FFE Magazine 2022 by Flyfish Europe

REGAL WHERE TRADITION MEETS INNOVATION

Hand crafted in Massachusetts, USA

Introducing: The TUBEFLY VISE & MANDREL SYSTEM

Features; Regal’s legendary comfort head design // Fits both Revolution and Medallion Series mounts // 3 pin Mandrel System accomodates a wide range of tube sizes

l a i r o t i d E There’s more than enough to be anxious about: An ongoing pandemic, geo-political tension, financial uncertainty, global warming, environmental degradation, and mass extinction. The list goes on...

After a long winter, with plenty of socially distanced time and space for reflection, there are also uplifting things on the horizon. Spring is just around the corner, and the fly fishing season is about to kick in. It’s once again time to dust off all the trusty old equipment, replenish the fly boxes, renew the fishing license, and call a good buddy to start planning a fishing trip. We’re allowed to be carefree and disconnected at times; absolved by deep immersion. It’s like the air we breathe! As fly fishermen, we’re drawn by the moments of adventure, excitement, focus, absorbtion, and relief. It’s when we’re fly fishing that we finally get to go offline and reconnect with nature. And while it’s certainly an escape from all our responsibilities as citizens of this planet, we’re allowed to have our guilt-free space. Being fly fishermen, we nurture and strengthen a community and an industry that actually cares about the state of the environment, our rivers, lakes, fjords, oceans, and - not least - our precious fish stocks.

If we want to pass our wonderful sport on to our kids and grand kids, we have to!

Image by Colton Jacobs

By simply being fly fishermen, we make an actual difference. And if we stand together and support local and international initiatives like Trout Unlimited, Redd Villaksen, NASF, RiverWATCH, Wild Salmon Center, Euronatur, and all the national fishing associations across Europe, we can get important message across to all the policy makers.

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

Water Purpose built for advantage on the water. Sunglasses as performance gear for the ocean, river, and flats. We develop eyewear that solves the specific sets of needs for life on the water - with fly fishermen specifically in mind.

Spinner // Matte Black - Polar Blue Mirror

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Spinner // Tortoise - Polar Green Mirror

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

Longfin // Matte Gravy - Polar Bronze Mirror

Emerge // Matte Black - Polar Bronze Mirror

New 2022 Full range available at www.flyfisheurope.com

Embark // TNF Matte/White Gardenia Matte - Polar Black Gold

Embark // Purple/Cinder/Hi-Viz Black - Polar Opal Mirror

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Deckboss // Matte Black - Polar Blue Mirror

Decboss // Matte Tortoise - Polar Brown

Soundtrack // Matte Black - Polar Bronze Mirror

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FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

006 ARGENTINA: JURASSIC LAKE WITH DRY FLIES By Rasmus Ovesen

016 WADERS:

AMERICAN-MADE HERITAGE By John Frazier

088 SWEDEN:

ÄLVDALEN - THE VALLEY OF RIVERS By Stefan Larsson

096 CHILE:

RAINBOWS IN PARADISE By Matt Harris

070 COLOMBIA:

THE VAMPIRES OF THE ORINOCO By Matt Harris

108 NORWAY:

FLY FISHING FOR SEA-RUN ARCTIC CHAR By Rasmus Ovesen

CONTENTS 000 002 020 095 106 4

REGAL SMITH OPTICS SIMMS RODMOUNTS SCOTT FLY RODS

116 130 141 186 193

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WATERWORKS-LAMSON

Cover Photo: Darcy Bacha

SCIENTIFIC ANGLERS

Editorial staff: Rasmus Ovesen, Roy Thue, Tom Roger Bekkeli, Tommy Josefsen, Jarle L. Kristiansen Artwork & Design: Rasmus Ovesen Repro: Basecamp AS

SMITH CREEK LOON OUTDOORS TROUTHUNTER

Copyright © Flyfish Europe AS 2020. This Catalogue is produced by Flyfish Europe. We reserve the right for any incorrect information or fault in printing and take no responsibility for either. This cataloge is printed on environmentally friendly paper.

180 USA:

120 BOEN GÅRD:

FLY FISHING FOR BONITO AND CALIGO BASS By Brett Zundel

FLY FISHING FOR SALMON ON THE TOVDALSELVA By the editorial staff

196 FLY TYING:

THE CDC STICKLEBACK By Rasmus Ovesen

126 FLY TYING:

LEARN HOW TO TIE “THE OSTRICH” by Morten Hansen

170 SINKING LINES: FROM TOP TO BOTTOM by Jerry Darkes

PLUS:

TONS OF GEAR

[ ] Credits

www.facebook.com/flyfisheurope For the latest product news, features, videos and events, please join our Facebook site.

A massive “thank you” goes out to all the content contributors // Matt Harris, Rasmus Ovesen, Stefan Larsson, Morten Valeur, John Frazier, Anders Ovesen, Brett Zundel, Dominic Bruno, Morten Hansen, Jerry

Darkes, Martin Ejler Olsen, Vetle Kjæstad, Jeff Currier, Colton Jacob, Darcy Bacha

www.instagram.com/flyfisheurope Follow us on Instagram for dreamy imagery and product showcases. #flyfisheurope to be featured.

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

Jurassic Lake

Chrome Dry Fly Dreams in Argentina You’ve probably heard of Lago Strobel – or Jurassic Lake - as it is most commonly referred to. The lake is world-famous for its massive rainbow trout, but did you know that you can catch these explosive and hard-fighting fish on dry flies? Rasmus Ovesen Rasmus & Anders Ovesen // Pedro Rodriguez

NOTHER ONE OF JURASSIC LAKE´S MASSIVE FISH wrenches away from my hands as I carefully remove the barbless streamer from its powerful jaws and release it. It flicks cascades of cold water into the air with its iridescent green tail fin as it shoots forward through the water – startled and wilfully headed for the drop off, along which the rest of the school of rainbow trout are foraging. Having weighed in the vicinity of five solid kilos, the fish was close to the absolutely mental average size on this lake. It is one out of several fish that have remorselessly hit our flies during this April-morning, where the winds have continuously picked up. My 8-weight is packed away along with the remainder of my gear further down the beach, and with wind gusts starting to reach gale-force levels, I’ve decided that it’s time for the 6-weight to give way for heavier artillery. I pack away the 6-weight and bow down to pick up my 8-weight. As I grab it, I hear the giggling laughter of the guides somewhere behind me. The cheeky buggers - who have settled momentarily behind their truck for a bit of shelter and a gulp of nourishing, warm Argentinean mate have tied a large, bright red spoon onto the end of my leader,

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while I was busy fighting and releasing my last rainbow trout. “Ha, ha, ha! Classic guide humour”, I think to myself! But I pretend as if nothing has happened and just play along. The laughter falls silent, when – shortly after – I do the unimaginable: I get the spoon airborne, blind cast it for a bit and send it far off into deeper water. The silence doesn’t last for very long, however. Because when a big rainbow trout resolutely hits the spoon and gets hooked, all of us are about to die laughing! SINCE 2005, when it was first properly discovered, Jurassic Lake in the southern reaches of Patagonia, has stood for me as one of the most monumental fly fishing destinations in the world: A tantalizing and remote fishery in a barren and windswept desert with rainbow trout of near-mythical proportions. And every time I have heard stories about the lake’s spectacular fishing or seen pictures of the almost unrealistically big and shapely fish that are caught there, I’ve felt a relentless pull within. The fact that is has taken me more than 10 years to finally materialise at the lake’s pockmarked shores, therefore shouldn’t be ascribed to a lack of wanderlust or attraction. No, the answer lies, rather, in the seeming paradox of the place: How it has come to embody something unachievable, an impossibility – an unfulfillable promise. It’s not coincidental that I have a long history of travelling to faraway destinations with a naive and open mind – without having properly adjusted my expectations or done much research. Too often, I have experienced how something that sounded too good to be true, actually was. And, personally, I feel much better being positively surprised than disappointed. Unfortunately, when it comes to well-exposed fisheries, there’s an increasingly drastic difference between history, reputation and marketing on the one hand and reality (or personal experience) on the other. And as my brother and I land at Lago Strobel – on the rudimentary landing strip recently built by Jurassic Lake Lodge – and we make our way to the lake via windy and uneven gravel roads – the myth is

Dawn can offer some magical fishing with the softest of light.

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suddenly on an unavoidable collision course with reality. Everything that I’ve previously heard about this place is now in a wrestling hold with all the sensory impressions my overstimulated brain is bombarded with – and one simple question begs an answer: Will the fishing be able to match the immense expectations that I’ve managed to build up over the years? NOW THAT IT’S LATE APRIL – and with the imminence of a relentlessly long and bitterly cold winter, the season is slowly but surely coming to an end, and - according to the guides - the fishing is far from optimal. But, frankly, that suits me just fine! When, in December and January, the fishing is at its best, it is actually TOO good! This is confirmed by the many stories told by the guides – stories involving vulgar amounts of trout, concentrated along the shoreline in front of Jurassic Lake Lodge where the lake’s only tributary, the Barrancoso River, pours in – and where enduring fly fishermen have caught more than 100 rainbow trout in a single day. (With an average weight of about five kilos that comes to the quasi-industrial catch of half a ton of rainbow trout in less than 24 hours!) DURING OUR FIRST DAY BY THE LAKE we experience something that few ever experience: A completely windless day, where Lago Strobel’s otherwise frothing surface is like a big, shiny mirror. Bathed in warm light, we move along the beaches and the rocky, lunar-like shores eagerly looking for fish. And it doesn’t take us long before we locate small schools of relatively apathetic and spooky fish swimming about at random. Some nerve-wracking and highly challenging sight-fishing awaits us, and having extended our leaders considerably with cobweb-thin tippets and experimented a bit with flies and presentation, the first few fish nervously start to react. I’ve sent off a cast in front of few fish circling around near a well-defined drop-off, and as I start retrieving the fly, I immediately capture the interest of one of the fish. It lazily pursues the fly, following its monotonous path through the crystal-clear water with a body-language that, at the same time, seems both tense and indifferent

“

I immediately capture the attention of one of the fish.

Rainbow trout in the 5 - 6 kilo range are plentiful in Jurassic Lake. But the greatest bit is that they can be caught on dry flies.

Patagonia is a windy place - and because Jurassic Lake offers very little in terms of lee and cover, the waves can really build up.

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Calm days are rare at Jurassic Lake, but when they occur it’s time for dry flies.

“

We share many unforgettable moments on the Barroncoso River.

The Barroncoso River experiences massive runs of rainbow trout in March and April.

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Shortly after, a vague tug propagates through the fly line, and as I lift the rod, the fish sheds all of its seeming indolence. All hell breaks loose, and I now find myself desperately trying to cushion the effect of a ragingly heavy run, which is only briefly interrupted by hectic scenes of tumultuous headshakes and meter-high jumps. In deeper water – with a full fly line and some 40 metres of backing dragging behind it – the fish finally discontinues its attempted escape and changes tactics. It now tries to find shelter along the lake’s jagged subaqueous tufa-reefs, and all I can do is lift the rod, put maximum pressure on the fish and pray to God that the leader isn’t cut off.

it possible to sight-cast to both stationary and migratory rainbow trout.

When - a good while later, the fish glides across the frame of my landing net and into the trap of the rubber mesh netting, a loud, cheerful roar is impossible to hold back. My first Jurassic Lake rainbow trout is a reality – and what a fish! It must weigh in the vicinity of six solid kilos, and it is among the most flawless and beautiful fish, I’ve ever seen: Dashingly chrome, with blushing red gills and infinitesimal ink stains along its iridescent green back. And the tail fin! The massive and well-defined tail fin displays a glittering mother-of-pearl glow that radiates from the base, as if all the centrifugal powers from the fish’ fierce tail slaps have made the silvery glow of the flanks exude into the very tips of each tail fin-ray.

Equipped with light single-handed rods, thin leaders and small streamers, we share many unforgettable moments on the Barrancoso River. But we’re at our most ecstatic, when we manage to land a couple of fish on dry flies and mouse patterns. The experience leaves us craving for more, and for the next couple of days - as the winds die down just a little bit, and the gale force gusts - which have rendered the lake a foaming inferno - run out of breath, we reappear at the lake shores armed with big, buoyant dry flies.

AFTER TWO DAYS with some of the best sight-fishing, I’ve ever experienced, the inevitable happens – the winds pick up! It’s as if the weather gods have taken a long, deep breath in order to thoroughly blow the whole desert apart one last time before winter emerges and covers everything in snow and frost. The howling winds rip and tear at everything that manages to stay erect, and the lake has now re-transformed into its usual self: A roaring ocean, where meter-high waves crash relentlessly onto the shore, partly blown apart by heavy gusts that cause a swirling haze of foam and droplets to rise from the lake. And this is only the beginning… There isn’t much cover or shelter to be found along the lake, but in the nearby Barrancoso River, which meanderingly transects the desert through towering, narrow canyons, there is an occasional vacuum between the tunnel-like squalls, which makes

THE BEAUTIFUL BARRANCOSO RIVER is really an unjustified parenthesis in the history of Jurassic Lake. Because even though the river rarely yields fish that rival Jurassic Lake’s monster fish in size, it offers some incredible sight- and close combat-style fishing with plenty of shots at fish in the 3 – 7 kilo range. It is a technically demanding fishery, where stealth skills, precise casts and calm nerves are required, but it’s worth the whole journey in and of itself.

SEEING AN 8-KILO TROUT confidently rise through the water column and gulp down a dry fly at close range is indescribably cool! And it happens repeatedly during our last two days at Jurassic Lake. As we’re about to find out, the lake’s chromers aren’t merely interested in scuds, and they always keep an eye upwards – even when the winds are howling and ripping at the water surface. During the last couple of days - with big and highly visible Chernobyl Ants at the end of our leaders – we land double-digit numbers of rainbow trout between 5 and 9 kilos. And I’m so consumed and devotedly absorbed in the fishing that it isn’t until I sit on the small Twin Otter plane on my way back home via Comodoro Rivadavia that I realize what an extraordinary and unique experience it has been. Here, all the sensory impressions from the past week start to precipitate, and I suddenly become chokingly aware of what an extreme phenomenon Jurassic Lake is. The weather, the terrain, the climate… the fishing. All of it is extreme, and it has left an ineradicable and deep impression in me! Coming to Jurassic Lake with extremely high expectations, like I have, involves the risk of extreme disappointment. After having experienced the place and the myth, Jurassic Lake, and having experienced a chrome dry fly fishery in a league of its own, there is no doubt left in my mind: This is a place that has not only exceeded my wildest expectations – but also my wildest fantasies!

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Rasmus Ovesen with an absolute brute of a Jurassic rainbow trout; a fish that was caught near the mouth of the Barroncoso River.

Lago Strobel/Jurassic Lake

Jurassic Lake is the popular name for Lago Strobel: A remote, windswept lake in the Patagonian province of Santa Cruz in Argentina. The lake was inducted into the fly fishing hall of fame when Christer Sjöberg – the founder of Loop Tackle – co-organized an expedition to the lake back in 2005. The expedition stumbled upon a rainbow trout fishery that exceeded most fly fishermen’s wildest fantasies, and once a camp had been established, it didn’t take long before Jurassic Lake – as it was cleverly dubbed - had gained international attention and fame. Lago Strobel is a 63km2 endorheic basin – i.e. a closed drainage lake without an outlet. It’s set in a treeless lunar-like landscape and its shorelines are strewn with contorted tufaformations, cliff fragments and even remnants of petrified forest. Lago Strobel is inherently fishless. Why it’s been like that for thousands of years is somewhat of a mystery, but it certainly isn’t due to scarcity of food. The crater-like lake offers a rich base of food mainly consisting of raw amounts of scuds, and with the almost 40 kilometre-long Barrancoso River providing prime spawning- and growth habitat, we’re talking about a unique biotope with an enormous potential. The explanation as to why the lake has such a prolific population of massive rainbow trout is to be found among the local gauchos – these hardy Argentinean cattlemen, who have found their domain in the windswept and arid terrain surrounding Jurassic Lake. It was the gauchos that introduced a modest number of rainbow trout from the Santa Cruz River into the Barrancoso tributary some 20 years ago – a stock of fish that have flourished in the lake and become a self-reproducing population of monster trout up to 15 kilos (and probably bigger). Despite its location in the middle of the Santa Cruz desert’s harsh and extremely inhospitable desert plateau, there’s a rich and compelling bird life in- and around the lake. Flamingos, ducks and eagles reside here in addition to the endemic hooded grebe – or maca tobiana, which lives nowhere else in the world, and which wasn’t discovered and documented 12

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until some 20 years ago. The lake is also rich in culture and history. People have lived here for more than 9000 years, and along the Barrancoso River you can still find traces of human activity: stone age tools, petroglyphs and settlement remains.

Logistics

In order to get to Jurassic Lake Lodge, you need to fly to Comodoro Rivadavia via Buenos Aires. From here, Jurassic Lake Lodge now arranges private charter flights to the lake. This part of the journey, which takes about an hour and a half, replaces and excruciatingly long and bumpy car ride, which – for the last 115 kilometres - from the city of Governor Gregores consists of rudimentary gravel roads that even cross country 4X4’s struggle with. The lodge’s new landing strip was completed in 2015, and there are flights every Saturday and – on demand – Wednesday.

Jurassic Lake Lodge

Jurassic Lake Lodge is a comfortable and atmospheric lodge, which is strategically located precisely where the Barrancoso River enters Lago Strobel. In other words, it is situated in immediate proximity to the lake’s most productive fishing area. Jurassic Lake Lodge accommodates up to 10 fly fishermen, who then have access to several different beats in the lake in addition to 30 kilometres of the incredibly exciting and relatively unexplored Barrancoso River. Furthermore, the lodge owns the rights to the Moro Creek, which is a little river, that connects a series of smaller lakes – and here you can experience some amazing – and practically undiscovered – trout fishing. For additional information and current prices, please refer to: www.jurassiclakelodge.com or contact lodge-owner, Carlos Lopez Casanello, directly: carlos@jurassiclake.com

The Jurassic Lake rainbowt trout are generally well-fed and extremely powerful. FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

SIMMS CELEBRATES AMERICAN MADE HERITAGE WITH THE ALL-NEW G3 GUIDE WADER

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

Quality, craftsmanship, and passion; the very ideals that represent the foundational building blocks of Simms’ DNA. Built by highly skilled craftspeople with a penchant for fishing, Simms’ Bozeman, Montana made waders have earned icon status. Providing consumers with the best experience possible has always been the mission critical objective but it also validates the lengths they are willing to go in order to achieve perfection. Why? It is their belief that time spent on the water is far too valuable to squander.

BY John Frazier

s a brand, Simms understands that in all actuality, achieving perfection is an unattainable goal. However, it’s that never ending pursuit that inspires new ideas, new innovations, and next-level waders.

Simms secret to success begins by utilizing premium, performance driven materials that are put in the capable hands of their Bozeman based Wader Maker team. Men and women, who take pride in their work, willingly sweat the small stuff, and scrutinize over every single seemingly minute detail of the process. From design to delivery, every step of the process happens under one roof – a unique aspect that provides a unique advantage. Presently, Simms is the only US based wader manufacturer of scale which is not only a badge of honor, it’s a deliberate manufacturing choice that allows complete and total control of the end result. Harnessing this level of control awards the highest level of continuous and consistent quality. From designers and developers to material experts, and quality technicians – every team member that plays a role in the final product has a direct line of communication with the team members who tirelessly transform concepts and ideas into tangible realities. Whether it’s from the product development team, the inhouse testing lab, or the in-house repair center, when ideas arise that can make something stronger, improve functionality, or increase efficiency, the Wader Maker team has the ability to implement these advancements on the fly. “Having such a talented team right here in Bozeman not only allows us to experiment and make adjustments on the fly, it also allows us to test those adjustments right then and

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Seam taping truly showcases the wader maker’s commitment to perfection. They make it look easy, but trust us – it’s not

All of the steps in Simms’ wader making process require precision, especially sewing. It takes months to achieve the proficiency required to be a Simms sewer. there” says Simms CEO, Casey Sheahan. “In addition to the Wader Makers, we also have a testing facility onsite as well as an in-house repair team. The feedback we receive from these two teams is invaluable. We also firmly believe the devil is in the detail and because of our Bozeman manufacturing capabilities, we have the advantage of being able to pay extra close attention to every detail, every step of the way. And really, it’s that attention to detail that makes all the difference in the world.” Some of the waders in the Simms collection require upwards of 150 steps before they are folded, boxed, and delivered to consumers and retailers worldwide. Therefore, extensive planning plays an essential role in the production process. Before a wader hits the production floor, all of the materials, the construction methods, and attachment procedures have passed rigorous lab and field testing. The latest wader to pass all the requisite tests (with flying colors by the way) – the all-new G3 Guide Wader. Available in January of 2022, the release of this wader not only represents the most technical and durable iteration of G3, it is also the 20-year anniversary of its inception.

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The all-new G3 Guide Stockinfoot Wader is the most breathable, durable, comfortable G3 Simms has released to date.

“

Some waders require upwards of 150 steps

Hand-cutting patterns for testing is a critical step in the early phases of wader development.

Available in a Men’s and Women’s (as well as a pant), the new G3 is a testament to Simms’ staunch stance of never settling. “Making something you perceive as the best even better is never an easy task and that’s exactly what we’re up against when the time comes to revamp a wader such as G3” says Sheahan. “So, before we offer a new version, it’s critical that the improvements we make are going to be improvements that anglers will immediately and easily recognize.” So what are the latest updates with the new G3 Guide Wader? According to Simms, the new G3 is without a doubt, the most durable, most comfortable, highest performing G3 they’ve ever launched. Powered by a brand-new GORE-TEX® fabric package (built with a 3-layer upper, and a 4-layer lower), the new G3 has increased tongue tear strength by 7.5%, increased standard puncture resistance by 23%, increased pinhole puncture resistance by 84%, and increased breathability by 33%.

anatomical left and right stockingfeet, and the patented front and back leg-seam. New additions include a much more comfortable/functional air-mesh suspender system, a new hookless gravel-guard design as well as the inclusion of an internal, stretch-woven drop-in pocket for small essentials. For any product, 20 years of design and development is a major achievement. G3’s both past and present were, and always will be built to withstand the test of time. Ever since the first pair hit the shelves, the G3 emblem has become synonymous with quality, craftsmanship, performance, innovation, and most importantly, reliability. While none of these attributes are easy to come by, over the past 20 years, they’ve been earned due to an unwavering commitment to manufacturing by hand, heart, and soul.

The wader carries over popular standard features such as the traditional external G3 pocket array, removable tippet tender pocket,

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A combination of thoughtful design, rugged materials and endless testing go into making the world’s highest quality waders. But what they really take is patience – as much patience as it takes to wait for that tug on the end of your line. Because great waders are never mass produced by machines. They are made one at a time by craftspeople – men and women in Bozeman, Montana who are anglers just like you.

GORE-TEX® PRO SHELL outerwear is waterproof, exceptionally lightweight and offers the ultimate in breathability, durability and extended comfort. Constructed with a woven backer, GORE-TEX® Pro Shell garments slide easily over other layers and offer exceptional tear strength and internal abrasion-resistance. Toray s a heavy-duty engineered fabric with a microporous waterproof coating that utilizes 2-layer coated fabric, a single membrane layer and a tricot backer to offer improved durability.

All Simms outerwear features nylon YKK® zippers to minimize corrosion and provide high performing, durable wear. These are long-lived no-nonsense zippers that just keep performing.

5.11® HEXGRID• is a patented load-bearing technology platform that surpasses military-style web platforms (PAlS/MOllE). This laser-cut platform creates a continuous hexagonal grid pattern, oftering versatile mounting capabilities like never before. 5.11® HEXGRID• provides users with the opportunity to mount pouches and other gear at different angles for smooth ergonomic access and personal preference.

Microban International, Ltd. is the global leader in antimicrobial additives and odor control solutions. Our enduring antimicrobial technologies work to eliminate damaging microbial growth on products and surfaces without impacting aesthetics or functionality. Our portfolio of Microban® and AEGIS® odor control solutions also provide extended freshness and hygiene for textiles.

Click here to learn how to pick the right wader fit

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

FULL RANGE AVAILABLE AT www.flyfisheurope.com

WADERS MADE BY HAND. HEART. AND SOUL. FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

#FishItWell Our most durable wader features a new, proprietary fabric from GORE-TEX® proven over 16,000 hours of field testing. Make the most of your time on the water: Head out in the most feature-laden, abrasion-, punctureand tear-resistant wader made. The Simms G4Z® Stockingfoot Wader has been meticulously refined to offer features and functionality that meet the demands of the world’s most discerning guides and anglers.

® G4Z STO C K I N G F OOT Click here to watch product presentation

Extended YKK AquaSeal waterproof zipper for quick relief and easy on/off

Adjustable spacer air-mesh suspender system with opposing Duraflex buckles for waist-high conversion, now with a fabric suspender divider

Patented baffled, compression-molded Anatomically engineered stockingfeet for enhanced comfort and improved boot fit/lace bite

2 zippered chest pockets with integrated retractor docking stations for strategic access to fishing essentials Zippered, micro-fleece lined handwarmer pockets for added storage and appreciated cold-weather reprieve

%(67 2) 6+2:

Built-in, lower profile GORE-TEX® belt loops for enhanced strength and durability

0(1¶6 :$'(56 '(19(5 &2

Patented front & back leg seams for enhanced mobility and increased durability Keep your hemostats close at hand with Simms’ patented Sharkfin Buckle that clips into your wader suspenders. (Sold separately / Pliers not included).

Patented 2mm abrasion resistant built-in gravel guards

FABRIC TECH: GORE-TEX® 3-LAYER PRO SHELL TECHNOLOGY IN UPPER / GORE-TEX® 4-LAYER PRO SHELL TECHNOLOGY IN LOWER AND SEAT

> WAIST HIGH CONVERSION > BUILT-IN GRAVEL GUARDS > ANATOMICAL STOCKINGFOOT

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

THECHOICE CHOICEOF OFPROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONALGUIDES GUIDES++ANGLERS ANGLERSWORLDWIDE WORLDWIDE THE

// WADERS

Simms’ most durable wader that’s been meticulously refined to offer features and functionality that meet the demands of the world’s most discerning guides and anglers. The Simms G4 Pro® Stockingfoot Wader is the most features a wealth of design- and material innovations that, combined with the greatest attention to detail and functionality, provide you with the ultimate in comfort and durability.

® G4STO PCRKO I N G F OOT Click here to watch product presentation

Zippered, micro-fleece lined reach-thru hand-warmer pocket for strategic storage and cold-weather reprieve

Streamlined belt loop system. Built-in, lower profile GORE-TEX belt loops enhance strength and durability and minimize line catch

Sharkfin Buckle - Keep your hemostats close at hand with our patented buckle that clips into your wader suspenders. (Sold separately)

Adjustable air-mesh suspender system with opposing Duraflex buckles for waist-high conversion, now with a fabric suspender divider

Top zippered chest pocket with fly patch/tool docking station for easy access to fishing essentials

Patented front & back leg seams for enhanced mobility and increased durability

Keep your hemostats close at hand with Simms’ patented Sharkfin Buckle that clips into your wader suspenders. (Sold separately / Pliers not included).

TIPPET TENDER POCKET (Sold seperatly)

Patented 2mm abrasion resistant built-in gravel guards

Patented baffled, compression-molded Anatomically engineered stockingfeet for enhanced comfort and improved boot fit/lace bite

NEW WATER PR OO (Sold seperat F WADER POUCH ly)

FABRIC TECH: GORE-TEX® 3-LAYER PRO SHELL TECHNOLOGY IN UPPER / GORE-TEX® 4-LAYER PRO SHELL TECHNOLOGY IN LOWER AND SEAT

> WAIST HIGH CONVERSION > BUILT-IN GRAVEL GUARDS > ANATOMICAL STOCKINGFOOT

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

#FishItWell

Wading

ESSENTIALS NEOPRENE WADING BELT - BLACK

BACKSAVER WADING BELT - BLACK

BACKMAGIC WADING BELT - BLACK

PRO WADING STAFF - CARBON

WADING STAFF - BLACK

WADING STAFF RETRACTOR & RUBBER TIP - BLACK

5-mm neoprene provides comfortable alternative to standard wading belts // Holds shape when tight for safe-wading // New heavy-load buckle for added strength & safety // 5 cm high density neoprene with a hook-&-loop side adjustment

Lightweight & rigid carbon fiber tubing // Contoured cork around handle allows for secure grip // Locking detent button & adjustable FastLock for customized length between 130 - 140cm.

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

Greatly reduce lower back stress and fatigue with the BackSaver™ Wading Belt - a must-have for any angler with a back. 5cm wide nylon webbing & supportive thermoformed foam // Quick-action release buckle // Adjustable from 70. to 115 cm.

Lightweight yet highly durable 7075 aluminum tubing with coated stainless steel cable and ribbed closed-cell foam handle // Simple yet firm deployment opens and closes in seconds // Extended closed-cell foam handle for multiple grab heights

Designed by orthopedic physicians & manufactured by a medical products company // Highly breathable structured mesh for support & ventilation // 2-part adjustable closure: VELCRO® Brand fasteners - easy & secure closure, self-adjusting, anatomically correct fit.

RETRACTOR: Braided Spectra cable is extremely strong Extends up to 3 ft. // Connects to both Wading Staff strap & sheath. RUBBER TIP: StreamTread™ rubber tip grips between rocks & crevasses //Perfect for hike-to-fish applications // Quieter in the water than aluminum tip

THECHOICE CHOICEOF OFPROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONALGUIDES GUIDES++ANGLERS ANGLERSWORLDWIDE WORLDWIDE THE

// WADERS

Simms’ long-standing, award-winning wader is back with an exciting update to the material package, improved fit, and an enhanced feature set while remaining the most comfortable, reliable, and performance-driven wader ever.

TM G 3 STO G UCIKD E I N G F OOT

NEW

Click here to watch product presentation

Top access zippered stretch pocket plus zippered, reach-through micro-fleece lined hand-warming chest pocket.

The upper organization also includes a removable Tippet-Tender Pocket and a stretch-woven flank pocket on the inside.

Adjustable spacer air-mesh suspender system with a fabric suspender divider.

Updated material lamination package with even more durable, breathable, and comfortable Gore-Tex Pro Shell 3-layer upper and 4-layer lower

Built-in low-profile back belt loops with high and low options; 1.5 inch stretch nylon belt included

Keep your hemostats close at hand with Simms’ patented Sharkfin Buckle that clips into your wader suspenders. (Sold separately / Pliers not included).

TIPPET TENDER POCKET (Sold seperatly)

Patented front & back leg seams deliver articulated fit, improved mobility, and increased durability

Abrasion-resistant built-in Neoprene Gravel Guards

NEW WATER PR OO (Sold seperat F WADER POUCH ly)

Anatomically engineered neoprene stockingfeet with anti-microbial finish

FABRIC TECH: 3-LAYER GORE-TEX® PRO SHELL IN UPPER; 4-LAYER GORE-TEX® PRO SHELL IN SEAT & LEGS

> WAIST HIGH CONVERSION > BUILT-IN GRAVEL GUARDS > HOURGLASS STOCKINGFOOT FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

#FishItWell Designed for bringing hard-to-reach waters into focus, Flyweight Stockingfoot Waders fuel the advance with a thoughtfully designed fishing accessory system for gear on the go, lightweight yet durable engineering for added stamina, and best-in-class GORE-TEX waterproof-breathability for guaranteed dry performance — day in and day out.

TM F LY WE I G HT STO C K I N G F OOT Click here to watch product presentation

Zippered, micro-fleece lined reach-thru hand-warmer pocket for strategic storage and cold-weather reprieve.

Stretch crotch gusset and patented front and back leg seams for best-ever wader mobility.

New Hex Air Gravel Guards improve moisture management and pack smaller than standard options.

Keep essentials in check with a chest pocket array that includes 5.11® HEXGRID® attachment system with dual-access dump pocket and zippered stash pocket behind

Designed for compatibility with all Flyweight Pods and Accessories

Keep your hemostats close at hand with Simms’ patented Sharkfin Buckle that clips into your wader suspenders. (Sold separately / Pliers not included).

Fit and function innovation includes breathable air mesh suspender attachments, lower top hem, and zippered side gussets - for relaxed or athletic fit options

Abrasion-resistant built-in Neoprene Gravel Guards with boot hooks

Anatomically engineered neoprene stockingfeet with anti-microbial finish *

FABRIC TECH: UPPER: GORE-TEX PRO SHELL 3-LAYER LOWER: GORE-TEX PRO SHELL 4-LAYER GUSSET: GORE-TEX PRO SHELL 3-LAYER STRETCH

> WAIST HIGH CONVERSION > BUILT-IN GRAVEL GUARDS *For 5.11® HEXGRID• compatible packs, bags and accessories, go to page 81 and 82. 26

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

> HOURGLASS STOCKINGFOOT

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// WADERS

The Guide Classic Waders provide numerous amenities. Your feet will be satisfied in anatomically engineered neoprene booties with built-in gravel guards. There are plenty of places to store need items with a reach-through hand warmer chest pocket, a zip top pocket as well as a flip out zip secure pocket. Also GORE-TEX® 3-Layer laminate provides breathability and water proofing so you can keep fishing in comfort all day long.

TM G U I DSTO E C LAS S I C C K I N G F OOT Click here to watch product presentation

Reach-through hand warmer chest pocket with zippered top stash pocket

Attached sewn-in flip out chest pocket included.

Adjustable spacer suspender system.

Attached sewn-in Tippet Tender™ pocket with retractor docking station & tippet spool sleeves included.

Reach-through hand warmer chest pocket with zippered top stash pocket

Built-in low-profile back belt loops with high and low options; 1.5 inch stretch nylon belt included

Keep your hemostats close at hand with Simms’ patented Sharkfin Buckle that clips into your wader suspenders. (Sold separately / Pliers not included).

TIPPET TENDER POCKET (Sold seperatly)

Anatomically engineered neoprene stockingfeet with built-in gravel guards

NEW WATERPOOF WADER POUCH (Sold seperatly)

Anatomically engineered neoprene stockingfeet with anti-microbial finish

FABRIC TECH: GORE-TEX 3-LAYER WADER LAMINATE WITH REINFORCED LOWER LEGS

> WAIST HIGH CONVERSION > BUILT-IN GRAVEL GUARDS > HOURGLASS STOCKINGFOOT FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

WADERS

#FishItWell

Simms’ Freestone® Stockingfoot Wader is your go-to companion from first cast to lasting obsession. Durable, breathable four-layer Toray® QuadraLam™ fabric handles brushy approaches and cold wet weather, while the articulated fit promotes natural mobility both on the trail and in the water. When it comes to small details that make a big difference, the Freestone includes a large fleece-lined, reach-through handwarmer pocket to heat up cold fingers, a secure chest pocket to hold essential tools, and a dedicated fly patch for sidelined flies.

® FRE E STO N E Z I P, STO C K I N G F O OT

& PAN T

Adjustable elastic suspenders with opposing buckles

TIZIP® waterproof front zipper for easy access and quick relief without removing your waders

Reach-through handwarmer pocket is fleece lined for comfort, and offers secure storage for gear

Dual chest pockets with fly patch TIPPET TENDER POCKET (Sold seperatly)

Interior zip closure chest pocket

NEW WATERPOOF WADER POUCH (Sold seperatly)

Keep your hemostats close at hand with Simms’ patented Sharkfin Buckle that clips into your wader suspenders. (Sold separately / Pliers not included).

