Simms G4X Stockingfoot Guide Exclusive Black Waders - Initial Impressions Review

It's rare that I've felt inspired enough by a product to sit down and write a review... Writing reviews takes time, and time is money, so if I'm not getting paid fair for my efforts I'm not going to waste my time unless it's to share something that I'm excited about, or that helps our followers and the fly fishing community - such as sharing free fishing reports, fly patterns, or techniques. Also, those of you who know me probably know how much I enjoy being with my little family, and anything that takes away from that better provide me with a way to pay the bills.


That being said, a few months ago I was presented with an opportunity from Simms to try out a guide exclusive edition of their G4 chest wader at a great price, and after some consideration I decided to take the plunge and give them another chance. I bought my first pair of Simms waders a little over 7 years ago, and after years and years of wearing cheap Cabelas brand waders, the version of G3 Guide Pant Simms was making at the time was a massive upgrade. That upgrade came at an upgraded price, but you get what you pay for.


My gripes with the Simms waders at the time were 2 things - one they've addressed, and one they haven't. The first thing I didn't appreciate about Simms waders was that it was like pulling teeth to get my size 13 ski-boot of a foot in and out of them, especially after they got wet. The area around the gravel guards was so tight that at the young age of 27 I still needed an assist from a fishing buddy to get out of my waders. When you spend over 200 days a year on the water it gets more than a little obnoxious to need a crowbar to get out of your waders every time.


The second complaint is the neoprene gravel guards that they put on them. It's not that Simms uses a poor quality neoprene, because they don't. It has more to do with the fact that neoprene in general falls apart anywhere it gets wet and there's friction from movement such as walking. Every pair of stockingfoot waders I've EVER owned has fallen apart at the neoprene booty before anywhere else. And, in the case of Simms, the gravel guard falls apart, as well. Between those gravel guards, and the pain and agony of trying to get out of my waders, I switched to the Orvis Silver Sonic Convertible chest waders.


The Silver Sonic waders were effortless to get in and out of, and the gravel guards are made out of a durable nylon shell. The Silver Sonics are, however, still far from perfect. The neoprene they use for the booty feels thinner and cheaper than the Simms brand, and is less form fitting to my foot. Both pairs of Silver Sonic waders I own are so baggy in the foot that they bunched up at my toes and made wearing wading boots an uncomfortable experience no matter how I put the boots on. Also, both pairs seemed to have a very small leek in the right foot the first day I had them on the water. After talking to a bunch of people who own Silver Sonics, I found out that I wasn't they only person with those complaints. Leaks aren't a huge deal because both Simms and Orvis stand behind their products with excellent warranties, so I stuck with Orvis for the last 4 and a half seasons, and still plan on owning a pair of Orvis for several reasons, one of which I'll discuss in this post.


While Simms still has those neoprene gravel guards, they've addressed the area around the ankles, and they're now substantially easier to get in and out of. To be sure that It wasn't because I have a guide exclusive version of the G4's, I asked around and it appears that they've addressed it with all of their new G4 waders, so YAY! Simms are made with such extreme care, and with such quality materials that it's evident the moment you try them on, and when I noticed they had addressed the tightness around the ankle, it didn't take much to instantly get excited about them again! So why still own a pair of Orvis waders?


Because the same qualities that make Simms the best wader on the market, sometimes, works against them. Simms makes their high-end guide waders with multiple layers of Gore-Tex - a material so bomb proof it feels like you're putting on a suit of armor every time you go fishing. Having a suit of armor on is fantastic if you're walking through the willows, where an occasional stick or thorn bush comes out of nowhere and tries to put a hole in your shin, but what if you want to wear your waders rather than pack them into a place where you have to hike such as Cheesman Canyon? It's late June, and the weather is warm enough to where you don't want to hike a long distance in armor, but the water itself is cold enough you know you'll be glad you brought something to protect you. The lighter and less durable Orvis waders still come in handy for just showing up in your gear, and hiking to the fishing spot without losing 10 lbs in water weight...


