Articles

Fly Boxes That Give Back

From its simple beginnings that formally began in 2014, the young Utah company Tacky Fly Fishing has enjoyed significant success. The company was formed with the goal of building the best fly box in the industry, and their national and international industry awards and rapidly growing sales numbers attest to their success.

Now Tacky Fly Fishing wants to give back by sharing the passion its founders and owners have for fly fishing with children and families that are at a tough place in their lives. The company has joined forces with Primary Children’s Hospital to host the first annual Tacky Cares event for children that are being treated at Primary Children’s Hospital along with their families, for a day on the water. “We want to help them, even if for just a short time, take their minds off their struggles and treatment. We want to make this an event that they’ll never forget and one in which they feel the love and support of a global community,” says Tacky co-owner Shaun Curtis.

The company has solicited the support of that global community in the form of hand tied flies, hundreds so far, donated by fly fishers from across the globe. The flies will be loaded into Tacky Fly Boxes and given to the Primary’s patients participating in the event, which will take place May 6 at Falcon’s Ledge Lodge, graciously donated by Dave Nelson for the event. Each family will be accompanied by a professional fly fishing guide and will have the opportunity to learn the basics of fly fishing, catch fish on Falcon’s private ponds, and tie flies, play games and relax in the lodge.

Supporting sponsors for the event include other Utah-based fly fishing companies including Utah Fly Guides, Blue Halo Fly Rods, and Rising. More information about the event can be found at www.tackyflyfishing.com/tacky-cares, or by contacting Spencer Higa at spencer@tackyflyfishing.com.

Gear Review: Loop EVOTEC CAST Medium Fast

The EVOTEC Medium Fast is distinguishable by its smooth grey blank with dark grey wraps. On each of their rods in this series the reel seat is somewhat triangular so the single locking reel ring does not rotate, which means it’s in the right place every time—a small but significant detail. The rod is sensitive during the casting stroke and a fly angler who enjoys feeling a little more of the flex will enjoy this rod. It’s a rod designed to handle well in a variety of situations. The EVOTEC Medium Fast is available in single hand, switch, and double hand models. click here

New RIO Stillwater Fly Line

RIO’s CamoLux line is an intermediate sinking line that sinks about one-and-a-half to two inches per second. The line is built with a unique clear camo coating that is extremely effective when targeting wary fish in clear water, and is deadly efficient for fishing between 2ft and 6ft depth in lakes. No matter if you’re fishing in shallow bays, close to shore, over weed beds, or in deeper water, the CamoLux allows anglers to be extremely effective and confident while on the water. Each line features a welded loop on the front end for fast rigging. click here 

Fly Tying: Reece’s Tactical Fusion Nymph

Looking for an innovative new nymph to tie this weekend. Have a look at Bob Reece’s Tactical Fusion Nymph. This nymph sinks quickly, appears life-like in the water, and is extremely durable. As an added bonus, the nymph can be tied in three variations in order to imitate the caddis, mayfly and stonefly.

Todd Moen Talks About Living the Dream and Hanging Out Chopper Doors

In this weeks interview segment Fly Fusion editor, Derek Bird, catches up with renowned filmmaker Todd Moen of TM Creative and Catch Magazine. The two discuss the more challenging aspects of working at a dream job, and Moen reveals what three species of fish are consistently the most uncooperative when it comes to filming.

During the 11-minute interview they also take time to discuss Pure New Zealand, a film that features jaw-dropping mountainous landscapes and enormous brown trout feeding methodically off the surface.  Pure New Zealand is an official selection of this year’s International Fly Fishing Film Festival. (view trailer)

Gear Review: Orvis’ Tacky Deluxe Fly Box

A more practical angler may argue that fly box is a fly box is a fly box, and there’s some truth in the statement. A fly box has a relatively simple task. That said, little innovations have the potential to make a huge difference. And in reference to the Tacky Deluxe Fly Box there’s much truth in that statement. This collaborative effort between Orvis and Tacky produced one of the best boxes on the market. The box has all that’s made the Tacky box a favourite for trout anglers: the no-fail magnetic latch system, the bombproof polycarbonate shell, and the silicone mats. But the Deluxe Box also has a few added features. The teardrop slats have room for 336 flies (#10-18). The box has a greater storage capacity now that there’s silicone mats on both sides of the interior of the box. Even with the added storage capacity, the box still has a low profile. (click here)

Derek Olthuis Talks Ice Age Browns and Iceland’s Landscape

In this week’s interview, Fly Fusion editor Derek Bird catches up with filmmaker Derek Olthuis of Western Waters Media to chat with him about The Hidden (click here), a film currently running in this year’s International Fly Fishing Film Festival. Olthuis talks about the challenges of  travelling to Iceland to catch Ice Age brown trout. In this 12 minute interview he also reveals which member of the Western Waters Media group consistently catches the most fish.