiness at the ferrule, which is different than a sleeve over ferrule that most rods use. The rod feels light in the hand, and still has an incredibly amount of power and fish handling skill. That is a major reason I like this rod over the Orvis Helios or other ultralights; yes some of those rods are light but when you cast out past 50 feet or in to the wind they are gutless. You know that sweet Z-axis technology that Sage marketed so hard the last couple years; the one where the scrim is zig zagged, Scott came out with that in the 1980’s. Yes, basic engineering has told us that triangles are stronger than lines, thanks for the update but I guess it is true “Z-axis” does sound cool. Another thing I think is cool on the g2 is that you can actually see the rod wraps and the craft that went in to building each one, they are not high glossed, painted up rods, they are truly hand-made fly rods from Colorado. One last thing I like about the g2; not everyone has one, it is an under the radar, cool rod to own, while you buddies are bragging up their sticks out on the water, I’d rather just out-fish them. A runner up to my favorite trout fly rod and KK’s favorite rod is the Winston BIIX, KK likes it in a long 10’ 4 or 5 weight but that is extreme for some of us, and I think it is pretty gnarly in a simple 9 foot 5 weight. For one, this rod is Made in Montana which is just cool, no way around it, that is cool. KK is also Made in Montana, which makes me think is part of the reason for his attachment to the green rods. Even Erik is throwing a green rod from time to time now. This rod has a lot of feel and a dream to throw dry flies with. I don’t personally feel it has the power/light crisp feel that the g2 has but that is not the feel everyone is looking for either. This is my second choice in a higher end trout rod. The G2 and the Winston BIIX are priced at $675-695, and come with a lifetime warranty. Best Value: In my opinion, without a doubt and I casted them all and fished with most of them, the new St. Croix Imperial is the best value in value priced rod at $170. Regardless of your opinion of St. Croix rods in the past, yes, they used to be heavy and clunky but not anymore. Even if you have an old Imperial, don’t judge. I wish so bad St. Croix wouldn’t have used the Imperial name for this rod because it doesn’t even compare to the old Imperial rods from St. Croix. These rods are light, feel great, have a fairly quick action for this price point and I can’t hardly say anything bad about them. I can say they trump what Echo and Temple Fork have to offer at this price point, or any other company I have fished. The rods come in 4-piece with a rod tube. If this is your price range, this is a no brainer decision if you ask us. Trout Bum Award: I have to go back to Scott, and I can reasonably justify this. The Scott A3. Here’s why: If you are a trout bum you care about where the rod is made and who is behind the creation of your rod…probably. Scott fly rods designers fish … a ton. Secondly, the rod is made in the Colorado just like the other Scott’s. thirdly, If you are seriously a trout bum you probably are a bit of cheap skate like me, and you probably don’t have a lot of money due to money spent on getting to where you want to fish, and getting the time to fish. The Scott A3 is a great medium fast rod, that can cover almost all situations for trout in a 9 foot 5 weight or 6 weight, looks cool, has a lifetime warranty and is priced at half of the higher end Scotts at about $300. The Scott A3 in an evolution of the A2, and this is not just lipstick on a pig. The A3 generation was built on an entire new set of mandrels, the components are almost all upgraded, and they are pretty durable rods as well…I know how I treat my rods…not like should. Just Getting Started: I’m not going to choose a favorite here because it depends on what your budget is, and these rods are all capable of getting a beginner casting properly without too much frustration. Here’s what we recommend: Redington Minnow package: This rod combo package is tailored for the youth with a smaller grip. It cast great, looks great, the reel isn’t garbage like a lot of starter packages and we have them starting in the $59 range this year in the shop. Scientific Angler Combo: I can’t tell you the number of people who learned on this basic rod. All I can say is that it is a great basic rod and reel package to decide if you are going to get in to it. It is capable of handling anything for trout here in Montana. It comes with rod, reel, and line for about $99. Ross combo: The Ross combo is your first combo that is for beginners that comes with a lifetime warranty. Ross is known for their reels and gaining a lot of ground with their rods, wining a lot of value based awards in the last two years. This combo come in at $149 and is an excellent first choice, it also comes with line. Echo Solo: This is the best deal in a $99 price point 5 or 6 weight. Lifetime warranty and fishes well. They come in 3 piece only and come with a rod tube and sock. Can’t beat this deal at $99 for what you are getting. Just compare the competition’s 2 piece rod with no rod tube and you will see what we are getting at here. St. Croix got a new one that we just got in the shop that retails at $119 and I haven’t fished yet… but will let you know. More to come…