Addressing the black color of the new waders, I've got a few comments and questions from anglers about how hot they'll be... And, honestly, those comments and concerns are unwarranted. I've just been reminding people that the water coming from the bottom of those dams is frigid cold, and I'm still standing in the water most of the time. Considering that I've been guiding and fishing the South Platte in February and March, I've actually really appreciated having a slightly warmer wader. However, they are just SLIGHTLY warmer, and by the time July rolls around, i'll go back to wet wading in 80-90 degree heat, so I'm not worried about getting hot. And as an added bonus, the black color, aesthetically, looks a lot sharper than any wader I've ever owned.


Again, Simms hasn't paid me to write this review, so why do it, especially when I said that I'll probably still own a pair of Orvis waders? Because I immensely respect any company that tries to improve on an existing great product. Simms already sold what was considered the best wader on the market, and they haven't rested on their laurels. The fact that their higher-end waders are still made here in the States demands respect, also. If I had to rate the G4 wader out of 10, I'd give it a 9.5, giving them a little room for improvement, which we know they're always striving for.

Thanks for following our page! We plan to keep you posted and let you know if there's any new developments, either positive or negative, worth talking about. Tight lines!





Just a reminder... All original material posted to this website is under ©copyright and belongs to Jon Kleis. Original material includes: photos, videos, and written content. This excludes linked material such as links to paid works written by Jon Kleis and sold to a reputable licensed publisher, or links to other websites for the purpose of sharing information and cross-promotion. Please be respectful and ask for permission before using any content. Currently no individual or entity is granted permission to borrow content from this site. If permission were given, please give credit to the author/artist (Jon Kleis). Thank you for following Colorado Fly Fishing Magazine! We hope to continue to share many more fishing reports, gear reviews, photos, videos, and original articles -- all exclusively found here!

Oakiwear Toddler and Children's Breathable Waders - First Impressions

Our daughter turned 3 years old in February, has an interest in the outdoors, and loves water. She has spent the last 3 years wondering why she doesn't get to play in the water with mamabear and papabear during our fishing adventures. Now she can!

This will be my 5th year working in the fly fishing industry, and one of the things that struck me as odd when we became parents was the complete lack of waders available for toddlers/children from the major suppliers of outdoor gear. And, even though some people will try and tell you otherwise, having kids doesn't mean that you stop living an active lifestyle. In fact, many new parents can't wait to take their kids fishing. Bree was two months old when we took her on her first fishing trip, and we never looked back!

Recently, Kristen was searching the web for toddler sized waders and came across the Oakiwear website. Oakiwear's entire purpose is to sell waterproof gear for outdoorsy kids, or to help parents create outdoorsy kids. When we saw that they sell waders we immediately bought 2 pairs! There are a plethora of options available in both neoprene and breathable, and a range of sizes from 2T to age 12.  Colors include: camo, pink camo, blue, and tan.

Like waders made for adults, Oakiwear's waders for kids run big. There's a size chart available on their website. When ordering online, fitting for any type of clothing becomes problematic. Trying to fit someone for waders is a total pain in the butt, and that's our only complaint. Fortunately, they do sell to retailers, so maybe if parents make enough noise at the Covey here in the Springs we can bring them in the shop!

Kristen ordered sizes 3T and 4/5 because Bree is close to the 90th percentile in weight and height. Since our little girl is the size of a 4 year old, we got the 4/5 thinking that they might fit, but they are massively big on her. Size 3T is large enough on Bree that I doubt she'll grow out of her waders this season, and when she does we will be ready with backups.

The waders themselves are basic, and that's not a bad thing. The breathables have a single layer nylon shell,  sealed at the seems, with rubber boots attached. The boots on the 3T waders are size 10T, which is both good and bad. The large size is good because it leaves plenty of room for Bree to grow, and it also creates plenty of separation between her foot and the water. The separation is important because it helped Bree stay warm while standing in a freezing cold river during March.