Five belt loops with 38mm nylon waist belt

Articulated patterning and center-leg seam construction

Abrasion-resistant built-in Gravel Guards

Anatomically engineered neoprene stockingfeet with anti-microbial finish

FABRIC TECH:

4-LAYER TORAY® QUADRALAM™. WATERPROOF / BREATHABLE. > WAIST HIGH CONVERSION > BUILT-IN GRAVEL GUARDS > HOURGLASS STOCKINGFOOT 28

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

THECHOICE CHOICEOF OFPROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONALGUIDES GUIDES++ANGLERS ANGLERSWORLDWIDE WORLDWIDE THE

// WADERS

Waders with a durable, breathable 3- and 4-layer build for all-day dry, comfortable performance at a great value. Practice makes pros—and the TributaryTM Stockingfoot Wader is your trusty ally as you gain confidence and master your fishing skills. Built with proven Simms durability, these dry, breathable men’s waders promote natural mobility while you negotiate steep trails and deep rivers. Key features include a large fleecelined, reach-through handwarmer pocket for fishing through cooler days, plus a secure chest pocket.

TM TR I B U TA RY K I D ’ S , W O M E N’ S & M E N’ S Custom Duraflex buckles throughout

Reach-through handwarmer pocket with zippered top stash pocket

Two belt loops with 38 mm nylon waist belt

Keep your hemostats close at hand with Simms’ patented Sharkfin Buckle that clips into your wader suspenders. (Sold separately / Pliers not included).

Self-fabric gravel guard with gathered elastic bottom hem

TIPPET TENDER POCKET (Sold seperatly)

Anatomically engineered neoprene stockingfeet with anti-microbial finish

NEW WATERPOOF WADER POUCH (Sold seperatly)

FABRIC TECH: UPPER: 3-LAYER WATERPROOF BREATHABLE POLYESTER LOWER: 4-LAYER WATERPROOF BREATHABLE POLYESTE

> WAIST HIGH CONVERSION > BUILT-IN GRAVEL GUARDS > HOURGLASS STOCKINGFOOT FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

WADERS

#FishItWell

NEW

TIPPET TENDER POCKET (Sold seperatly)

NEW WADE PROOF WATE R eratly) (Sold sep

TIPPET TENDER POCKET (Sold seperatly)

NEW H

R POUC

WADE PROOF WATE R eratly) (Sold sep

WM’S G3® WADERS

NEW H

R POUC

WM’S FREESTONE® Z WADERS

Gunmetal

TIPPET TENDER POCKET (Sold seperatly)

Striker Grey

NEW UCH

DE R PO

WA PROOF WATE R eratly) (Sold sep

WM’S FREESTONE® WADERS Striker Grey

WM’S & KID’S TRIBUTARY WADERS + BOOTS Platinum

%(67 2) 6+2: :20(1¶6 :$',1* %2276 '(19(5 &2

MERINO

WOOL

WM’S FLYWEIGHT BOOTS - VIBRAM Cinder

WM’S FREESTONE BOOTS - RUBBER + FELT Cinder

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

WMS MERINO MIDWEIGHT HIKER SOCK Hex Flo Camo Admiral Blue

UCH

DE R PO

WA PROOF WATE R eratly) (Sold sep

MERINO

WOOL

WMS MERINO THERMAL OTC SOCK Seafoam

WOOL

WMS MERINO LIGHTWEIGHT HIKER SOCK Garnet

THECHOICE CHOICEOF OFPROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONALGUIDES GUIDES++ANGLERS ANGLERSWORLDWIDE WORLDWIDE THE

// WOMEN’S & KIDS

NEW

NEW COLOUR

%(67 2) 6+2: :20(1¶6 287(5:($5 '(19(5 &2

WM’S G3 GUIDE® JACKET

WM’S CHALLENGER JACKET

Seafoam

NEW

WM’S WAYPOINTS JACKET

WM’S CHALLENGER BIB

Admiral Blue, Garnet

Admiral Blue

NEW

WM’S HEAVYWEIGHT BASELAYER HOODY

WM’S RIVERSHED SWEATER

Black, Avalon Teal

NEW

WM’S BICOMP LONG SLEEVE HOODY

Black, Avalon Teal

Laguna

NEW

COLOURS

WM’S SOLARFLEX HOODY White, Laguna

WM’S SOLARFLEX CREWNECK

Lily Pad White, Cornflower Heather, Lily Pad Cloud Pink

WM’S FLORAL TROUT T-SHIRT

Grey Heather, Steel Blue Heather

31 FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022 See the full range at www.flyfisheurope.com

#FishItWell

// WOMEN’S & KIDS

NEW

COLOURS

COLOUR

WM’S BUGSTOPPER HOODY

WM’S MATAURA PANTS

WM’S BUGSTOPPER LEGGINGS

Avalon Teal Heather, Cornflower Heather

Black

Cornflower Heather, Black

NEW

COLOURS

WMS SUNGAITER

Woodland Camo Avalon, Lily Pad Cornflower

NEW

WMS SOLAR SOMBRERO Granite

NEW

COLOURS

SMALL FIT FISH IT WELL FOREVER CAP Black

COLOURS

Trout Wander, Simms Co

Carbon, Admiral Avalon

NEW

COLOURS

NEW

KID’S LOGO T-SHIRT 32

SMALL FIT THROWBACK TRUCKER

SMALL FIT TROUT ICON TRUCKER

Grey Heather, Tahiti Blue

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

KID’S BUGSTOPPER HOODY Steel Heather

KID’S SOLAR TECH HOODY

Daze Camo Pool, Woodland Camo Steel, Sterling

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

For the angler not afraid to hoof it a ways to the perfect fishing hole—and for anyone looking for firmer purchase on the riverbed—men’s wading boots from SIMMS are a must-have. Ideal as fly fishing boots, they’re offered in both felt- and rubber-soled versions and are compatible with studs for ultimate traction. Rubber is preferred when worried about the spread of invasive aquatic species; especially in national parks where felt can’t be used.

Simms Right Angle® Footbed technology allows you to to fish longer and fish all day without foot fatigue. The bio-mechanically correct arch support aligns the foot into a correct neutral position, providing superior comfort and support. In addition, a structured heel cup provides increased ankle support and aids in the body’s ability for natural shock absorption. Each shoe and flip with Simms Right Angle® Footbed technology will keep your feet supported for a rigorous day on the water. Inspired by free climbing rubber, Vibram Idrogrip is ideal on wet surfaces and improves grip on slippery terrain. The Boa® Lacing System provides custom-comfort with smooth, even closure and no pressure points. Featuring a wire lace made of 49 strands of aircraft-grade stainless wire cable and bombproof nylon reel guides that are designed to take all of the abuse that you can throw at them. Vibram® invests heavily in research and development of products never overlooking even the most minute detail. Vibram Megagrip offers the ideal combination of grip and durability for maximum surface adaptability. The RiverTreadTM platform is designed for the demanding angler looking for the best wading footwear on the market. RiverTreadTM features Simms’ latest engineered components to maximize comfort, performance, and slip-resistance. Molded 3D footbed with arch support and ball flex. Aligns foot for all-day comfort and optimizes biomechanics.

FULL RANGE AVAILABLE AT www.flyfisheurope.com

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

WADING BOOTS FOR THE ULTIMATE IN TRACTION AND COMFORT

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

WADERS

#FishItWell

The G4 Pro® wading boot was engineered from the ground up to be the highest performing wading boot ever built. The perfect combination of durability and agility, the G4 Pro will provide season after season of comfortable, sure-footed wading. Simms’ guide-quality G4 Pro wading boot provides the highest standard of fit, performance, and durability.

® G4 P R O F E LT & VI B R AM

Vacuum-molded, stitchless TPU overlays provide sleet but burly lightweight abrasion resistance

%(67 2) 6+2: 0(1¶6 :$',1* %2276 '(19(5 &2

Rubber receptacles for Hardbit Vibram Studs. HARDBITE™ STUD – FELT

Low profile lace loops to reduce line-catch HARDBITE™ STUD – VIBRAM

PU overlays for added durability

FABRIC TECH: OUTSOLE- 12MM FELT WITH VIBRAM® IDROGRIP RUBBER PERIMETER ; UPPER- HIGHLY ABRASION-RESISTANT MESH

Molded protective toe cap

A low-profile lacing system with non-corrosive hardware minimizes line catch and holds the foot securely and comfortably.

Co-molded into the custom-designed wading-specific Vibram Idrogrip outsole are 10 non-corrosive threaded receptacles for rock-solid cleat retention and modularity. (G4 Pro Alumbite and Hardbite cleats sold separately).

With a roomy toe box, a form-fitted secure heel pocket and 100% closedcell molded foam throughout, the G4 Pro boot provides all-day comfort and stability.

Molded Vibram® rubber anchors for G4 Pro star cleats (sold separately!)

G4 PRO HARDBITE™ STAR CLEAT

FABRIC TECH: OUTSOLE- VIBRAM® IDROGRIP RUBBER; UPPER- HIGHLY ABRASION-RESISTANT MESH 36

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

G4 PRO ALUMIBITE™ STAR CLEAT

Click here to watch product presentation

THECHOICE CHOICEOF OFPROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONALGUIDES GUIDES++ANGLERS ANGLERSWORLDWIDE WORLDWIDE THE

// WADING BOOTS

The key to powering through the obstacles of a river system is great footing. The rugged, responsive Guide BOA Boot stacks agility and stability in your favor with maximum Vibram traction and an exacting BOA-lacing system fit.

® G U I D EF EBLTOA & VI B R AM

NEW

HARDBITE™ STUD – FELT

12mm synthetic felt outsole provides great traction

Full TPU coated upper for durability

TPU outsole plate for stud and cleat retention

FABRIC TECH: TPU OUTSOLE PLATE FOR STUD AND CLEAT RETENTION

Full closed-cell neoprene foam lining

Pull on loops for easy on and off

BOA Lacing system provides unmatched lacing simplicity and security

Vibram Idrogrip Outsole

HARDBITE™ STAR CLEAT

ALUMIBITE™ STAR CLEAT

HARDBITE™ STUD – VIBRAM

FABRIC TECH: VIBRAM IDROGRIP OUTSOLE FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

WADERS

#FishItWell

HARDBITE™ STAR CLEAT

ALUMIBITE™ STAR CLEAT

HARDBITE™ STUD – VIBRAM

HARDBITE™ STUD – FELT

G3 GUIDETM BOOT

VIBRAM SOLE

FELT SOLE

Waterproof nubuck leather upper // High abrasion textile with full scratch rubber rand // Molded external TPU heel counter & heel clip // Dual-density midsole for shock absorption // ESS plates for improved cleat retention

HARDBITE™ STUD – FELT

HARDBITE™ STUD – VIBRAM

FLYWEIGHT® BOOT VIBRAM SOLE

FLYWEIGHT® BOOT FELT SOLE

Low-profile, lightweight synthetic boot upper // Welded TPU film in high abrasion zones for durability // Speed lace hooks & lacetoe closure // High cushion dual-density EVA midsole for comfort // Stud-compatible 4.5 mm Vibram® Idrogrip rubber outsole

Low profile, lightweight synthetic boot upper // Welded TPU film in high-abrasion zones for durability // Speed lace hooks & lace-to-toe closure // High cushion, dual density EVA midsole for comfort // Felt stud compatible // Scratch rubber toe cap // 12 mm felt sole for traction

HARDBITE™ STUD – VIBRAM

NEW

FLYWEIGHT® ACCESS BOOT VIBRAM SOLE Vibram Idropgrip Lite - exclusive to Simms - provides the highest grip possible // Lightweight, non-absorbent mesh uppers // Welded TPU overlays in high-abrasion areas for added durability // Supportive, but lightweight and comfortable webbing lacing hardware across the foot // Full closed-cell neoprene foam lining

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

THECHOICE CHOICEOF OFPROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONALGUIDES GUIDES++ANGLERS ANGLERSWORLDWIDE WORLDWIDE THE

// WADING BOOTS

HARDBITE™ STAR CLEAT

ALUMIBITE™ STAR CLEAT

HARDBITE™ STUD – FELT

HARDBITE™ STUD – VIBRAM

FREESTONE® BOOT

RUBBER SOLE

FELT SOLE

Waterproof synthetic leather & scratch rubber upper // Partial neoprene lining // Dual-density EVA midsole for shock absorption // Synthetic uppers take the abuse of brush, rock, and water in stride // Cushioned midsole provides all-day cushioning and warmth

Waterproof synthetic leather & scratch rubber upper // Partial neoprene lining // Synthetic uppers take the abuse of brush, rock, and water in stride // Cushioned midsole provides all-day cushioning and warmth

HARDBITE™ STUD – FELT

HARDBITE™ STUD – VIBRAM

TRIBUTARY BOOT RUBBER SOLE

TRIBUTARY BOOT FELT SOLE

Rugged synthetic leather and mesh with scratch rubber overlays in high abuse areas // Bomber, corrosion-resistant lacing hardware // Fully-gusseted tongue helps prevent debris from getting inside

Bomber, corrosion-resistant lacing hardware // Fully-gusseted tongue helps prevent debris from getting inside // Full neoprene lining for durability and ease of on and off // 12mm Synthetic Felt Outsole

FLATS SNEAKERS RUBBER SOLE

ZIPIT II FLATS BOOTIE RUBBER SOLE

Mid-cut, lace-toe, & synthetic upper // Durable, saltwater-friendly materials // Nonabsorbing foam lining with synthetic face // Gum rubber outsole for traction when wet // Removable Right Angle® footbed for a secure & comfortable underfoot ride

Easy on-off saltwater wet wading shoe with gusseted zipper opening // Perforated neoprene upper with vulcanized rubber overlays for additional durability // Durable vulcanized rubber outsole molded EVA sock liner

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

WADERS

#FishItWell

Pewter

NEOPRENE FLYWEIGHT SOCK

GUIDE GUARD SOCK

Technical wet-wading socks. Built-in gravel guard sheds water, gravel and muck // Silicone print grip inside gravel guard to help keep it in place // Reinforced lace hook keeps guard from lifting in strong currents

These durable, comfortable neoprene socks + your wading boots = easy, wader-less fishing // Constructed of cushy 3.5 mm neoprene, these socks are left/right foot-specific for dawn-to-dusk comfort

Cinder

NEOPRENE WADING SOCK

GRAVEL GUARDS

With an improved anatomical fit that contours to the shape of your foot, socks feature 2.5mm breathable, odor-fighting airprene in the underfoot and a neoprene jersey upper that keeps feet warm in cooler water

Features include a nonslip, contoured design that forms a surefire seal, a loop wrap with Velcro closure, and textured nylon jersey on the underside of the gravel guard for enhanced durability

Aqua

WMS NEOPRENE WADING SOCKS

WMS GUARD SOCKS

2.5mm neoprene socks for wet wading wizardry in fresh- and saltwater // Anatomical fit contours shape of foot // 2.5 mm airprene underfoot allows feet to breath & reduces odors // 2.5mm neoprene jersey top keeps feet warm in cooler water

Anatomically correct left/right stocking feet // 3.5 mm neoprene fills out wading boots // Abrasion-resistant textured nylon jersey for durability & no-slip // Perforated neoprene for quick drainage // Molded boot hook hardware

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

THECHOICE CHOICEOF OFPROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONALGUIDES GUIDES++ANGLERS ANGLERSWORLDWIDE WORLDWIDE THE

// WADING ACCESSORIES

M2 BOA™ FIELD REPAIR KIT - S/M L/XL

REPLACEMENT LACES

Includes M2 replacement knob & wire lace for easy lace system replacement in the field // S-M lace length: 100 cm, fits boot sizes 7-10 // L-XL lace length: 110 cm, fits boot sizes 11-14

High quality denier nylon laces for increased lifespan // Feeds easily through boot hooks and eyelets // Laces measure 74” (188cm) long

G4 PRO ALUMIBITE™ CLEAT

G4 PRO HARDBITE™ CLEAT

Designed to work with G4 Vibram Outsole // Threaded machine screws included // Soft, extruded aluminum conforms to micro-surfaces of rocks

Designed to work with G4 Vibram Outsole // Threaded machine screws included // Hand-applied carbide flakes for added traction and durability

ALUMIBITE™ CLEAT

HARDBITE™ STAR CLEAT

The cleats are soft enough to conform to what’s under your foot as you change locations // With solid footing, your cast is better and you’re free to explore the river.

Works directly with Vibram® rubber soles for traction you can trust on varied river bottoms and mossy rocks // Durable carbide chips help steady your stance

HARDBITE™ STUDS

HARDBITE™ STUDS FELT

These studs offer traction you can trust, so you can move and explore the river at will.

Replaceable boot studs for solid footing on variable river bottoms in felt wading boots.

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

Some of the best fishing comes on the lousiest days: a truth we’re guessing most of you have learned firsthand. With SIMMS rain gear and fishing jackets, you’ll be suited up against whatever Mother Nature decides to throw at you while out casting, whether on freshwater or brine. Many of our SIMMS rain jackets, vests, bibs, and rain pants feature GORE-TEX designs for the maximum in waterproofing and breathability while remaining lightweight and comfortable. Who cares what the skies are doing? The ultimate in warmth-to-weight available in a synthetic is coupled with incredible packability and softness that mimics goose down, all with excellent water-repellency for wet-weather protection. Toray s a heavy-duty engineered fabric with a microporous waterproof coating that utilizes 2-layer coated fabric, a single membrane layer and a tricot backer to offer improved durability. GORE-TEX® PRO SHELL outerwear is waterproof, exceptionally lightweight and offers the ultimate in breathability, durability and extended comfort. Constructed with a woven backer, GORE-TEX® Pro Shell garments slide easily over other layers and offer exceptional tear strength and internal abrasion-resistance. River Camo offers you an edge at beating detection, so you can get one step closer to the fish and that perfect casting position. In collaboration with Veil Camo, Simms® developed River Camo—a cutting edge, proprietary and mathematically driven camouflage pattern for fish—by breaking up shapes. All Simms outerwear features nylon YKK® zippers to minimize corrosion and provide high performing, durable wear. These are long-lived no-nonsense zippers that just keep performing. Polartec® Thermal Pro® fabric provides superior benefits over traditional fleece - Warmth without weight, highly breathable, fast drying, durable, easy care. By combining a tightly woven face fabric with a microporous coating, Pertex® Quantum Pro delivers a very high level of water resistance whilst remaining lightweight, soft and breathable.The increased weather resistance and durable construction means these fabrics are ideal for use in cold or damp environments where keeping warm and dry is crucial.

FULL RANGE AVAILABLE AT www.flyfisheurope.com

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

OUTERWEAR COME RAIN COME SHINE FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

WADERS

#FishItWell

Cut from advanced GORE-TEX 3-layer fabrics and kitted with ingenious fishing details throughout, this guide-trusted jacket survives and thrives in the harshest conditions. The Simms G4 Pro® is the most rugged, durable and weather-sealed jacket on the market, infused with the latest technology and design features that will enhance your dexterity, comfort and performance on the water, day-after-day, week-after-week, monthafter-month.

G 4 P RJAC OK® ET

3-point adjustable storm hood with structured visor Microfleece-lined collar provides added protection from the elements Flip out vertical loop fly patch Water-resistant sleeve pocket

Two large chest pockets with tethered chamois Handwarmer pockets with laser-cut drainage 2 zippered chest pockets

%(67 2) 6+2: 0(1¶6 287(5:($5

Stretch Shingled, no-catch watertight cuff

'(19(5 &2

High-vis center hood panel

Click here to watch product presentation

FABRIC TECH:

UPPER SLEEVES SHOULDERS AND HOOD - 3-LAYER GORE-TEX® PRO SHELL - 80D 100% NYLON W/ C6 DWR / 100% Four streamlined, built-in front pockets reduce bulk and allow rainfall to sheet off wihout collecting on the fabric.

Spacious rear game pockets can be accessed through the front handwarmer pockets. Carry more, stay out longer.

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

3-point adjustable hood with high-vis center hood panel and the longest rear hem-to-collar length of any of our wading jackets, extends protection.

NYLON TRICOT BACKER; BODY AND UNDER SLEEVES - 3-LAYER GORE-TEX® PRO SHELL - 70D 100% NYLON W/C6 DWR / 100% NYLON TRICOT BACKER

THECHOICE CHOICEOF OFPROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONALGUIDES GUIDES++ANGLERS ANGLERSWORLDWIDE WORLDWIDE THE

// OUTERWEAR

The iconic G3 Guide Wading Jacket is the perfect blend of mobility and fishing utility. Lightweight guaranteed dry 3-layer GORE-TEX® combined with the first-ever 3-layer GORE-TEX® Pro with stretch will move you through the elements with purpose. Durable, breathable, and comfortable GORE-TEX® Shell 3-layer through the body with GORE-TEX® stretch panels strategically placed to move with every dynamic cast. The fabric feels tough to protect from the rain and durable to hold up to any weather mother nature tosses at you.

G3 G U I JAC D EK ET

NEW

3-point adjustable storm hood with high vis center hood panel

Left chest pocket has loop front patch to store flies

Zippered stretch-woven pocket on interior of wearer’s left chest and dump mesh pocket on interior of wearer’s right chest

Jacket length from collar to hem hits just below the waist to pair with waders and is versatile for on deck performance

Articulated sleeves and key stretch panels across the back enhance mobility. Shingled, no-catch watertight cuffs

Click here to watch product presentation

Gunmetal

FABRIC TECH: LOWER FRONT AND BACK BODY - 3-LAYER GORE-TEX - 70D 100% NYLON WITH DWR/100% NYLON TRICOT BACKER; SIDE HOOD, UPPER BACK, SHOULDERS, UPPER SLEEVES, CHEST POCKETS AND UNDER ARM PANELS - 3-LAYER GORE-TEX - 40D 100% NYLON WITH MECHANICAL STRETCH AND DWR/100% NYLON TRICOT BACKER

Right chest pocket contains a retractor docking station that can be worn on the exterior when changing flies then stashed away when not in use to reduce potential for line catch

Left chest pocket has loop front patch to store flies and contains a tethered, removable lens cloth

Articulated sleeves and key stretch panels across the back enhance mobility

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

WADERS

#FishItWell

The Simms® CX Fishing Jacket is a pursuit driven, angler designed, 3-Layer waterproof workhorse. Built so you can keep your head in the game and keep cranking in any condition. Waterproof, breathable, dialed. Engineered to outlast the others.

CXJAC K ET

NEW

& BIB

3-point point adjustable storm hood with high front clousure

Center front zipper backed with waterproof storm flap

Dual horizontal chest pockets constructed with TRU® Zip waterproof self-healing zipper for 100% submersible pocket protection

Vertical zippered handwarmer pockets, interior stretch woven left zippered chest pocket with sunglasses chamois.

Articulated sleeves with safety reflective hits and a hook and loop adjustable cuff.

Click here to watch product presentation

Jacket: Black, Blackout, Woodland Camo // Bib: Black, Woodland Camo

Hood built with high speeds and driving rain in mind, features 3-point adjustable hood and high front closure.

Waist-high hemline secures with stretch drawcord to pair up perfectly with waders.

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

Articulated sleeves with safety reflective hits and a hook and loop adjustable cuff.

FABRIC TECH: MAIN BODY: 3 LAYER WATERPROOF BREATHABLE: FACE: 53% ATY NYLON, 43% NYLON 6.6, 4% SPANDEX, MEMBRANE: 30K WATERPROOF, 15K BREATHABLE, BACKER: 20D NYLON TRICOT

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This tournament performance mainstay now offers greater durability with increased denier face fabric, while maintaining a lightweight feel with a new modern, sleek look. The ProDry Jacket and Bib features leading-edge GORETEX® Pro durable waterproof breathable 3L fabric keeps you exceedingly dry in any weather while on the water.

TM P R O D RY JAC K ET

& BIB

NEW

COLOUR

Hood built with high speeds and driving rain in mind, features three-point adjustability, wind and water pass through drain holes at base of back collar, bonded brim with rain-gasket liner and high-collar extreme weather protection. Also neatly tucks away in collar when not in use

Exposed center-front zipper backed with waterproof storm flap Water-tight exposed dual chest pockets and interior zippered stretch-woven pocket for essentials

Full length 2-way center-front zip combined with adjustable suspenders and stretch back panel for all-day comfort

Articulated leg panels with Oxford Nylon abrasion fighting fabric in knee and bottom hem for durability

Cinchable hem line with kill switch D-ring for use when running to the honey hole

Click here to watch product presentation

Jacket: Dark Stone, Carbon // Bib: Black, Carbon

FABRIC TECH: 3-LAYER GORE-TEX® PRO SHELL; 155GSM 80D 100% NYLON 6.6 PLAIN WEAVE W/ 100% NYLON 6.6 TRICOT BACKER AND DWR

Single point adjustable storm hood with high collar and bonded brim to shed rain.

Articulated sleeves with safety reflective hits and shingled, no-catch watertight cuff.

Thigh-high 2-way side zipper opening for easy on/off while wearing boots.

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

WADERS

#FishItWell

Black

CHALLENGER INSULATED JACKET

CHALLENGER INSULATED BIB

High-loft insulation in body & sleeves // Water-resistant center front zipper with storm flap // 3-point adjustable storm hood // 2 zippered hand-warming pockets, chest pocket, internal zippered pocket // Dual draw-cord adjustable bottom hem

High-loft insulation in body & legs // Water-resistant center front zipper with storm flap // Hand-warming pockets & thigh pocket with plier sheath // Built-in reinforced removable knee pads

FABRIC TECH: 100% nylon 2-layer Toray® w/ DWR; Lining: 74 gsm 50D 100% polyester w/ DWR; Insulation: Primaloft® Rise 120g in body / 100g in sleeves

FABRIC TECH: Shell: 100% nylon 2-layer Toray® w/ DWR; Lining: 74gsm 50D 100% polyester w/ DWR; Insulation: Primaloft® Rise 100g in legs and 80g in upper body.; Overlays: knee and cuffs: High abrasion resistant 275gsm 100% nylon 6.6 2-ply oxford weave

NEW

COLOUR

Woodland Camo Storm, Flame, Black

Black, Steel

CHALLENGER JACKET

CHALLENGER BIB

3-point adjustable storm hood // Zippered chest pocket with interior sunglasses chamois // Kill switch attachment at bottom hem // Reflective logos for increased visibility on and off the water

Two chest handwarmer pockets // Internal waist adjustment inside handwarmer pockets // Kill-switch attachment at beltloop // Drop-in plier pocket with drain // Zippered cuffs for easy on and off

FABRIC TECH: Body fabric- 100% nylon, 2-layer Toray® Delfy fabric technology shell, 75D 100% nylon w/ C6 DWR; Lining50D 100% nylon w/ C6 DWR

FABRIC TECH: Body: 2-layer Toray® shell 75D 100% polyester w/ C6 DWR; Bottom hem abrasion zone- Toray Big Ox 840D 100% nylon w/ C6 DWR

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

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Black

BULKLEY INSULATED JACKET

GUIDE CLASSIC JACKET

High-loft insulation in body & sleeves // 3-point adjustable Storm Hood // 2 fly box-compatible pockets; 2 zippered, micro-fleece lined hand-warming pockets // GORE-TEX fabric inside of hem for deep wading // Shingled cuff construction

3-point adjustable storm hood with high collar and bonded brim to shed rain // Hook and loop front patch to store drying flies and center back D-ring to attach landing net // Two large chest pockets designed to carry fly boxes and an interior zippered chest pocket for essentials

FABRIC TECH: 2-layer GORE-TEX® shell; PrimaLoft® Silver Insulation; 100% polyester lining

FABRIC TECH: 3-layer GORE-TEX - 70D 100% nylon with DWR/100% nylon tricot backer

NEW Click here to watch product presentation

Black, Striker Grey

FREESTONE JACKET 3-layer Toray® laminate for waterproof, breathable protection against any storm mother nature presents // Single point adjustable storm hood with high collar and bonded brim to shed rain // YKK® water-resistant front zipper with storm flap // Waisthigh zippered hand warmer pockets with micro brushed tricot liner and drain holes, built for wading FABRIC TECH: 3-layer Toray®; 100% nylon with tricot backer

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

WADERS

#FishItWell

NEW

COLOUR

Sage, Black

Storm, Dark Stone

FLYWEIGHT SHELL JACKET

FLYWEIGHT ACCESS HOODY

Zippered chest pocket features self stowing pouch with compatible quick clips to attach to Simms’ Flyweight Waders, packs and accessories. // Two zippered hand pockets // Simple cuff designed with partial stretch for easy on and off // Adjustable stretch drawcord in hem for secure fit

Recycled micro-ripstop polyester main body fabric, combined with Polartec® Power Grid™ providing an incredible warmth to weight ratio and freedom of movement // Zippered stretch mesh chest pocket // Two zippered hand pockets // Stretch cuff for easy on and off

FABRIC TECH: GORE-TEX PACLITE® PLUS 100% nylon 2-layer with DWR

FABRIC TECH: Main Body: 100% recycled polyester rip-stop, 61 gsm with PFC-Free DWR

NEW

COLOUR

Jacket: Admiral Blue, Slate

Slate

WAYPOINTS RAIN JACKET

WAYPOINTS RAIN PANTS

Adjustable hood // Single flapped chest pocket // 2 zippered handwarmer pockets with drainage // Hand-pocket packability

Lightweight and packable 2.5-layer waterproof breathable nylon with DWR rain protection and mechanical stretch movement // Stretch waistband with zipper fly, featuring a D-ring for kill switch anchor // Pant rolls up into elastic loop for packable storage

FABRIC TECH: Body fabric- 2.5-layer Toray® 50D 100% nylon w/ C6 DWR

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

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NEW

Black, Dark Stone

Black, Steel, Dark Stone

FALL RUN VEST

FALL RUN JACKET

Internal quilting on upper front and back body provides a smooth exterior for abrasion resistance when worn with waders or bibs // Zippered handwarmer pockets and internal chest zippered pocket on wearer’s right

FABRIC TECH: Shell - 1.71 oz./yd.2 (58gsm) 100% recycled polyester-ripstop with DWR; Insulation - PrimaLoft® Black Eco insulation, 60g (body and hood), 40g (sleeves); Lining - 1.39 oz./yd.2 (47 gsm) 100% recycled polyester taffeta with DWR

FABRIC TECH: Shell - 1.71 oz./yd.2 (58gsm) 100% recycled polyester-ripstop with DWR; Insulation - PrimaLoft® Black Eco insulation, 60g (body) and hood), 40g (sleeves); Lining - 1.39 oz./ yd.2 (47 gsm) 100% recycled polyester taffeta with DWR

Black

MIDSTREAM INSULATED PANT The Midstream Insulated Pant features PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation for the highest warmth-to-weight ratio available with synthetic insulation. The result is a thin profile and lightweight feel and unmatched warmth for its volume FABRIC TECH: Face: Pertex® Microlight 30D 100% nylon ripstop; Insulation: PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation 60 g in body, 40 g in sleeves; Liner: 30D 100% polyester, Pertex® Microlight

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

The secret to angler happiness on those fitful or downright ferocious weather days out on the fishing grounds? Layering, of course. And you can’t beat SIMMS for the very best in fishing base layers and mid-layers: just the thing to wear under our elite shells (or as standalone duds, depending on conditions). From moisture-wicking tops and bottoms to fleece pullovers, our fishing thermals ensure you can withstand the kind of back-and-forth temperature swings Mother Nature tends to serve up on more than a few casting days—giving you that much more opportunity to reel or pull in a beauty out of those promising depths. Layer up in style with SIMMS!

KARUISHI™

Maintains high volume with perfect 2-layer knitting structure. Brushed fabric delivers high heat insulation. Anti-pilling property from using filaments. High abrasion resistance from special knitting techniques. Brushed yarn only connected to back yarn creates high volume and uncanny lightness. This technique results in greater abrasion resistance than conventional spun or other brushed filament materials. High volume with perfect 2-layer structure. All Simms outerwear features nylon YKK® zippers to minimize corrosion and provide high performing, durable wear. These are long-lived no-nonsense zippers that just keep performing. Avra™ keeps you comfortable with superior wicking speed and exceptional dry times - up to 50% faster than fabrics of similar weight, construction and composition. Due to their size and unique shape, Avra fibers are significantly more flexible than standard polyester. This creates fabrics with a distinctly silky feel that keeps you drier and more comfortable than ever before.

FRESH

Swiss Tech Inside. HeiQ Fresh, sustainable odor control, is a fully bio-based odor control technology that meets USDA Biopreferred requirements.

FULL RANGE AVAILABLE AT www.flyfisheurope.com

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

LAYERING HEAD-TO-TOE WARMTH FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

WADERS

#FishItWell

NEW

Black

HEAVYWEIGHT BASELAYER HOODY AND BOTTOM Top: Snug hood protects face from the elements // Cuff thumbs // Asymmetrical zipper to reduce friction Bottom: Smooth jacquard face with grid-fleece backside // Flat elastic waistband and fly pouch designed with minimal seams FABRIC TECH: 190 gsm 96% polyester, 4% elastane micro grid fleece finished with antimicrobial + moisture management; Lower Legs - 88% polyester, 12% elastic

NEW

Dark Stone, Black

CX Woodland Camo, Black

THERMAL QUARTER ZIP TOP & BOTTOM

LIGHTWEIGHT BASELAYER TOP & BOTTOM

Top: Smooth faced grid-fleece layers provide maximum warmth // High collar with a quarter length zipper Botttom: Tapered hem for a streamline fit when wearing layers underneath and over top // Dual slash handwarmer pockets

Quick-dry, jersey knit polyester combined with sustainable odor control for maximum next-to-skin comfort // Flatlock seam construction for next to skin comfort // Top features Raglan sleeves for optimal fit and movement

FABRIC TECH: Body - 255gsm 93% polyester, 7% elastane finished with antimicrobial + moisture management

FABRIC TECH: Body - 192 gsm 92% spun polyester, 8% spandex finished with HeiQ Fresh odor control + HeiQ Speed Dry

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

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// LAYERING

NEW

COLOUR

CX Woodland Camo, Rooster Fest Khaki

BOXER BRIEF Constructed with breathable Avra™ fabric that starts cool and keeps you cool // Fly pouch and seat area designed with minimal seams for chafe-free comfort and support // 14cm inseam FABRIC TECH: 89% Avra® polyester, 11% elastane, 150 gsm with moisture management and anti-microbial treatment

Raven

Sterling, Carbon

FLEECE MIDLAYER BIB

COOLING BOXER BRIEF

Abrasion & odor-resistant fabric // Grid-fleece interior // Stretch-woven stirrups // Center front, 2-way zipper // YKK® corrosion-resistant zipper // Thermo-laminated zippered chest pocket

Constructed with breathable Avra™ fabric that starts cool and keeps you cool // Fly pouch and seat area designed with minimal seams for chafe-free comfort and support // 14cm inseam

FABRIC TECH: 95% polyester/5% spandex; Pocket: 85% nylon/15% spandex

FABRIC TECH: 89% Avra® polyester, 11% elastane, 150 gsm with moisture management and anti-microbial treatment

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

Long-sleeve to short-sleeve, button-up to half-zip, hoodie to fleece sweater, you’ll find a fantastic range of fishing shirts for men here in the SIMMS inventory. Every one of these shirts has been designed for the needs of the angler: protection against the elements, all-day comfort, and the kind of functional-but-stylish design that looks just as good during post-fishing hangouts as it does on the water. Our men’s fishing shirts come in a wide range of styles, so there’s something for every angler. Our guide-caliber fishing bottoms encompass the full spectrum from wading shorts to rain pants and include such all-out winners as insect-repellent leggings and wind- and water-resistant overalls: the kind of tough but easy-wearing apparel whose utility extends beyond angling to just about any outdoor pursuit. With fishing-ready features like cuffs that snap tighter designed for wet wading. Plus, we happen to think these SIMMS fishing pants and shorts are pretty stylin’ as well.

Built to last, Cordura fabric has proven performance in the world’s toughest environments. Made with high tenacity air jet textured nylon 6,6 filament yarns for strength and durability.

Scotchgard™ Protector Stain Release helps most stains lift out in the wash, making clothes easier to care for and last longer. The addition of Scotchgard™ does not reduce the softness of the fabric or affect the breathability.

