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The Spey Clave was a big success!

10/13/2013

We would like to thank everybody that came out in support of the Marblehead Spey Clave. The day was full of casting, tying and fun. This was the first dual spot event we have done. Mary Ann, Frank and myself were up in the shop answering questions, coordinating the shuttle and running the "sales" part of the event. Frank was tying some awesome flies (a few of which he donated to me, thanks buddy) and he kept everyone at his table interested in the great Salmon and Steelhead patterns he was tying.

Some of Frank's great work. I need a private tutorial on this one buddy!

Down on the river Terry and Andrew ,with help from Rick, spent the day giving instruction and casting demos. With all of our manufactures represented people had a great time casting all of the rods from Sage, Loomis, Redington, and Ross. The one rod that seemed to get the most attention was the 7126-4 Sage Method. "That rod is awesome" "it is the smoothest casting spey I have felt" "I love it" and the ever popular "my wife is gonna divorce me" were some of the comments I heard as people returned from the river. The Redington Prospector rods got some favorable reviews as did the new Loomis Pro4-X rods.

Yeah buddy! now there is a full set of mag mounts!

All in all it was a big success! We would like to thank all of the people that helped this event come together. Our sales reps for making their demo rods available for the event. Frank for tying some great flies and helping our customers better understand the construction of Salmon and Steelhead flies. Ed and Pat for running the shuttle cars all day. Ed for taking all of the great pictures. Andrew for instructing on the river all day.Last but certainly not least you, our loyal customers, without you there would be no events like this.

Thank you!

Here is a slideshow of the rest of the great pictures Ed took of the event.

All of the rods, lines, reels and other equipment we used on the river are in stock now at the shop. Please feel free to stop in and check out what is new in the world of Spey and Light spey fishing. To read how you can put this type of casting to use in our local waters like the Brandywine, White Clay, and many others click here.

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Calendar of events

6/27/2013

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Our Calender of events has just been updated with several items you may be interested in. Due to many requests we have added a fall fly tying class. This 4 week class will start on Wednesday night, October 23rd and run for four consecutive weeks. We are still kicking around ideas for this fall class, thoughts have included "Guide Flies" "Articulated Streamers" "Tying with Foam" or a "Steelhead / Tube Fly" themed class. Whatever Class we do it is sure to be a great time.

Our Winter tying classes will keep the same format as in past years. We will start the beginner class on Tuesday, January 14, 2014. The Advanced class will start on Wednesday the 15th and the Salt Water class will start on Thursday the 16th. All 3 of these classes will run for six consecutive weeks, weather permitting. Our winter tying classes are a great way to get out and have "fishing" fun during the winter months. Based on past years the beginner and advanced classes fill quickly, be sure you to get in early to hold your spot. For more information on our tying classes you can click here. Here are a few pictures from last years classes. Looks like fun to me...

If you look at the July calender you will see an entry on Sunday the 7th. We are going to do an informal gathering at Brandywine Creek State Park on Sunday afternoon. The goal here is for us to get together, talk fishing, fish a little, and have a good day on the river. Terry and I, as well as many members of the Rat Squad will be there with our Light Spey rods. Casting demos and informal casting instruction will be available. Kind of a mini Brandywine Jam if you will. If you have ever had an inkling to try this Spey casting thing, want to see some new gear, or just want to come out and hang out with some like minded people this is a great opportunity to do so. Light refreshments will be available. We are also targeting this date as the launch of our new Spey casting and fishing club. This formal club is something we have been working very hard on. Club meetings, conservation projects and hosted trips are a few of the things that will be a part of our ultimate goal. Time for this event will be 1:00 pm till 5:00 pm We will be posting more information about this event here as well as our Facebook page when it becomes available. This could be a great opportunity to cross a few fish off of your Smallmouth Challenge list as well. We look forward to seeing you there.

Last but not least we will be hosting the first annual Marblehead Flyfisher Spey Clave at the shop. We are still working out many details for this event with our biggest sales rep. We are shooting for the first Saturday in September, but that could change. Our goal with this event is to promote and showcase all things Spey. Similar to our "Open House" events this is another great opportunity to get into this very popular casting and fishing style. Many more details for this event will follow. Keep an eye on this website, our Facebook page and the Twitter feed as more info will be posted as it becomes available.

Fly tying, Smallmouth fishing, and Spey casting, there are plenty of things to keep us busy through the dog days of summer.

Tight lines...