The large size is bad because it's hard enough for a toddler her age to learn how to walk in water. There were times when it seemed like Bree had on a pair of swim fins the way she was walking. You float tube guys and gals know exactly what I'm talking about.

She fell several times just standing in one spot while picking her feet up. Fortunately, we wouldn't let her wade in anything but calm water, and never deeper than a foot. Bree also has enough respect for cold water that she landed on her butt in a way that allowed her to stay dry. None of that having to do with previous experiences...

(Warning: put your toddler in the water at your own risk, Sue Happy America) There, I said it!

This brings us to accessories. The waders come with a wading belt, WHICH IS IMPORTANT, and a nylon bag to carry everything in. There are no chest pockets, or any other fancy bells or whistles. Again, basic is all you really need. It's not like your toddler has a smart phone they plan on taking on the water. And the last thing you want is food in a pocket somewhere, waiting to be forgotten, only to ambush you 2 weeks later while cleaning.

The waders are currently on sale at https://www.oakiwear.com for $84.99. Price will vary slightly with size. Shipping is free! Regular price is $129.00, which still isn't bad.

What would you pay for the price of experience? Honestly, that's what we are talking about. $129.00 for waders that allow your kiddo to get that much more enjoyment out of their time on the water with the family, or $129.00 on toys and junk that they will play with once before losing interest? We would much rather watch Bree throw rocks, catch fish, and play during our adventures, than sit her in front of a t.v.

This is a first impressions review, so we can't go into detail about warranties or durability until we have some more time with the waders. They do come with a limited 1 year warranty, and Bree put the breathable variety through it's paces on the first day and walked away dry. Just like any breathable wader with a rubber boot, you won't want to leave these in the car or hanging out in the sun to long because I'm sure they're susceptible to dry rot. We will keep you updated as Bree breaks them in!

For now, check out the rest of the photos of our test run. This day also happened to be the first time that Bree played and landed a fish! She is a little small to cast a 9' 5wt. yet, so daddy did the fishing, and Bree did the landing with daddy's instruction. She was so pumped she gave the 14" Dream Stream cuttbow a big kiss before we released it!

Going in for the smooch!

New Orvis Silver Sonic Convertible Top Waders - First Impressions

Happy client holding fish of the day.

I recently received my new pair of Orvis Silver Sonic waders in the mail, and had my chance to put them to the test guiding 2 anglers for a full day on the Dream Stream. The water was low and clear, which is typical for Colorado in November. These less than ideal water conditions meant we were gonna have to do some walking for our best chance to consistently catch fish.  A great test for the new gear!

Right after putting on the Silver Sonic waders I noticed how light they were without feeling cheap. The legs have four layers of nylon in the spots where necessary such as the knees, and the upper half of the waders are very light.  This is an ingenious design because how much time do you really spend standing in water past your waist? Rarely is there any real stress put on the waders from the wading belt up, and if you're into swimming marathons in your waders the upper half of the Silver Sonic seems more than durable enough to handle the job.

The biggest reason I wanted to try the new Orvis waders was that I desperately wanted a pair that I could fit my size 13 feet into without having to squeeze through tight ankle cuffs. I am very happy to say that I could get out of them without a crowbar! Not only did I not need a stick of dynamite, but I will go so far as to say they were the easiest waders to get in and out of that I have ever owned. Crises averted...

Another quality that I really appreciate about these new waders is the fit. There is enough room to wear several layers of clothing underneath without being to baggy. The best word I can use to describe the fit is comfortable.  As for aesthetic appeal, they look every bit as good as every other high end pair of waders on the market.

The convertible top is another great example of both form and function inherent in this product. I have been wearing pant waders for the last 3 years because they are cooler and more comfortable than chest waders, but if I wanted to kick around in a float tube I either had to bring a extra pair of waders or get used to the idea of getting wet. Now I have the best of both worlds! To convert them into a pant wader simply unbuckle the front and back buckles and the top slides down to your waist while your straps stay put on your shoulders.