Sportswear using the COR3™ Technology fabric finish have a UPF rating of 30 or greater, properties to minimize odor and outstanding wicking performance for important moisture management.

Insect Shield® repellent apparel provides long-lasting, effective and convenient personal insect protection. The active ingredient in Insect Shield® is so tightly bonded to the fabric fibers that it retains effective repellency throughout the lifetime of the product. This is well beyond the lifecycle of most other products on the market which typically last only a number of washes.

Avra™ keeps you comfortable with superior wicking speed and exceptional dry times - up to 50% faster than fabrics of similar weight, construction and composition. Due to their size and unique shape, Avra fibers are significantly more flexible than standard polyester. This creates fabrics with a distinctly silky feel that keeps you drier and more comfortable than ever before. River Camo offers you an edge at beating detection, so you can get one step closer to the fish and that perfect casting position. In collaboration with Veil Camo, Simms® developed River Camo—a cutting edge, proprietary and mathematically driven camouflage pattern for fish—by breaking up shapes. All Simms outerwear features nylon YKK® zippers to minimize corrosion and provide high performing, durable wear. These are long-lived no-nonsense zippers that just keep performing.

Polygiene® is a natural and permanent odor-control fabric treatment that stops the growth of odor-causing bacteria, allowing you to wear more, and wash less. Based on natural silver chloride made from 100% recycled silver.

Swiss Tech Inside. HeiQ Fresh, sustainable odor control, is a fully bio-based odor control technology that meets USDA Biopreferred requirements.

FULL RANGE AVAILABLE AT www.flyfisheurope.com

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

Allows stains to be removed easily during normal laundering. Grabs stains and prevents them from sticking to the fiber, allowing them to easily wash off during soaking or washing.

brrro technology has three unique cooling effects that combine to immediately and continually reduce the temperature of yout skin. More specifically, the Triple Chill Effect combines the power of cooling minerals, active wicking, and rapid drying to enhance dryness and comfort while also working to reduce temperature.

FRESH

STAIN AWAY

SPORTSWEAR BORN OF RIGOROUS FIELD-TESTING FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

WADERS

#FishItWell

NEW

COLOUR

NEW

COLOUR

ROGUE HOODY

ROGUE VEST

CX Woodland Camo, Tan, Raven

COLDWEATHER HOODY

CX Woodland Camo, Raven

Moss Green Buffalo Plaid

NEW

COLOURS

COLOUR

COLDWEATHER SHIRT

Atlantis Steel, Dark Bronze Plaid, Cyprus

GALLATIN FLANNEL SHIRT

COLDWEATHER PANT Dark Stone

NEW

Atlantis Stripe, Moss Stripe, Bronze Plaid, Auburn Red, Rich Blue

NEW

COLOUR

RIVERSHED FULL-ZIP Mahogany Carbon

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

RIVERSHED QUARTER-ZIP

Mahogany, Carbon, Dark Bronze

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// SPORTSWEAR

NEW

COLOURS

CHALLENGER HOODY - FULL ZIP

CHALLENGER HOODY

Carbon Heather, Black Heather, Steel Heather

Foliage Heather, Carbon Heather, Black Heather, Steel Heather

NEW

CX HOODY

CHALLENGER SWEAT PANTS

Accessory

ESSENTIALS

Black Heather, Slate Heather

Black Heather

From the blazing heat of the summer estuary to the bone-chilling damp of a fall river, make sure you’ve got the duds up for the elements and perfectly designed for your on-the-go angling needs with the SIMMS inventory.

FLYWEIGHT PLIER - TITANIUM, SIMMS ORANGE

Prep gear in advance or make micro-adjustments in the moment with tough, functional Flyweight Pliers - the goto tool for both freshwater and light-tackle anglers. Unique ergonomic shape allows a variety of grips for anglers with hands of all sizes

NEW

TIPPET CADDY - BLACK/SIMMS ORANGE

Designed to keep tippet close-at-hand, the Tippet Caddy offers modular attachment and quick adjustment for headache-free rigging. No-frills design accommodates up to 6 spools of tippet from most manufacturers

NEW

DRINK JACKET - SIMMS ORANGE, BLACK

Maximize your hydration duration with Simms’ best-selling jacket, updated to fit multiple wading belt styles for spill-proof possession. 100% neoprene construction keeps beverages cold for the long haul.

NEW

59 FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022 See the full range at www.flyfisheurope.com

WADERS

#FishItWell

NEW

COLOUR

BUGSTOPPER SHIRT

BUGSTOPPER® PANTS

BUGSTOPPER SOLARFLEX GUIDE COOLING HOODY

Foliage Madras Plaid, Sterling Morada Plaid

Riparian Camo

NEW

Sandbar, Steel

NEW

COLOUR

BUGSTOPPER® HOODY

Nightfall Heather, Steel Heather, Foliage

BUGSTOPPER SOLARFLEX HOODY

Green/SageHeather, Steel Blue, Riparian Camo

BUGSTOPPER INTRUDER BICOMP Storm, Tan

Click here to watch product presentation SIMMS BugStopper shirts, pants, gloves, hats and gear provide protection in your clothes not on your skin. It's your first layer of protection: Then you can augment if you’re in extreme conditions. Featuring Insect Shield®; a technology bonded into the fabric, BugStopper gear is effective against Mosquitoes, ticks, flies, ants, chiggers, midges and fleas. Insect Shield® repellent apparel provides long-lasting, effective and convenient personal insect protection to help battle insects some of which may carry diseases such as West Nile virus and Lyme disease. Insect Shield Repellent Apparel has been registered to repel mosquitoes, ticks, ants, flies, chiggers, and midges (no-see-ums). The active ingredient in Insect Shield is so tightly bonded to the fabric fibers that it retains effective repellency throughout the lifetime of the product. 60

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

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SUPERLIGHT ZIP-OFF PANTS

SUPERLIGHT PANTS

Cork

SUPERLIGHT SHORTS

Sterling, Cork

NEW

Sterling, Cork

NEW

COLOUR

COLOURS

INTRUDER® BICOMP SHIRT

DOUBLE HAUL SHIRT

Sky, Sterling, Slate

Lt Green Texture Wave Print, Sky Texture Wave Print

GUIDE SHIRT

Pewter, Olive, Dark Khaki

GUIDE PANTS Khaki, Slate

GUIDE SHORTS Khaki, Slate

61 FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022 See the full range at www.flyfisheurope.com

WADERS

#FishItWell

NEW

COLOURS

50 50

SOLARFLEX® GUIDE COOLING HOODY

SOLARFLEX® HOODY - SOLIDS

Cloud Camo Grey, Steel Blue

Coral Reef Heather, Nightfall Heather, Light Green, Sterling

NEW

COLOURS

SOLARFLEX® HOODY - PRINT

Woodland Camo Sandbar, Woodland Camo/Carbon Heather, Riparian Camo, Cloud Camo Grey

NEW

SOLARFLEX® CREWNECK - PRINT

Woodland Camo Sandbar, Riparian Camo, Cloud Camo Grey

NEW

COLOURS

50 30

SOLARFLEX® CREWNECK - SOLIDS

Nightfall Heather/Sterling, Lt Green/Sage Heather, Sterling

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

TECH TEE

Steel, Light Green, Sterling, Steel Blue

THECHOICE CHOICEOF OFPROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONALGUIDES GUIDES++ANGLERS ANGLERSWORLDWIDE WORLDWIDE THE

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NEW

TECH TEE - ARTIST SERIES

Tarpon/Steel Blue/Steel, Musky/Sterling/Steel, Trout/Sterling/Storm, Simms/Sterling/Sage

NEW

TECH HOODY - ARTIST SERIES

Trout Logo Flame/Sterling, Bass Woodland/Steel Musky Rise Sterling, Brown Trout Lt Green, Tarpon Woodland Camo Steel/Steel Blue

NEW

NEW 50

SEAMOUNT BOARD SHORTS

Woodland Camo, Woodland Camo Storm, Steel Blue

CHALLENGER SHORTS Khaki, Steel, Nightfall

63 FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022 See the full range at www.flyfisheurope.com

#FishItWell

// T-SHIRTS

NEW

NEW COLOUR

QUALITY BUILT POCKET T-SHIRT

GRIM REELER T-SHIRT

SIMMS LOGO T-SHIRT

Black, Khaki Heather

Black, Oil Blue Heather

Adobe Heather, Black, Dark Moon Heather Charcoal Heather

NEW

PALM TARPON FILL T-SHIRT

WOOD TROUT FILL T-SHIRT

Charcoal Heather, Royal Heather

Charcoal Heather, Military Heather

NEW

TROUT OUTLINE T-SHIRT

STRIPER BAY FILL T-SHIRT

Adobe Heather, Blue Heather

Black, Grey Heather

NEW

NEW COLOUR

FISH IT WELL BADGE T-SHIRT

FISH IT 250 T-SHIRT

SPECIAL KNOT T-SHIRT

TROUT WANDER T-SHIRT

BASS LINE T-SHIRT

Charcoal Heather, Sailor Blue Heather

Grey Heather

Navy Heather, Military Heather

Adobe Heather, Dark Teal Heather

Black

NEW

WOOD TROUT FILL HOODY

BASS DESTRUCTION HOODY

KEELER MUSKY HOODY

SIMMS LOGO HOODY

Grey Heather, Black

Black

Grey Heather, Black

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

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// GLOVES & SOCKS

NEW COLOUR

SOLARFLEX® GUIDE GLOVE

NEW

BUGSTOPPER® SUN GLOVE

SOLARFLEX® SUNGLOVE

Sterling

NEW

COLOURS

Riparian Camo, Sterling

OFFSHORE ANGLER’S GLOVE Black

Sterling, Woodland Camo Sandbar

KISPIOX® MITT

KISPIOX GLOVE Black

Black

MERINO

WOOL

FREESTONE FOLD-OVER MITT

FREESTONE HALF-FINGER GLOVE

Black

WOOL 1/2-FINGER GLOVES Steel

NEW

MERINO

WOOL

CHALLENGER INSULATED GLOVE

LIGHTWEIGHT WOOL TECH GLOVE

CORE INFINIUM FLEX GLOVE

CORE INFINIUM FOLD-OVER MITT

CORE INFINIUM 1/2 FINGER GLOVE

Black

Carbon

Black, Riparian Camo

Black

NEW MERINO

MERINO

WOOL

GUIDE WET WADING SOCK Steel

DAILY SOCK

Treeline Moss, Treeline Mahogany

MERINO

WOOL

LIGHTWEIGHT HIKER SOCK Admiral Blue

MERINO

WOOL

MIDWEIGHT HIKER SOCK

Hex Flo Camo Carbon, Steel Grey

MERINO

WOOL

MERINO MIDWEIGHT OTC SOCK MERINO THERMAL OTC SOCK Carbon

Carbon

65 FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022 See the full range at www.flyfisheurope.com

WADERS

#FishItWell

NEW

COLOURS

OIL CLOTH CAP

SINGLE HAUL CAP

NEW

COLOUR

FLYWEIGHT GORE-TEX PACLITE CAP Black, Rich Blue

COLOURS

FLYWEIGHT MESH CAP

GORE-TEX RAIN CAP

Tan, Black

Steel, Black, Cyprus, Riparian Camo

VISOR

Americana, Riparian Camo, Sterling

NEW

COLOURS

ICON TRUCKER

TROUT ICON TRUCKER

Salmon (Slate), Musky (Woodland Camo Storm), Musky (Tan)

Carbon, CX Woodland Camo, Mahogany, Tan, Simms Orange

NEW

COLOUR

BASS PATCH TRUCKER

Hex Flo Camo Steel, Black

NEW

MESH ALL-OVER TRUCKER Black, Hex Flo Camo Earth

NEW

FISH IT WELL TRUCKER Dark Moon

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

THROWBACK TRUCKER Black, Woodland Camo

NEW

FISH IT WELL FOREVER TRUCKER Foliage

NEW

COLOURS

Dune, Admiral Blue

NEW

COLOUR

NEW

RIPRAP CANVAS CAP

Black, Coffee

Tan, CX Woodland Camo, Admiral Sterling, Sterling, Riparian Camo, Simms Orange

COLOUR

ORIGINAL PATCH TRUCKER

Black, Dark Bronze, Foliage, Moss

BASS ICON TRUCKER Woodland Camo

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NEW

COLOURS

FLEX TRUCKER

ID TRUCKER

Black, Heather Grey

TROUT PATCH TRUCKER

Heather Grey, Tan, CX Woodland Camo, Riparian Camo

NEW

TECH TRUCKER

Black, Dark Bronze, Khaki, Foliage

NEW

CX BRIM CAP

Black, Cinder

WMS SOLAR SOMBRERO

UNSTRUCTURED FLAT BRIM CAP

Black, Woodland Camo

Granite

Black, Simms Orange

NEW 50

CUTBANK SUN HAT

BIG SKY SUN HAT

Natural, Toffee

GUIDE HAT

Natural

Dark Bronze

GORETEX GUIDE SOMBRERO SUPERLIGHT SUNSHIELD CAP Black

Sterling

NEW

COLOUR

SUPERLIGHT FLATS CAP - LB

Woodland Camo Sandbar, Sterling

GALLATIN SUNSHIELD CAP BUGSTOPPER® SUNSHIELD CAP BUGSTOPPER® NET SOMBRERO

SUPERLIGHT SOLAR SOMBRERO

Woodland Camo Sandbar, Grey Blue

Tan

NEW

Cork

NEW

COLOUR

COLOURS

BUGSTOPPER® SUNGAITERTM Woodland Camo Sandbar, Cork

SUNGAITERTM

Riparian Camo, Sterling, Cloud Camo Grey

NECK GAITOR

Black, Steel, Storm, Woodland Camo Sandbar, Woodland Camo, Woodland Camo Storm, Trucha Libre, Slamdown Steel Blue

67 FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022 See the full range at www.flyfisheurope.com

WADERS

#FishItWell

// HEADWEAR

50 MERINO

WOOL

MERINO

LIGHTWEIGHT WOOL NECK GAITOR Carbon

WOOL

LIGHTWEIGHT WOOL LINER BEANIE Carbon

GORE INFINIUM BEANIE Black

GORE INFINIUM NECK GAITER

GORE INFINIUM RAIN CAP Black

GORE INFINIUM EXSTREAM CAP

Riparian Camo, Black

Black

GORE INFINIUM WIND CAP Riparian Camo, Black

NEW

CHALLENGER INSULATED CAP Black

NEW

COLOUR

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Colombia

The Vampires of the Orinoco I waded gingerly into the heavy current and sent a cast whistling out across the turbulent waters. The fly swung across the face of the big smooth boulder twenty-five yards out and suddenly there was a flash of silver and then a savage, wrenching take. A blur of chrome-bright violence jack-knifed abruptly through the surface and twenty pounds and more of wild silver mayhem went rocketing downstream. Matt Harris

Matt Harris has travelled all over the world in pursuit of gamefish. Here he is scanning the waters of the Orinoco for signs of hunting payara or “vampirefish” as they’re affectionately referred to.

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

The reel fizzed out its sweet music and

my guide unhitched the boat as backing melted off the big spool. The fish jumped again, but now it was way out in the roiling currents, a hundred yards and more from where we stood. I clambered into the skiff and not a moment too soon. Then we were off into the current in pursuit of the big silver berserker, as it disappeared downriver. My guide grinned back at me. His name wasn’t Jock or Jens or Dima, and we weren’t fishing a big brawling salmon river in Scotland or Norway or Russia. My guide was Arnel from Venezuela, just across the river, and that river wasn’t the Tay or the Namsen or the Yokanga but the mighty Orinoco. There wasn’t a waxed jacket or a Willie Gunn in sight. The mercury was hovering at around 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and that big silver fish that was cartwheeling off downstream wasn’t a big Atlantic salmon but Hydrolycus armatus; Colombia’s finest; the Payara. The one and only Vampire Fish.

Catching up

Arnel and I went careering after our quarry, my guide expertly weaving our skiff through the powerful rapids and between the towering moonscape boulders that crowd the shoals and banks and islands of the Orinoco. Finally, after what seemed an age, we caught up with our adversary. I wound down hard, and the fish danced up into the blinding white light of the jungle. A big, brawny blizzard of pearl and silver and teeth. “Grande!!” exclaimed Arnel, as he eased the boat into the slack water, and I saw him reach gingerly for the boga grip. “Grande…” I concurred, catching his eye. “Y dientes grandes” I added with a grin. “Big teeth?” “Big teeth” doesn’t even start to cover it. As the hefty fish finally rolled over and I drew it into the slack water, Arnel edged out into the river. With exaggerated care, he reached out to grab the fish’s tail. In an instant, he had it, and he let out a yell of triumph. “Grande!! GRANDE!!!” he cried. He swung the big fish round into my eye line and held its head towards me with a grin. It was a big fish - a magnificent fish - but all I could see were those fangs - those impossible, monstrous fangs. They were significantly longer than my fingers. It was a simply astonishing sight. 72

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

Payara

I’m a little ashamed to say that when I first saw images of Payara, they struck me as more of a curiosity than a genuine sportfishing proposition. Their freakish physiology makes them appear like something from the fevered imagination of a B-movie horror show director. However, having experienced what they can do, I would strongly advise that you do not allow this ghoulish appearance to distract you. Be in no doubt: these fish have evolved to be perfect hunters in the heavy currents of what is - by volume - the world’s fourth-largest river. Equipped with their enormous fangs and a remarkable turn of speed, Payara terrorises the various baitfish that populate the waters of the Orinoco. On occasion, you’ll get to see them burst through the surface and slash their poor victims to pieces with ruthless efficiency, but most of the time, they sit down deep, unseen in the heavy currents of the mighty river. This ability to negotiate the rapids of this singularly powerful watercourse marks the Payara out as an unforgettable fly-rod adversary. Small specimens are more than game, but a big fish of twenty pounds and more that wrestles its way into the powerful main currents of the Orinocco is a real handful. These big trophy Payara are capable of stripping a lot of backing off of a big saltwater reel in very short order.

How to succeed

Tackling Payara involves discipline. On the Orinoco, a heavy sinking line in 400 to 600 grains is often the best way to put your fly in front of the fish in the heavy currents that they call home. A short leader and a big Flashy Profile tied to mimic the various baitfish patterns in sizes from 6-10 inches in length attached to titanium wire is the medicine, and make sure that you are capable of casting this stuff if you want to get the best out of the fishery. A stiff, fast-actioned ten or even twelve weight rod is perfect for throwing this heavy-duty gear. I like to use tube flies so that hooks could be replaced the moment that they lost their needle-sharp point. I also like to employ a swivel to attach the obligatory wire trace to the stout 40lb mono leader as it allows the fly to track straight, which I believe is absolutely key in enticing the Payara to strike your baitfish imitation. A needle-sharp hook that has a straight rather than offset point also helps in making the fly swim without listing onto one side, and I think that this is crucial in inducing the maximum number of strikes.

Wire is required to land payara. Their fang-like teeth will tear up most straight mono or fluorocarbon tippets during a fight.

Swinging flies

For anyone who loves to swing flies for salmon, steelhead or seatrout, the Payara represents a wonderful warm-water alternative. As enthusiasts will tell you, one of the great thrills of swinging flies in heavy current is the initial strike - that moment when the line suddenly comes tight and you feel that electricity of a living thing at the other end of your line. Believe me, the Payara doesn’t disappoint - they burst into your consciousness in a split-second of unforgettable violence - a brutal smash and grab that is often followed by a wild somersault and a knuckle-busting charge downriver. Payara migrate up the Orinoco in its dry season, throughout the months of January through to March and beyond. To do so takes strength and stamina, and this rugged environment has fashioned a formidably powerful hunter. The payara take up station in the rapids and wait in the chocolate-stained waters for the baitfish runs most notably the herring-like ‘Arencas’, and the ‘Salton’ or ‘jumper’ fish. If your trip coincides with the arrival of these poor devils, expect some serious mayhem. The fish can be surprisingly selective, so carry a selection of big tubes that mimic these prey species.

The moment that you feel that savage take, use a really aggressive strip-strike to set the hook. Grab the line tight and jab both hands backwards, setting the hook as hard as you can. 40lb nylon should ensure that you don’t break off, but use a bimini twist as a shock absorber, and employ

“

I was pleasantly surprised fo find that the fish weren’t too selective

”

‘soft’ hands, as these fish will often take off downstream in a hurry. Stay tight and use a fairly heavy drag setting to keep the hook buried in the fish’s bony maw. Be ready to jump into the boat as these fish can run 200 yards and more in a heartbeat once they hit the heavy current, and the shallow, rocky, snag-filled nature of the Orinoco means that you want to keep the distance between you and your quarry to a minimum. Once you catch up with your prey, play them hard - any slack and you will almost certainly lose your prize. Once you can get your hands on them, handle them gently and support their weight by keeping them in the water for as long as possible - these fish are fragile despite their savage dentistry. Oh, and mind your fingers… FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

Payara are ferocious predators that attack preyfish (or big streamers) with explosiveness and brute power.

Where to target payara

There are a growing number of options for tackling Payara. I fished with my great friend Beto Mejia who runs the excellent Orinoco Lodge, part of his Fish Colombia operation.

Other species will also vie for your attention. Off of the main currents of the Orinoco, you may well come across big schools of Sardinata - a wonderful quarry that resembles a small, golden tarpon and that take streamers and even poppers willingly from the surface.

Beto’s camp is based on an island in the middle of the river. It’s a perfect base to access numerous rapids and trophy Payara of twenty pounds and more are a real possibility from any number of riffles and runs. Fish can be caught from the boat, but I most enjoy targeting them from the bank, prospecting each likely seam and slot, much as you might look for salmon in the broken pocket water of a salmon river.

While Sardinata rarely grow much larger than seven or eight pounds, they are game fighters, often launching into the crackling heat of the jungle to flip spectacular somersaults. There’s also big piranhas and even surubi catfish to tackle with a fly if you get bored of the big Payara... but trust me, you won’t.

When the fishing is on, it can be red-hot but like many apex predators, Payara are prone to capricious and violent mood swings. No matter.

The other species

The moment we felt that the fish were going off the take, we would head upstream to fish the waters of the Orinoco’s numerous tributaries, where myriad lagoons offered epic peacock bass fishing. Anyone unfamiliar with peacocks is in for a treat. These flamboyant berserkers offer adrenaline filled afternoons, bursting out of their lairs to attack big streamers and pole dancer poppers with malevolent gusto. Colombian peacocks are every bit as aggressive as their Brazilian cousins, and trophy fish of twenty pounds and more are a real possibility. Another great friend Alex Wilkie, a brilliant and relentless fly angler, caught a fabulous 21-pound trophy on our first visit. 74

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

What Colombia is really like

Colombia has suffered enormously in recent years, and it has become synonymous with drug cartels and lawlessness. However, the country is now emerging from this dark past and is becoming a safe and fascinating tourist destination. As Beto and I strolled down the main drag of our transport hub, Puerto Carreño, on the way back from our trip, I felt the warmth and vibrancy of the bustling little town. It was a Saturday evening, and as the market stalls started to shut up shop for the day, the street came alive with young, friendly folk, giggling and flirting and fooling around in the warm evening air. There was an irresistible, intoxicating vibe about the place. Colombia offers stunningly beautiful landscapes, a lively, engaging culture and truly remarkable fly fishing opportunities in both fresh and saltwater that are only just beginning to be explored. Beto and I climbed the hill and suddenly we crested the brow of the incline and were looking down at the wide waters of the Orinoco. We sat down at a little bar perched above the river, and I took a first long draft of the icy ‘Aguila’ beer that the beautiful waitress had set down before me with a smile.

“

There was an irresistible, intoxicating vibe about the place

”

For more info: www.fishcolombia.com/

Sardinata are a bit like golden miniature tarpon and they are spectacular fighters

Orin-no-go or Orinoco?

I thought of the poor souls who had declined to come with me, muttering nervously about Colombia’s reputation and now hunkered down in the grip of an icy Northern winter back home. Their loss, I thought smugly, with the big Payara of the Orinoco running the river and waiting to dance into the white light of the Colombian jungle. I raised my glass to Beto and toasted my pioneering friend. I knew that I would be back here again to join him, drinking cold beer in the January sunshine, smiling at the pretty girls of Puerto Carreño, and mixing it up with the sparkling, freak-fanged Vampires of the Orinoco River. FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

Peacock bass can be caught in many of the Orinoco tributaries and in flooded lagoons.

“

Anyone unfamiliar with peacock bass is in for a treat!

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

”

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

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Sweden Trout fishing in Dalarna Stefan Larsson

Stefan Larsson // Morten Valeur

The great grayling fishing in Älvdalen draws fly fishers from all over Sweden, but many remain unaware that the area also offers excellent trout fishing. Älvdalen is Swedish and literally means ”the valley of rivers”.

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

When it comes to my home water, Österdaläven, it’s mostly Gear for small flies known for its large population of grayling, which, as we all know, is

The river has a rich insect fauna, yet it’s dominated by the smaller

a great fish to chase with the fly rod. Also, they are quite willing to

species. Apart from the Yellow May Dun hatch (size 12-14) I rarely

rise to a well-presented dry fly, which most fly fishers appreciate.

fish anything larger than a size 16. There’s also a caddis that is best

The excellent grayling fishing has pushed the trout a bit in the

imitated in size 12-14 hooks, and that can be the right fly on certain

background. The trout population has been under pressure by a

days. However, the smaller mayflies dominate the insect fauna in

big dam and timber rafting. They have survived and the population

the river. Small flies mean thin and long leaders, especially when

has grown strong and offers high-quality fishing.

targeting these spooky trout. 11-12’ leaders with 0,12 and 0,14mm

Classic stalking Österdalälven is a wide, shallow river, mainly with gravel and rocks on the bottom. This makes it very easy to wade, but even so, you must of course respect the water and wade carefully. Casting shadows that spook the trout is another reason to wade with caution. If you want to succeed catching a trout in Österdalälven, time is the keyword. It takes a good measure of patience, planning and caution. It’s so tempting to walk right out as soon as you spot a rise, but if you do, most often it’s over before it even began.

tippet.

“

”

Sometimes just casting the wrong fly is enough to spook a trout.

Plenty of insects

The river is rich with both mayflies and caddis and that means Instead, it’s a waiting game - observe one more rise and then

that season and time of day play an important role in when we

another one. Stalk softly as you approach the fish - sneak up on it.

should choose to fish. During the early summer, the table is set well

Maybe wading isn’t even necessary. If you avoid spooking the trout,

and trout are far from selective eating almost anything that comes

it might move so you can reach it from the bank.

by. In June, almost all species hatch at the same time and that sometimes complicates the choice of fly, but then again, no one

Careless wading drastically reduces your chances of good fishing.

ever said it would be easy.

Too often I see fly fishers wade out in the middle of the river to a spot that looks good, seen from the bank. I can guarantee that

Even though day fishing in June can be good, my recommendation

every single trout within 100 meters is spooked and gone before

is to concentrate your efforts on mornings and evenings. In the

the fly fisher even sees it.

morning, the trout are sometimes surprisingly close to shore in shallow water, carefully sipping on the early hatches or spinners

I live by and guide on the river, so I have more hours on the river

from the night before. On these occasions, the trout can be

than most, but I’m also convinced that most make more casts

notoriously difficult, so it’s imperative to stay calm and take a close

than I do. I cast only when I know what I’m casting to.

look at what they are feeding on.

As on most waters, upstream casting is the golden rule. Trout

Sometimes just casting the wrong fly is enough to spook a trout.

always have their heads against the current, and if you approach

Their behaviour can be much the same during the evening, but the

from downstream and wade carefully, you can get quite close to a

caddis hatch that often occurs here makes them a little easier to

feeding trout. The fewer casts you need, the less risk of spooking

catch. Caddis present a proper mouthful for a trout, and sometimes

the fish with a bad cast.

they forget how spooky they really are.

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“

Sometimes you have to fish all the way into the middle of the night before the trout start feeding.

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”

Streamers in the night

Trout that hook themselves

July is the hottest month of the year and fly fishers should simply

Rotälven flows fast through the valley. The river is shallow and runs

sleep in and relax during the day. More than ever it’s evident that

over patches of gravel and often there’s only room for one fly fisher.

trout simply do what they can to avoid the sunlight in the clear

If two venture up, the best practice is to take turns on the fish.

water.

Taking turns is a great way of fishing. You can learn from watching others. And sharing the experience with your best friend makes for

But what about streamers - can you catch the bigger trout in the

a perfect day.

river on a streamer? Of course, but it takes an effort to find the large “meat eaters”. The right time to tie on a streamer is usually

The fishing requires many, short casts in the fast current and several

when the sun sets behind the forest. Yet sometimes you have to

eager anglers have missed the first 15 strikes in these waters. The

fish all the way into the middle of the night before the trout start

fishing demands your full attention and losing your attention for just

feeding. They are less spooky in the dark and when feeding they

a second will result in missed fish. The trout in these fast mountain

can cover quite large areas. And sometimes they will enter quite

waters are used to reacting in a flash. They must in order to stand

shallow water. Make sure your boots are tied well, because you can

even the slightest chance of catching their prey. This often results

expect to stumble every now and then in the dark.

in the angler striking way too fast trying to hook the fish.

Rotälven - a paradise

The best tactic is to take it easy. As the trout turns on the surface

Just to the north of Älvdalen, the smaller Rotälven branches off

after grabbing the fly, it’s almost upside down already and turns

with its swift currents. This forest river has its spring several smiles

immediately toward the bottom again. This means that, as the fish

further up the mountains and then tumbles down through cliffs and

returns to its lie, 3 out of 4 will hook themselves so long as the fly

gorges before entering the valley.

fisher keeps contact with the fly. Usually, it’s enough to slowly raise the rod tip to tighten the line. If you pull back as fast as the trout

Cliffs, rocks, and gravel provide a fitting summary of a long stretch

turns, the result will be a missed fish.

of this little river. There are plenty of trout, but they are smaller than those in Österdalälven. This is not the river to visit for trophy trout, but for the exquisite, beautiful wilderness, where you become aware of how small a part of the bigger machinery you really are. The beautiful surroundings often take my attention off the fishing.

Stefan never casts without the greatest of previous consideration. Stealth, presentation, and the right fly are key factors.

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As in Österdalälven the small flies should be fished on thin

Vanån and Tennån are even smaller than Rotälven and hold a

tippets, but you rarely need a particularly long leader. A long leader

good population of trout. Although generally smaller, every now

can “hang” in the swirls and be counterproductive in terms of

and then a real trophy trout is caught. Because the rivers are slow,

presenting a drag-free drift in the small, fast currents. I recommend

and because of the landscape they pass through, there are parts

a 9’ leader instead. A handful or two of CDC ’n’ Elk, some small

with sandy bottom and here, the big mayfly, the Danica, thrive. The

Baetis-imitations in sizes 18-24 and a small handful of Yellow May

Danica is completely absent in the other rivers and streams.

Duns is fine for the season.

A lot to discover

Apart from the Danica, which hatches for a couple of weeks in the middle of June, the insect fauna is the same as on the other rivers

There are other waters in the area around Älvdalen too. If you drive

and streams. The caddis tend to be bigger and darker in colour,

out the gravel road to the west of the small village and carry on

though.

for a while, you reach Vanån and Tennån. These small rivers are different to the ones on the north side of the valley. Small and slow,

Trout fishing in these areas is difficult and demanding on the fly

these rivers work their way through ancient, deep forests and bog

fisher. I’m not referring to Iron Man stamina or extreme distance

areas and glides with swift water quickly change to slow water with

casting skills. No, common sense and a good deal of patience is

small pools.

what’s required. Jumping about and casting here and there leads to nothing. Observe the trout and learn from their behaviour. Have a chat with them and learn about their life in the river. If you can sit down and have a chat with a trout for an hour or two, without taking a cast, you can make your approach and figure out how to catch it. Difficult? No, not always. Now and then the fishing is just as simple and straight forward as you sometimes hope for. So why not consider visiting us already this summer? I can promise that we’ll take good care of you.

The fact box Älvdalens Fiskecenter, fly shop and guide service is situated in the small town of Älvdalen, on the river Österdalälven in central Sweden and specialize in fly fishing for trout and grayling. The main season is from May – September. Website: www.alvdalenfiske.se E-mail: info@alvdalenfiske.se

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Stefan Larsson is a very patient fly fisherman and he stresses the importance of waiting and abserving.

Hatching insects are massively around at both dusk, and a lot of times it pays off to stick around until it gets dark.

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

Stefan Larsson avoids wading unless it’s absolutely necessary. His stealthy approach has earned him lots of beautiful catches.

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

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FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

Chile RAINBOWS IN PARADISE Matt Harris

Suddenly, the thick white veil of cloud parted, and through the dense curtain of gnarly old Lengua trees, a sight that all but took my breath away. Up ahead, Jorge, our gaucho guide, reined in and allowed our privileged little band to survey the mesmerizing vista.

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There it was.

The River of Dreams. Far below, the rushing waters of the Rio Blanco carved a serpentine path through a pristine valley of broad lush meadows and dense, ancient forests. With impassable canyons at either end, this enchanted place is accessible only by horseback, and then only if you know the way in, and have access to it. As a result, this valley has seen perhaps fewer than a hundred fishermen. Imagine that! How many places are left in the world where you can fish for such innocent, virgin trout, in such impossibly beautiful surroundings? Sometimes you know the fishing will be special. So it proved.

Heading Upstream

Rising early the following morning, I enjoyed an excellent and lively breakfast with my companions, Lindsey Flexner and his likeable bunch of fellow trout fanatics from Oregon. Then, well-fortified for the long day ahead, we clambered impatiently into our waders, and I helped pack the raft with my excellent young guide, Hayden Dale. We headed upstream. Weaving through the tumbling riffles and log-strewn pools, we watched the clouds slowly lift to reveal the spectacular Andean peaks soaring all around. Fully two and a half hours later, we finally reached the impassable canyon that guards the upstream end of the valley. After a delicious pot of coffee and a good stretch in the morning sunlight, we set about our task. Drifting back

“

Big articulated streamers, huge dry foam beetles and, best of all, skated mouse patterns are all attacked with rare and voracious abandon.

”

downstream, Hayden held the boat expertly while I tossed big dries and articulated streamers back to the bank. At first, I drew any number of follows, but in the frigid waters of the early autumn morning, the fish seemed lazy and non-committal. Hayden suggested I try his own beautifully tied take on Kelly Galloup’s appallingly named but devastatingly effective “Sex Dungeon” pattern, tied in a natural and unobtrusive tan, and the change was immediate and astonishing. Now every fish attacked the fly with savage abandon. There were a few feisty rainbows in the mix, but the browns stole the show. Sleek, scarlet-speckled trout to twenty inches and more that fought like tigers and sparkled in the autumn sunlight for the few brief moments that we lifted them clear of the water to admire them. All through that beautiful morning, we caught fish, and when we pulled in to have lunch, I realized that we hadn’t seen another living soul. Looking at the light playing on the vast ramparts of the valley, it was hard to believe there could be a more beautiful spot to fish for trout anywhere in the world.

“Truchas” in the torrents

Chilean Patagonia isn’t really designed to harbour trout. Her rivers are, in the main, fast and formidable torrents that tumble down from the Andes and crash headlong into the Pacific, invariably just a few short miles away. Yet this stunningly beautiful country has bred a race of aggresFLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

sive opportunistic “truchas” that are a joy to fish for. Forget your fussy little “carpet-fluff” upwing emergers and suchlike...these fish want serious protein. Rushing from their hidey-holes into the tumultuous, boiling currents of most Chilean rivers means expending valuable calories, so give these big brutes something worth the effort. Big articulated streamers, huge dry foam beetles and, best of all, skated mouse patterns are all attacked with rare and voracious abandon. Eduardo Barrueto owns and runs Magic Waters Lodge. He is a lovely guy – a warm, quick-witted and infectiously enthusiastic trout fisherman. His lodge is situated in an enchanted spot, on the outskirts of the fly-fishing Mecca of Coyaique, in Southern Chile. Perched above a beautiful, trout-filled lake, the lodge fully justifies its name, accessing a multitude of beguiling trout waters. As well as the “River of Dreams“-Basecamp on the Blanco, there’s everything from broad rivers like the legendary Rio Simpson to tiny streams and spring creeks, to prolific lakes large and small. Everyone is worthy of the avid trout fisherman’s attention.