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Fishing report 5-2-13

5/3/2013

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It is hard to believe this is the first fishing report of May. The past week shows a gradual, but steady increase in water tempatures and with that comes a increase in bug activity. Water temps in our trout rivers are hovering between 45 and 50 degrees depending on which river you temp and what time of day you take your reading. Caddis will most likely dominate on the White Clay, east branch of the Brandywine and the wast branch of the Octoraro. The Caddis hatch has been pretty consistent with the bugs starting to come off in the late afternoon and the fish are on them shortly there after with the last hour of daylight being the most productive time for great dry fly action. Midges continue to pop, but I think the fish have kinda switched over to the bigger, belly filling, Caddis adults. That being said if you see fish rising and can't really tell what they are on try a Griffiths Gnat in 22 or 24 or a CDC Puff Midge imitation. For the Caddis the tried and true Elk Hair Caddis in a tan #14 should get the job done. For the times before the top water action a tandem nymph rig is hard to beat. Bead head Caddis and a bead head pheasant tail would be a great combo. The pheasant tail is a dead ringer for the Sulphur nymph, keep a sharp eye out for these guys. The Sulphur is one of the most consistent mayfly hatches we have in our area. Trout fishing when Caddis and Sulphur's are popping can be awesome. I love the month of May!

We have been keeping a close eye and ear on the Shad run. I can say we have received some very promising reports. Deer Creek seems to be giving up fish in good numbers. Water levels are a little low, but nothing like last year at this time. We received three good reports from three different customers that were down last week. A word of caution here, we also received a few reports that were lack luster at best. Our suggestion would be head down with a good supply of the shops "Deer Creek S flys", be prepared to move around a bit and cover all levels of the water column. Versa leaders will help to get down if need be. Start at the bottom and work your way up by modifying the weight of your set up until you find where the fish are holding. It seems like the guys that are willing to "fish" for them are having some success. I know I plan on giving my new Loomis light Spey rod a workout on Sunday morning. Who else is in?

The salt water seems to be heating up a bit. Stripers were breaking between the piers and a few Flounder have been picked up as well. Give our friends at Old Inlet Bait and Tackle a call for a more detailed report.

Sulfurs and Caddis on the Trout rivers, Shad in Deer Creek and Stripers in the surf. Is it possible to have too many opportunities available? We think not. Hopefully we will see you out on the river. Until then...

Tight lines...

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Sage and Redington light Spey / switch rod review

11/6/2012

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As many know, I can be found chasing many species of fish with my Spey rods, when not guiding. I just PLAIN enjoy casting and fishing these rods. With the introduction of lighter line weighted Light Spey / Switch rods, trouting and river bass fishing have entered the world of “two handed fly rod fishing”. Of late, Sage and Redington have the latest in 4 weight Light Spey / Switch rods and Rio has introduced the 275 grain Skagit and Scandi heads to match these magic wands. WOW, how cool can this get!?!

Sage 4116-4 ONE: I matched up my floating Light MOW Tip to the 275 grain Skagit Short Head and began casting on the Brandywine River. Once I got over the fact it wasn’t my 7 or 8 weight rod(s), I started casting short, then longer, then long. I threw Ska-Oppers and streamers with 10-12 foot leaders. After a few minutes I got lost in this rod, WOW! It pitched line like my heavier rods, even with some wind. Of course when I kicked my 1st mend, the whole line flew upstream, because it was so light. When I switched over to some T-8 MOW tips, I figured the challenges would begin; NOT to be! This rod JACKS line, that’s all there is to it. Did I mention that this rod is handsome, not that this is very important to me. I can’t wait to get my first shad, smallie and trout on the end of this stick. GREAT rod, awesome job, Sage!!!

Redington 4109-4 Prospector: This is a different animal than the Sage ONE; softer with a different flex point. I matched up the same Floating Light MOW Tip to the 275 Skagit Short Head. Once again, I needed to erase my 7 & 8 weights from my mind. I threw the same Ska-Oppers and streamers. After settling down a LOT, I just let the rod do all of the work and casts began to head for the horizon. If I punched too hard, casts piled up, but when I let it “all ride”, line disappeared from my fingers. The rod was easy in my hand, light and very “caster friendly”. Distance came up a bit shorter and casting heavier MOW tips didn’t come as easy as the ONE. The 275 Grain head felt a bit “chunky” on this rod for me. I need to put some lighter grain lines on this one to see where it falls in my arsenal. The Prospector definitely has game!

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The Spey Clave was a big success!

Calendar of events

Fishing report 5-2-13

Sage and Redington light Spey / switch rod review

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