Other notable things that I would like to mention before I let you go are: the leg seems, pockets, and gravel guards. The leg seems run along the back, and having the seems in the back rather than the sides is a great way of avoiding abrasion caused by walking. There are 3 chest pockets. One of which is water proof and great for cameras or cell phones. I tried to operate my iPhone while in the pocket and was able to slide between screens and navigate perfectly.

Last but not least Orvis included vents in the back of the gravel guards for water to escape. This is great for reducing weight making them easier and more comfortable to walk around in. The gravel guards are also made with nylon which seems to be very durable. It's clear that Orvis put a lot of thought and effort into the design of the Silver Sonic waders.  They even include both U.V. and traditional Aqua Sealant, an alcohol prep pad for detecting pin hole leaks complete with instructions on proper care, and a replacement shoulder strap. This attention to detail, and the Orvis warranty are why I'm confident in saying that you can not find a better wader for $260.      

 

Kleis's Korner Gear Review - Gopro HD Hero 2 Camera

Let me start by saying that I one hundred and ten percent love the Gopro cameras!  However, there are a few things that I think people need to understand before making a purchase; this especially holds true for anglers.  At the end of the day, the pros far outweigh the cons!

One of the biggest attributes and what makes this camera so popular is that it shoots broadcast quality high def. 1080p video and it's extremely small. It is waterproof while in it's waterproof housing so you don't have to worry about taking a spill with your camera on you, and the HD Hero 2s actually take great still photos as well.  Gopro has done an excellent job of taking the guts that would be in larger HD cameras and shrinking it down to size.  The picture quality is as good as cameras that would cost four times as much.  Here is a sample video with the camera mounted on my head to show you guys what I'm talking about.  Make sure to turn the quality up to 1080 to get a full appreciation of this clip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvdU_enMBDQ&list=UUykRVZCzc45NtHBn-HQRnkQ&index=9&feature=plcp

Now let me explain the things that aren't obvious that most buyers would expect to have that this camera does not.  This camera does not have a built in LCD screen or viewfinder.  What does this mean for you?  It means that you have to get really good at either guessing what the camera is seeing based on it's wide focal length, or you have to fork over the extra 80 bones to get the LCD BacPac.  This is the price you pay for being able to have the guts of a more expensive camera and still keep the cost low.

Another small downfall is that as long as the camera is in the waterproof housing it cannot record sound. Each Gopro kit comes with a back that is sealed so the elements stay out, and a replacement back that has open vents so you can pick up sounds while risking getting the camera wet if you fall in.  Last and most important for anglers is the fact that if you planned on shooting great underwater video with this camera then you need to invest in the "Dive" housing.  The reason you ask?  It's because even though this camera is advertised as being waterproof the normal housing for the camera is horribly out of focus while submerged.  The Dive housing corrects this and it runs $50.  I'm sure that after watching this you will agree that it is definitely worth the extra cash!  Again turn this one up to 1080 before watching.






Let it be known that all of these "cons" I'm talking about aren't really that bad considering what you're getting for the price.  These are just things that consumers need to be aware of, and is why I wanted to write this review.  Make no mistake this is a very good camera for an even better price that a lot of professionals are using these days.  It might surprise a lot of people to know just how many commercials and t.v. shows we see every day that were shot with the Gopro.  I give this camera a 9 out of 10 for it's size, versatility, and above all else picture quality.  For $300 there currently isn't a better video camera on the market in that price range.

For questions concerning this article or to find out my rates and availability for a guided trip shoot me an email at jonkleisflyfishing@yahoo.com

Kleis's Korner Gear Review - Half Hitch Mag Bobbin

One of the most convenient tying tools I have bought in the last 6 months is the Half Hitch Mag Bobbin by the Rite Bobbin company.  The tube is made out of thick surgical stainless steal and comes to a slight taper at the business end.  This taper makes it easier to use the end of your bobbin as a half hitch or whip finish tool.  I almost always use a whip finish knot so I haven't tried doing the half hitch with this bobbin. Where the Mag Bobbin really shines is when you want to do a whip finish when tying dry flies such as a Parachute Adams.  This technique makes it extremely easy to slip a properly tied whip finish knot under your parachute wing without catching any hackle fibers.