Frozen rod guides are the most annoying issue on God's blue water when fish are eating on the Mo in cool weather. I've heard of a bunch of ideas to slow the pain of glacial rod guides. These include petroleum jelly, Loon's Ice off Paste, and now Mitch thinks Pam's a good idea. Pam...does not sound like a good idea. Mitch has lots of ideas that I question. However, I am willing to try his Pam trick today, and will report later. In the mean time, here's a little story about Mitch... Day 1 Baja: Mitch came along on our Baja trip to try to land Roosters from the beach's off the Sea of Cortez (we were successful) like a lot of people have in recent years. We flew in to Cabo and got this crazy taxista who was telling us all about how he just got out of jail, he didn't have a lisence, and he couldn't drop us off at the front of the lodge because he would get in trouble for taking money for his service...wow. We finally got close to our fly fishing lodge where we would be for the week which was just outside of Los Barilles and La Riviera. Upon seeing the bay, Mitch yelled out, "Wow guys! Look at all the sailboats!" in a very loud and excited tone. Everyone on the trip, including our taxista stopped and turned to look at all the boats. No boats. There were no sail boats, no yachts, no kayaks, nothing on the water...not even waves. We all turn and look at Mitch puzzled and he responded, "I thought I saw a bunch of sailboats." ??? Yep...that's our boy Mitch. Chinook winds are making it feel warmer today. We are going fishing on the Mo. Cornfed is getting the boat ready. Fishing report will follow.

Here is some technical casting advise from the Bahamas.

Have you seen this official thingamabobber pro-staffer tattoed anywhere yet? Don't even think about copying this sticker...it's mine! (and you can see it is copyrighted right on the bobba). If you get the sticker, no matter how you get it, you're in. That's right, love 'em or hate 'em if you are a nymph fishing fool, or a guide you have spent time crosseyed and glazed over waiting for your thingamabobber to bob. Great nymph fisherman are skilled enough to not have to purchase these things...that's not me. I need a bright floaty ball to warn me of strikes, and I'm proud of it. Old School: "Strike Indicator" and you get your hand slapped for calling it a bobber. This is still true if you take a spin fisherman out and they call it a "bobber" with out realizing it should be called a "strike indicator" to avoid the association with conventional tackle. New School: "Bobber" is allowed if it is obvious that the person saying it knows that it is really a "strike indicator" but since the word "bobber" is so retro and against the norm to say...it's cool. The new cool strike indicator trend = Black Thingamabobbers (fish can't see them as well and they contrast well against the glare of the sun). Pro-staffers know this. I am a thingamabobber pro-staff. I got the sticker.