Hero or Zero - A place of monsters

One night as we sat up late, sharing a delicious bottle of Chilean Carmenére and occasionally glancing up at the Southern Cross, sparkling overhead, Eduardo told me of another special place. A place where real monsters - trout of eight, nine, even ten pounds and more reside. The water that he described has earned the melodramatic soubriquet “Hero or Zero” Lake. It is notoriously tough water, not big but deep and dark and heartbreakingly fickle. The very biggest fish featured in the images adorning the walls of Magic Waters have all come from “Hero or Zero”.

“

A huge black shape burst through the surface and jack-knifed over the skittering mouse pattern

”

However, beware. As my host cautioned, the vast majority of anglers that sally forth to tackle this lake of dreams return as a Zero, not a Hero. “Want to give it a try?” Eduardo asked with a mischievous grin. He already knew the answer.

Wolly Buggers og mouse patterns?

I rose early the next morning. Very early. It was changeover day, and due to my extended stay, I was the only angler at the lodge. Noah, another excellent young guide and son of my friend and fellow Kola salmon addict Bryan Sohl joined Hayden and I. As we loaded the truck in the pitch dark, I knew the lads might well be cursing my zealous enthusiasm and thinking of a well-earned Sunday morning in bed, but I was sure that a dawn raid might just be the medicine for these big, cunning old bruisers. Hayden confirmed that the lake was never fished at dawn and as we launched the raft, I felt a strong premonition that my plan was a good one. 98

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The Chilean brown trout are known for particularly fiery-tempered and prone to dry fly rises.

I encouraged Hayden and Noah to take turns rowing while the other fished - it was their day off after all. Despite my constant questions, no one seemed to know what the semi-mythical monsters of “Hero” enjoyed as their staple diet. “There’s a lot of caddis” offered Noah without conviction. Fish of ten pounds and more don’t grow to that size eating caddis flies. Do they? Hayden tied on a woolly bugger, and to the lads’ surprise, I rigged up a big, home-tied mouse pattern, reasoning that in the low, blurry light of the dawn, a big surface silhouette might prove irresistible to the big, carnivorous beasts that lurked in the deep dark waters. At first, the water looked bleak and forbidding, and our casts were fruitless. However, as the first pink hues crept into the eastern skies, a gentle warm breeze rippled the water. “Now is the time” I prophesied confidently to Hayden, and the words were barely out of my mouth when a huge black shape burst through the surface and jack-knifed over the skittering mouse pattern, before disappearing below the surface. Huge. Ten pounds? Twelve? Various incredulous expletives polluted the early morning air. So near. And yet so far. A chill wind got up out of the East, and I knew our moment had been and gone. As our enthusiasm waned, we fell into reliving the moment and pontificating on the size of the fish. I returned to the lodge a zero. As so many others have done.

Great food and wine is always part of the equation when fishing in Chile.

All through the following week, Eduardo showed me endless wonderful spots. Vast, spectacular fish-filled lakes, intimate, ultra-technical fishing on tiny creeks and the wonderful Rio Simpson, where the stunning and innumerable trout had to vie for our attention with monstrous chinook salmon that skulked in the deepest pools, black and stale and utterly impossible to tempt. At least for me. I enjoyed every minute, but my thoughts were never far from that vast trout that had shattered the dawn at “Hero or Zero”. FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

Magic Waters Lodge in Chilean Patagonia - an ambient place with great, nearby lake and river fishing.

“

I squinted through the blinds and a bright, bluebird day greeted my eyes.

”

One evening we came back to the lodge late to hear that another angler, Loyd Wilson had caught a big fish from “Hero”. I tracked Loyd down to congratulate him, and as he showed me a video of the big, beautiful fish coming to the net, I saw the fish disgorging a clutch of tiny baitfish. I knew I was looking at part of the puzzle. I had to go back one last time. Eduardo read my thoughts.

The return

On my penultimate evening at the lodge, we enjoyed a raucous party. The season was drawing to a close. After a delicious “Asado” of butterflied local lamb, we listened to a talented local band that captivated us all with an irresistible, tight set of bewitching Chilean folk songs. As the band packed away their intriguing array of guitars and charangos, we thanked them for a great evening and repaired to the outdoors, where we drank yet

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Casting streamers towards the shoreline can provide spectacular catches.

A double hook-up consisting of two pretty but different looking Chilean brown trout.

“

A huge head broke gently through the surface. Blink and I’d have missed it.

more excellent Malbec and Carmenere and told increasingly tall tales under the stars. Laughter echoed across the lake until late into the night. Then, after the other guests had shuffled off to bed, Eduardo and I sat out under the Southern Cross once again. My host took a long draft on his “tinto” and asked with his trademark grin what I would like to do with my last day. He already knew the answer.

”

I woke late - 8.15 am. My head was thumping with the absurd gallons of Malbec, the countless Pisco sours and the late, late night. I’d forgotten to set my alarm. Bright, brassy sunshine streamed into my lovely room. I squinted through the blinds and a bright, bluebird day greeted my eyes. Not a cloud in the sky. Lousy weather for big sullen trout. Surely, I’d missed my chance. I stumbled into the shower and dragged myself off to find some coffee, cursing all the while. Hayden and Noah had both packed their bags and I had bid them both a fond farewell the previous night. Great guys both of them, hard-working, excellent company and utterly passionate about their work. I’d miss them and wondered if my guide for my last day could match them.

The Chilean brown trout are drop-dead gorgeous, and they like their dries BIG.

Eduardo looked bafflingly bright-eyed and fresh, and he grinned at my bleary-eyed attempts at casual morning banter. I was clearly a little the worse for wear. He told me that my guide was Christian. Eduardo and I had fished with him a few days before: a local man who naturally and effortlessly exudes a calm confidence. I liked him immensely, and a faint flush of optimism lifted my mood. I swallowed the last of my coffee and we loaded the truck.

Fry patterns for the win?

“Hero or Zero” shimmered in the bright, mid-morning sun. Utterly beautiful. And surely hopeless for trophy trout fishing. Christian suggested a big beetle pattern but I had already formulated my plan. I fished out a box of fry patterns from back home in England.

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“

If you love your trout fishing, beg, borrow or steal your way to Magic Waters Lodge.

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”

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I tied in a dropper eight feet from the end of my eighteen-foot leader, made from a level length of strong, supple fluorocarbon in 10lb breaking strain. I tied two “Mylar Fry” patterns, simple floating imitations that mimic small dead fish. The flies were pretty much the size of the fish that I’d seen Loyd’s fish disgorge. I felt a small burst of confidence when Christian confirmed that he’d never seen anything like them.

“

The take

In a magical instant, what was surely that same huge head we’d seen hours earlier broke tantalizingly through the surface and oh so gently inhaled the point fly. I resisted the urge to strike and instead let the huge fish disappear back beneath the inky waters before lifting the rod smartly. In that special moment that all anglers know, I felt the

solid resistance of the fish. It surged irresistibly down into The carp can be sight-fished the depths. Unlike anything I’d hooked in eight wonderful For two hours, Christian rode me around the lake in the little days. A big powerful brute of a thing. The adrenaline shot inI pitched shallow providing pontoon boat. those little frywater, patterns back to the shore, through me and as the line fizzed up through the rings, I into every little bay and every gap in the reeds. One spot kept prayed that no awful tangle in the running line would jam nerve-wracking excitement drawing me back. Most of the lake is impenetrably black and in the rod rings. deep, but one small corner shelves more gently into shallower and drag-burning runs. water, where the bottom is just visible. I doubt whether the trout of ”Hero or Zero” had either.

” “

On our second circuit of the lake, we were just approaching the spot when a huge head broke gently through the surface. Blink and I’d have missed it. But I saw it. And so did Christian. A rainbow trout from beyond my wildest dreams. My guide gently implored me to swap out my strange English flies for the classic Chilean staple - a big foam beetle - but I politely declined. I had such a strong hunch. Hadn’t these fish seen a million big foam beetles? And besides, wasn’t Loyd’s fish full of those little fry not so different from my flies.

We covered that little bay exhaustively for fully forty-five minutes. Nothing. Finally, I allowed Christian to talk me into trying the big beetle. I pitched it across the bay, but I knew it wasn’t the answer. These fish had surely seen the same pattern a million times. As we slowly drifted on round the lake, I thought about another approach.

The Minkie Snake

My heart leapt as the line cleared the rings and I had the fish on the reel.

It leapt again as the big trout skyrocketed into the warm Patagonian sunshine, and then skipped a beat altogether as the fish dove down for the tree roots, and for a few awful moments was stuck fast. And then, suddenly, magically, he was clear and out in the open water. I could see the fish down deep, raging wildly, but I was starting to get the upper hand.

I suspect the fish was just a shade under double figures.

”

My good friend Martin Webster runs Selectafly, a fly company back in the UK. Martin is a talented lake fisherman and I’ve learnt much from him over the years. One of his patterns is known as a Minkie Snake, a simple but devastating tie that is essentially a simple two-inch silver/grey mink fur zonker strip tied on a tiny shank with a small trailer hook. Once wet, it slithers seductively and quietly through the water, and it has lured many unsuspecting trophy rainbow and brown trout for both Martin and myself from our English reservoirs. Big burly fish of three, four and occasionally five and even six pounds. But stocked fish. And nothing to compare with the huge wild fish that we’d seen an hour or so ago.

Finally, after a long battle, I had the fish up in the surface, and although it wasn’t really beaten, Christian shot his big landing net underneath it and lifted it skywards. It was ours.

I fished a couple out. Christian wasn’t convinced, but once they were attached to my leader and swimming in the clean, clear water, he seemed to reconsider. “Muy Bueno” he conceded.

We’ll never know. We had no weighing scales. Christian estimated eleven to twelve pounds, although in truth I suspect the fish was just a shade under double figures. No matter. It was a magnificent fish, and it was the perfect end to a magical ‘tour de force’ of really special Patagonian trout fishing.

We fished around the lake but in truth, we were just resting the spot where we had seen the fish. Finally, we were making our way back towards it. I saw that the sun was starting to slide into the west, and the tall stand of the Coihue trees that skirted the little bay was now throwing the water into shadow. I tossed the flies into the bay and inched them gently back. Nothing. We worked our way around to the exact spot where we had seen the big fish rise. A big dead tree extended out from the bank, and its branches stretched down into the depths below. It was a classic ambush spot for a big trout. I cast my flies to the sunken tree, and as often happens, the flies hung for a few seconds in the surface film. A sharp pull on the line will normally sink them and get them swimming subsurface, and yet something about their vulnerable half-drowned appearance made me resist my usual practice and instead leave them static in the surface film.

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Christian rowed us into the shore, and I took a first real look at the fish. It was magnificent. Broad, brassy magenta flanks, peppered with black spots and with that special iridescent sheen that rainbows -especially big rainbows- possess. Its beady, indomitable eye seemed to glare up at me, and its huge spade of a tail barely fitted into the outsized net. I wondered if the fish might make the coveted ten-pound mark.

When we drove back into the camp, Eduardo was waiting for us with a couple of icy pisco sours. “Well,” he asked with that same charismatic grin, “Hero or Zero?” I didn’t have to say a word. One look at my face and yet again, my new friend already knew the answer. We both exploded with laughter. If you love your trout fishing, beg, borrow or steal your way to Magic Waters Lodge. You simply have to go there. When you speak to Eduardo, ask him if you can fit the “River of Dreams” base camp into your itinerary. And do your best to fit in a trip to “Hero or Zero” too. This is trout fishing from beyond your wildest dreams. http://magicwaterspatagonia.com/

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NORWAY

FLY FISHING FOR SEA-RUN ARCTIC CHAR

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In Northern Norway a different coastal fly fishing experience awaits - one that will remind you more of what epitomizes highland nymphing and dry fly fishing. Follow in Rasmus Ovesen’s footsteps to the area around Tromsø where schools of feeding sea-run arctic char patrol the coastal shorelines. Rasmus Ovesen

The fjords of Northern Norway are beautiful and majestic, and because of their remoteness there’s plenty of space for anyone interested in visiting. Arctic char can be found in most of the fjords and they can typically be found in estuaries and bays hugged up along the coastal shores.

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The winters are long and harsh, and there’s still lots of snow in the mountains once summer arrives.

AS A CHILD,

I was very fascinated with arctic char, but one thing puzzled me: The Danish name for arctic char is “fjeldørred”, which basically means “highland trout”. It implies a fish that belongs to the rivers and lakes of the inland mountain ranges – a fish that I’ve always associated with the grand and picturesque expanses to the far, cold north. Its Latin name; ”Salvelinus alpinus”, underlines its geographic affiliation, but I was always confounded by the fact that the Latin epithet “salmo”, which characterizes all the salmonid species I knew from my home country, didn’t apply to the arctic char. As I would later discover, this mysterious species wasn’t actually a trout – at least not in the taxonomic sense of the word, but rather a close relative of the trout; a “char”. The Salvelinus genus belongs to the salmonid family and counts a large number of sub-species, which require cold, clean, and oxygen-rich water to thrive and reproduce. Among others, the Salvelinus-family counts the following char; dolly varden, lake char, brook trout and bull trout (Yes, even the Americans are confused). These salmonids differ from trout in that their distribution is much more Northernly circumpolar, (or in other words “arctic”), and by having light spots over dark flanks, small scales, and white fin slashes. Furthermore, opposite of trout, their vomers only have teeth at the very front end. Canadian lake char and brook trout have been stocked

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with varying degrees of success in Scandinavia, but arctic char is the only subspecies of the Salvelinus-family, which occurs naturally in Norway (and Northern Europe as such). It’s an incredibly adaptive species of fish and a master of disguise with lots of genetic variations, which can vary in appearance when it comes to colorations, body shape, and size depending on their environments, feeding habits, and altitude. In Lake Thingvallavatn in Iceland, for instance, there are four phenotypically unique subspecies of arctic char, which vary dramatically in everything from size, diet, behaviour, and colorations. One of these is an almost char-coal coloured dwarf-species, which lives in cracks and faults along the rugged lava shorelines. The arctic char’s Latin family name “alpinus” indicates that it primarily belongs to the upper air layers. In biogeography alpine regions are characterized by mountainous terrain or vegetation zones above the tree line. But even here there’s something that doesn’t quite add up. Because even though arctic char thrive far inland - in high-altitude plateau waters, mountain lakes, and highland rivers, it can also be found in lowland terrain. In fact, it can be found as low as sea level – and even below the surface of the sea! In early June, during what can only be described as Spring in Northern Norway, I visited the area around Tromsø. The main purpose of my visit was actually to fly fish for sea trout along the open coastal shores and in the fjords, but a different species

quickly caught my attention: The sea-run arctic char. It turned out I was in for a unique encounter with a shy and wary fish; a fish with a surprisingly explosive temperament and brutal powers. In the Northern estuaries and in fjords fed by glacial and highland rivers, it’s very common for populations of arctic char to migrate between fresh- and saltwater, just like their local anadromous cousin; the sea trout. They spawn and overwinter in the rivers and

“

I was pleasantly surprised fo find that the fish weren’t too selective

”

then scurry downstream and head for the colossal and varied hunting grounds provided by the ocean – and here, they become increasingly chrome. Just like the local sea trout – but perhaps to an even greater extent, sea-run arctic char school up and hunt actively together. But while sea trout, oftentimes, head out into deeper water to hunt for bigger prey such as sprattus, sandeel, and herring, the sea-run arctic char can usually be found right along the shoreline where they display a well-developed taste for small prey items such as gammarus, mysis, and small shrimp.

I was quickly interrupted in my half-blind and machine-like hunt for seatrout. The weather-protected fjords were deadcalm and reflected the dark and majestic surrounding mountain ranges with the greatest of precision, and it wasn’t very difficult to see when a fish broke the dormant mirror-like surface. On several occasions, I had to abort planned excursions to new seatrout spots, pull off the road, and rush to the water’s edge because of fish I’d spotted while driving along the fjords. I quickly found out that many of the fish that I spotted were in fact sea-run arctic char feeding on midges. I was of course pretty gutted about not having brought along a box of dry flies, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that the fish weren’t too selective. They also fed on many of the small crustaceans that were fluttering around in the sunlit surface water, and I had plenty of such imitations in my coastal fly boxes. During the four days of fishing that were available to me, I found myself becoming increasingly focused on the searun arctic char and the incredibly exciting sight-fishing opportunities they presented. I gradually cracked a few codes: Found out that it was primarily during low tide that the fish would actively feed along the shoreline; and that bays and straits close to river outlets or fjord mouths, where tidal currents would lick up against dead water, would often FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

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Sea-run arctic char often have a golden hue to them, but their flanks are usually pure silver.

Every detail of an arctic-char is worthy of attention.

house schools of fish. At the same time, I developed the cool and calm needed to set up correctly when casting to spotted fish. If the fish weren’t circling in a constricted area, they would usually be moving fairly rapidly along the coastal shorelines, and I soon realised that it was pointless to rush things. Getting stealthily ahead of the fish and placing a discrete cast well ahead of them was pivotal. Otherwise, they would spook.

“

The eyes shimmered irridescently as if bursting with gold dust

”

The first sea-run arctic char I landed was a robustly built fish in the vicinity of 55 centimetres that inhaled my fly as it lay suspended in the surface film at the end of a long and thin leader. The fly, which was a small gammarus imitation with a bit of foam in its carapace, disappeared in a small whirl while I was breathlessly waiting for a small school of fish to approach. I had followed the school along the coastline for a bit of time before finally getting into the right position and placing my cast. And as the fly disappeared and I set the hook, the water exploded, and the fish took off

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with such brute force that I was temporarily stunned. The fish fought diligently and with greater stamina than any seatrout I’d ever caught of similar size, and I had to put maximum pressure on the gear to tire it out and bring it towards the landing net. Once in the net, I marvelled at a handsome fish that was completely different from the many arctic char that I’d caught previously in rivers and mountain lakes. It was as bright chrome as an immaculate April sea trout but completely devoid of spots. The flanks were like shining mirrors, and it was as if whatever silvery substance that permeated the fish had a liquid quality to it. As if catalysed by relentless centrifugal forces, the silver in its flanks seemed to seep into its tail root radiating along the fin rays. A startling glow, somewhere between olive green and marine blue saturated its back, and along the gills and jaws a golden shimmer was subtly visible like a reminiscence of the spawning colours the fish had been adorned in during winter. The eyes shimmered iridescently as if bursting with gold dust. The strikingly beautiful male sea-run arctic char was the first out of twelve fish I caught and released during a sea trout trip that gradually ran more and more off its tracks – a trip that brought with it a new obsession with a fish that wasn’t previously on my radar. The fact that I lost a massive specimen that was undoubtedly in excess of two kilos on the second to last day didn’t exactly put a damper on my newfound enthusiasm – on the contrary! Now, there is a good chance that next time I journey up North my sea trout equipment won’t see a lot action.

Usually, the arctic char will school up in certain areas - particularly along drop offs and in tidal currents.

Seatrout are a welcome distraction when fly fishing for arctic char. They too can’t resist a small gammarus imitation.

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Sea-run Arctic Char

Catch & Release

Sea-run arctic char grow relatively slowly, and they typically migrate between fresh- and saltwater for three years before eventually becoming sexually mature. At this time, the males are around 25 centimetres in length while the females are between 30 and 35 centimetres.

Logistics

Sea-run arctic char have been documented in more than 100 coastal riversheds from Bindalen to the south and all the way up to Troms, Finnmark, and Svalbard to the very north. The Bindalen-area is considered to mark the southern distribution boundary of the sea-run arctic char because of their water temperature preferences and demands. They thrive in cold water (between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius) – and tolerate high levels of salinity.

The spawning occurs sometime during Fall in- and around lakes interconnected to the ocean via rivers. They then overwinter in the upper reaches of the rivers and tributaries. Their period out to sea is relatively short and hectic. It typically stretches from the end of May to the end of August, but a lot of fish only spend somewhere between 30 – 50 days in the ocean every year, and usually within a 20-kilometer radius from the river in which they once hatched.

In as much as 25% of all Norwegian watersheds, in which searun arctic char occur, the populations are either decimated or vulnerable. In some rivers, the populations suffer from overfishing, while in others they’ve been decimated dure to Rotenon-treatment related to salmon lice epidemics. Sea-run arctic char are commonly known to be an extremely good and coveted culinary treat, but we have a common responsibility to protect this unique species. So, please consider gently releasing the fish you catch, especially if you’re fishing areas where arctic char are pressured or declining.

There are flights via Oslo to Bodø, Tromsø, Kirkenes, Longyearbyen (The island of Svalbard). In the fjords surrounding these cities, there are plenty of good spots to find sea-run arctic char – and since most roads run along the coastal shorelines, you can simply rent a car and effectively scout and explore lots of water until you locate fish.

In certain places in Northern Norway, notably on Svalbard, sea-run arctic char can grow up to 5 kilos. Specimens over 2 kilos, however, are considered trophy fish. Their diet in saltwater mainly consists of small crustaceans such as gammarus, idotidae, mysis, krill and smaller shrimp, but midges and other insects that accidently crash-land in the ocean are favoured prey items too.

What equipment to use?

A 9’ 4-weight fly rod is the obvious choice when sightfishing for sea-run arctic char in calm weather. However, if you find yourself fishing more wind-exposed coastal stretches a 10’ 5-weight might be better suited. When fishing on days where the wind is howling and waves are rolling in, you can always resort to blind-fishing and, here, an intermediate fly line in combination with small crustacean imitations or brightly coloured UV-enhanced attractor flies, that are retrieved abruptly, can provide great results. Whenever the fish reveal themselves by breaking the water on windless days, it’s all about presentation. Here, a good floating WF fly line with a relatively long front taper (like, for instance Scientific Anglers’ Amplitude Infinity) and a 5 – 6-meter-long leader that tapers into a 0,20mm tippet is just what need. The flies need to be relatively weight-neutral and should aim at imitating the various crustaceans that are found along the coastal shores, optionally tied with a bit of foam to help them become perfectly suspended in the surface film. A small box of various midge imitations in sizes ranging from 22 – 18 is also very good to have when these insects hatch in river mouths and estuaries. When sight-fishing for sea-run arctic char, you’ll be walking along the coastal shores – across rocks and bladderwracks, and a stripping basket is therefore essential. From shore you’ll be facing the task of quickly and quietly getting into casting range and carefully placing the fly some 2 – 3 meters in front of the fish so they don’t spook. As soon as they close in, start retrieving the fly. Use long, steady pulls so you maintain contact with the fly at all times and be prepared to lift the rod, once a fish cautiously inhales the fly.

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“The Kriller” proved a very effective pattern for the sea-run arctic char. At certain periods of time, krill are all the char will eat.

Another pattern that proved lethal for the arctic char; an R.P.O Provo with UV-reflective materials that really draw attention. (Above a Copper Bully with a foam carapace).

There’s such an abundance of wild life in Northern Norway, one has to be careful when driving a car.

US MADE IDAHO BUILT

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F O S T IU DE S R D U RE P E I TH SP IN

N IG

LIGHTWEIGHT RODS ONLY BALANCE

WITH LIGHTWEIGHT REELS For 20 years, Waterworks-Lamson has set a bold benchmark for innovative fly reel architecture. Large arbor, lightweight, sealed systems, zero maintenance, advanced materials, state of the art machining, innovative and enviable styling—the list is long. The thing to remember is we were there in the beginning—pushing the envelope, refining ideas, changing how people thought about reels—and we’ve never stopped. What’s that saying? “Plenty of time to sleep when you’re dead.” Full reel range available at www.flyfisheurope.com/ww-l/

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T HE ULTIMATE HYBRID ..........................

A fusion between the free-form structures of a cast spool and the mechanical integrity of a CNC-machined case, Remix is the ultimate hybrid. Machined from bar-stock aluminum, the case delivers maximum structural rigidity and durability all wrapped in a harder, brighter finish. The spool (compatible with Liquid), is pressure-cast with radiused compound curves, near zero-radius inside corners, and a precise fit and finish. It has a U-shape arbor and narrow format to aid in line control. Remix brings together the best of CNC-machining and pressure-cast technologies to deliver an unprecedented level of quality in it’s class. The result of this Remix? High performance. Reliability. Quality assurance. Plus undeniable sex appeal.

[

REMIX-SERIES “

]

NEW C O LO U R

Remix marries the best of pressure cast technologies and CNC machining to deliver a durable frame in a hard bright finish coupled with a cast aluminum spool with u-shaped arbor.

“

AVAILABLE IN 3PACK

GLACIER

SPECIFICATIONS MODEL

DIAMETER

WIDTH

WEIGHT

ROD WT

LINE CAPACITY

85 mm

25 mm

121 g

WF 2-4

WF4 100 yds 20#

REMIX -5+

92 mm

25 mm

129 g

WF 4-6

WF6 100 yds 20#

REMIX -7+

98 mm

29 mm

156 g

WF 6-8

WF8 200 yds 20#

REMIX -9+

118 mm

34 mm

235 g

WF 8-10

WF10 250 yds 30#

REMIX -3+

SMOKE

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. L. .IQUID . . . . . .COURAGE .............

Let’s face it, die-cast reels are intended to be low-cost alternatives to machined reels, right? Heavier. Easier to damage. Plain Jane. Well . . . not anymore. When creating Liquid, we focused purely on the virtues and advantages a pressure-cast process can offer. Structurally, you can do things with casting that you can’t machine: Full-radius compound curves. Near zero-radius inside corners. And for a precision fit and finish, we even go back and machine the cast part in critical areas—amplifying the best aspects of both worlds.

]

NEW C O LO U R

Liquid is a pressure cast reel boasting full radius compound curves, near zero-radius inside corners and 100% U.S. drag components.

“

[

LIQUID-SERIES “

AVAILABLE IN 3PACK

GLACIER

SPECIFICATIONS MODEL

DIAMETER

WIDTH

WEIGHT

ROD WT

LINE CAPACITY

85 mm

25 mm

119 g

WF 2-4

WF4 100 yds 20#

LIQUID -5+

92 mm

25 mm

131 g

WF 4-6

WF6 100 yds 20#

LIQUID -7+

98 mm

29 mm

152 g

WF 6-8

WF8 200 yds 20#

LIQUID -9+

118 mm

34 mm

232 g

WF 8-10

WF10 250 yds 30#

LIQUID -3+

SMOKE

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Boen Gård FOR SALMON FLY FISING ON THE TOVDALSELVA

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There are plenty of salmon rivers to fish in Norway, but not all of them provide the kind of fishing that will really get your juices flowing. The days of abundance are in the past. The Tovdalselva, however, is a rising star among Norwegian salmon rivers – and the past few seasons have seen a dramatic surge in salmon returns. By The Editorial Staff

The Tovdalselva is the longest river in southern Norway and it offers varied possibilities for visiting fly fishermen. It is a medium-sized river with an average discharge of around 65m3/s and relatively stable water flows throughout the season; a river that originates in Telemark and meanders downstream through Aust-Agder some 140 kilometres towards the North Sea just north of the coastal city of Kristiansand. The lower 35 kilometres up to Herefossfjorden are home to salmon runs that have really kicked back in recent years due to habitat and conservation measures.

A Place of Historic Gravity

The River Tovdal’s banks have been frequented since the last ice age and stone age remains can still be found along the river to this day. In the 1500s, the river rights were owned by Danish King Christian the Second, who leased the salmon fishing rights to local officials. During the 1800s the river was widely acknowledged as one of Norway’s very best salmon rivers with a total of 18.000 kilos of salmon landed a year; something that many of the visiting British lords, who came here for recreational fishing purposes, enjoyed immensely. Among them were lord Cunlife, director of the Bank of England, Mr. Keney and the Scottish landowner, Harold C. Wilson who would, usually, bring along his cousin Mr. William Radcliffe. In 1924, Radcliffe and Wilson landed 1352 salmon in less than two months. But, alas, like on so many other rivers in Norway, the good fishing didn’t last…

The Return of the Salmon

With its many waterwalls, long runs and deep pools, Tovdalselva is ideally suited for swinging flies – both with single-handed and double-handed fly rods. But, alas, in 1970 all the salmon were gone. Acid rain, over-fishing and habitat loss had diminished the local salmon stock to the point of extinction, and it wasn’t until 1997 that initiatives aimed at restoring the salmon population came into play. The PH-balance in the river was stabilized with FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

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home-grown ingredients accompanied by specially selected wines and lovely home-brewed beer. The old estate was built in 1813 and has been fully restored to its original state and, as such, is an interesting site offering a rare glimpse into a past cultural microcosm that was frequented by royals, nobles and high society.

Picky Salmon Lots of fish were seen jumping in most of the pools.

lime treatment, salmon fry was stocked, and new fish ladders were built at dam sites – and, already in 2003, some 300 kilos of salmon were caught in the river. These days, the number is closer to 2000 kilos in that somewhere between 600 and 800 salmon are caught with an average weight of around 3,5 kilos with a growing percentage of fish ranging from 7 kilos and upwards.

Boen Gård

The perhaps best beat – and certainly the beat most heavily saturated by cultural historicity, is the family-owned Boen Gård beat. The picturesque park-like beat offers 1,2 kilometres of prime double-bank salmon fishing below the immense Boen Foss at the foothills of lush green deciduous forests with sporadic patches of grass fields grazed by sheep and their fuzzy offspring. Many of the pools and runs have names derived from the British lords that once fished here, among them “WR Line”, “Stolkie”, and “Martin’s Point” and in a way fitting of their historic gravity and provenance, they have been cultivated by river keepers in order to improve access and fishability. Boen Gård caters to 4 – 8 fly fishermen in a newly refurbished and very modern-looking lodge building that sits right on the riverbank close to the historic Boen Gård estate, which – to this date – functions as a restaurant focusing on outstanding Scandinavian cuisine with sustainable, locally-sourced and 122

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Flyfish Europe descended upon Boen Gård in mid-June 2020 – a year that will be remembered, mainly, for its massive floods and all the limitations (and sudden opportunities) that came about due to the onslaught of the corona pandemic. The river was teeming with fish. They would swirl and explode out of the water with a frequency that was hard to believe – and that was making our hearts race frantically. The fish were packed in all the obvious spots, and – while many of the fish that were thrashing about, were in the vicinity of 3-4 kilos, BIG bruisers would show every now and then in demonstrative displays intended to intimidate and assert power. With more than a handful of very experienced fly fishermen in our group, we obviously thought it would be a walk in the park to cherry pick some good salmon, but - as salmon fishing often goes, we were about to be taught a lesson. Sure enough, the groups that preceded us had caught their fair share of newly risen salmon, but things were now looking different. The river levels had stabilized, water temperatures were rising, and the sun was beating down on Boen Gård from a clear sky with an intensity more fitting of a high-summer august day. And the salmon…? Well, they were extremely picky.

Dining and Fishing Combined

We had booked two nights at Boen Gård’s restaurant and were blown away by the level of service and the quality of the intricately designed seven-course dinners. (Some of us still get all dreamyeyed at the thought of the honey-glazed turbot and deer tartar we had). Anyway, while Boen Gård’s restaurant would definitely fit the bucket list of many food and wine connoisseurs, our group had driven all the way from Oslo to the Kristiansand-area to fish. And those that did best, of course, were the ones that skipped desert (and night caps, hors d’oeuvres and coffee) and went fishing instead.

“

Many of the pools have names derived from the British lords

Boen Gård offers exquisite culinary experiences with locally sourced, organic produce.

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The recently refurbished lodge is situatied right on the river bank.

The usual flies will do the trick on the Tovdalselva - like the Frances and Blue Charm, but presentation is key.

Beginner’s Luck?

Our group, undoubtedly, would have caught more fish, if we’d experimented a whole lot more. But as it were, we went on and did what most salmon fishermen do best – swing their flies for the Nth time hoping for a flash of whatever divine intervention is needed to make the line come tight.

The fish would mostly strike in the wee hours of the day – and at night, whereas in the daytime, they would only bump the flies (or, more likely, just ignore them). Although things looked bleak, we were encouraged by one of the local guides, who relayed a story about a recent visitor, who had been faced with similarly tricky salmon. The story roughly went as follows. The guy had showed up with more luggage than anyone else, and the luggage was crammed full of different rods, reels, lines, poly leaders and flies. He had adopted an extremely methodical tactic and had gone through each pool with different setups and flies, had worked every pool carefully with his many different rod and line setups – casting, sequentially, at different angles, and experimenting with retrieves - until he’d finally cracked the code. He would then catch a few fish, and – once the magic died out, he would simply repeat his empirical process anew. As a result, he had caught 4 out of 5 of the 40-some fish his group of six fishermen had landed. 124

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A few seatrout were landed, and a few fish were lost. The only salmon brought to shore was a shimmering silver female of about four kilos. It was caught in the morning, not surprisingly, by the guy in our group with the least fly fishing experience; someone who was completely new to salmon fishing. Whether it was the salmon gods mocking the rest of us by granting a neophyte the silver prize so highly coveted and sought-after, or if it was simply because of the unorthodoxy and unschooled rawness of a beginner doing things differently, we’ll never know…

Fact File - Tovdalselva

The River Tovdal salmon season stretches from June 1st until August 31st. Fishing licenses for the beats below and above Boen Gård can be bought via www.laksefisk.no while Boen Gård is booked separately via http://www.boengaard.no Kristiansand has its own airport and transferring from the airport to Boen Gård only takes about 15 minutes.

“

The fish would mostly strike in the wee hours of the day

Photo: Vetle Kjærstad

Tommy Josefsen casting towards a lie just below the lodge.

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FLY TYING:

THE OSTRICH Morten “Coastfly” Hansen

Flatwings are popular flies for seatrout and other predatory fish. They’re big, lively, and capable of attracting the attention of the biggest fish out there. Danish fly tyer, Morten Hansen, has developed his own take on a flatwing - with a mixture of synthetics and natural materials. And he’s got the mix just right...

Materials Hook: Ahrex SA280 #4 Thread: Veevus 30D White Tail: White bucktail, white ostrich herl Back: Olive ostrich herl Body: STF dubbing White Sides: Mirage Flash, opal Head: UV resin Clear and Fluorescent Orange Eyes: Pro Flexi Eyes 6mm UV resin: Loon thick and coloured (hot orange)

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“

The fly has all the “flesh” needed to lure even the biggest of predatory fish.

The Ostrich is a pattern developed for seatrout - but I imagine it will do equally well for seabass, mackerel, bonito and other inshore species that have developed an acute taste for baitfish. The fly imitates anything from a sandeel to a sprattus or small herring, and it has all the “flesh” needed to lure even the biggest of predatory fish. The weight of the UV-glueenforced head makes the fly swim with a jiggy action that really makes the body materials pulsate and shimmer. Seatrout are opportunistic predators preoccupied with building body mass, and while seatrout eat lots of small prey such as gammarus, mysis, shrimp and other crustaceans, big seatrout tend to focus more and more on baitfish - especially those found along drop offs and in tidal currents. A big baitfish imitation is more likely to make one of these fish react than a small prey item that offers very little in terms of nutrients. Ultimately, it’s the natural algorithm coded into the seatrout’s genes that makes it favour certain prey items. Prey that represent rewards that are bigger than both the risks and efforts involved, will be favoured.