On the steal tube there is a series of rubber washers that work as a grip that feels great in the hand.  Tip: always take the bobbin out of the package before you buy it and see how it feels in your hand.  Comfort is extremely important when you're sitting in front of the vice.  The rubber washers also double as a thread holder so your thread doesn't slip back through the tube when you have finished tying or when you're moving stuff around.  The end of the steal tube is rounded off really well which is great for being able to apply tension without breaking the thread.  Tension is easily added by turning the screw dial on the side of the thread rest.


I love the fact that the bobbin only has one arm which is the steal tube.  Most bobbins have two arms, and the moment you lose thread tension on a tradition bobbin your thread jumps over either side forcing you to take it off to untwist it.  This is one of the more frustrating and time consuming issues when tying because more often then not you are forced to start your thread from scratch.  The Rite Bobbins design helps eliminate that annoyance. I've been tying for a while now and I literally can't find anything I would do different with the Mag Bobbin.  And as if you needed any more reason to purchase this product, they are also made in Montana.  Take my word for it these are worth a spin!



Check out the video provided by Rite Bobbin to see this thing in action!



For more great products from this American company check out their website www.ritebobbin.com

Tight Lines and Threads!


For questions or to schedule a guided trip shoot me an email at jonkleisflyfishing@yahoo.com

2011 Christmas Flyfishing Buyers Guide

Another fishing season has come and gone and it is time for all us last minute shoppers to buy that special angler in our life something they will actually like (not including grandma's sweater) for Christmas.  This is not my personal wish list but if you want to make a non tax deductable gift donation to Jon Kleis's troutbum fund you can leave any item on this list at my drop box at Anglers Covey Fly Shop on the corner of highway 24 and 21st Street...  I tried to cover all the bases and include gift ideas that will earn the gift giver respect and admiration.

If there is one fly rod on the planet that most dedicated anglers could possibly want from Santa it is Sage's new model that is literally named the "One".  Sage's One is an incredibly light and fast action rod sporting their new technology called Konnetic.  This new tech makes the rod one of the most accurate I have ever casted.  The 9 foot 4 weight One has the perfect balance of power and finesse and would be a great all around rod for fishing in Colorado. 

Package that new One fly rod with the new Orvis Access mid arbor reel.  In 2011 Orvis replaced the old Battenkill mid arbor with the Access.  It is essentially the same reel only they bored a few more holes in it to make it noticeably lighter, and added a few more washers to the drag system to increase strength.  The drag system itself is completely sealed which helps keep out debris and protect it from the elements.

Next on the list is the Simms Windstopper fleece jacket.  If you haven't noticed yet the Colorado Rockies get cold.  One of the most important things you can remember when dealing with the ever changing elements in our great state is to dress in layers, and this jacket would serve as an excellent outer shell for those of you brave enough to face the legendary winds in Park county for the pursuit of trout.  Ladies if you're reading this I bet your man would much rather have this Simms jacket than that little number you picked out at Macy's.

Sticking with the Simms theme, the next item on my Santa's wish list is the new Boa wading boot.  Simms and a few other companies have taken ski boot technology and put it into wading boots which makes them insanely easy to get in and out of.  I like the Simms version best because I am a huge fan of the Vibram sole that they put on their boots.  It gives you a sturdy platform to walk on and the tread has many biting edges to help keep you from taking a cold swim in the Arkansas river.  With the option to add cleats this is a great and affordable Christmas gift.

For the fly tyer in your life HMH vises are some of the best you can buy anywhere.  They are simple and efficient, and made with quality in mind.  You can get them with either a pedestal base or c-clamp for attaching to a table.  The majority of the vice is composed of stainless steel, and has one point for angle adjustment.  The midge jaws sold seperately are the best I have seen available for any vise in the market. 