"The Science of Felt - 2009 A look at the science driving the move to eliminate the use of felt soled waders Bob Wiltshire Center for Aquatic Nuisance Species In September 2008, Trout Unlimited called for the elimination of felt soles on wading boots by 2011. Just a week later, Simms Fishing Products introduced a new line of felt-free boots and announced that, beginning in 2010, they would no longer sell felt soles. These actions came from increasing concerns that felt soles were providing a perfect home for transporting invasive species. In fact, New Zealand had already announced that they were banning the use of felt soled boots beginning October 1, 2008. Since that time additional felt bans enacted (SE Alaska beginning January 1, 2011) and most wader companies have added felt-free alternatives to their product line. The response from the fishing community to these actions has been mixed. Many anglers are embracing the new boots and believe if protecting our waters means giving up felt they are fine with the trade. Others are not so accepting, citing cost and the belief that the new waders don’t work as well in certain water types as reasons they oppose the switch. Recently, the science that underlies the movement to eliminate felt has been questioned. There are some who believe; anglers are being coerced into buying new boots based on no or flawed science, that there is no proof that anglers are moving invasives and that there is no proof that felt is worse than any other part of a boot. In fact, there is sound scientific evidence that anglers are moving invasives and that felt is much worse than any other part of a boot or any other fishing equipment. To understand how we got to a point where the perceived science is so different from the actual we need to back up and look at what put the focus on felt in the first place. The single biggest factor was the rapid spread of didymo in New Zealand. Didymo, Didymosphenia geminata is a single celled algae that is causing significant impacts to pristine trout waters worldwide. Native to the Northern Latitudes, didymo was not historically a significant problem. However, following its introduction to New Zealand in the early 2000’s it quickly became a significant ecological and economic problem." Per: www.stopans.org full article here

Thanks Brian!

It’s decided.Campeche it is in late summer of 2010.We have spent a lot of time researching the best trip to host this time of year. While there are a couple thousand options. We have come down to this. The trip will consist of 4 nights, and 3 days of fishing in Campeche, Mexico. The cost of the trip is going to be $1140 for 4 nights and 3 days of fishing.

WHAT’S INCLUDED
The number days fishing specified in your package, accommodations at one of the three hotels listed above, meet-and-greet service at the airport, round trip ground transfer between Merida and Campeche, breakfast and lunch each day in Campeche, fishing license, and applicable Mexican VAT taxes.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
International flight to Merida or Cancun, gratuities for guides and staff, dinner each night in Campeche, taxis, and additional tours and activities.

We have picked dates in August of the 5th through the 9th, or the 6th to the 10th.The reason for these dates are for a number of reasons. First, this is before the heavy rainy season, when the canals get flooded there is a lot of freshwater coming in and the Tarpon are tucked deep in the mangroves. Second, there is no moon at night, if there is a full moon or a lot of moon light the Tarpon will feed all night long. Third, there are lots of Tarpon in the area and the water is clear this time of year.

The hotel is located right down town, as this is not the least expensive Campeche trip out there but one of the best.

Hotel Plaza CampecheLocated in the heart of Campeche's downtown historic district, the Hotel Plaza Campeche is within walking distance of the town's Cathedral Plaza, central park, the oceanfront Malecon, and a large number of restaurants and bars. The rooms at the Plaza are clean, modern and air conditioned, and the hotel features such amenities as a swimming pool, 24-hour cafe, bar, gift shop, laundry services, and close proximity to downtown. Lodging at the Plaza is included in standard Campeche Tarpon - Yellow Dog fishing packages.

If you are interested in getting more information on this trip we will have it available in the Big R Fly Shop.

Brian asked if uv light has broken down the fiberglass on your oars what you could do about it...here is advanced composites reply... Brian, Thanks for the inquiry. Your oars are likely fine structurally but they may have been long overexposed to UV. Covering oars when not in use for extended periods is an important way to preserve the finish on composite materials. There is a pretty simple solution to get some coverage on the shafts. The easiest way is to rough up the surface of the shafts with a scotchbrite pad. Just knock of the debris and get them clean and dry. Next, go to a Lowe's or Home Depot and pick up a can of Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane (Indoor/outdoor/clear gloss). It is available in an 11.5 oz. spray can. Give the shafts an even coat and allow to fully dry (cure). I recommend 2-3 coats. The can is pretty good for coverage. If you have some fiberglass composite savvy and time you can go a few steps further. Fully sanding the shafts with 200 grit sandpaper and then brush painting on a spar urethane coating will give the shafts a richer look and the application will likely last longer. If doing it this way make sure to wear a long sleeve shirt, gloves and a dust mask to avoid fiber irritations. Regards, Jake Jones