It all boils down to wether or not the potential amount of energy gained from hunting and eating a certain prey will exceed the amount of energy used during the hunt. At the same time, it provides and explanation to why big flies are way better big-fish attractors than smaller flies. Yes, a small fly will catch a big seatrout if put right in front of it, but a big fish isn’t likely to chase a small fly over a long distance, or zoom in on it from a distance. (Furthermore, a small fly is trickier to see from a distance). The Ostrich is a fly for those who dream of catching a big seatrout, but rest assured - even smaller seatrout will hit it with reckless abandon. Especially during Spring and the warmer summer months. Seatrout are capable of eating surprisingly big prey, and it isn’t unlikely to catch small and medium-sized seatrout with sandeel and herring sticking half-way out of their mouths. Try the Ostrich on an intermediate line, and don’t be afraid to speed up the retrieve. The fly can be seen from afar, and because it has just the right silhouette, size, and appearance it is bound to attract some attention.

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Start by placing the hook in your vise. In this case a SA280 #4 from Ahrex Hooks.

Make a base layer of tying thread.

Tie in a few strands (3-5) of white ostrich herls on the top half of the hook.

Tie in a bundle of aligned white STF Dubbing. Tie in the middle part of the bundle so you have an equal amount of dubbing pointing for- and backwards.

Tie in a few (3-5) white ostrich herls on the top half of the hook, a bit longer than the previous ones.

Tie in a bundle of white stf dubbing the same way as before. Only this time use a little more dubbing. This will help you build op the correct taper.

Tie in a few strands (4-6) of ostrich herls in olive. Again, you want them a tiny bit longer than the previous ones.

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Clean up the front of the hook with some wraps of tying thread and make a whip finish.

Tie in a small bundle of White Bucktail on the top of the hook – just before the hook bend.

Flip the forward pointing fibers back over on themselves and tie down. This will help distribute the dubbing all the way around the hook. Like a collar of dubbing.

Tie in two strands of mirage opal flash on each side of the hook. Cut them so they are in different lengths and a bit longer than the ostrich herls.

Apply a very thin coat of UV resin and let it soak into the materials a bit. This way you can determine the shape of the fly before curing it with you UV lamp. Cure when you are happy with the shape.

Apply a drop of UV resin on each side of the fly and place an eye directly on the drop. Then cure the resin with your lamp. This will allow you to get the eyes under control before covering the head.

Cure the Fluorescent orange resin on the belly.

Cure the resin while spinning the fly in your vise

Apply a drop of fluorescent orange UV resin on the belly of the fly as shown

Distribute it with your dubbing needle.

Coat the head of the fly with a thin layer of clear UV resin

The best way to get a round and perfect UV resin head on any fly is to keep it moving in the vise. Keep spinning your vise after you’ve covered the head.

The finished result.

See the full Loon fly tying product range at www.flyfisheurope.com FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

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scientificanglers.com

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FOR THE LOVE OF LINES

Scientific Anglers is credited with being the first fly line manufacturer to break from the tradition of braided silk lines by introducing something truly revolutionary: polymer coated fly lines. No longer did anglers have to treat lines to make them float, or dry them after a day on the water. Scientific Angler’s lines float higher, last longer, and require very little maintenance. Our proprietary manufacturing method allowed us to infinitely adjust tapers, to create lines tailor made for different environments and a variety applications. Scientific Anglers chose to use flexible PVC because of it’s incredible wear and bending strength and weather-ability. That’s how we make the most durable fly lines in the world. FLEX PVC// What is flex PVC? Flex PVC is made by combining PVC with a suitable liquid known as a plasticizer. Plasticizers are added to make the PVC more supple, so that it can withstand the stress of being bent back and forth (casting for example). The type and loading of plasticizer determines how soft or rigid the end product is. Plasticizer science has evolved over the years and has adapted as needed. Older plasticizer technology used substances called phthalates which came under scrutiny and are now regulated by organizations and legislation like Proposition 65 (US-California) and REACH (EU). Flexible (plasticized) PVC is still widely used in many different markets like medical tubing, blood bags, flooring, rainwear and boots, automotive interiors, plumbing, imitation leather, inflatable watercraft, and cable insulation to name a few. SCIENTIFIC ANGLER’S CURRENT COATING FORMULATION// Like other industries, Scientific Angler’s coating formulation has adapted over the years to better suit the market and to protect our resources. Scientific Angler’s current fly line coating formulation DOES NOT contain phthalate-based plasticizers present on California’s Proposition 65 chemical list or regulated by REACH. We are committed to providing the highest quality, most durable and environmentally friendly products that we can. DURABILITY// A final thought, and different perspective on environmentally conscious products: testing shows that our fly lines are 2-4 times more durable than competitive PVC lines, and 7-8 times more durable than competitive nonPVC lines. We keep more fly lines out of landfills simply by providing a more durable product.

AST PLUS

AST

A revolutionary breakthrough Scientific Anglers’ patented in slickness technology; 50% slickness agent, built into the slicker than the original AST coating

SA•ID

The Scientific Anglers innovative line marking system

TACTILE REFERENCE POINT

SONAR

Our SONAR sinking technology takes flies to where the fish are: beneath the surface

WELDED LOOPS

A smooth section of line that Hand-welded loops on the ends of fly lines to provide loop-toserves as a tactile signal beloop leader connections tween the head and running line

AUDIBLE REFERENCE POINT

TROPICORE

The inverse of the Tactile Ref- Braided monofilament core for erence Point - an embossed harsh tropical conditions section where the head meets the running line.

SHOOTING TEXTURE

Golf ball-shaped embossing that reduces friction, resulting in increased shootability

SEAMLESS DENSITY

A gradual mixing of densities, resulting in a straight-line connection to the fly

DRY TIP

CAMO TIP

A subtle mixing of muted colors on the tip to provide increased stealth

ST PLUS

A unique blend of microballoons, resulting in high-floating fly-line tips

Durable slickness additive built for warm climates

100-LB CORE

FLOATING TEXTURE

A 100-lb. braided monofilament core built for large fish and harsh tropical conditions

Diamond-shaped embossing that reduces surface area, resulting in high flotation

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SLICKNESS

Down to a Science Introducing AST Plus, the most advanced slickness technology in the world. Lasting on average 8 TIMES LONGER, with up to 5 TIMES LESS FRICTION than competitor’s lines, AST Plus is slickness, down to a science. What makes it so unique? Our AST Plus is a patented liquid compound that actually moves within the coating. It naturally migrates to the surface of the line as the coating begins to wear. This extends the life of a fly line and provides out-of-the-box slickness long after the line leaves the fly shop. Available exclusively from Scientific Anglers

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Lasts 8 Times Longer

on average, than the closest three competitors In addition to creating the slickest lines on the planet, AST Plus increases the durability of fly lines by leaps and bounds. Throughout our durability testing, lines with AST Plus consistently performed better than any other lines on the market. On average, lines with AST Plus last 8 times longer than lines from our top three competitors. How to read this chart: In our durability testing, we affix a weight to the end of a line and run it through the tip-top of a fly rod. One cycle constitutes the lowering and raising of this weight to provide friction through the guide. In looking at this chart, it is evident that lines with AST Plus last far longer than the lines of our top three competitors. In fact, lines with AST Plus last over 120% longer than the closest competition and, on average, 862% longer than the top three competitors.

Up to 5 Times Less Friction than the competition

For our slickness tests, we took the exact same length and diameter of lines with AST Plus, AST, and lines from the competition, wound them over a clean, polished surface, and clamped one end in a test frame. A weight was attached to the free end and pulled upwards at a constant rate, measuring the drag of the line over that span. How to read this chart: When measuring slickness, we focus on ounces of friction (or drag) at startup. Lower drag values mean that lines are slicker and therefore perform better. Lines with AST Plus feature far less friction on startup than lines from our top competitors. In this case, less is better.

Core Coating

Maintains Slickness for the life of the fly line

The AST Plus compound actually moves within the coating, naturally migrating to the surface as the line begins to wear down. This means lines with AST Plus not only retain their initial slickness, but can actually get slicker as the coating wears.

AST Plus

Lines built with AST Plus retain their out-of-thebox slickness far longer than any other fly line on the market. FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

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TWO HANDED PREMIUM TWO-HANDED LINES

Whether you’re swinging tubeflies or riffling hitches, the SA Two-Handed lineup has exactly what you need. From our UST lines, designed and developed by Flyfish Eruope, to our Spey Lite, Freightliner Skagit and Deliverance Spey lines, we have both of your hands covered. SA Two-Handed lines feature the SA•ID line identification tool, our AST slickness additive, as well as welded loops for easy switchouts. Some even feature the textured Audible Reference point or our SONAR sinking technology. No matter what your two hands are fishing for, SA has the line that will get the job done.

AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGIES:

SA•ID

AST

ARP

Welded Loops

SONAR

Seamless Density

Mastery Texture

Full ranges available at www.flyfisheurope.com

UST EXPRESS SINK Multi-Tip Shooting Head System

MEDIUM MEDIUM

UST EXPRESS SINK FEATURES

+ Designed in conjunction with FFE specifically for the demands of European salmon anglers + Fastest sinking shooting heads on the market + Powerful taper turns over heavy flies with ease while maintaining a precise delivery of the fly + No hinging provides a straight-line connection to the fly + Shooting Texture allows the line to easily be lifted from the depths before the next cast Flyfisheurope.com + Vibrantly colored tracer aids in identifying the back of the head in low light Designed and developed by + New and stronger loops Flyfish Europe

SINK RATE SINK5

HEAD LENGTH 11,2M

GRAINWEIGHT 750 850

SINK5

11,2M

SINK8

11,2M

750

SINK8

11,2M

850

SINK8

10,8M

950

The solution for swollen rivers and the deepest pools. The heaviest artillery for the biggest salmon.

Sink 5

“

SHOOTING TEXTURE ORANGE / GRAY

30’

134

FRONT TAPER 2

20’

10’

ORANGE / BLACK

REAR TAPER

FRONT TAPER 1

0’

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

30’

FRONT TAPER 2

20’

FRONT TAPER 1

10’

AST

WELDED LOOPS

In June 2020 I experienced some of my best Norwegian salmon fly fishing ever. Using SA’s Express Sink made this possible in the cold, flooded rivers I fished - Øistein Aas

Sink 8

SHOOTING TEXTURE

REAR TAPER

SA•ID

0’

-HA BLE ND

STS

MASTERY TEXTURE

E LL

COLD COLD

DOU

The fastest sinking fishfinders on the market – period! The UST Express Sink is a series of full sinking lines with weight / sink rates from 750grain-Sink 5 to 950grain-Sink 8. These lines are designed to allow the angler to dredge the fly in the deepest pools or slow down the swing in the fastest currents.

FLY LIN

SONAR

TI P

UST ULTIMATE SCANDI TAPER

LEADER AND TIP RECOMMENDATIONS LINE RANGE

SONAR SALMON LEADER

UST TEXTURED TIPS

ANADROMOS / SALMON NYLON

USAGE NOTES

UST SD

WORKS WELL WITH CONVENTIONAL AND SONAR LEADERS

UST SHORT

WORKS WELL WITH CONVENTIONAL AND SONAR LEADERS

UST

CONVENTIONAL, TAPERED LEADERS ARE RECOMMENDED

UST EXPRESS SINK

CONVENTIONAL, TAPERED LEADERS ARE RECOMMENDED

UST MULTI TIP

THE UST TIP IS A MUST, SINCE THE UST MULTI TIP BELLY DOES NOT HAVE A FRONT TAPER OF ITS OWN

Loop-loop connection

UST SD

Sonar leader

UST Short WILLOW FLOAT

PALE GREEN HOVER

LIGHT BLUE INTERMEDIATE

DARK GREEN SINK 3

BUTT

10’

9’

8’

7’

CHARCOAL SINK 6

FRONT TAPER

6’

5’

4’

3’

TIP

2’

1’

0’

Loop-loop connection

UST

Absolute Salmon leader

UST Express Sink

Loop-loop connection

UST Multi Tip

UST Textured Tips IVORY / OPTIC GREEN FLOATING

SURF / GREEN SINK 1 / SINK 2

GREEN / DARK GREEN SINK 2 / SINK 4

CHARCOAL / DARK BROWN SINK 3 SINK 5

BLACK SINK 7

SHOOTING TEXTURE

................... For more tips on how to pick the right line setup - check out our linesector tool at www.flyfisheurope.com ................... REAR TAPER

FRONT BELLY TAPER

10’

TIP

0’

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

135

UST MULTI-TIP KIT

DOU

Multi-Tip Shooting Head System

STS

E LL

-HA BLE ND

FLY LIN

Flyfisheurope.com

LINE WEIGHT 7/8 8/9 9/10 10/11

WEIGHT INCL. TIP 34G/520GRAIN 38G/590GRAIN 41G/630GRAIN 45G/700GRAIN

• A powerful shooting head with interchangeable tips turns over heavy flies and long leaders with ease while maintaining a precise delivery of the fly. • The slim loop-to-loop connection between head and interchangeable tips provides a smooth and seamless transition to eliminate hinging, and LEAF GREEN / BAMBOO provide a straight-line ORANGE connection toORANGE/ the fly. INTERMEDIATE BELLY FLOATING BELLY • The vibrantly colored tracer aids in identifying the back of the head at distance or in low light. Shooting Texture allows the line to easily be lifted from the depths before the next cast GREEN / DARK GREEN BAMBOO LEAF GREEN BLACK SINK 2 / Intermediate, SINK 4 TIP TIP 4 Textured INTERMEDIATE • Kit comesFLOAT with Tips:TIPFloating, Sink2/ Sink4, SINK 7 TIP Sink7 SHOOTING TEXTURE BELLY

LENGTH INCL. TIP 9,5M/31.2’ 10,3M/33.8’ 11,2M/36.7’ 12,2M/40.0’

SHOOTING TEXTURE TIP

ORANGE / BAMBOO FLOATING BELLY

ORANGE/ LEAF GREEN INTERMEDIATE BELLY

LEAF GREEN INTERMEDIATE TIP

GREEN / DARK GREEN SINK 2 / SINK 4 TIP

BAMBOO FLOAT TIP ORANGE/ LEAF GREEN INTERMEDIATE BELLY

SIGHTER

BELLY

FRONT TAPER

TIP BELLY FRONT TAPER BAMBOO TIP TAPERLEAF GREEN FLOAT TIP INTERMEDIATE TIP TIP SHOOTING TEXTURE BELLY

20’

10’

0’

10’

0’

GREEN / DARK GREEN SINK 2 / SINK 4 TIP

BLACK SINK 7 TIP

SHOOTING TEXTURE TIP SIGHTER

BELLY

FRONT TAPER

UST MULTI TIP BELLY INTERMEDIATE SIGHTER BELLY FRONT For refined presentation just below the surface TAPER

Flyfisheurope.com

LINE WEIGHT

WEIGHT INCL. TIP

7/8

34G/520GRAIN

9,5M/31.2’

38G/590GRAIN

10,3M/33.8’

9/10

41G/630GRAIN

11,2M/36.7’

10/11

45G/700GRAIN

12,2M/40.0’

SIGHTER

BELLY

20’

IVORY / OPTIC GREEN FLOATING

SURF / GREEN SINK 1 / SINK 2

GREEN / DARK GREEN SINK 2 / SINK 4

CHARCOAL / DARK BROWN SINK 3 SINK 5

BLACK SINK 7

DOU

SHOOTING TEXTURE

• The world’s first tapered, textured multi-density Spey Tips • Shooting Texturing reduces friction, allowing for easier pickups of sinking tips • Tapered design aids in turning over flies at any distance • Designed by Flyfish Europe in cooperation with Scientific Anglers

-HA BLE ND

STS

E LL

TIPS

Flyfisheurope.com

136

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

10’

SHOOTING TEXTURE TIP

SHOOTING TEXTURE BELLY

UST TEXTURED TIP A selection that lets you pin-point the fishing depth

20’ TIP BELLY FRONT TAPER TIP TAPER TIP

• Designed in conjunction with Flyfish Europe specifically for the demands of European salmon and sea trout anglers 20’ 10’ 0’ 10’ 0’ • Powerful shooting head designed for interchangeable tips • Slim loop-to-loop connection between head and interchangeable tips provides a smooth and seamless transition to/eliminate hinging, and provide ORANGE/ LEAF GREEN ORANGE BAMBOO INTERMEDIATE BELLY a straight-line connection to the fly FLOATING BELLY • Vibrantly colored tracer aids in identifying the back of the head at distance or in low light GREEN /the DARK GREEN BAMBOO LEAF GREEN BLACK • Shooting Texture allows the line to easily be lifted from depths before SINK 2 / SINK 4 TIP FLOAT TIP INTERMEDIATE TIP SINK 7 TIP the next cast

LENGTH INCL. TIP

8/9

SHOOTING TE TIP

SHOOTING TEXTURE BELLY

REAR TAPER

FRONT BELLY TAPER

LENGTH 8’ 10’ 8’ 8’ 8’ 8’ 8’ 10’ 10’ 10’ 10’ 10’ 10’

TIP

DENSITY FLOAT INT INT/S2 S2/S4 S3/S5 S7 FLOAT INT INT/S2 S2/S4 S3/S5 S7

0’

GRAIN WEIGHT 80 80 80 80 80 80 120 120 120 120 120 120

FRONT TAPER

TIP BELLY FRONT TAPER TIP TAPER TIP

10’

0’

10’

0’

LENGTH 12’ 12’ 12’ 12’ 12’ 12’ 15’ 15’ 15’ 15’ 15’ 15’

DENSITY FLOAT INT INT/S2 S2/S4 S3/S5 S7 FLOAT INT INT/S2 S2/S4 S3/S5 S7

GRAIN WEIGHT 160 160 160 160 160 160 180 180 180 180 180 180

LENGTH 15’ 15’ 15’ 15’ 15’

DENSITY FLOAT INT/S2 S2/S4 S3/S5 S7

GRAIN WEIGHT 200 200 200 200 200

TIP BELLY FRO TAPER TIP TAP T

0’

10’

We have a completely redesigned our Skagit head series. Leaving the traditional, level-belly Skagit tapers behind, our new lines are fully tapered from end to end. This provides the smoothest power delivery from the rod, through the line, to the tip, and ultimately to the fly. We have painstakingly optimized the tip diameter of these heads to cover a broad spectrum of sink tip lengths and weights. No matter what you attach to the end, this line will deliver it accurately with authority. The floating head is available in a visible, but not obnoxious, sky blue color. The back of the head is identified with a black band that contrasts well with bright colored shooting lines.

SKAGIT Floating and Intermediate Skagit Line for Salmon and Steelhead • Compact, powerful design with fully tapered belly for consistent turnover and accurate delivery • Designed to be used with sink tips for targeting steelhead and salmon • High contrast sighter at the rear of the head identifies the perfect overhang • Braided multifilament core for moderate and cold climates • SA_SKAGIT_XXX_GR_I – (### = grain weight) • SA_SKAGIT_XXX_GR_F – (### = grain weight) BLACK / SKY BLUE (FLOAT)

WEIGHT 420 GRAIN 450 GRAIN

FLOATING HEAD INTERMEDIATE HEAD LENGTH LENGTH 21.0’ / 6,4M 20.0’ / 6,1M 21.5’ / 6,6M 20.5’ / 6,2M

480 GRAIN

21.5’ / 6,6M

20.5’ / 6,2M

510 GRAIN 540 GRAIN 570 GRAIN 600 GRAIN

22.0’ / 6,7M 22.5’ / 6,9M 23.0’ / 7,0M 23.5’ / 7,2M

21.0’ / 6,4M 21.5’ / 6,6M 22.0’ / 6,7M 22.5’ / 6,9M

GRAM WEIGHT* 27,2G 29,2G

BLACK / MOSS (INTERMEDIATE)

31,1G 33,0G 35,0G 36,9G 38,9G *Full head weight

REAR TAPER

30’

20’

BELLY

FRONT TAPER

10’

0’

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

137

SPEY LITE INTEGRATED SKAGIT Integrated Light Skagit Line

HEAD WEIGHT LENGTH 150 GRAIN 3,4M 180 GRAIN 3,4M 210 GRAIN 3,7M 240 GRAIN 4,0M 270 GRAIN 4,3M 300 GRAIN 4,7M 330 GRAIN 5,2M 360 GRAIN 5,5M 390 GRAIN 5,9M 420 GRAIN 6,4M

TOTAL LENGTH 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M

GRAM WEIGHT* 9,7G 11,7G 13,6G 15,6G 17,5G 19,4G 21,4G 23,3G 25,3G 27,2G

*Gram weight for the first 9,14m

• Ultra-short head for turning over heavy tips with light two-handed rods • Integrated, one-piece floating line reduces hinging on casts and eliminates loop-to-loop connection • Tip recommendations: • 150-210 grains - SONAR leaders • 240-300 grains - 8’ TC Tips • 330-360 grains - 8’ or 10’ TC Tips • Also works with single-handed rods SHOOTING • Braided multifilament core TEXTURE HORIZON / BLACK / HORIZON

RUNNING LINE

100’

90’

80’

ARP REAR TAPER

70’

60’

50’

40’

30’

20’

BELLY

FRONT TAPER 2

10’

FRONT TAPER 1

0’

SPEY LITE INTEGRATED SKAGIT - INT Intermediate Integrated Light Skagit Line

WEIGHT 150 GRAIN 180 GRAIN 210 GRAIN 240 GRAIN 270 GRAIN 300 GRAIN 330 GRAIN 360 GRAIN 390 GRAIN 420 GRAIN

HEAD LENGTH 3,4M 3,4M 3,7M 4,0M 4,3M 4,7M 5,2M 5,5M 5,9M 6,4M

TOTAL GRAM LENGTH WEIGHT* 30,5M 9,7G 30,5M 11,6G 30,5M 13,6G 30,5M 15,6G 30,5M 17,6G 30,5M 19,4G 30,5M 21,4G 30,5M 23,4G 30,5M 25,4G 30,5M 27,2G *Full head weight

• Ultra-short head for turning over heavy tips and large, weighted flies with light two-handed rods - and for casting in crammed condition • Integrated floating line reduces hinging on casts and eliminates loopto-loop connection; also allows you to strip to the sink-tip connection to increase chances of hooking followers • Floating running line with intermediate sink head • Tip recommendations: 150-210 grains - SONAR leaders 240-300 grains - 8’ UST Tips 330-420 grains - 8’ or 10’ UST Tips • Also works with single-handed rods • Braided multifilament core; for use in moderate and cold climates SHOOTING TEXTURE

HORIZON / HERON

RUNNING LINE

100’

90’

80’

70’

ARP REAR TAPER

60’

50’

40’

30’

20’

BELLY

10’

FRONT TAPER 2

FRONT TAPER 1

0’

SPEY LITE SKAGIT HEAD Light Skagit Head

WEIGHT 150 GRAIN 180 GRAIN 210 GRAIN 240 GRAIN 270 GRAIN 300 GRAIN 330 GRAIN 360 GRAIN 390 GRAIN 420 GRAIN

HEAD LENGTH 3,4M 3,4M 3,7M 4,0M 4,3M 4,7M 5,2M 5,5M 5,9M 6,4M

GRAM WEIGHT* 9,7G 11,7G 13,6G 15,6G 17,5G 19,4G 21,4G 23,3G 25,3G 27,2G *Full head weight

138

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

• Ultra-short head for turning over heavy tips with light two-handed rods • Tip recommendations: • 150-210 grains - SONAR leaders • 240-300 grains - 8’ TC Tips • 330-360 grains - 8’ or 10’ TC Tips • Lines can be used with single-handed rods as well

BLACK / HORIZON

REAR TAPER 2

20’

REAR BELLY FRONT TAPER 1 TAPER 2

10’

0’

FRONT TAPER 1

SPEY LITE SKAGIT INTERMEDIATE HEAD Intermediate Light Skagit Head

WEIGHT 150 GRAIN 180 GRAIN 210 GRAIN 240 GRAIN 270 GRAIN 300 GRAIN 330 GRAIN 360 GRAIN 390 GRAIN 420 GRAIN

HEAD LENGTH 3,4M 3,4M 3,7M 4,0M 4,3M 4,7M 5.2M 5.5M 5.9M 6.4M

GRAM WEIGHT* 9,7G 11,6G 13,6G 15,6G 17,6G 19,4G 21,4G 23,4G 25,4G 27,2G

• Ultra-short head for turning over heavy tips and large, weighted flies with light two-handed rods • Standalone head designed to be used with shooting line; ideal for trout Spey applications as well as light steelhead and bass • Ultra-short head length works well for casting with limited room behind you • Tip recommendations: 150-210 grains - SONAR leaders 240-300 grains - 8’ UST Tips 330-420 grains - 8’ or 10’ UST Tips ORANGE / HERON • Sink Rate: Intermediate = 1.25 ips • Also works with single-handed rods REAR REAR BELLY FRONT FRONT • For use in moderate and cold climates TAPER 2 TAPER 1 TAPER 2 TAPER 1 • Braided multifilament core 20’

10’

0’

*Full head weight

SPEY LITE SCANDI INTEGRATED Integrated Light Scandi Line

HEAD WEIGHT LENGTH 150 GRAIN 6,1M 180 GRAIN 6,1M 210 GRAIN 6,4M 240 GRAIN 6,7M 270 GRAIN 7,0M 300 GRAIN 7,3M 330 GRAIN 7,6M 360 GRAIN 7,6M 390 GRAIN 8,2M 420 GRAIN 8,2M

TOTAL LENGTH 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M

GRAM WEIGHT* 9,7G 11,7G 13,6G 15,6G 17,5G 19,4G 21,4G 23,3G 25,3 27,2

• Short head for quick casts and line control • Integrated, one-piece floating line reduces hinging on casts and eliminates loop-to-loop connection • Excellent line for swinging streamers and can be used as a dry-fly line with long leaders • Designed for shorter two-handed rods; also works with single-handed rods • Braided multifilament core SHOOTING TEXTURE

WILLOW / BLACK / WILLOW

RUNNING LINE

100’

90’

80’

70’

ARP

60’

50’

40’

REAR BELLY TAPER

30’

20’

FRONT TAPER

10’

0’

*Full head weight

SPEY LITE SCANDI HEAD Light Scandi Presentation Head

WEIGHT 150 GRAIN 180 GRAIN 210 GRAIN 240 GRAIN 270 GRAIN 300 GRAIN 330 GRAIN 360 GRAIN 390 GRAIN 420 GRAIN

HEAD LENGTH 6,1M 6,1M 6,4M 6,7M 7,0M 7,3M 7,6M 7,6M 8,2M 8,2M

GRAM WEIGHT* 9,7G 11,7G 13,6G 15,6G 17,5G 19,4G 21,4G 23,3G 25,3G 27,2G *Full head weight

• Short head for quick casts and line control • Excellent line for swinging soft hackles, light streamers, and can be used as a dry-fly line with long leaders • Longer front taper for lighter, softer presentations • Designed for use with a shooting line on shorter two-handed rods and single-handed rods • Braided multifilament core; for use in moderate and cold climates

BLACK / WILLOW

REAR BELLY TAPER

30’

20’

FRONT TAPER

10’

0’

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

139

DEEP WATER EXPRESS For dredging deep, rapid water • Deep Water Express is heavy sinkin shooting heads developed for rapid, deep water. • One of fly fishing’s fastest-sinking shooting tapers • Quickly gets a fly 20’ or deeper • Use full length or cut to match rod; includes cutting chart GRAY

BROWN 700 GR

• Taper Characteristics: 400 - 550 GR

BLACK 850 GR

• Tapered to promote good turnover at long range WEIGHT

HEAD LENGTH

GRAM WEIGHT

850 GRAIN

30’ / 9,1M

55,1G

GRAY 400 - 550 GR

REAR TAPER

BROWN 700 GR

BELLY

BLACK 850 GR

FRONT TAPER

ABSOLUTE FLAT MONO Mono Shooting LineREAR 30’ 20’

TAPER

10’

BELLY

0’

FRONT TAPER

• Rectangular profile reduces line twist and increases grip in fingers • Hardness is tailored per size for optimal shooting with low memory in any condition SIZE

COLOR

DIAM.

25LB

YELLOW

0,43MM

35LB

ORANGE

0,48MM

42LB

CHARTREUSE

0,55MM

50LB

OPTIC GREEN

0,63MM

• Vibrant colors that are easily at distance 30’ tracked 20’ 10’

0’

• Available in 30m reel fill spools

ULTIMATE SHOOTING LINE Braided Multifilament-Core Shooting Line • Large front loop for quick changes (20cm) • Freshwater and saltwater floating shooting lines for exceptional casting distance • Minimal friction gives high speed shooting • 3,7m handling section • Braided multifilament 25lb core with low stiffness

Flyfisheurope.com

• Designed by Flyfish Europe in cooperation with Scientific Anglers

SIZE

DIAM.

TOTAL LENGTH FT

TOTAL LENGTH M

0,30’’/0,75MM

0.030”

100.0’

33,0M

0,38’’/0,97MM

0.038”

100.0’

33,0M

ULTIMATE RUNNING LINE Super slick silicone/oil double coated mono shooting line Flyfisheurope.com

• 60 meters 2 in 1 • Individual packages • Super slick double coated mono

140

TYPE

DIAM.

TOTAL LENGTH FT

TOTAL LENGTH M

IVORY 45LB

0,62MM

196.0’

60,0M

GREEN 50LB

0,68MM

196.0’

60,0M

YELLOW 70LB 0,75MM

196.0’

60,0M

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

• Totaly round mono line • Solid monofilament core • High breaking strength • Designed by Flyfish Europe • NOT AN ACTUAL SCIENTIFIC ANGLERS PRODUCT

S p a w n e d i n N e w Ze a l a n d

Innovative, exceptional quality fishing gear designed by fishermen for fishermen. Company founder Wayne Smith, originally from California, discovered his own New Zealand paradise while fishing his way across the South Pacific on his sailboat 25 odd years ago. Being a designer and innovator he continues to think up new and better ways of doing things. Every product that Smith Creek offers is an expression of our passion for adventure, the outdoors, and fly-fishing in particular.

- SPENT LINE WRANGLER -

- NET LEASH -

- NET HOLSTER -

- ROD CLIP -

- RIG KEEPER -

- STREAMER PATCH -

- MIDDLE FORK FLY PATCH -

- ROD RACK -

For more information www.flyfisheurope.com FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

141

The Amplitude Series of fly lines features the revolutionary AST Plus slickness additive for the ultimate in slickness and durability. Each line is built with three textures for a reduction in friction, three colors to identify the separate parts of the line, and welded loops for quick and easy rigging. SA Amplitude lines are the culmination of decades of research, testing, and innovation; no finer fly line exists in the world. Amplitude is available in a number of different freshwater- and saltwater-specific tapers, so now you can reach every fish you’re after.

AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGIES:

SA•ID

AST Plus

Shooting Texture

Floating Texture

TRP

Improved Dry Tip

Welded Loops

Camo Tip

Tropi-Core

100-lb Core

Full ranges available at www.flyfisheurope.com

TROUT AST Plus

TRP

Improved Dry Tip

Welded Loops

S EST

For Delicate Dry-Fly Deliveries to Trout • The very best true-to-grain-weight line for casting small dry flies to picky risers; front taper is designed for delicate deliveries • Excels in medium-to-long distances with dry flies and smaller nymphs; wonderful on glass and bamboo • Braided multifilament core

TUD PLI E

• SA AMPLITUDE TROUT WF X F (X = line weight)

E LL

Shooting Floating Texture Texture

SA•ID

FLY LIN

LINE HEAD TOTAL WEIGHT LENGTH LENGTH WF-3-F 19,5M 27,4M WF-4-F 20,1M 27,4M WF-5-F 20,7M 27,4M WF-6-F 21,3M 27,4M WF-7-F 21,9M 27,4M

CELESTIAL BLUE / BAMBOO / BLUE HERON (COLOR 2)

TACTILE REFERENCE POINT

SHOOTING TEXTURE

HEAD AFTM WEIGHT WEIGHT* 12,6G 6,5G 15,6G 7,8G 19,4G 9,1G 22,0G 10,4G 26,2G 12,0G

RUNNING LINE

MOSS / MIST GREEN / WILLOW (COLOR 1)

SHOOTING TEXTURE

REAR TAPER

BELLY 2

FLOATING TEXTURE

BELLY 1

FRONT FRONT TAPER TAPER 2 1

*Gram weight for the first 30’ (9,14m) 90’

80’

70’

60’

50’

40’

30’

20’

10’

0’

AST Plus

TRP

Improved Dry Tip

FLY LIN

TOTAL LENGTH 25,9M 25,9M 25,9M 25,9M 25,9M

Welded Loops

LE R

SE L

ST BE

LINE BELLY WEIGHT LENGTH DT-2-F 23,3M DT-3-F 22,9M DT-4-F 22,4M DT-5-F 21,9M DT-6-F 21,5M

SA•ID

TAP BLE ER

DOU

DOUBLE TAPER

• SA AMP DOUBLE TAPER DT X F (X = line weight) Shooting Floating Texture Texture

GRAIN WEIGHT* 80 100 120 140 160 90’

142

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

FLOATING TEXTURE

SHOOTING TEXTURE

REAR TAPER

BELLY

80’

70’

60’

50’

40’

MIST GREEN / LEATHER / BUCKSKIN

FLOATING TEXTURE

FRONT TAPER

30’

20’

10’

0’

INFINITY SA•ID

AST Plus

The Go-To Line for All Freshwater Species

Welded Loops

• Extremely versatile general-purpose taper designed for most freshwater species; an excellent line for trout, grayling, panfish, bass, carp, steelhead, salmon, and pike TRP

Improved Dry Tip

%(67 2) 6+2: )/< /,1( )5(6+:$7(5 '(19(5 &2

• Made a half-size heavy to load fast-action rods, but works well with a variety of rod actions • Extended head length for long-distance casts and superior mending ability

Floating Texture

TACTILE REFERENCE POINT

SHOOTING TEXTURE

FLOATING TEXTURE

BAMBOO / BUCKSKIN / CAMO

REAR TAPER 2

REAR TAPER 1

BELLY

FRONT TAPER

RUNNING LINE

LINE HEAD TOTAL HEAD AFTM WEIGHT LENGTH LENGTH WEIGHT WEIGHT* WF-3-F 14,3M 27,4M 10,0G 7,1G WF-4-F 14,6M 27,4M 12,3G 8,4G WF-5-F 14,9M 27,4M 14,6G 9,7G WF-6-F 15,2M 27,4M 16,8G 11,3G WF-7-F 15,5M 27,4M 19,8G 13,0G WF-8-F 15,8M 27,4M 22,7G 14,6G WF-9-F 16,1M 27,4M 26,9G 16,8G

• SA AMP INFINITY WF X F (X = line weight)

*Gram weight for the first 30’ (9,14m)

Shooting Texture

AT E R F LY

90’

80’

70’

60’

50’

40’

30’

20’

10’

0’

MPX SA•ID

AST Plus

Welded Loops

Mastery Presentation Taper • Features the revolutionary AST Plus slickness additive for superior shooting ability and increased durability • The ultimate general presentation line

TRP

LINE WEIGHT WF-3-F WF-4-F WF-5-F WF-6-F WF-7-F WF-8-F WF-9-F

• Made a half-size heavy to load fast-action rods

TUD PLI E

SE EST

LLE

Improved Dry Tip

FLY LIN

• Best for large dry flies, nymphs, and streamers R

• For use in moderate and cold climates Shooting Texture

Floating Texture

• Braided multifilament core • SA AMPLITUDE MPX WF X F (X line weight)

HEAD TOTAL HEAD AFTM LENGTH LENGTH WEIGHT WEIGHT* 9,9M 27,5M 7,7G 7,1G 9,9M 27,5M 9,2G 8,4G 11,OM 27,5M 11,2G 9,7G 11,OM 27,5M 13,7G 11,3G 12,1M 27,5M 16,8G 13,0G 12,5M 27,5M 19,8G 14,6G 12,9M 27,5M 22,4G 16,8G

TACTILE REFERENCE POINT

SHOOTING TEXTURE

FLOATING TEXTURE

OPTIC GREEN / MOSS / BUCKSKIN

RUNNING LINE

90’

*Gram weight for the first 30’ (9,14m)

80’

70’

REAR TAPER

60’

50’

40’

BELLY 2

30’

BELLY 1

20’

FRONT TAPER

10’

0’

BIG WATER TAPER SA•ID

AST Plus

100-lb Core

For the Biggest Fish in the Biggest Water • Built one size heavy to load quickly and deliver the biggest flies to the furthest targets; use designated line weight for your rod • Specially designed for tropical environments

Tropi-Core

TRP

Shooting Floating Texture Texture

• Built on a 100-lb. core; ideal for tarpon, GTs, tuna, billfish, and arapaima in harsh tropical environments + Comes with 100lb braided add on loops • SA AMPLITUDE BWT WF X F

LINE HEAD TOTAL HEAD AFTM WEIGHT LENGTH LENGTH WEIGHT WEIGHT* WF-11-F 9,9M 32,0M 32,4G 24,6G WF-12-F 9,9M 32,0M 35,6G 28,8G

TACTILE REFERENCE POINT

SHOOTING TEXTURE

FLOATING TEXTURE

BLACK / SURF / SAND

*Gram weight for the first 30' (9,14m) SIGHTER

100’

RUNNING LINE

90’

80’

70’

REAR TAPER

60’

50’

40’

30’

REAR BELLY

20’

FRONT BELLY

10’

FRONT TAPER

0’

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

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We took our revolutionary AST Plus slickness additive and put it into the brand-new Amplitude Smooth Series. These lines are smooth like traditional lines, but have increased durability and slickness due to the AST Plus, which is mixed directly into our coatings. Each line is built with three colors to identify the separate parts of the line, and welded loops for quick and easy rigging. SA Amplitude Smooth lines are simply the finest smooth fly lines in the world and are available in a number of freshwater- and saltwater-specific tapers.

AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGIES:

SA•ID

AST Plus

Improved Dry Tip

Welded Loops

TropiCore

Camo Tip

Floating Texture

Tactile Referende Point

Full ranges available at www.flyfisheurope.com

TROUT

Welded Loops

For Delicate Dry Fly Deliveries to Trout

AST Plus

SA•ID

• Excels in medium-to-long distances with dry flies and smaller nymphs; wonderful on glass and bamboo • The best smooth, true-to-grain-weight line for casting small dry flies to picky risers

Improved Dry Tip

• Elongated front taper is designed for delicate presentations • For use in moderate and cold climates • Braided multifilament core

LINE WEIGHT WF-2-F WF-3-F WF-4-F WF-5-F WF-6-F WF-7-F

HEAD LENGTH 19,5M 19,5M 20,1M 20,7M 21,3M 22,0M

TOTAL LENGTH 27,4M 27,4M 27,4M 27,4M 27,4M 27,4M

• SA AMP SMTH TROUT WF X F (X = line weight)

HEAD AFTM WEIGHT WEIGHT* 11,0G 5,2G 12,6G 6,5G 15,6G 7,8G 19,4G 9,1G 22,0G 10,4G 26,2G 12,0G

CELESTIAL BLUE / BAMBOO / BLUE HERON

RUNNING LINE

*Gram weight for the first 30’ (9,14m)

90’

80’

REAR TAPER

70’

60’

BELLY 2

50’

40’

BELLY 1

30’

FRONT FRONT TAPER TAPER 2 1

20’

10’

0’

ART SA•ID

AST Plus

Floating Texture

A smooth freshwater allrounder • Half-size heavy to load rods quickly • Powerful taper helps to turn over long dry-fly leaders and deliver nymphs and small streamers

Welded Loops

STS

ER E LL

FLY LIN

• Great for single-handed spey casting • Three-tone super-stealthy colors with camouflage tip for wary fish

TUD PLI E

Camo Tip

Flyfisheurope.com

• Floating texture on the tip for higher flotation • Braided multifilament for cold water applications • Designed by Flyfish Europe in cooperation with Scientific Anglers

LINE WEIGHT WF-2-F WF-3-F WF-4-F WF-5-F WF-6-F WF-7-F

HEAD LENGTH 9,4M 9,8M 10,2M 10,6M 10,6M 11,0M

TOTAL LENGTH 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M

HEAD AFTM WEIGHT WEIGHT* 6,4G 5,8G 7,7G 7,1G 9,2G 8,4G 11,1G 9,7G 12,8G 11,3G 15,2G 13,0G

• SA AMP SMTH ART WF X F (X = line weight)

FLOATING TEXTURE

MOSS / DARK OLIVE / DARK OLIVE - BAMBOO

RUNNING LINE

REAR TAPER

BELLY

FRONT FRONT TAPER TAPER 2 1

*Gram weight for the first 30’ (9,14m) 100’

144

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

90’

80’

70’

60’

50’

40’

30’

20’

10’

0’

DYNAMIC SA•ID

AST Plus

For delicate dry fly deliveries • Designed for handling dries and nymph patterns • Powerful front taper turns over long leaders

Welded Loops

• Excellent line control in close or at distance • Taper designed to handle both overhead casts and spey casts • Stealth color in front for skittish fish

TUD PLI E LE R

EL STS

Floating Texture

FLY LIN

Flyfisheurope.com

• Floating texture on tip for higher flotation • Braided multifilament core • Designed by Flyfish Europe in cooperation with Scientific Anglers

LINE WEIGHT WF-2-F WF-3-F WF-4-F WF-5-F WF-6-F WF-7-F WF-8-F

HEAD LENGTH 11,8M 12,3M 12,8M 13,3M 13,3M 13,6M 13,6M

TOTAL LENGTH 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M

HEAD WEIGHT 7,0G 9,0G 10,9G 12,9G 14,9G 17,3G 19,8G

AFTM WEIGHT* 5,2G 6,5G 7,8G 9,1G 10,4G 12,0G 13,6G

• SA AMP SMTH DYNAMIC WF X F (X = line weight)

FLOATING TEXTURE

BAMBOO / SATIN ORANGE / BROWN

RUNNING LINE

100’

90’

80’

70’

REAR TAPER

60’

50’

40’

BELLY

30’

FRONT TAPER 2

20’

10’

FRONT TAPER 1

0’

*Gram weight for the first 30’ (9,14m)

INFINITY SA•ID

Welded Loops

LINE WEIGHT WF-3-F WF-4-F WF-5-F WF-6-F WF-7-F WF-8-F WF-9-F

HEAD LENGTH 14,3M 14,6M 15,0M 15,3M 15,6M 15,9M 16,2M

Improved Dry Tip

TUD PLI E

STS

LE R

FLY LIN

Camo Tip

TOTAL LENGTH 27,4M 27,4M 27,4M 27,4M 27,4M 27,4M 27,4M

HEAD WEIGHT 10,0G 12,3G 14,6G 17,2G 19,8G 22,7G 26,9G

The go-to line for freshwater gamefish • Extremely versatile general-purpose taper designed for most freshwater species; an excellent line for trout, grayling, carp, steelhead, salmon, and pike (dry flies, nymphs, streamers) • Made a half-size heavy to load fast-action rods, but works well with a variety of rod actions • Extended head length for long-distance casts and superior mending ability • Available in two color schemes: standard and camo; the camo scheme features a mottled front taper for increased stealth

AST Plus

• For use in moderate and cold climates AFTM WEIGHT* 7,1G 8,4G 9,7G 11,3G 13,0G 14,6G 16,8G

• Braided multifilament core • SA AMP SMTH INFNTY WF X F (X = line weight) BAMBOO / BUCKSKIN / CAMO

RUNNING LINE

90’

80’

70’

REAR TAPER 2

60’

50’

REAR TAPER 1

40’

BELLY

30’

20’

FRONT TAPER

10’

OPTIC GREEN / MIST GREEN /BUCKSKIN

0’

*Gram weight for the first 30’ (9,14m)

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

145

VPT 2.0 SA•ID

AST Plus

Excellent line control up close- or at a distance • Perfect for delicate dry-fly presentations • Great for roll casts and spey casts

Welded Loops

S EST

E LL

LINE WEIGHT

HEAD LENGTH

TOTAL LENGTH

HEAD AFTM WEIGHT WEIGHT*

WF-2-F WF-3-F WF-4-F WF-5-F WF-6-F WF-7-F WF-8-F

11,9M 12,6M 13,0M 13,4M 13,4M 13,7M 13,7M

30,5M 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M

FLY LIN

• Excellent line control up-close or at a distance • Floating textured tip for high flotation • 8` vibrant color handling section for extended line control

Flyfisheurope.com

FLY RY

Floating Texture

8G 10G 12G 15G 17G 20G 22,5G

• Stealth color on head • Designed by Flyfish Europe in cooperation with Scientific Anglers

5,5G 6,8G 8,1G 9,4G 10,7G 12,3G 14,3G

*Gram weight for the first 30’ (9,14m)

CREEK TROUT Ideal for Small Creeks and Short Casts SA•ID

Welded Loops

AST Plus

Improved Dry Tip

• Features the revolutionary AST Plus slickness additive for superior shooting ability and increased durability • Short-head design with handling line delivers flies at short-tomedium range with extended line control; Built full size heavy • Turns over weighted nymphs and streamers, yet offers light presentations when used with long leaders • Taper design based on the popular SBT lines, only with a longer handling section. • SA AMP S CREEK TROUT WF X F (X = line weight)

LINE WEIGHT

HEAD LENGTH

TOTAL LENGTH

AFTM WEIGHT*

WF-3-F WF-4-F WF-5-F WF-6-F

6,7M 7,0M 7,3M 7,6M

27,4M 27,4M 27,4M 27,4M

7,8G 9,1G 10,4G 12,0G

MOSS / LEATHER / WILLOW

RUNNING LINE

HANDLING LINE

REAR BELLY TAPER

FRONT TAPER

*Gram weight for the first 30’ (9,14m) 90’

80’

70’

60’

50’

40’

30’

20’

10’

0’

STILLWATER INDICATOR For Reservoirs and Stillwater Fisheriet SA•ID

AST Plus

•

Long rear taper for extended line control and longdistance casting; the best nymphing taper we offer

• For nymphing up trout or swinging flies for steelhead and salmon; excellent for double-nymph rigs or hopper-droppers Welded Loops

Improved Dry Tip

• The stillwater indicator version, features alternating high viz color bands at the tip, for easy tracking and strike detection • Overweighted by 1.5 sizes to assist in turning over heavy rigs; use designated line weight for your rod. For use in moderate and cold climates

LINE WEIGHT

HEAD LENGTH

TOTAL LENGTH

WF-5-F WF-6-F WF-7-F WF-8-F

18.3M 18.3M 18,6M 18,9M

30,5M 30,5M 30,5M 30,5M

HEAD AFTM WEIGHT WEIGHT*

21,1G 23,0G 26,2G 29,5G

• SA AMP SMTH ANADRO WF X F

11,3G 13,0G 14,6G 16,8G

ORANGE / WILLOW / ORANGE/OPTIC GREEN ANADRO/NYMPH INDICATOR

MOSS / WILLOW / ORANGE ANADRO/NYMPH

*Gram weight for the first 30’ (9,14m)

146

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

RUNNING LINE

100’

90’

80’

REAR TAPER

70’

60’

50’

BELLY

40’

30’

20’

FRONT BELLY

FRONT TAPER

10’

0’

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2021

141

The SA SONAR Series was designed by anglers for anglers. Built for exploring every inch of the water column, the SONAR Series features sinking heads, full sinking lines, and even custom-cut lines for getting down as deep as you need. Constructed with our AST slickness additive, SONAR sinking technology, SA•ID line identification system, and Welded Loops, the SONAR Series is a technologically advanced set of sinking lines, built for fish of all species. Fresh or salt water, it doesn’t matter. We have a SONAR built for the fish you’re after.

AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGIES:

AST

SA•ID

SONAR

Welded Loops

Tropi-Core

100-lb Core

Shooting Texture

Full ranges available at www.flyfisheurope.com

TITAN BIG WATER TAPER MAX SINK SA•ID

Sonar

Fast Sinking Line for Big Game • Loads quickly and delivers the biggest flies to the furthest targets • Excellent turnover due to short, powerful head

AST

Shooting Texture

• Specially designed for tropical environments • Shooting Texture reduces friction, providing longer casts, easier pick-up, and increased durability • Intermediate running line with fast-sinking head • Sink Rate: Sink 6 = 5.0 - 7.0 ips

100-lb Core

• Built on a 100-lb. core. Comes with 100lb braided add on loops

LINE HEAD TOTAL HEAD AFTM WEIGHT LENGTH LENGTH WEIGHT WEIGHT* 500 GR 9,5M 32,0M 34,4G 32,4G 11-13WT 600 GR 9,5M 32,0M 40,0G 38,9G 12-14 WT 700 GR 9,5M 32,0M 48,2G 45,4G 13-15 WT

• SA SONAR BWT MAX WF ### (# = grain weight) SHOOTING TEXTURE

SURF / BLACK

RUNNING LINE

*Gram weight for the first 30’ (9,14m) 100’

90’

80’

REAR TAPER

70’

60’

50’

40’

30’

BELLY

20’

FRONT TAPER

10’

0’

TITAN BIG WATER TAPER SA•ID

Sonar

Slow Sinking Line for Big Water • Excellent turnover due to short, powerful head. Overweighted for loading quickly and delivering big flies to distant targets

AST

100-lb Core

Shooting Texture

Tropi-Core

• Specially designed for tropical environments; built specifically to withstand large game such as GTs, tuna, and billfish • Built on a 100-lb. core; this is the strongest line on the market, by far (Comes with 100lb braided add on loops) • Floating running line with intermediate sinking head. Sink Rate: Intermediate = 1.25 ips • SA SONAR BWT INT WF ### FI (# = grain weight)

LINE HEAD TOTAL HEAD AFTM WEIGHT LENGTH LENGTH WEIGHT WEIGHT* 350 GR 32,0M 32,4G 22,7G 10,1M 9 - 11 WT 450 GR 32,0M 10,1M 35,6G 29,2G 10-12 WT

SHOOTING TEXTURE

CONCH TAN / SURF

*Gram weight for the first 30’ (9,14m)

RUNNING LINE

100’

148

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

90’

80’

REAR REAR TAPER BELLY

70’

60’

50’

40’

30’

FRONT BELLY

20’

10’

FRONT TAPER

0’

SA•ID

Sonar

TITAN BIG WATER TAPER BLUEFIN TUNA Intermediate Line for Big Game - 1.25 ips

AST

Welded Loops

• A special production for FFE for the Mediterranean bluefin tuna fishery out of France, Croatia and Italy. • This line is built on an 80 pound strength core so strong enough to handle large fish and heavy drag pressure. @ • The coating and core are formulated for cooler water and air temperatures, not tropical. • Floating running line and back of head with 15ft intermediate sink tip • SA SONAR BWT BT WF ### FI (# = grain weight)

LINE HEAD TOTAL HEAD AFTM WEIGHT LENGTH LENGTH WEIGHT WEIGHT* WF-15-F/I 9,4M 32,0M 36,9G 35,6G

HORIZON / PALE GREEN

*Gram weight for the first 30’ (9,14m)

RUNNING LINE

100’

90’

REAR TAPER

80’

70’

60’

50’

40’

BELLY

30’

20’

FRONT TAPER

10’

0’

CAMO INTERMEDIATE SA•ID

Sonar

Camouflage Line for Sub-Surface Fishing • Based on our popular Infinity Salt taper • Made half size heavy for larger flies and windy days

AST

Welded Loops

• Full intermediate, coldwater coating over camoflauge core for stealthy presentations with minimal memory in cold to medium waters • Sink rate: 1.25 IPS (intermediate) • SA SONAR CAMO INT WF XX I (X = line weight)

LINE HEAD TOTAL HEAD AFTM WEIGHT LENGTH LENGTH WEIGHT WEIGHT* WF-8-I 14,9M 32,0M 21,4G 14,6G WF-9-I 15,2M 32,0M 25,6G 16,8G WF-10-I 15,5M 32,0M 30,8G 19,8G

CAMO

RUNNING LINE

REAR TAPER 2

*Gram weight for the first 30’ (9,14m) 100’

90’

80’

70’

60’

50’

REAR TAPER 1

40’

BELLY

30’

20’

FRONT TAPER

10’

0’

SONAR MUSKY SA•ID

Sonar

AST

Welded Loops

LINE HEAD TOTAL HEAD GRAINS WEIGHT LENGTH LENGTH WEIGHT WEIGHT* 350 GR 9-10 WT 7,6M 27,4M 22,7G 350 400 GR 10-12 WT 7,6M 27,4M 25,9G 400 450 GR 11-13 WT 9,1M 27,4M 29,3G 450 500 GR 11-13 WT 9,1M 27,4M 32,4G 500

Powerful Fast Sinking Musky Taper • Powerful head to turn over extremely large flies • Reinforced loops • Oversized running line for increased line management and positive strip sets. • Intermediate running line and Sink 5 head works well for lakes and rivers • For use in moderate climates • Braided multifilament core • SA SONAR MUSKY XXX GR (# = grain weight)

NORTHWOODS GREEN / CHARCOAL

RUNNING LINE

REAR TAPER

BELLY

FRONT TAPER

*Grains weight for the first 30’ (9,14m) 90’

80’

70’

60’

50’

40’

30’

20’

10’

0’

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

149

TITAN FULL INTERMEDIATE SA•ID

AST

STS

• The SONAR Titan Full Intermediate fly line is designed to manhandle even the largest flies, and with its intermediate density, it allows you to fish your most heinous flies just below the surface. Right where they need to be • Excellent turnover due to short, powerful head • Slow sink rate gets flies just below the surface • For temperate climates • Braided multifilament core • Sink Rate: 1.25 ips (Intermediate) • SA SONAR TITAN WF X I (X = line weight)

Welded Loops

E LL

ASTAL

Slow-Sinking for Streamer Fishing

Sonar

FLY LIN

LINE HEAD TOTAL HEAD AFTM WEIGHT LENGTH LENGTH WEIGHT WEIGHT* WF-6-I 10,2M 32,0M 14,7G 14,6G WF-7-I 10,2M 32,0M 17,2G 17,2G WF-8-I 10,2M 32,0M 19,4G 19,4G WF-9-I 10,2M 32,0M 23,3G 23,3G WF-10-I 10,2M 32,0M 26,5G 26,6G WF-11-I 10,2M 32,0M 33,0G 33,0G WF-12-I 10,2M 32,0M 34,6G 34,7G

BLUE / PALE GREEN

RUNNING LINE

100’

*Gram weight for the first 30’ (9,14m)

90’

80’

REAR TAPER

70’

60’

50’

40’

BELLY 2

30’

BELLY FRONT 1 TAPER

20’

10’

0’

STILLWATER CLEAR CAMO SA•ID

ISHING EF

STS

• Designed for the unique demands of stillwater angling, the Clear Camo simply disappears beneath the surface, and features a slow, intermediate sink rate to tempt fish sitting just below the chop. • Designed specifically for the demands of stillwater anglers • Based on popular MPX taper • Overweighted by a full line weight for multiple flies and long leaders • Full intermediate (1.25 ips) line over camouflage core for the ultimate in stealth • Features all-new supple clear material for reduced memory • SA STILLWATER CAMO WF X I (X = line weight)

Welded Loops

E LL

FLY

LAK

Camo Tip

Camouflage Line for Sub-Surface Fishing

Sonar

LIN

LINE HEAD TOTAL HEAD AFTM WEIGHT LENGTH LENGTH WEIGHT WEIGHT* WF-4-I 10,8M 32,0M 11,2G 9,1G WF-5-I 11,4M 32,0M 13,4G 10,4G WF-6-I 12,0M 32,0M 16,1G 12,0G WF-7-I 12,6M 32,0M 18,8G 13,6G WF-8-I 13,3M 32,0M 22,1G 15,6G

CAMO

RUNNING LINE

100’

*Gram weight for the first 30’ (9,14m)

90’

80’

70’

60’

REAR TAPER

50’

40’

BELLY 2

30’

BELLY 1

20’

FRONT TAPER

10’

0’

PARABOLIC SINK SA•ID

Sonar

ARP

Sinks in a U-Shaped Profile • Overweighted by two line weights for multiple flies and long leaders; use designated line weight for your rod. Features 10-foot and 20-foot textured hang markers

AST

Shooting Texture

Welded Loops

Seamless Density

LINE HEAD TOTAL HEAD AFTM WEIGHT LENGTH LENGTH WEIGHT WEIGHT* 32,0M WF-5-S 10,8M 13,9G 12,0G 32,0M 15,9G 13,6G WF-6-S 10,8M 32,0M 17,8G 15,6G WF-7-S 10,8M 32,0M 20,7G 18,1G WF-8-S 10,8M

• Seamless Density technology provides a smooth transition between densities, eliminates hinging, and provides a straight-line connection to the fly • Sinking in a U-shaped profile, this line features a Sink 3 running line, Sink 5 head, and a Sink 3 tip • This line sinks faster in the middle to move the fly in a U-shaped retrieve, which is great for triggering strikes

*Gram weight for the first 30’ (9,14m)

RUNNING LINE

100’

150

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

20FT HANG 10FT HANG MARKER/ MARKER/ SHOOTING SHOOTING TEXTURE TEXTURE

• SA SD PRBLC WF X S# S# S# (X = line weight; # = sink rate)

90’

80’

70’

REAR TAPER

60’

50’

40’

30’

BELLY 2

BELLY 1

20’

10’

DARK GREEN / CHARCOAL / DARK GREEN

FRONT TAPER

0’

CLEAR EMERGER TIP For Fishing Flies in or Near the Surface SA•ID

Sonar

• Designed specifically for the demands of stillwater anglers • Overweighted by a full line weight for multiple flies and long leaders; use designated line weight for your rod

AST

Welded Loops

• 5-foot clear intermediate tip (1.25 ips) with floating running line and head for fishing flies just below the surface • Features all-new supple clear material for reduced memory • Monofilament core; for use in moderate and cold climates • SA STLLWTR EMERG TIP WF X FI (X = line weight)

LINE HEAD TOTAL HEAD AFTM WEIGHT LENGTH LENGTH WEIGHT WEIGHT* WF-6-F/I 12,OM 32,0M 16,2G 12,0G WF-7-F/I 12,7M 32,0M 18,8G 13,6G WF-8-F/I 13,3M 32,0M 22,0G 15,6G

ORANGE / LIGHT OLIVE / CLEAR

RUNNING LINE

*Gram weight for the first 30’ (9,14m) 100’

90’

80’

70’

REAR TAPER

60’

50’

40’

BELLY 2

30’

BELLY 1

20’

FRONT TAPER

10’

0’

SONAR TITAN TRIPLE DENSITY SA•ID

Sonar

AST

Shooting Texture

Triple-Density Line for Throwing Big Streamers • Two line sizes heavy for loading quickly and delivering the biggest flies to the furthest targets; use designated line weight for your rod

ALL

• For use in moderate and cold climates; braided multifilament core

STS

E LL

• Sink Rates:

Sink 5 = 4.5 – 5.5 ips Hover = 1.00 ips Sink 6 = 5.5 - 6.5 ips Sink 2 = 1.5 – 2.5 ips Sink 7 = 6.5 – 7.5 ips Sink 4 = 3.5 - 3.5 ips

ROUND

FLY LIN

Welded Loops

• SA SONAR TITAN WF X DENSITY (X = line weight) SHOOTING TEXTURE

LINE HEAD TOTAL HEAD AFTM WEIGHT LENGTH LENGTH WEIGHT WEIGHT* WF-6-S 10,2M 32,0M 14,9G 13,6G WF-7-S 10,2M 32,0M 17,2G 15,6G WF-8-S 10,2M 32,0M 20,1G 18,1G WF-9-S 10,2M 32,0M 23,7G 21,4G WF-10-S 10,2M 32,0M 27,2G 24,6G WF-11-S 10,2M 32,0M 32,4G 29,2G WF-12-S 10,2M 32,0M 35,6G 32,4G

HOVER INTERMEDIATE INTERMEDIATE INTERMEDIATE SINK 3

SINK 2 SINK 2 SINK 3 SINK 3 SINK 5

SURF / BLUE / CHARCOAL (HOVER / SINK 2 / SINK 4

SINK 4 SINK 3 SINK 5 SINK 6 SINK 7

PALE GREEN / BLUE / DARK GREEN (INT / SINK 2 / SINK 3)

PALE GREEN / OLIVE / CHARCOAL (INT / SINK 3 / SINK 5)

RUNNING LINE

100’

90’

80’

HANDLING LINE

70’

60’

50’

REAR TAPER

40’

BELLY 2

30’

20’

BELLY FRONT 1 TAPER

10’

0’

Taper diagram is based on equivalent float density. Actual diameters of sinking portions will be smaller.

PALE GREEN / DARK GREEN / BROWN (INT / SINK 3 / SINK 6)

OLIVE / CHARCOAL / BLACK (SINK 3 / SINK 5 / SINK 7)

*Gram weight for the first 30’ (9,14m)

SEAMLESS DENSITY

STILLWATER SEAMLESS DENSITY

SINK 25 COLD

Based on the Popular MPX Taper

Sinking-Head Fly Line for Cold Water

For Fishing Flies Just Below the Surface Film

• 25’ extra-fast sinking head with handling line • An excellent streamer line - perfect for wading • Low-tangle design increases shooting distance • Floating running line • Super Fast Sink: 4.0 - 8.0 ips, sinks 4’ - 15’

• Designed specifically for the demands of stillwater anglers • Based on our popular MPX taper • Overweighted by a full line weight for multiple flies and long leaders; use designated line weight for your rod • Extra-slow sinking hover (1 ips) for fishing the film

S5/S7 S3/S5

S1/S3

• Overweighted by two line weights for multiple flies and long leaders • Features 10’ and 20’hang markers LINE WEIGHT WF-4-S

HEAD LENGTH 10,8M

TOTAL LENGTH 32,0M

GRAM WEIGHT* 10,4G 12,0G

WF-5-S

10,8M

32,0M

WF-6-S

10,8M

32,0M

13,6G

WF-7-S

10,8M

32,0M

15,6G

WF-8-S

10,8M

32,0M

18,1G

WF-5-S

10,8M

32,0M

12,0G

WF-6-S

10,8M

32,0M

13,6G

WF-7-S WF-8-S

10,8M 10,8M

32,0M 32,0M

15,6G 18,1G

WF-7-S

10,8M

32,0M

15,6G

WF-8-S

10,8M

32,0M

18,1G

*Gram weight for the first 9,14m

STILLWATER HOVER

LINE HEAD TOTAL WEIGHT LENGTH LENGTH 150 GR 5-6 WT 7,6M 32,0M 200 GR 6-7 WT 7,6M 32,0M 250 GR 7-8 WT 7,6M 32,0M 300 GR 8-9 WT 7,6M 32,0M 350 GR 9-10 WT 7,6M 32,0M 400 GR 11-12 WT 7,6M 32,0M 450 GR 12-13 WT 7,6M 32,0M

GRAM WEIGHT* 9,7G 13,0G 16,2G 19,4G 22,7G 25,9G 29,2G

*Gram weight for the first 9,14m

LINE WEIGHT

HEAD LENGTH

TOTAL AFTM LENGTH WEIGHT*

WF-4-H

10,8M

32,0M

9,1G

WF-5-H

11,4M

32,0M

10,4G

WF-6-H

12,0M

32,0M

12,0G

WF-7-H

12,6M

32,0M

12,3G

WF-8-H

13,3M

32,0M

15,6G

*Gram weight for the first 9,14m

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

151

HIGH-QUALITY SMOOTH LINES

AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGIES:

AST

SA•ID

Improved Dry Tip

Welded Loops

Tropi-Core

For years, SA Mastery Series lines have been among our most-popular and best-performing lines. While some things have changed, one thing hasn’t: Mastery Series lines still deliver just as well as—if not better than—they ever have before. With our AST slickness additive, Dry-Tip technology, color change at the rear of the head, and SA•ID identification system, Mastery lines are still the best smooth lines at their price point on the market. From dry-fly purists to tarpon-chasing poon hounds, the Mastery Series from SA provides every angler the lines they need to catch the fish they crave.

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Full range available at www.flyfisheurope.com

FLY LIN

INFINITY

TITAN

The Go-To-Line for All Freshwater Species

Quick-Loading Floating Taper for Big Flies

Distance-Casting Taper

• Extremely versatile general-purpose taper designed for most freshwater species; an excellent line for trout, grayling, panfish, bass, carp, steelhead, salmon, and pike

• Built two sizes heavy to load quickly and deliver the biggest flies to the furthest targets • Loads quickly and delivers the biggest flies to the furthest targets • Excellent turnover due to short, powerful head and short front taper • Ideal line for boat or wade fishing • For temperate climates • Braided multifilament core • SA MS TTN WF X F (X = line weight)

• Extra-long head and tapers for longdistance casting

• Made a half-size heavy to load fast-action rods, but works well with a variety of rod actions • Extended head length for long-distance casts and superior mending ability • Excellent for dry flies, nymphs, and streamers • For use in moderate and cold climates

EXPERT DISTANCE

• Braided multifilament core • SA MS INFNTY WF X F (X = line weight)

LINE HEAD TOTAL HEAD AFTM WEIGHT LENGTH LENGTH WEIGHT WEIGHT* WF-3F 14,3M 27,4M 10,OG 7,1G WF-4-F

14,6M

27,4M

12,3G

8,4G

WF-5-F

14,9M

27,4M

14,6G

9,7G

WF-6-F

15,2M

27,4M

17,2G

11,3G

WF7-F

15,5M

27,4M

19,8G

13,0G

WF-8-F

15,8M

27,4M

22,2G

14,6G

*Gram weight for the first 9,14m

152

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

LINE HEAD TOTAL HEAD AFTM WEIGHT LENGTH LENGTH WEIGHT WEIGHT* WF-5F 10,2M 27,4M 13,9G 12,0G WF-6-F

10,2M

27,4M

14,9G

13,6G

WF-7-F

10,2M

27,4M

17,2G

15,6G

WF-8-F

10,2M

27,4M

20,1G

18,1G

WF-9-F

10,2M

27,4M

23,7G

21,4G

WF-10-F

10,2M

27,4M

27,2G

24,6G

WF-11-F

10,2M

27,4M

32,4G

29,2G

*Gram weight for the first 9,14m

• Compound head design ensures strong turnover at distance • Ideal line for IFFF casting certification and competition casting LINE HEAD TOTAL HEAD AFTM WEIGHT LENGTH LENGTH WEIGHT WEIGHT* WF-5-F 20,8M 36,5M 19,5G 9,0G WF-6-F

21,5M

36,5M

22,1G

10,4G

WF-7-F

22,0M

36,5M

26,1G

12,0G

*Gram weight for the first 9,14m

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SBT

Versatile Presentation Taper

All-Round Taper

Short Belly Taper

• • • • • •

• Half-size heavy to load rods quickly • Powerful taper helps to turn over long dry-fly leaders and deliver nymphs and small streamers • Great for single-handed Spey casting • Two-tone super-stealthy colors with new camouflage tip for wary fish • Floating texture on tip for higher flotation • Braided multifilament core for cold-water applications • SA MS ART WF X F (X = line weight)

• Short head delivers flies at short-to-medium range with extended line control • Turns over weighted flies, yet offers light presentations • Camo non-spooking tip, • Well suited for single-handed Spey casts • Braided multifilament core • Designed by Flyfish Europe in cooperation with Scientific Anglers • SA ID – SA MS SBT WF X F (X = line weight)

Perfect for delicate dry-fly fishing Floating Textured tip for high flotation Great for roll-casting and soft presentations Excellent line control in close or at a distance Braided multifilament core Designed by Flyfish Europe in cooperation with Scientific Anglers • SA ID – SA MS VPT WF X F (X = line weight)

FLOATING TEXTURE

LINE HEAD TOTAL HEAD AFTM WEIGHT LENGTH LENGTH WEIGHT WEIGHT* WF-2-F 12,1M 30,5M 7,1G 5,2G

RUNNING LINE

REAR TAPER

BELLY

FRONT FRONT TAPER TAPER 2 1

LINE HEAD TOTAL HEAD AFTM WEIGHT LENGTH LENGTH WEIGHT WEIGHT* 100’ 90’ 80’ 70’ 60’ 50’ 40’ 30’ 20’ 10’ 0’ WF-2-F 9,4M 30,5M 6,4G 5,9G

LINE WEIGHT WF-2-F

HEAD LENGTH 6,5M

TOTAL LENGTH 30,5M

AFTM WEIGHT* 6,5G

WF-3-F

12,6M

30,5M

9,2G

6,5G

WF-3-F

9,8M

30,5M

7,7G

7,2G

WF-3-F

6,8M

30,5M

7,8G

WF-4-F

12,9M

30,5M

11,3G

7,8G

WF-4-F

10,2M

30,5M

9,2G

8,5G

WF-4-F

7,1M

30,5M

9,0G 10,4G

WF-5-F

13,4M

30,5M

13,9G

9,0G

WF-5-F

10,6M

30,5M

11,1G

9,8G

WF-5-F

7,4M

30,5M

WF-6-F

13,7M

30,5M

16,0G

10,4G

WF-6-F

10,6M

30,5M

12,8G

11,2G

WF-6-F

7,7M

30,5M

11,9,G

WF-7-F

14,3M

30,5M

18,4G

12,0G

WF-7-F

11,0M

30,5M

15,2G

12,8G

WF-7-F

8,0M

30,5M

13,6G

WF-8-F

14,0M

30,5M

20,5G

13,6G

WF-8-F

11,0M

30,5M

17,4G

14,6G

WF-8-F

8,0M

30,5M

15,5G

*Gram weight for the first 9,14m

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MPX

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AMBER/WILLOW

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*Gram weight for the first 9,14m

FLY LIN

STANDARD

Floating Dry Fly Line

Mastery Presentation Taper

AFFTA Standard Weight, Mid-Length Head

• Revised compound taper for delicate deliveries

• • • • • • •

• True to line weight • Mid-length head for exceptional mending and accuracy at distance • The caster’s fishing line • Braided multifilament core • For use in moderate and cold climates • SA MASTERY STANDARD WF X F (X = line weight)

• Excels in medium-to-long distances with dry flies and smaller nymphs and streamers • The ultimate line for chasing trout • Braided multifilament core • SA ID – SA MS TRT WF X F (X = line weight)

LINE HEAD TOTAL HEAD AFTM WEIGHT LENGTH LENGTH WEIGHT WEIGHT* WF-2-F 19,2M 27,5M 11,1G 5,2G

The ultimate general presentation line Improved version of our GPX taper Best for large dry flies, nymphs, and streamers Made a half-size heavy to load fast-action rods Braided multifilament core Excellent with dry flies, nymphs, and streamers SA ID – SA MS MPX WF X F (X = line weight)

LINE HEAD TOTAL HEAD AFTM WEIGHT LENGTH LENGTH WEIGHT WEIGHT* WF-3-F 9,9M 27,5M 7,7G 7,1G

WF-3-F

19,8M

27,5M

12,6G

6,5G

WF-4-F

9,9M

27,5M

9,2G

WF-4-F

20,4M

27,5M

15,4G

7,8G

WF-5-F

11,OM

27,5M

11,2G

9,7G

WF-5-F

21,0M

27,5M

19,5G

9,7G

WF-6-F

11,OM

27,5M

13,7G

11,2G

8,4G

WF-6-F

21,6M

27,5M

22,1G

10,4G

WF-7-F

12,1M

27,5M

16,8G

12,8G

WF-7-F

22,2M

27,5M

26,1G

12,0G

WF-8-F

12,5M

27,5M

19,8G

14,5G

WF-9-F

12,9M

27,5M

22,4G

16,8G

*Gram weight for the first 9,14m

LINE HEAD TOTAL HEAD AFTM WEIGHT LENGTH LENGTH WEIGHT WEIGHT* WF-3-F 13,7M 27,4M 9,1G 100 WF-4-F 14,6M 27,4M 12,3G 120 WF-5-F 16,5M 27,4M 15,6G 140 WF-6-F 54.0’ 27,4M 18,8G 160 WF-7-F 18,0M 27,4M 22,7G 185 WF-8-F 18,3M 27,4M 26,6G 210 *Gram weight for the first 9,14m

*Gram weight for the first 9,14m

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

153

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DTD

Double Taper Line for Delicate Work at Short Range

Double Taper Dual

Built to FIPS Mouche Standards

• Double-taper lines are extra-delicate for subtle presentations • Excels in short-to-medium distances with dry flies and smaller nymphs • The ultimate fly line for chasing trout in close quarters • Braided multifilament core • SA ID – SA MS TRT DT X F (X = line weight)

• Popular Ultra 4 front taper on one end for diverse fishing situations • Modified VPT front taper on the other end for delicate dry-fly fishing • Looped on both ends, makes changing tapers quick and easy • Braided multifilament core • Designed by Flyfish Europe in cooperation with Scientific Anglers

• Ultra-thin level-line design for premium performance and sensitivity

LINE WEIGHT DT-2-F

BELLY LENGTH 24,8M

TOTAL LENGTH 27,4M

GRAIN WEIGHT* 5,2G

DT-3-F

24,4M

27,4M

DT-4-F

24,0M

27,4M

DT-5-F

23,5M

27,4M

DT-6-F

23,0M

27,4M

LINE WEIGHT DT-2-F

HEAD LENGTH N/A

TOTAL LENGTH 27,5M

GRAM WEIGHT* 5,2G

6,5G

DT-3-F

N/A

27,5M

6,5G

7,8G

DT-4-F

N/A

27,5M

7,8G

9,0G

DT-5-F

N/A

27,5M

9,1G

10,4G

DT-6-F

N/A

27,5M

10,4G

*Gram weight for the first 9,14m

COMPETITION NYMPH

• For use with rods 0- through 5-weight • Meets FIPS Mouche competition specifications • For use in moderate and cold climates

LINE WEIGHT 0-5 FLOAT

HEAD LENGTH N/A

TOTAL LENGTH 24,4M

GRAM WEIGHT* N/A

*Gram weight for the first 9,14m

“

After 25 years with my fly rod along the coast, I have developed very clear thoughts about how I’d like my fly line to perform. The line should carry my fly out to the fish with a minimal amount of false casting - in even the worst of conditions. Volantis has exactly what I`m looking for in a fly line for coastal fly fishing.