Next on the fly tyers list is the entire line of Oasis fly tying benches.  If you are like me and despite all your efforts you have issues keeping your tying station clean and organized then highly consider these.  Save yourself a lot of hair and hassle by keeping every tool you can imagine along with everything else in its place and right in front of you with these gorgeous benches.

A good stocking stuffer for the holidays is a solution to epoxy called Clear Cure Goo.  It doesn't actually cure and harden until it gets hit with a U.V. light.  Sunlight or the U.V. light sold in the kit or sold seperately will work.  My biggest complaint about using epoxy aside from the short window for using it after you have mixed it is the smell of the compound.  Clear Cure Goo smells like tree sap which I think smells great.  I've been tying with it for almost a full season and I can assure you it is a viable substitute for epoxy and the kit would make a great gift.

Last but not least for stocking stuffers we have Scientific Anglers System X fly boxes.  They are double sided and completely sealed when shut making them waterproof.  They come with pre-slit foam and are a great all around fly box for the money.  They have clear shells so you can see your flies making it easier to see which side you need to open to grab your Caddis or Stonefly imitation.  Some System X boxes also come with little compartments that are great for holding things such as strike indicators.  Ask most anglers and they will tell you that you can never have enough fly boxes.  Take it to another level this Christmas and fill that new box with flies and watch that special someone light up like a tree at the Broadmoor.



I hope this helps at least one person that is lost and looking for a great gift idea for the holidays.  Please remember that the best way to support our economy is to keep it local, and even though many big chain stores would like the entire month of December to be cyber Monday we have the country's largest pure fly shop right here in Colorado Springs in Anglers Covey so please show your support.


If you have a flyfisher that you are convinced has everything you can always give the gift of a guided flyfishing trip or class.  For trip availability and rates if interested shoot me an email at jonkleisflyfishing@yahoo.com.  Tight Lines and Happy Holidays!

Kleis's Korner Gear Review - Umpqua Competition Hooks

American tyers have been showing an increased interest in tying with European style Czech nymph hooks. The interest comes from the versitility and shapes of the hooks that European's use to tie various caddis and scud imitations. Many of the rivers on that side of the world aren't clean enough to support healthy mayfly populations so caddis and scuds are a main food source for trout. That fact means that European tyers have spent a lot of time designing hooks with the proper lengths and bends to realistically imitate caddis larva in particular.


So while us Americans have been tying Parachute Adams and Black Beauties they have been tying Czech nymphs designed to get down and imitate free swimmers and rock crawlers.  Tyers in the U.S. that want to tie with these hooks take a huge hit to the wallet.  The original cost after production and shipping to the States makes these hooks some of the most expensive you can buy for tying.  Luckily Umpqua has come out with a Competition series of hooks that makes it slightly more affordable to tie actual European style nymphs.  More important than price this means that proper competition Czech nymph style hooks are readily available to American tyers.  Forgive the iphone photos but here are the hooks...

C500BL.  Not pictured is the C550BL which has a longer shank

C300BL

C400BL

If you can't tell by looking at them all of these hooks are great for tying flies that get down close to the bottom.  Most evident is the C400BL which is a jig hook that makes amazing looking stonefly and larger mayfly nymph imitations.  Tyers wanting to tie great jig style flies that get down fast try using slotted beads with this hook style.  The C300BL makes scuds and caddis larva, and the C500BL series (which are by far my favorite) make amazing scuds, caddis larva, and caddis pupa.  Obviously you're not limited to tying these insects or stages because what you tie on any hook is only limited by your own imagination.  Take these examples that I have tied with the C500BL in a size 12...

My Czech Charles

 Kleis's Czech Charles wet

Competition Copper John size 12

Competition Egg

 
The beauty of this hook and why I have grown to love the C500BL and C550BL in particular is that they are insanely sharp.  I have scars just from tying with them to prove it.  The other thing that I love is that the hook point on the C500BL series is turned up similar to a circle hook.  The upturned point gives this hook great holding power when playing fish while still being barbless which makes for a fast and easy release. 


