Anglers Fly Shop Anglers Fly Shop

Staff Picks: Jose’s Stillwater Setup

Jose’s Indicator Stillwater Setup

Tippet: 3X or 4X

Leader: 9 Feet of 3X

Indicator: Airlock

Line: Airflo Power Taper 6 WT

Reel” Lamson Guru

Rod: Orvis 10’ 6-weight Helios 3F

Why This Setup?: “I find a 10-foot rod helps with casting indicator rtigs both from shore or a tube. I also find it helps land fish a bit easier. A 6-weight is one of my favorite general weights because it has a lot of backbone but is still forgiving with a sensitive tip section.” - Jose

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Reel Talk

Let’s get real about reels …

We’ve all done it. After picking up a new passion we obsess over the new equipment.

Nearly a year after picking up my first spey rod, I was met with a series of unfortunate events that had my new 13’4” 7-weight and 15’ 2” 8-weight CF Burkheimer spey rods in one more piece than they came.

Discouraged, I came into the shop, where I received a very deserved round of razzing and belly laughs from my colleagues around the tying table.

“You can’t love a rod,” shop owner John Wolter said laughing, shaking his head. “Any rod. Any brand, kind, make or model, will eventually, well, give out. That’s not to speak ill on the rods, there are a ton of great rods out there but we’re pushing them. These are delicate tools and we often push them beyond their limits.”

As much as I wish he was, I knew he wasn’t talking about my using my new 8152 in a jousting match with a tree while riding a bicycle one-handed in the pre-dawn light on the Deschutes as “beyond their limits.” That was stupidity.

“But, now, one of THESE, something like THIS,” he continued with a smirk while toying with a no-longer made Lamson ARX spey reel. Freshly spooled with nearly 200 yards of beautiful orange backing.. “This can and will literally last you a lifetime if you take care of it.”

Now, coming from a trout - namely smallish native trout - background, I’ve sometimes been guilty of being brutally honest with customers inquiring about what reel they should match with their new trout rod.

“It doesn’t much matter,” I was always happy to tell folks. “Make sure it balances the rod and obviously the more expensive they are, the nicer the quality, but, day-to-day trout fishing in the northwest? Reels are rarely more than a line-holder. Save your money and buy a nicer line. “

But, John’s point about a reel lasting forever struck a cord.

We all only ever get so many days to fish. Sure. we spend money on gear and gas etc etc, but more than that, we spend our time away from family and friends and we trust it for fulfilling what can only be called the soul.

Sure, maybe it IS largely a line holder, but the next time you’re rigging up or considering what reel to match your new setup, we’d encourage you to think about whether you are pursuing the fish you think you will catch, or the fish you COULD catch.

Now, imagine you can pull out a piece of functional art that’s been with you for times like these, time and time again.

We all love a great new rod. They are easily the most aesthetic and exciting part of the fly fishing experience (flies are a very legitimate argument) and they absolutely deserve the attention they receive.

But, if we’re being reel, these days, we’re giving a bit more thought and appreciation to the piece of equipment we RARELY have to think about because we trust it fully, completely, and always.

That Lamson ARX now lives on my rebuilt Burkie 8152 and it isn’t a line holder at all. This year, it helped me connect and shake hands with more than a few wild steelhead. John occasionally reminds me he slightly regrets letting me “borrow” that reel. He shrugs it off, but I know one day I’ll give it back. The good thing is, I know that when I’m ready to add another Hardy Perfect to my quiver, that Lamson will have more than a few fish ft in it. Maybe a few more fish than John. Certainly more than me.

ANGLERS Fly Shop is proud to carry a full line of trout, spey and saltwater reels from Lamson, Orvis, Hardy, Abel and Galvin. Stop by or give us a call at the shop for more information or to make a special order.

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