Runar Kabbe 154

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

- Runar Kabbe

VOLANTIS INTEGRATED

Your go-to fly line for seatrout and other coastal predator fish.

LINE WEIGHT WF-5-F WF-6-F WF-7-F WF-8-F WF-5-I WF-6-I WF-7-I WF-8-I

Designed by Flyfish Europe in cooperation with Scientific Anglers Compact and powerful integrated shooting head for predator species Load rods quickly with minimal false casts Cuts through the wind with ease, and turns over all types of flies Vibrantly colored tracer aids in identifying the back of the head at distance or in low light • Braided multifilament core, stays supple in cold conditions • Floating running line

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Flyfisheurope.com

• • • • •

FLY LIN

HEAD LENGTH 10,1M 10,1M 10,1M 10,1M 10,1M 10,1M 10,1M 10,1M

HEAD WEIGHT 14,0G 16,0G 18,0G 20,0G 14,0G 16,0G 18,0G 20,0G

HORIZON / ORANGE / LIGHT GREEN (FLOAT)

TOTAL LENGTH 32,0M 32,0M 32,0M 32,0M 32,0M 32,0M 32,0M 32,0M

HORIZON / ORANGE / LIGHT BLUE (INTERMEDIATE)

RUNNING LINE

100’

90’

80’

70’

HANDLING LINE

60’

50’

40’

REAR TAPER

30’

BELLY

20’

FRONT TAPER

10’

0’

VOLANTIS INTEGRATED FULL INTERMEDIATE - CLEAR CAMO Your go-to fly line for seatrout and other coastal predator fish. • • • •

Compact and powerful integrated shooting head Load rods quickly with minimal false casts Cut through the wind with ease, and turn over all types of flies Vibrantly colored tracer aids in identifying the back of the head at distance or in low light conditions • Single-strand monofilament core • Full intermediate line • Designed and developed by Flyfish Europe

Flyfisheurope.com

LINE WEIGHT WF-5-I WF-6-I WF-7-I WF-8-I

HEAD LENGTH 10,1M 10,1M 10,1M 10,1M

HEADWEIGHT 14,0G 16,0G 18,0G 20,0G

TOTAL LENGTH 32,0M 32,0M 32,0M 32,0M

LIGHT BLUE CAMO / ORANGE / CAMO

RUNNING LINE

100’

90’

80’

70’

HANDLING LINE

60’

50’

40’

REAR TAPER

30’

BELLY

20’

FRONT TAPER

10’

0’

VOLANTIS SHOOTING HEAD Designed by- and for Scandinavian seatrout fishermen

• • • • •

Designed by Flyfish Europe in cooperation with Scientific Anglers Compact and powerful shooting head for predator species Load rods quickly with minimal false casts Cuts through the wind with ease, and turns over all types of flies Vibrantly colored tracer aids in identifying the back of the head at distance or in low light • Braided multifilament core, stays supple in cold conditions • Floating running line

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STS

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HEAD

Flyfisheurope.com

ORANGE / LIGHT GREEN (FLOAT)

LINE WEIGHT ST-5-F

HEAD LENGTH 9,4M

HEAD WEIGHT 14,0G

LINE WEIGHT ST-5-I

HEAD LENGTH 9,4M

HEAD WEIGHT 14,0G

LINE WEIGHT ST-5-FAST-I

HEAD LENGTH 9,4M

HEAD WEIGHT 14,0G

ST-6-F

9,4M

16,0G

ST-6-I

9,4M

16,0G

ST-6-FAST-I

9,4M

16,0G

ST-7-F

9,4M

18,0G

ST-7-I

9,4M

18,0G

ST-7-FAST-I

9,4M

18,0G

ST-8-F

9,4M

20,0G

ST-8-I

9,4M

20,0G

ST-8-FAST-I

9,4M

20,0G

ORANGE / LIGHT BLUE (INTERMEDIATE)

REAR TAPER

30’

BELLY

20’

FRONT TAPER

10’

ORANGE / BLUE (FAST INTERMEDIATE)

0’

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

155

WHAT’S YOUR

ENTRY-LEVEL SMOOTH LINES

AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGIES:

AST

Welded Loop

Tropi-Core

Welded Loop

AirCel lines are simple, no-frills fly lines designed to get you out on the water without clearing out your bank account. Built without all the bells, whistles, textures, and colors of our more premium offerings, the AirCel series just gets the job done for budget-conscious beginners and thrifty professionals alike.

We are proud to offer the Frequency family of lines: the Trout and Double Tapers, built for precise presentations; the Boost, a half-size heavy taper for handling bigger dries, nymphs, and streamers; the Magnum, an even more powerful line for the largest streamers and poppers; the Saltwater, for fish along the coastlines; along with SinkTip, Full Sink, and Intermediate lines for all your sub-surface needs.

FLY LIN

STS

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Full ranges available at www.flyfisheurope.com

FLY LIN

TROUT - DT & WF

SINK TIP

INTERMEDIATE

FOR DRY-FLY TROUT PURSUITS

SINKING TIP FLY LINE - 10’ TIP, SINK 3

INTERMEDIATE SINKING LINE - 1.25IPS

• All-around trout fly line • Versatile taper excels with most flies and conditions • Excels in all weather conditions • Mid-length head • Formulated with Advanced Shooting Technology • Braided multifilament core

• deal for streamers and wet flies for trout, steelhead, salmon, in moving water • Fast-sinking 10’ tip sinks flies through the water column • Mid-length head enhances control • Best used in moving water • Sink Rates: 2.5 – 4.0 ips (Type III) • Braided multifilament core

• For chucking streamers in rivers as well, at this price, it would be silly not to get one. • Especially effective for fishing streamers • Thin diameter cuts through wind • Ideal for use in stillwater situations • Mid-length head for enhanced line control • Sink Rate: 1.25 ips (Intermediate) • Braided multifilament core

LINE WEIGHT DT-3-F

HEAD LENGTH 9,8M

TOTAL LENGTH 25,9M

GRAM WEIGHT* 6,5G

LINE WEIGHT

HEAD LENGTH

TOTAL LENGTH

GRAM WEIGHT*

WF-5-F/S

13,7M

26,0M

DT-4-F

10,4M

25,9M

7,8G

DT-5-F

10,4M

25,9M

9,0G

WF-6-F/S

13,7M

DT-6-F

11,0M

25,9M

10,4G

15,5G

WF-9-F/S

WF-5-F

12,4M

26,0M

9,0G 11,9G

26,0M

13,6G

WF-9-F

12,4M

26,0M

15,5G

*Gram weight for the first 9,14m

156

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

10,4G

26,0M

7,8G

12,4M

26,0M

13,7M

26,0M

WF-8-F

9,0G

11,0M

13,6G

12,4M

10,4G

26,0M

WF-6-I

12,0G

WF-4-F

26,0M

10,4M

10,4G

26,0M

6,5G

26,0M

WF-5-I

26,0M

12,4M

9,0G

13,7M

12,4M

TOTAL LENGTH

13,7M

WF-3-F

WF-7-F

HEAD LENGTH

WF-7-F/S WF-8-F/S

WF-6-F

LINE WEIGHT

*Gram weight for the first 9,14m

GRAM WEIGHT*

WF-7-I

11,0M

26,0M

12,0G

WF-8-I

11,6M

26,0M

13,6G

WF-9-I

11,6M

26,0M

15,5G

*Gram weight for the first 9,14m

FLY

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FULL SINK

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BOOST

AIRCEL

FULL SINKING FLY LINE - SINK 3 & SINK 6

HALF-SIZE HEAVY

GENERAL-PURPOSE FLOATING

• Especially effective for fishing streamers • Thin diameter cuts through wind. Ideal for use in stillwater situations • Front welded loop on Sink 3; Sink 6 includes braided loop connection. Mid-length head for enhanced line control • Sink Rates: 2.5 – 4.0 ips (Sink 3) • Sink Rate: 5.0 – 6.0 ips (Sink 6) • Monofilament core

• Features a mid-length head perfect for nearly all freshwater applications • Excellent general-purpose line • Half-size heavy and more powerful than the Trout taper. Better with larger, heavier flies • Supple and easy to use • Versatile mid-length head • Braided multifilament core

• The original modern floating fly line, now with a front loop • Raised bump in handling section to indicate the ideal place to begin the cast • Braided multifilament core

LINE WEIGHT

HEAD LENGTH

TOTAL LENGTH

GRAM WEIGHT*

LINE WEIGHT

HEAD LENGTH

TOTAL LENGTH

GRAM WEIGHT*

WF-5-S

10,4M

26,0M

9,0G

WF-3-F

11,6M

26,0M

7,1G

WF-6-S

11,0M

26,0M

10,4G

WF-4-F

11,6M

26,0M

8,4G

WF-7-S

11,0M

26,0M

12,0G

WF-5-F

11,6M

26,0M

9,7G

WF-8-S

11,6M

26,0M

13,6G

WF-6-F

11,6M

26,0M

11,2G

WF-9-S

11,6M

26,0M

15,5G

*Gram weight for the first 9,14m

WF-7-F

11,6M

26,0M

12,8G

WF-8-F

11,6M

26,0M

14,5G

WF-9-F

11,6M

26,0M

16,8G

*Gram weight for the first 9,14m

LINE WEIGHT WF-4-F

HEAD LENGTH 12,2M

TOTAL LENGTH 24,4M

GRAM WEIGHT* 7,8G

WF-5-F

12,2M

24,4M

9,0G

WF-6-F

12,2M

24,4M

10,4G 12,0G

WF-7-F

12,2M

24,4M

WF-8-F

12,2M

24,4M

13,6G

WF-9-F

12,2M

24,4M

15,5G

DT-3-F

24,5M

6,5G

DT-4-F

24,5M

7,8G

DT-5-F

24,5M

9,1G

DT-6-F

24,5M

10,4G 12,0G

DT-7-F

24,5M

DT-8-F

24,5M

13,6G

DT-9-F

24,5M

15,5G

*Gram weight for the first 9,14m

Flyfisheurope.com

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IRCEL

FLY LIN

AIRCEL SHORT

WETCEL INT/SINK

QUICK-LOADING FLOATING LINE

GENERAL-PURPOSE FLOATING

GENERAL-PURPOSE SINK TIP LINE

• Weight-forward fly line with a welded loop on the front. Braided multifilament core • Short head design with handling line delivers flies and short to medium range with extended line control - Over weighted by a full line size • Well suited for single-handed Spey casting • Based on Mastery SBT • Designed by Flyfish Europe in cooperation with Scientific Anglers

• Several different sink rates available to target a variety of species • Sink Rates: • Intermediate = 1.25 ips • Sink 2 = 1.75 – 2.75 ips • Sink 4 = 4.0 – 5.0 ips • Sink 6 = 4.5 – 6.0 ips REAR BELLY FRONT TAPER TAPER • Braided multifilament core • Intermediate on monofilament core

• 12 ft long (3,7m), sink 4 sinking tip • Braided multifilament core for moderate to cold climates • Mid-length head for general fishing situations • Sink Rate - Sink 4 = 4.0 - 5.0 ips

WETCEL SINK TIP4

INTERMEDIATE CLEAR

SINK II BROWN

RUNNING LINE

SINK IV CHARCOAL INTERMEDIATE CLEAR

SINK VI BLACK

80’

LINE WEIGHT WF-3-F

HEAD LENGTH 7,4M

TOTAL LENGTH 24,4M

GRAM WEIGHT* 7,8G

WF-4-F

7,4M

24,4M

9,0G

WF-5-F

7,4M

24,4M

10,4G

70’

60’

50’

40’

30’

20’

10’

RUNNING LINE

0’

REAR TAPER

BELLY

FRONT TAPER

HEAD LENGTH 12,2M

TOTAL LENGTH 24,4M

GRAM WEIGHT* 9,0G

WF-6-F/S

SINK IV CHARCOAL

12,2M

24,4M

10,4G

WF-7-F/S

12,2M

24,4M

12,0G

WF-8-F/S

12,2M

24,4M

13,6G

SINK VI BLACK

80’

70’

60’

50’

40’

30’

20’

10’

0’

WF-6-F

7,4M

24,4M

12,0G

LINE WEIGHT WF-5-F/S

WF-7-F

7,4M

24,4M

13,6G

WF-6-F/S

12,2M

24,4M

10,4G

WF-8-F

7,4M

24,4M

15,5G

WF-7-F/S

12,2M

24,4M

12,0G

WF-8-F/S

12,2M

24,4M

13,6G

*Gram weight for the first 9,14m

SINK II BROWN

LINE WEIGHT WF-5-F/S

HEAD LENGTH 12,2M

TOTAL LENGTH 24,4M

GRAM WEIGHT* 9,0G

*Gram weight for the first 9,14m

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

157

Best in class material. Absolute leaders and tippet are made with proprietary copolymer blends that drastically limit water absorption while maintaining optimal suppleness for high knot strength. A post production coating further limits water absorption and UV degradation while increasing lubricity to manage heat buildup from knot tightening friction. This results in a 29% higher wet knot strength for nylon and 15% strength gain for fluorocarbon and 33% higher knot strength for Supreme Fluorocarbon over previous offerings. Competitive testing performed by 3rd party testing facility: 7.0lb ________________________________________________________________________________________________ 6.0lb ________________________________________________________________________________________________ 5.0lb ________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4.0lb ________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3.0lb ________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2.0lb ________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1.0lb ________________________________________________________________________________________________ 0.0lb ________________________________________________________________________________________________ SA Absolute Trout 5X

SA Freshwater 5X

Competitor 1*

Competitor 2*

Straight Tensile Strength

Competitor 3*

Competitor 4*

Competitor 5*

Wet Knot Strength

*Competitive materials in no particular order: Rio Powerflex+, Rio Powerflex, Umpqua, Trouthunter, Trouthunter EVO

Simple and sustainable packaging. Intuitive color scheme for easy identification of material and application. Leader packages are 100% biodegradable, including plastic window and ink, to reduce single use plastic packaging. Small tippet spools feature a color-coded, printed silicone band for better tippet retention and legibility. Primary Color = Material Nylon Copolymer

Fluorocarbon

Accent Color = Application General Purpose Nylon

General Purpose Fluoro

Bass

160

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

Salmon/Steelhead

Trout

Trout Stealth

Specialty

Saltwater

Predator

7.5’ Trout

.61mm

9’ Trout

.61mm

9’ Trout Stealth

.61mm

10’ Trout Stealth Finesse

.56mm

12’ Trout Stealth Finesse

.56mm

11’ Trout Presentation

.66mm

14’ Trout Presentation

.71mm

8’ Bass

.76mm

10’ Bonefish

.76mm

10’ Permit

.76mm

10’ Saltwater

.76mm

10’ Redfish

.76mm

9’ Salmon (EU)

.76mm

12’ Salmon (EU)

.76mm

15’ Salmon (EU)

.76mm

9’ Salmon/Steelhead

.76mm

12’ Salmon/Steelhead

.76mm

12’ Indicator/Stillwater

.66mm

4’ Streamer

.76mm

13.5’ Euro Nymph

.51mm

9’ Fluorocarbon

.56mm

12’ Fluorocarbon

.56mm

10’ Fluoro Saltwater

.56mm

NEW

2’

4’

6’

8’

10’

2’

4’

6’

8’

10’

12’

14’

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022 12’ 14’

161

ABSOLUTE Absolute leaders and tippet are made with proprietary copolymer blends that are designed to drastically reduce water absorption while maintaining an optimal suppleness for high knot strength. Absolute nylon leaders and tippet have a 29% higher wet knot strength compared to our previous material and up to 40% higher wet knot strength when compared to our competitors. Absolute fluorocarbon leaders and tippet boast a 15% higher wet knot strength compared to our previous material and features incredible clarity and abrasion resistance.

%(67 2) 6+2: /($'(5 7,33(7 '(19(5 &2

Full ranges available at www.flyfisheurope.com

BREAK STRENGTH 2.5 LB / 1,1 KG 3.0 LB / 1,4 KG 3.5 LB / 1,6 KG

SIZE

DIAMETER

7X 6.5X 6X

0.004” / .10 MM 0.0045” / .11 MM 0.005” / .13 MM

5.5X

0.0055” / .14 MM

4.1 LB / 1,8 KG

5X 4.5X 4X 3X 2X 1X 0X

0.006” / .15 MM 0.0065” / .17 MM 0.007” / .18 MM 0.008” / .20 MM 0.009” / .23 MM 0.010” / .25 MM 0.011” / .28 MM

4.6 LB / 2,1 KG 5.7 LB / 2,6 KG 6.7 LB / 3,0 KG 8.4 LB / 3,8 KG 9.5 LB / 4,3 KG 11.8 LB / 5,4 KG 13.4 LB / 6,1 KG

ABSOLUTE FLUOROCARBON TROUT Fluorocarbon Tippet • Sizes: 7X – 0X, with 0.5x sizes! • Length: 30m spools in all sizes • 100% fluorocarbon for ultimate stealthy presentations • Supple for drag free drifts SIZE 7X 6.5X 6X 5.5X 5X 4.5X 4X 3X 2X 1X 0X

BREAK STRENGTH 0.004” / .10 MM 2.4 LB / 1,1 KG 0.0045” / .11 MM 3.0 LB / 1,3 KG 3.5 LB / 1,6 KG 0.005” / .13 MM 0.0055” / .14 MM 4.7 LB / 2,1 KG 0.006” / .15 MM 5.9 LB / 2,7 KG 0.0065” / .17 MM 6.7 LB / 3,0 KG 0.007” / .18 MM 7.4 LB / 3,4 KG 0.008” / .20 MM 9.0 LB / 4,1 KG 0.009” / .23 MM 11.2 LB / 5,1 KG 0.010” / .25 MM 13.9 LB / 6.3 KG 0.011” / .28 MM 16.0 LB / 7,3 KG DIAMETER

NEW NEW

SIZE

DIAMETER

6X 5X 4X 3X

0.005” / .13 MM 0.006” / .15 MM 0.007” / .18 MM 0.008” / .20 MM

NEW

BREAK STRENGTH 3.5 LB / 1,6 KG 5.9 LB / 2,7 KG 7.4 LB / 3,4 KG 9.0 LB / 4,1 KG

ABSOLUTE TROUT

ABSOLUTE TROUT STEALTH

Freshwater Tippet

• Sizes: 7X – 0X, with 0.5X sizes

• Sizes: 6X - 3X

• Length: 30m spools in all sizes

• Supple for drag free drifts

• On average 40% stronger wet-knot strength than competition

• Light olive tint reduces line flash for ultra wary fish

162

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

• On average 40% stronger wet-knot strength than competition

NEW NEW NEW

DIAMETER 0,28MM 0,33MM 0,38MM 0,43MM 0,48MM

BREAK STRENGTH 13.4LB / 6,1KG 16.0LB / 7,3KG 20.0LB / 9,1KG 26.0LB / 11,8KG 30.0LB / 13,6KG

DIAMETER 0,28MM 0,33MM 0,38MM 0,43MM 0,48MM

BREAK STRENGTH 14.9LB / 6,8KG 20.0LB / 9,1KG 25.0LB / 11,3KG 35.0LB / 15,9KG 40.0LB / 18,1KG

ABSOLUTE

FLUOROCARBON SALMON TIPPET

CLEAR SALMON TIPPET

Fluorocarbon tippet

Nylon tippet

• 30m spools

• Diameter range 0.28 - 0.48mm

• Supple for drag free drifts

• On average 40% stronger wet-knot strength than competition

ABSOLUTE FLUOROCARBON Fluorocarbon Tapered Leader Our new paper-based Leader packaging is now 100% recyclable. All materials, inks, and window are fully biodegradable to protect our streams and reduce our environmental footprint. Please don’t litter!

ABSOLUTE TROUT Freshwater Tapered Leader • Tapers specifically designed for Trout fishing

TIPPET DIAMETER 0.004'' / 0.10 MM

BUTT DIAMETER 0.019'' / 0.47 MM

0.005'' / 0.13 MM

0.019'' / 0.47 MM

3.5 LB / 1,6KG

0.006'' / 0.15 MM

0.021'' / 0.53 MM

4.6 LB / 2,1KG

LENGTH 9’

SIZE 7X

9’ 9’

BREAK STRENGTH 2.5 LB / 1,1KG

9’

0.007'' / 0.18 MM

0.021'' / 0.53 MM

6.7 LB / 3,0KG

9’

0.008'' / 0.20 MM

0.021'' / 0.53 MM

8.4 LB / 3,8KG

9’

0.009'' / 0.23 MM

0.022'' / 0.57 MM

9.5 LB / 4,3KG

9’

0.010'' / 0.25 MM

0.022'' / 0.57 MM

11.8 LB / 5,4KG

9’

0.011'' / 0.28 MM

0.022'' / 0.57 MM

13.4 LB / 6,1KG

9’

16LB

0.013'' / 0.33 MM

0.022'' / 0.57 MM

16.0 LB / 7,3KG 20.0 LB / 9,1KG

9’

20LB

0.015'' / 0.38 MM

0.022'' / 0.57 MM

12’

6LB

0.007'' / 0.18 MM

0.022'' / 0.57 MM

6.0 LB / 2,7KG

12’

8LB

0.008'' / 0.20 MM

0.022'' / 0.57 MM

8.0 LB / 3,6KG

12’

10LB

0.010'' / 0.25 MM

0.022'' / 0.57 MM

10.0 LB / 4,5KG

12’

12LB

0.011'' / 0.28 MM

0.022'' / 0.57 MM

12.0 LB / 5,4KG

12’

16LB

0.013'' / 0.33 MM

0.022'' / 0.57 MM

16.0 LB / 7,3KG

12’

20LB

0.015'' / 0.38 MM

0.022'' / 0.57 MM

20.0 LB / 9,1KG

LENGTH 7.5’

SIZE 6X

TIPPET DIAMETER 0.005'' / 0.13 MM

BUTT DIAMETER 0.023'' / 0.58 MM

BREAK STRENGTH 3.5 LB / 1,6KG

7.5’

0.006'' / 0.15 MM

0.023'' / 0.58 MM

5.9 LB / 2,7KG

7.5’

0.007'' / 0.18 MM

0.024'' / 0.61 MM

7.4 LB / 3,4KG

7.5’

0.008'' / 0.20 MM

0.024'' / 0.61 MM

9.0 LB / 4,1KG

7.5’

0.009'' / 0.23 MM

0.025'' / 0.64 MM

11.2 LB / 5,1KG

7.5’

0.010'' / 0.25 MM

0.025'' / 0.64 MM

13.9 LB / 6,3KG

7.5’

0.011'' / 0.28 MM

0.025'' / 0.64 MM

16.0 LB / 7,3KG

9’

0.004'' / 0.10 MM

0.023'' / 0.58 MM

2.4 LB / 1,1KG

9’

0.005'' / 0.13 MM

0.023'' / 0.58 MM

3.5 LB / 1,6KG

9’

0.006'' / 0.15 MM

0.023'' / 0.58 MM

5.9 LB / 2,7KG

9’

0.007'' / 0.18 MM

0.024'' / 0.61 MM

7.4 LB / 3,4KG

• Heavy butt diameters for powerful accurate deliveries

9’

0.008'' / 0.20 MM

0.024'' / 0.61 MM

9.0 LB / 4,1KG

• Supple material for drag free drifts

9’

0.009'' / 0.23 MM

0.025'' / 0.64 MM

11.2 LB / 5,1KG

• On average 40% stronger wet-knot strength than competition

9’

0.010'' / 0.25 MM

0.025'' / 0.64 MM

13.9 LB / 6,3KG

• Available as single and three leader packs

9’

0.011'' / 0.28 MM

0.025'' / 0.64 MM

16.0 LB / 7,3KG

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

163

ABSOLUTE

ABSOLUTE TROUT

TROUT STEALTH

PRESENTATION Freshwater Tapered Leader

Freshwater Tapered Leader

• Large butts to turn over longer length with ease

• Light olive tint reduces line flash for ultra wary fish

• Progressive taper delicately delivers fly

• For dry fly and nymph fishing in close quarters

• Supple Material for drag free drifts

• Supple Material for drag free drifts TIPPET DIAMETER 0.004'' / 0.10 MM

BUTT DIAMETER 0.023'' / 0.58 MM

0.005'' / 0.13 MM

0.023'' / 0.58 MM

3.5 LB / 1,6KG

0.006'' / 0.15 MM

0.023'' / 0.58 MM

5.9 LB / 2,7KG

0.007'' / 0.18 MM

0.024'' / 0.61 MM

7.4 LB / 3,4KG

0.008'' / 0.20 MM

0.024'' / 0.61 MM

9.0 LB / 4,1KG

LENGTH 9’

SIZE 7X

9’ 9’ 9’ 9’

LENGTH 11’ 11’ 11’ 11’ 11’ 11’ 11’ 14’ 14’ 14’

BREAK STRENGTH 2.4 LB / 1,1KG

SIZE 6X 5X 4X 3X 2X 1X 0X 5X 4X 3X

TIPPET DIAMETER 0.005'' / 0.13 MM 0.006'' / 0.15 MM 0.007'' / 0.18 MM 0.008'' / 0.20 MM 0.009'' / 0.23 MM 0.010'' / 0.25 MM 0.011'' / 0.28 MM 0.006'' / 0.15 MM 0.007'' / 0.18 MM 0.008'' / 0.20 MM

BUTT BREAK DIAMETER STRENGTH 0.024'' / 0.61 MM 3.5 LB / 1,6KG 0.024'' / 0.61 MM 5.9 LB / 2,7KG 0.025'' / 0.64 MM 7.4 LB / 3,4KG 0.025'' / 0.64 MM 9.0 LB / 4,1KG 0.026'' / 0.66 MM 11.2 LB / 5,1KG 0.026'' / 0.66 MM 13.9 LB / 6,3KG 0.026'' / 0.66 MM 16.0 LB / 7,3KG 0.028'' / 0.71 MM 5.9 LB / 2,7KG 0.028'' / 0.71 MM 7.4 LB / 3,4KG 0.028'' / 0.71 MM 9.0 LB / 4,1KG

ABSOLUTE TROUT STEALTH FINESSE Freshwater Tapered Leader • Excellent for slack line presentations for long, drag free drifts. • Made with proprietary copolymer blends that are designed to drastically reduce water absorption •

Optimal suppleness for high knot strength BUTT DIAMETER 0.022'' / 0.56 MM

BREAK STRENGTH 2.4 LB / 1,1KG

SIZE 7X

10’

0.005'' / 0.13 MM

0.022’’ / 0.56 MM

3.5 LB / 1,6KG

10’

0.006'' / 0.15 MM

0.022’’ / 0.56 MM

5.9 LB / 2,7KG

10’

0.007'' / 0.18 MM

0.022’’ / 0.56 MM

7.4 LB / 3,4KG

12’

0.004’’ / 0.10 MM

0.022’’ / 0.56 MM

2.4 LB / 1,1KG

12’

0.005’’ / 0.13 MM

0.022’’ / 0.56 MM

3.5 LB / 1,6KG

12’

0.006’’ / 0.15 MM

0.022’’ / 0.56 MM

5.9 LB / 2,7KG

12’

0.007’’ / 0.18 MM

0.022’’ / 0.56 MM

7.4 LB / 3,4KG

LENGTH SIZE 9,0 FT 0,28 MM

164

TIPPET DIAMETER 0.004'' / 0.10 MM

LENGTH 10’

TIPPET DIAMETER 0,011” / 0,28 MM

BUTT DIAMETER 0,029” / 0,74 MM

BREAK STRENGTH 14,9 LB / 6,8 KG 20,0 LB / 9,1 KG

9,0 FT

0,33 MM

0,013” / 0,33 MM

0,030” / 0,76 MM

9,0 FT

0,38 MM

0,015” / 0,38 MM

0,030” / 0,76 MM 25,0 LB / 11,3 KG

9,0 FT

0,43 MM

0,017” / 0,43 MM

0,030” / 0,76 MM 35,0 LB / 15,9 KG

9,0 FT

0,48 MM

0,019” / 0,48 MM

0,030” / 0,76 MM 40,0 LB / 18,1 KG

12,0 FT

0,28 MM

0,011“ / 0,28 MM

0,029” / 0,74 MM

14,9 LB / 6,8 KG

12,0 FT

0,33 MM

0,013” / 0,33 MM

0,029” / 0,76 MM

20,0 LB / 9,1 KG

ABSOLUTE SALMON LEADER

12,0 FT

0,38 MM

0,015” / 0,38 MM

0,030” / 0,76 MM 25,0 LB / 11,3 KG

12,0 FT

0,43 MM

0,017” / 0,43 MM

0,030” / 0,76 MM 35,0 LB / 15,9 KG

Freshwater Tapered Leader

12,0 FT

0,48 MM

0,019” / 0,48 MM

0,030” / 0,76 MM 40,0 LB / 18,1 KG

• Tapers specifically designed to handle salmon flies or various size and weight

15,0 FT

0,33 MM

0,013” / 0,33 MM

0,030” / 0,76 MM

15,0 FT

0,38 MM

0,015” / 0,38 MM

0,030” / 0,76 MM 25,0 LB / 11,3 KG

• Heavy butt diameters matched to modern salmon lines for powerful, accurate deliveries

15,0 FT

0,43 MM

0,017” / 0,43 MM

0,030” / 0,76 MM 35,0 LB / 15,9 KG

15,0 FT

0,48 MM

0,019” / 0,48 MM

0,030” / 0,76 MM 40,0 LB / 18,1 KG

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

20,0 LB / 9,1 KG

SIZE 4X 2X 0X

BREAK STRENGTH 6.7 LB / 3,0 KG 0.007” / .18 MM 0.009” / .23 MM 8.8 LB / 4,0 KG 0.011” / .28 MM 11.0 LB / 5,0 KG DIAMETER

ABSOLUTE INDICATOR STILLWATER Freshwater Leader • Hot orange butt section for strike detection

ABSOLUTE TRI-COLOR SIGHTER

Scan to watch product presentation

Freshwater Tippet • Sizes: 4X, 2X, and 0X

• Great for indicator fishing stillwater or river for trout • Short Butt section with long tippet section to sink nymphs quickly and evenly SIZE 4X

TIPPET DIAMETER 0.007” / .18 MM

BUTT DIAMETER 0.026” / .66 MM

12’

0.008” / .20 MM

0.026” / .66 MM

9.0 LB / 4,1 KG

12’

0.009” / .23 MM

0.027” / .69 MM

11.2 LB / 5,1 KG

LENGTH 12’

• Length: 10m spools in all sizes • Green/White/Orange color • Low memory, high abrasion resistance, maximum knot strength

BREAK STRENGTH 7.4 LB / 3,4 KG

ABSOLUTE EURO NYMPH Freshwater Tippet • Small diameter butt section to match with small diameter euro nymph lines • Integrated Absolute Tri-color sighter • Tippet ring allows easy attachment of tippet material

NEW NEW NEW

ABSOLUTE EURO NYMPH KIT

LENGTH

SIZE

TIPPET DIAMETER

BUTT DIAMETER

BREAK STRENGTH

13.5’

0.007” / .18 MM

0.014” / .36 MM

6.7 LB / 3,0 KG 8.8 LB / 4,0 KG

13.5’

0.009” / .23 MM

0.020” / .51 MM

30.0’

0.007” / .18 MM

0.014” / .36 MM

6.7 LB / 3,0 KG

0.020” / .51 MM

8.8 LB / 4,0 KG

30.0’

0.009” / .23 MM

ABSOLUTE RIGHT ANGLE LEADER

For European-Style Nymphing

Freshwater Tapered Leader - 9’ 3X-4X / 9’ 5X-6X

• Convert any single hand fly line to Euro Nymphing setup

• Perpendicular dropper section ensures quick, efficient sinking of flies and accurate strike detection

• Kit includes 10’ floating Euro Nymph tip, Absolute Euro Nymph leader, and foam storage spool.

• Pre-rigged leader perfect for most trout indicator nymphing situations • Includes butt section, indicator, and dropper section. Angler attaches terminal tippet and flies to supplied tippet ring

“Convert almost any single hand trout rod quickly to a Euro Nymphing setup with this kit. Includes a 6,1m floating Euro Nymph Tip (0.64mm dia), the Absolute Euro Nymph leader, and foam storage spool”.