Sometimes taking an old pattern and putting a new spin on it (including a different bend in the hook) will trigger strikes from heavily pressured and highly educated fish.  I one hundred and ten percent recommend tying and fishing with these hooks.  If you haven't tied with them yet get some for your vice and give them a spin.  There are tons of European fly patterns out there that could use an American twist that will shred lips in the States.  A few good books to read up on for tying Czech nymphs are "Secret Flies Of The Czech and Slovak Fly Tyers", and "Czech Nymph", both are available at Anglers Covey Fly Shop.


Please subscribe to www.coloradoflyfisher.blogspot.com to keep it going by clicking the join this site button on the side of the page.  Thanks everyone and tight lines!

Orvis Flyfishing App Review

I recently downloaded an app for my iphone4 called iflyguide and to put it lightly, it sucked.  The app was suppose to give up-to-date reports and hatch charts for rivers all over the country.  Not only did it not give accurate reports but the hatch charts were so completely wrong and misguided that I got right back onto itunes and gave it a huge negative report and left a comment asking for my $5.99 back.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a refund. 


This started me on my search for an app that would quench my thirst for what I wanted in the first place, a great fishing app for any flyfisher.  I found what I was looking for ironically in the one place I should have looked before anywhere else and that was with Orvis.  The Orvis Flyfishing app itself is a pricey one at $10 but is worth it. Aside from the fact that you get the $10 you spent back in the form of a gift card good for $10 at any Orvis store, this application has everything I thought I was getting with iflyguide.

As a flyfishing guide on the South Platte River do I really need a report on the South Platte?  No of course not, but when I checked the report out of curiousity I found what was an amazing and extremely detailed and up-to-date report similar to one that I would give while working in the shop.  I was floored the moment I started reading! At first glance you see a pic of a gorgeous rainbow and underneath a map of the location and a nifty temperature gauge that shows a reading of how well the spot is fishing. 




Continue scrolling down and you will see the water flow in cubic feet per second, water visibility, water temps, best time of the day to fish, and the best flies to use amongst other useful information.  The fly selection is exactly what I would recommend for customers coming into the shop June below Spinney Reservoir with the exception of a few shop specific guide creations such as my Mojo Midge.  This insanely awesome app even gives you the name of the nearest airport to your fishing destination! 

Want to hire me as your guide? Keep scrolling and you will get a list of Orvis endorsed guide shops for the river in question.  Last but certainly not least the fishing report gives "tips of the week" including a 7 day forecast and a detailed description of the river aimed at anglers that haven't fished it before.  The total accuracy of the report on my home river gives me confidence that if I get on my iphone to look up a desired fishing location that Orvis will be arming me with the correct info I need when I plan on exploring new water.   If the fishing report section of this application alone doesn't get you pumped then you're smoking Cheech!

There are complete video tutorials on casting that include many kinds of casting situations and are designed for the beginner and the more advanced angler alike.  Easy to follow video animations of every fishing knot you will ever need on the water add icing to a massive Orvis cake and will serve as a very useful tool for me personally to show knots to customers in the shop.  The podcasts from Tom Rosenbauer are great and provide excellent information on a wide range of subjects such as entomology and reading the water. 

The Orvis app has a list of the top 100 flies fished in the U.S. which you can buy and have shipped to your home straight from your iphone.  Each fly has a short description, and then the app tells you what situations to fish each pattern which could be a huge help to first and second year anglers still learning their bugs.  Last but certainly not least you have complete access to the Orvis online store.  Standing in the middle of the river in a pair of leaky waders?  Grab your phone and order a new pair and be dry and happy and back in the water in as soon as two days.

Not only is the Orvis app a great fishing tool but it is far the coolest app I have on my iphone, and in my opinion this program is well worth the ten dollars that you basically get back in gear.  I highly recommend this to anyone passionate about fishing that is tech savvy and living in the iphone era.  Here is the link to check out more about this product from the Orvis website. Tight lines!

http://www.orvis.com/intro.aspx?subject=7752    

   

Kleis's Korner Gear Review - Trout Hunter Tippet Material

I recently did a test comparing the new Trout Hunter tippet material to Rio Fluoroflex, and Orvis Mirage Fluorocarbon.  I tested all three brands for knot strength, diameter, and flex in 5x and 6x.  One of the things that stands out right away is the packaging.  Trout Hunter comes in a sealed waterproof and UV resistant package.  I'm not sure how much that helps because I have always been under the impression that fluoro doesn't have a shelf life which to me makes packaging obsolete. 


I will say that right out of the package Trout Hunter seemed to be very supple.  The other thing that stands out is the price tag.  Trout Hunter carries a hefty $22.95 price tag.  Upon close inspection you will notice however that Trout Hunter comes in 50 meter spools where as Orvis Mirage comes in 30 meters, and Rio comes in 27.4 meters.  Fifty meters means less trips to the shop to pick up tippet material which is a feather in Trout Hunters cap.


The math turns out to be 55 cents/meter for the Rio, 46 cents/meter for Trout Hunter, and 33 cents/meter for Orvis which means that even with the high retail price point Trout Hunter is still a great deal.  As for knot strength I did my test by tying double surgeons knots in the 5x and 6x for all three brands and then pulling until the tippet broke so my entire testing process was done by feel and was not done with any real scientific measurements.  The Rio and Orvis have great knot strength and seemed to be comparible.  I had to use slightly more strength to get the Trout Hunter to break at the knot.


To measure the diameter of the tippet I used the Fishpond Tippet Gage.  The 5x and 6x for all three brands fit in their designated spots on the gage.  The Rio seemed to be a little bigger and was a slightly tighter fit than the Orvis which I'm told Rio is made larger by design.  Trout Hunter is closer to Orvis in size.  Again I measured tippet flex by hand and didn't use any other forms of measuring.  Rio definitely lived up to its Fluoro Flex name and was noticeably more flexable than both Trout Hunter and Mirage.  Trout Hunter came in a close second, and the Orvis Mirage was the least flexable of the three. 

Trout Hunter also makes 6.5x which is the first time I have ever seen tippet done in half designations and it fits easily in the 7x slot on the tippet gage.  It also seemed to me to have the same knot strength as the Trout Hunter 6x so if you're concerned about spooking a leader shy fish then 6.5x is the obvious choice.  The flex was the same as the other Trout Hunter tippet sizes.  Flex in tippet material does play a role in setting the hook and playing fish.  Some anglers prefer more flex while others prefer their leader material to give less.  I personally like the middle ground. 


Please keep in mind that this review is in no way a knock on those other brands becuase they all offer unique features and value and are great products.  Orvis is the most affordable and is still excellent tippet material.  Rio has the most flex if you want your tippet to be more forgiving.  Trout Hunter is simply another great option that you should definitely consider if you're looking for a good all around tippet, especially if you burn through spools as fast as I do.

Kleis's Korner Gear Review: Razor Scissors

It has been my experience that the second most important tool for tying other than your vice is a good pair of scissors.  Many tyers that come in the shop looking for a new pair because theirs had became dull to quickly end up leaving with the only pair I use which is the Dr. Slick Razor Scissor.  Even at a thirty dollar price tag 99 percent of the time If I show off a pair to somebody who has been tying for a while they end up making the purchase. 

Razor Scissors are insanely sharp and hold an edge very well.  They have wider openings for finger holds which is great for tyers with big hands.  They have a great feel in your hand and have a tension adjuster to help with control.  The tip comes to a very fine point which again gives the tyer a little more control and is great for clipping thread or material that is hard to reach or too fine for regular scissors.  The only other thing I use for cutting during the tying process other than an actual razor blade for hair spun flies is a pair of toe nail clippers ($2) for cutting wire and lead.  If you have'nt made the commitment to buying a quality pair of scissors that will last you a long time and make the tying experience easier and that much more enjoyable consider these.