• Hand-tied in the USA

3’ SA Absolute Hard Mono Butt Section

3/4”

40lb SA Micro Swivel

6’ Absolute Fluorocarbon

SA 2mm Tippet Ring

NEW

ANGLER ATTACHES TIPPET & FLY

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

165

8,9cm

SIZE 25LB 30LB 35LB 40LB 50LB 60LB 80LB

DIAMETER 0.018” / .45 MM 0.019” / .48 MM 0.021” / .53 MM 0.023” / .58 MM 0.025” / .62 MM 0.030” / .77 MM 0.033” / .85 MM

BREAK STRENGTH 25.0 LB / 11,3KG 30.0 LB / 13,6 KG 35.0 LB / 15,9 KG 40.0 LB / 18,1 KG 50.0 LB / 22,7 KG 60.0 LB / 27,2 KG 80.0 LB / 36,3 KG

8,9cm

12,4cm

SIZE

DIAMETER

25LB 30LB 40LB 50LB 60LB 80LB

0.017” / .43 MM 0.020” / .51 MM 0.024” / .61 MM 0.026” / .66 MM 0.031” / .79 MM 0.035” / .89 MM

ABSOLUTE

FLUOROCARBON SHOCK

LEADER MATERIAL

BREAK STRENGTH 25 LB / 11,3 KG 30 LB / 13,6 KG 40 LB / 18,1 KG 50 LB / 22,7 KG 60 LB / 27,2 KG 80 LB / 36,3 KG

Saltwater Fluorocarbon Shock

Saltwater Leader Material

• Length: 30m spools in all sizes - Sizes: 25lb – 80lb

• Sizes: 25lb – 80lb

• Extreme abrasion resistance for Saltwater and Predatory fish

• Length: 50m spools in all sizes

• 100% Fluorocarbon

• General Purpose, medium stiff monofilament for leader building

• Unique open-hub spool for easy dispensing

SONAR LEADERS

WILLOW FLOAT

PALE GREEN HOVER

LIGHT BLUE INTERMEDIATE

DARK GREEN SINK 3

CHARCOAL SINK 6

WILLOW FLOAT

PALE GREEN HOVER

LIGHT BLUE INTERMEDIATE

DARK GREEN SINK 3

CHARCOAL SINK 6

Density leaders with welded loops • Floating and sinking leaders for use with double- and singlehanded lines; perfect for trout, steelhead, and bass • Available as a full kit with all densities and a leader wallet • Built on 25-lb. monofilament core

FRONT TAPER

BUTT

FRONT TAPER

TIP TIP

10’

9’

8’

7’

6’

5’

4’

3’

2’

1’

10’

9’

8’

7’

6’

5’

4’

3’

2’

1’

SINK TYPE FLOAT

• Welded loop on butt end

BUTT

BREAK LENGTH WEIGHT STRENGTH 7’ 35GR 25LB/11,3KG

0’ 0’

SINK RATE -

HOVER

7’

35GR

25LB/11,3KG 2,5CM/S

INTERMEDIATE

7’

35GR

25LB/11,3KG 3,2CM/S

SINK 3

7’

35GR

25LB/11,3KG 7,6CM/S

SINK 6

7’

35 GR

25LB/11,3KG 15,2CM/S

COMPLETE KIT

7’

35 GR

25LB/11,3KG

FLOAT

10’

50 GR

25LB/11,3KG

HOVER

10’

50 GR

25LB/11,3KG 2,5CM/S

INTERMEDIATE

10’

50 GR

25LB/11,3KG 3,2CM/S

SINK 3

10’

50 GR

25LB/11,3KG 7,6CM/S

SINK 6 COMPLETE KIT

10’ 10’

50 GR 50 GR

25LB/11,3KG 15,2CM/S 25LB/11,3KG -

SONAR SALMON LEADERS Sinking Leaders for anadromous fish • Sinking leaders for use with double-handed lines; perfect for Atlantic salmon, Pacific salmon and steelhead

WILLOW

WILLOW FLOAT

PALE GREEN

PALE FLOAT GREEN HOVER

LIGHT BLUE DARK GREEN INTERMEDIATE

LIGHT BLUE HOVER INTERMEDIATE

DARK GREEN CHARCOAL SINK 3

SINK 3

SINK 6

CHARCOAL SINK 6

• Built on 45-lb. monofilament core • Welded loop on butt end BUTT

FRONT TAPER

BUTT

10’

9’

8’

9’

FRONT TAPER

8’

7’

6’

5’

4’

3’

2’

TIP

2’

1’

BREAK SINK TYPE LENGTH WEIGHT STRENGTH INTERMEDIATE 10’ 50 GR 45LB/18,1KG

4 166

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

1’

0’

SINK RATE 3,2CM/S

SINK 3

10’

50 GR 45LB/18,1KG

SINK 6

10’

50 GR 45LB/18,1KG 15,2CM/S

7,6CM/S

FRESHWATER

Freshwater Tapered Leader

Freshwater Tippet

It’s all well and good to have a quality fly line, but without a good leader, you’re out of luck. Our nylon Freshwater leaders feature a longer, larger butt section for easy turnover.

• • • • •

SIZE 6X

TIPPET DIAMETER 0.005” / .13 MM

BUTT DIAMETER 0.017” / .43 MM

BREAK STRENGTH 3.3 LB / 1,5 KG

7.5’

0.006” / .15 MM

0.020” / .50 MM

4.4 LB / 2,0 KG

7.5’

0.007” / .18 MM

0.021” / .53 MM

6.0 LB / 2,7 KG

7.5’

0.008” / .20 MM

0.021” / .53 MM

7.5’

0.009” / .23 MM

0.022” / .56 MM

7.5’

0.010” / .25 MM

0.022” / .56 MM

12.7 LB / 5,8 KG

7.5’

0.011” / .28 MM

0.022” / .56 MM

14.9 LB / 6,8 KG

9’

0.004” / .10 MM

0.016” / .41 MM

2.3 LB / 1,0 KG

9’

0.005” / .13 MM

0.017” / .43 MM

3.3 LB / 1,5 KG

9’

0.006” / .15 MM

0.020” / .50 MM

4.4 LB / 2,0 KG

LENGTH 7.5’

Sizes: 7X – 20lb Length: 3 0m spools in all sizes Low memory, high abrasion resistance True-to-spec X sizes Patented cutter spool with freewheeling hub on small spool SIZE

LENGTH

DIAMETER

8.5 LB / 3,9 KG

30M

0.004” / .10 MM

BREAK STRENGTH 2.3 LB / 1,0 KG

9.8 LB / 4,4 KG

6X 5X 4X 3X 2X 1X 0X 20 LB

30M 30M 30M 30M 30M 30M 30M 30M

0.005” / .13 MM 0.006” / .15 MM 0.007” / .18 MM 0.008” / .20 MM 0.009” / .23 MM 0.010” / .25 MM 0.011” / .28 MM 0.013” / .33 MM

3.3 LB / 1,5 KG 4.4 LB / 2,0 KG 6.0 LB / 2,7 KG 8.5 LB / 3,9 KG 9.8 LB / 4,4 KG 12.7 LB / 5,8 KG 14.9 LB / 6,8 KG 20 LB / 9,1 KG

9’

0.007” / .18 MM

0.021” / .53 MM

6.0 LB / 2,7 KG

9’

0.008” / .20 MM

0.021” / .53 MM

8.5 LB / 3,9 KG

9’

0.009” / .23 MM

0.022” / .56 MM

9.8 LB / 4,4 KG

9’

0.010” / .25 MM

0.022” / .56 MM

12.7 LB / 5,8 KG

9’

0.011” / .28 MM

0.022” / .56 MM

14.9 LB / 6,8 KG

FULL RANGE AVAILABLE AT www.flyfisheurope.com FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

167

TAILOUT TOOL ASSORTMENT • Everything you need to get started on the water • Includes forceps, standard nipper, and zinger

• • • •

TAILOUT NIPPER STANDARD

TAILOUT NIPPER CARBIDE

NEW

Increase your hook ups with sharp hooks Dual Diamond Grit Sharpening Surface 4” Length Ergonomic Foam Grip

NEW

• Stainless steel cutting blades • Wide, coated grip with finger choil for positive, reliable grip • Enclosed needle for clearing hook eyes without poking fingers

• Carbide cutter for exceptional edge retention and longevity • Wide, coated grip with finger choil for positive, reliable grip • Enclosed needle for clearing hook eyes without poking fingers

TAILOUT STANDARD CLAMP 5.75”

TAILOUT SCISSOR CLAMP 5.75”

• • • • • 168

NEW

TAILOUT HOOK FILE

Half Smooth Half Serrated Jaw 5.75” Length Ergonomic Foam Grip Stainless Steel Construction Needle Hook Eye Cleaner FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

NEW

• • • • •

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Half Smooth Half Serrated Jaw with Built-in Scissor 5.75” Length Ergonomic Foam Grip Stainless Steel Construction Needle Hook Eye Cleaner

TAILOUT MITTEN SCISSOR CLAMP • • • • • •

NEW

Open and close with a single motion Half Smooth Half Serrated Jaw with Built-in Scissor 5.5” Length Ergonomic Foam Grip Stainless Steel Construction Needle Hook Eye Cleaner

Serrated scissor in jaw

REGULATOR ERGO HEMO

NEW

Angled head for exceptional visibility and reach

Smooth jaw tips for pinching barbs

Multi function fishing clamp • Angled Head for Exceptional Visibility and Reach • Smooth Jaws for Pinching Barbs, and Serrated Scissor • Ergonomically Spaced Foam Grips Provide Ultimate Control and Comfort

Ergonomically spaced, coated grips for ultimate control and comfort

• Combo Bottle Opener/Knot Tension Tool

Combo bottle opener/knot tension tool

Hole for lanyard

Scan to watch product presentation

REGULATOR SPOOL

NEW

Portable Line Winder • Create and dispense coils of fly line • Only one Regulator Spool is needed for managing all of your lines • For more information on this product please visit https://www. scientificanglers.com/regulatorspool

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

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From top to bottom A Look at Sinking Lines Gerald Darkes

Rasmus Ovesen

If there is one type of fly-fishing gear the average angler can add to their kit that opens a whole new dimension of angling opportunities it would be sinking lines. These can be used in a wide range of scenarios to take flies to fish where regular floating lines just can’t get the job done. Understanding when and how to put sinking lines into use can be a game changer for many fly fishers and these lines are absolutely necessary for some situations.

e are going to take a look at the various types of sinking lines available today and how they can be used. Single-hand rods will be the main objective due to the extensive range of waters and species that can be targeted with them. No matter where you fish, having some sort of a sinking line with you makes sense. There are times that this can make or break a day on the water. OK, so why do we need anything beyond a floating line? I can just use a weighted fly and maybe some split shot to take a fly below the surface, right? True,

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that will work in situations where the fly is dead-drifted under an indicator or fished Euro-nymph style. This setup certainly has its place and catches plenty of fish. But you can only do so much with weight and a floating line. If you need to swim the fly below the surface for a distance and have it hold depth for a period of time, the sinking line comes into play. Sure, you could use a 20-foot leader and heavy fly and maybe get a fly down around 20 feet (if you could even cast it), but as soon as you begin the retrieve the fly it is going to start to climb toward the surface.

”

Sinking lines allow us to cover depths of down to around 30 feet.

The faster you strip, the faster the fly climbs and the higher it goes. The fly doesn’t spend any amount of time at depth. Realistically, a floating line with a weighted fly that can be cast is limited to depths of 3-5 feet or so. The sinking line will hold the fly at a certain depth for an extended period. To understand this more, let’s take a look at the various types of sinking lines available, how they are made, and their application. Fly line technology has advanced significantly and modern sinking lines are precision fishing tools. They allow us to cover the water column from just under the surface to depths down to around 30 feet (10 meters).

A Brief History The earliest sinking lines were used in big-water applications. Sections of lead-core trolling line with a monofilament shooting line like Amnesia behind them and set up as shooting heads. These certainly took the fly down, but were somewhat hazardous to cast as the lead-core was not very flexible. Tangles as well as having to duck on the forward cast to avoid injury was common. Use of these lines was limited. They were used mainly in northeast striper fishing and targeting Chinook FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

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range of uses- freshwater and saltwater, tropical to coldwater, and to fish from just under the surface to depth. Because of the toxicity issues of lead, tungsten powder use began in 1980. The amount of tungsten powder added to the PVC or urethane base of the line is carefully controlled to achieve certain densities which control the sink rate of the lines. Lines can also be made of multiple densities.

Sinking lines allow flies to be retrieved rapidly and held at depth for an extended period. This keeps them in the “strike zone” for an assortment of apex predators like perch.

If we look at sinking lines that are currently offered by manufacturers, we find a staggering assortment of options. Trying to select the best options for your needs can be intimidating. Let’s take a look at the various sinking line designs available and where they are best applied. Sink Tips In this application we are looking at one-piece lines where most of the line floats and a portion of the line sinks. These are not tips added to a two-hand line to swing flies for steelhead or salmon. These lines are made to fish flies from just below the surface film

Sink-tip lines are used to work flies below the surface. They are effective in both stillwaters and where there is current.

salmon in deep coastal estuaries. They were really not practical as a general fly-fishing line at that point due to the weight that needed to be cast. Most were used on 10-weight outfits. Eventually tungsten powder was mixed into PVC and flexible shooting heads were made. Varying the amount of powder and PVC helped control the grain weight and sink rate of the head. Full-sink lines were then created where the running line and belly were integrated as a single unit. This were then manufactured into various line weights. Scientific Anglers introduced these first lines called Wet Cel in 1960. As mentioned earlier, line technology has advanced to a point where sinking lines are made covering a wide 172

FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

to depths of possibly 10 feet. They are weight-forward designs where the length and density of the sinking portion varies. Sink-tip lines are offered in specific line weights and normally in three primary sink rates. Intermediate tips sink at a bit over 1 ips (inches per second) - 2,5cm/second. Sink 3 average 3 ips (7,6cm/second), while Sink 6 is 6 ips (15,2cm/second). These are usually found down to 5-wt. Lighter line weights are not really practical and the use of the tungsten powder needed to sink the line will exceed the designated line weight. These lines are primarily used to cast and strip streamers in lakes, rivers, and streams and work chironomids, leeches, and various nymphs in stillwater situations. They can be used wading and from a boat. The base material used in line construction is clear and has a density slightly more than water so the intermediate

tips can be kept undyed for a super-stealthy presentation near the surface. Varying the length and density of the sinking section controls how deep the fly can be fished and how fast it can be retrieved. For example, short, clear tips (5’ / 152cm) are used to fish small flies with a slow retrieve near or in the surface film. A longer (15’ / 457cm) Type 6 tip will keep a streamer down 6 feet or so on a fast retrieve. With the main body of the line floating, the shorter the tip and faster the retrieve, the shallower the flies will run. As most of the line floats, they are easy to pick up and recast. As fly fishing horizons have expanded, so has the application of these versatile lines. They are now built up to 12-wt. for use in extreme environments such as the Amazon and saltwater flats world-wide for peacock bass, tarpon, permit, giant trevally, and other gamefish.

Sink Rates and Depth Range for Hi-D** Integrated Shooting Heads HEAD GRAIN LINE WEIGHT WEIGHT RANGE

SINK RATE

DEPTH RANGE

150GR

5-6 WT

4IPS (10,2CM/S)

4 - 5FT (1,2 - 1,5M)

200GR

6-7 WT

4,6IPS (11,7CM/S)

6 - 8FT (1,8 - 2,4M)

250GR

7-8 WT

5,3IPS (13,5CM/S)

8 - 10FT (2,4 - 3M)

300GR

8-9 WT

6IPS (15,2CM/S)

10 - 12FT (3 - 3,5M)

350GR

9-10 WT

6,7IPS (17CM/S)

12 - 15FT (3,5 - 4,5M)

400GR

10-11 WT

7IPS (17,8CM/S)

13 - 16FT (4,5 - 5M)

*Note: These are the most commonly used grain weights (ips= inches per second) **Note: Hi-D = High Density

Integrated shooting lines cover a wide range of applications. The weighted head or belly carries the nearly-weightless running line when cast. Density of the head is varied in order to work different depths.

WILLOW / MOSS / PALE GREEN (INTERMEDIATE)

WILLOW / MOSS / DARK GREEN (SINK 3)

RUNNING LINE

100’

90’

80’

70’

REAR TAPER

60’

50’

40’

BELLY 2

30’

20’

BELLY FRONT 1 TAPER

10’

WILLOW / MOSS / BLACK (SINK 6)

0’

Here is the profile of a sink-tip line. These lines are made in designated line weights with the length and density of the sinking portion being varied. These lines allow flies to be effectively fished down to moderate depths. FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

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MOSS / CHARCOAL TIP

REAR TAPER

RUNNING LINE

100’

90’

80’

70’

60’

50’

HANDLING TRANSITION TAPER LINE

40’

30’

20’

SINK BELLY

10’

0’

Taper diagram is based on equivalent float density. Actual diameters of sinking portions will be smaller.

Integrated Shooting Heads These lines take the shooting head concept to the next level. The shooting/running line and head are integrated into a single line. No more loops to worry about when the line goes in and out of the guides. The running line is a length of level fly line, then there is a short taper to transition into a single-density head or belly of the line. These lines are made to cover water quickly and efficiently. They load quickly and shoot easily for distance. Some are made to fish high in the water column, while others can reach significant depths. They are designed primarily for streamer fishing with powerful turnover of flies on the cast and holding depth on a rapid, active retrieve.

Integrated shooting head lines allow the fly angler to work areas for structure-related species like pike, perch and zander. A high-density sinking head and slow-sinking running line are a great combination from a boat.

The heads on these lines vary from 25’ (7,62m) to 30’ (9,14m). The running line can float- best for wading, or sink slowly for use out of a boat. They are built with different grain weight heads that cover several line weights. The weights of these run from 150 grains. to over 500 grains. and the heads can range in density from floating to fast-sinking. The most recent versions density changes in the head. These are probably the most versatile of sinking lines as they have such a wide range of use. Line cores and coating can be varied to maximize performance in various water temperature ranges from cold-water trout to saltwater tropics. Combined with various density and sink-rates, we can select a line tailored to a specific application. The chart on the previous page gives a general overview of grain weight to line weights, sink rate for high-density heads, and a depth range that the fly can be held. The great thing about these lines is the ease that they can be cast for distance with minimal effort. Once the head is out of the rod tip, there is no need to continue false casting. In fact, the cast will just fall apart if you just gradually work out line. You go from the weight of the head to a virtually weightless running line. There is nothing to hold the weight of the line once it is out of the rod tip. Instead, once the head is out of the rod tip a bit it is easy to just shoot the line on the forward cast and let the weight of the head carry the running line out. Incorporating a double haul will add additional distance. Most beginners work way too hard when casting these lines at first rather than letting the rod and head do the work. A short period of time is usually all that is needed for most anglers to adjust these lines. With a known sink rate, it is easy to count these lines down to a specific depth (within reason) where you want to present the fly. The maximum practical depth for these lines is around 30 feet. With the long head and thin running line, the fly will stay in this range for an extended period of time on the retrieve. Simple math shows a Sink 6 head (6 ips rate) takes 20 seconds for the line to reach a depth of 10 feet. This actually gives pretty precise depth placement of the fly- especially on stillwaters or areas of slow current. If there is current or boat movement involved, this depth will decrease a little. But after a bit of experience with these lines you will get a good feel of where the fly is at all the time. After catching few fish, the confidence factor kicks in and using these lines becomes an easy task. We also see these lines used in true big-game situations. Built on extra-strong cores of up to 100 lb. breaking strength and heads up to 750 grains, these lines are made to tackle

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Integrated shooting heads with a floating running are used when fishing from any type of shore. They are much easier to manage and keep out of crevices in rock. Count the fly down to the desired depth and start the retrieve. Out of a boat, integrated shooting heads with an intermediate (slow-sinking) running line are the best choice. They allow the fly to work a bit deeper and give a more direct connection for strike detection and getting good hook set.

a variety of bluewater species such as sailfish, tuna, giant trevally, and marlin. They load heavy rods quickly and turn over the largest flies. Full-Sink Lines The last line type we are going to look at are full-sink lines. These have actually been around a long time as earlier lines such as those made from silk would sink when they got wet. These lines had to be dried and then dressed in order to fish on the surface as they were generally used. There is very little in the literature mentioning early lines used to present flies below the surface. We noted earlier that the first modern sinking lines known as Wet Cel were introduced in 1960. Here the entire length of the line was made to sink below the surface. These were revolutionary in the sense they could be cast as a regular fly line and were made in specific line weights. This opened up

a whole new range of fishing opportunities for fly anglers. Full-sink lines mean precisely that- the entire length of the line is made to sink below the surface. These can range from super-slow-sink designs made to keep flies in the surface film, to those designed to sink to depth rapidly and crawl flies along the bottom. Line densities are made to cover all levels of the water column. These lines are most used for stillwater applications, that is lakes and ponds with little current present, although they are often fished from a drifting or slowly moving boat. They have reached their present level of sophistication for use on the reservoirs of the UK and lakes of western North America. Here trout are the main target and anglers need a series of lines to cover the needs for a season of fishing. Many of these lines are quite specialized. For example, FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

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SHOOTING TEXTURE

HOVER INTERMEDIATE INTERMEDIATE INTERMEDIATE SINK 3

SINK 2 SINK 2 SINK 3 SINK 3 SINK 5

SURF / BLUE / CHARCOAL (HOVER / SINK 2 / SINK 4

SINK 4 SINK 3 SINK 5 SINK 6 SINK 7

PALE GREEN / BLUE / DARK GREEN (INT / SINK 2 / SINK 3)

PALE GREEN / OLIVE / CHARCOAL (INT / SINK 3 / SINK 5)

RUNNING LINE

100’

90’

80’

HANDLING LINE

70’

60’

50’

40’

REAR TAPER

BELLY 2

30’

20’

BELLY FRONT 1 TAPER

10’

PALE GREEN / DARK GREEN / BROWN (INT / SINK 3 / SINK 6)

0’

Taper diagram is based on equivalent float density. Actual diameters of sinking portions will be smaller.

OLIVE / CHARCOAL / BLACK (SINK 3 / SINK 5 / SINK 7)

There are a variety of multi-density, full-sink line options available to today’s angler. The line is selected based on the depth the fly is being presented and the speed of the retrieve. Depths down to around 30 feet can be successfully fished with these lines.

“hover” lines stay in the film, suspending just below the surface and keep flies in this zone. They may be used with floating flies to minimize the drag created when a floating line is pushed by wind. This helps keep the fly floating naturally. There are also lines where the full length can be clear to reduce visibility and give a super-stealthy presentation. These clear intermediate lines can be a game changer on clear, calm, flat water, turning reluctant fish into active feeders. These lines also have applications for other types of fishing such as stalking carp on shallow flats. Saltwater designs are also appearing for similar use. The early full-sink lines were a single density and a fast-sink version would tend to sag from the rod tip creating slack and reducing the ability to detect strikes and get a good hook set. This problem was addressed by the introduction of multiple-density lines. These lines are densest (sink fastest) at the tip with less density at the mid-section and back end. The goal is to achieve a straight-line connection from the rod tip to the fly with minimal sag. This improves bite detection and allows for a better hook set when a fish hits. These lines have two or three density changes in them and the premium versions have a graduated change between densities to eliminate hinging when being cast. They are offered in slow-sinking to fast-sinking versions with the angler selecting the line best suited to the depth range being fished. As with the integrated shooting heads, a countdown method can be used to keep the fly in the

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desired fishing zone. Once again, we will put the practical depth range to around 30 feet (9 meters). There are also situations where the fly needs to be crawled just off the bottom. Here, the fastest sinking section may be in the middle with a lighter density at the tip. This keeps the fly off the bottom, visible and away from weeds and debris. If fished more mid-depth this type of line gives the impression of a critter swimming towards the bottom, often a great strike trigger. These lines can become quite sophisticated. “Hang markers” are added to the line at a specific length from the tip. This tells the angler how much line is still out to help gauge fly depth and when it can be easily pick up and cast again. After a bit of experience, these lines become a key tool for having consistent success on the water. Add Ons There are various leaders and tips that can be added to conventional lines to take flies a bit below the surface. Poly leaders are short, polymer-coated monofilament leaders available in different densities. Though designed for swungfly use, they can also be added to single-hand lines to get the fly a bit deeper on retrieve. The fastest sink version is normally used here. These do not significantly increase the line weight for casting as long as they are used with a 7-wt or heavier line. Some of the tips that are made for Spey line use can also be added to single-hand lines. Here we need to be aware of the grain weight of the tip being used so we do not overload the

Though not considered a regular fly-fishing target, lake trout can be caught consistently on flies at certain times. Having the right line with you is critical to success. A high-density, integrated shooting head proved to be the right tool to take a fly this fish.

rod when casting overhead. For example, the manufacturers standard for an 8-wt. line is 210 gr. If we add a 10 ft. Scientific Anglers TC Tip that weighs 120 gr, we are 330 gr. total. More in the range of a 11-wt. line for overhead casting. Probably too much for our 8-wt. to handle Adding tips is best done with heavier weight rods, 8-wt. and above, to give some added versatility if needed. You can quickly adjust a line by the addition of a tip if you don’t have a suitable sinking-tip line. This is something to be aware of and while the norm with two-hand lines, it is outside the box with single-hand lines. In the opposite of this concept, a short floating tip can also be added to a sinking line to work a fly just off the bottom or keep it above weeds. In any of these applications, casting may be compromised a bit as these tips will likely hinge when cast overhead. However, this is not a permanent set up, rather it is a quick solution to a problem that needs to be addressed at that time. Whenever you are on the water, it pays to be flexible and adjust to the situation you are faced with. Wrap Up No matter where you fish, sinking lines will likely increase your fly-fishing opportunities and success. Fly line technology continues to advance. Durable coatings with wider temperature ranges extend line life and effectiveness. Controlled stretch cores give better bite detection at depth and allow easier hook sets. Stronger cores allow larger fish to be targeted. As the limits of fly fishing continue to expand, sinking lines will play a major role.

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BIGGER THAN TROUT

THE SURPRISING DIVERSITY OF THE SPORT Fly shops in the American West are built for one species: Trout. Trout are deserving of their fame, and are worthy of serving as the foundation upon which the sport of fly fishing was built. As anglers are discovering that the sport is bigger than trout, both the fish and the angler are winning.

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Brett Zundel

Dominic Bruno

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Any surprises?

A desert oasis in the middle of the Pacific Ocean that time has seemingly forgotten, it stands out for its rugged beauty both above and below the ocean’s surface. But what makes Catalina Island most unique, is its proximity to one of the most populous areas on the continent. It’s like a secret that lies hidden just out of sight for residents of Los Angeles and Orange County.

The trout fisheries in the north are in towns like Redding and Dunsmuir and Mammoth Lakes. While they lack the prestige of Bend or Boulder or Missoula, they certainly don’t lack the fishing opportunities. Whereas the steelhead streams of Southern Oregon are infamous and historical and romantic, the steelhead rivers of California are widely unknown (sorry, they will remain so here).

long California’s densely populated southern coast there exists an urban expanse, rarely interrupted between Ventura and the Mexico border. It’s home to famously perfect weather, iconic beaches, and millions of people. But 29 short miles of the coast of Long Beach lies Santa Catalina Island.

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It sounds inflated to say that there are any secrets or any surprises in the most populous state in the country—especially given that it is famous for being, well, famous. But anglers in California have been sitting on secrets like these for decades. For one, California fisheries are overshadowed by their neighbors.

“

Pquse to trout-set on a take and you’ll miss your chance.

Captain Vaugn Podmore is from South Africa and has a refreshingly open mind when it comes to targeting fish with a fly rod.

California’s fishing opportunities extend further once anglers begin to look at species not named oncorhynchus mykiss. Or any trout for that matter. Large and smallmouth bass are everywhere. The striper fishing in the Sacramento Delta is crazy. Anglers in San Francisco are catching halibut on the fly underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. And that brings us back to Catalina Island. Getting out to Catalina Island to catch fish is easy enough. There are dozens of party boats and private charters. But for anglers looking to catch fish on the fly, there is really only one option.

Lightning speed retrieves are required to capture the interest of Catalina Island’s predator fish.

A pioneering guide

Captain Vaughn Podmore is the first—and only—guide to have committed himself to pioneering this fishery. It doesn’t take long to get the sense the Vaughn is completely dialed in to fishing here—though he will celebrate a great fish or mourn (and chide) the loss of tuna at the hand of a seal—he rarely seems surprised. The baitfish patterns he tied the night before look identical to the chum purchased before leaving the harbor. Even the bald eagles on the island seem to recognize him when he shows up in the morning. Rigging up for steelhead in Northern California There is a novelty to chasing fish with a fly rod, and it certainly presents a unique challenge. For one, anglers calibrated to dead drifting or making delicate dry fly presentations will have to throw just about everything they know about fooling and hooking fish overboard. Strip as quickly as you’d like (or as fast as is humanly possible) and tuna will consider it a leisurely meal. Pause to troutset on a take and you’ll miss your chance to see whether it was a yellow tail or a bonita. But, as Vaughn has found, a fly rod can be an effective and rewarding way to fish Catalina’s waters. First, a single baitfish pattern can last all day day, withstanding the beating of dozens of Calico Bass, Baracuda, Yellow Tail and Bonita. FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2022

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Like all great guides, Vaughn loves catching fish—whether he’s holding the rod or directing clients. And, like all great guides, Vaughn is deeply concerned about the health of the fish and the fishery.

The beauty and the burden

Perhaps that is both the beauty and the burden of being a fishery’s only fly guide: you have the resource and the responsibility of protecting it all to yourself. He is hesitant to harvest fish, but when he does it is done with reverence and then enjoyed with gratitude.

“

Anglers are waking up to the excitement of targeting other species.

Of course, Catalina Island isn’t the only place in the world where fish-other-than-trout are chased with a fly rod. There are anglers all over the world who have never fished for trout because they live in places where other species are either more abundant or more enjoyable to target. In these places, fly fishing can mean a variety of styles or species. But for many fly anglers—especially in the American west — fly fishing is trout. Full stop. The sport has fittingly developed this reputation with roots in rivers, and a popularity that is spurred by the romantic vision of trout fishing propagated in films. But there are two reasons why this is beginning to change. First, anglers are beginning to recognize that trout — although they are the iconic fly fishing species — are neither the most abundant species available, nor are they necessarily the most enjoyable to target. Even anglers in renowned trout destinations are waking up to the excitement of targeting other species, and realizing just how abundant their habitat is. Second, as the world grapples with the realities of climate change, and the American west bears the brunt of that changing climate, cold water fisheries are increasingly recognized as precious, endangered, and delicate. Local governments have closed fisheries due to poor fish counts or dangerous conditions. And anglers themselves have recognized that their local streams will require less pressure if they are to remain sustainable fisheries.

Relieving pressure

As a sport, fly fishing feels like it is molting—shedding it’s old trout-shaped identity and growing into a new one where there are new species, styles and fisheries to be explored. This is true in exotic locations like Catalina Island, but it’s just as true in irrigation canals and golf course ponds. Trout are worthy of all the love they receive, and certainly worthy of our efforts to protect them and the precious places that they live. But perhaps the best way we can protect trout — and have a lot of fun in the process — is to expand the horizons of what fly fishing is and can be.

www.saltyflyfishing.com

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Searching for some fishable water in Central Oregon

Click here to watch feature film

Tuna, yellowtail, bonito, calico bass (right picture), white seabass, barracuda, and even halibut can be caught along Catalina Island - an hour’s boatride from the mainland.

Bonito are incredibly powerful fish that willingly hit baitfish imitations.

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New 2022

Full range available at www.flyfisheurope.com

Fishing with a Conscience Our community is made up of anglers who spend hours at their vise and long days on the water, as well as those who are lucky if they can get out to fish twice a year. It’s also made up of vendors, co-workers, customers and neighbors. We are all in this together regardless of experience or title. We work to make the process—whether it is fishing or business— more enjoyable for everyone. From products to educational resources to how we respond to questions and interact with our delivery drivers—we look for ways to improve your day.

Ergo Quick Release

Perfect Rig Tippet Rings

Fly Dip - Dun

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A dun-colored dip floatant that is environementally friendly, compatible with all dry flies (including CDC), and incredibly effective. Fly Dip Dun can be used to pretreat dry flies to ensure high-riding presentations or to revive soggy flies.

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Photo credit: Andrew Miller

Nip N Sip XL

Quick Draw Rod Sleeve

UV Plasma Light

Extra-large and comfy-gripped, the newest version of the Nip & Sip is a significant step up. The new design is comfotable in hand (especially for anglers with larger hands), allows for consistent blade alignment, and, of course, includes a bottle-opener.

Store fly rods so that they are ready to fish at a moment’s notice. The Quickdraw Rod Sleeve allows rods to be stored at home, in a vehicle, or in a boat so that they are protected, fully rigged, and ready to use. 3 sizes available.

Designed to provide a faster, stronger, more tack-free cure on all of Loon’s UV resins, the UV Plasma Light is for tyers who demand the best. It is powered by an 18650 battery and is rechargeable using the included micro USB cable. Switch on the UV Plasma Light and you’ll notice a substantial difference. Use it to cure our UV resins, and you’ll be sold. The larger body of the UV Plasma light houses beefed up components and a second chip set. We have found this to be at least three times as powerful as any other light hat we tested.

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FLY TYING: THE CDC STICKLEBACK Rasmus Pabst Ovesen

Stickleback are an abundant food source for seatrout throughout most of the year – particularly in the fjords and in brackish coastal regions. Stickleback are also a prevalent source of protein for lots of brown trout in small lakes and slow-flowing rivers. As a result, it always pays off to have a few good stickleback imitations at hand. The CDC Stickleback is such an imitation.

Materials Hook: Ahrex NS 110 #8 - 4 Thread: Veevus G02 100D, White Tail: Tan CDC feathers Body: Tan and Olive CDC mixed with Silver Holo Dubbing Eyes: Flymen Fishing Co Live Eyes UV-resin: Thin Loon UV-resin

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Trout get big not just because they feed – but because, at one point or another, they start feeding on prey items that help them build muscle mass. To get to a certain size, most trout will eventually have to turn to specific prey items that provide them with ample amounts of proteins – and that’s when they turn into piscivorous predators. Stickleback are among the most prevalent baitfish in freshand brackish water. There are several different species of stickleback, but in Northern Europe the most common one is the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), which grows to 11 centimeters and is predominantly olive-green and silver – with males developing bright orange gills and bellies during spawning. The saltwater stickleback gets much bigger than its freshwater counterpart, which rarely grows to more than 5 centimeters.

An extremely adaptive species, stickleback are found in most waterways displaying anadromous behaviour (where possible) and lots of micro-habitat-specific morphological traits. They build nests and especially the males are extremely territorial and reclusive. Outside of the breeding season, however, they congregate and school up in great numbers – most likely as a means of defence against predators. Most of the time, though, they use camouflage as their main survival strategy and that’s why they’re mostly found in shallow water along (and inside) lush weed beds. Stickleback aren’t built for speed. Instead, as a means of protection, they’ve developed their characteristic spines. A small gluttonous perch, for instance, will have difficulty inhaling a stickleback with flared spines. Big trout, however, have little trouble swallowing a stickleback, and since they’re rich in protein, relatively slow, and present in great numbers, both seatrout and resident brown trout keenly hunt them – especially during spring and summer.

Big trout have very little difficulty inhaling a lethargic stickleback

Click here to watch fly tying tutorial

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The CDC Stickleback, as the name suggests, is an imitation of a three-spined stickleback. It’s made with CDC feathers to ensure that it’s relatively weight-neutral, transluscent, and pulsating. CDC (or cul de canard) feathers are well-known among dry fly fishermen for their buoyancy and fluffy fibres, and while certain seatrout fishermen have started to use these feathers for shrimp imitations, there is still an incredible amount of unexplored potential. Fished on a long, thin leader the CDC Stickleback can be retrieved at a relatively slow pace; something that will provide great sport in shallow water and along weed beds patrolled by hungry brown trout or seatrout. The fly is very simple and easy to tie – and extremely durable, and despite being developed only a few years ago, it has already caught a wealth of fish in both fresh- and saltwater.

The CDC Stickleback represents the perfect snack-size baitfish for a hungry chrome seatrout - like this specimen from Northern Norway.

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Fasten the hook securely in your vise.

Made a double loop with the tying thread for the dubbing.

Whip finish the fly. Then, using black and silver marker pens, paint the fly to give it a dark back and a silver belly.

Secure the tying thread and wrap it all the way to the hook bend.

Dub the loop with a mix of tan and olive CDC fibres and silver holographic dubbing.

Put on a pair of Flymen Fishing Co (or Pro Sportfisher) eyes. (The Pro Sportfisher allow for a slightly smaller UV glue head).

Tie in two tan CDC feathers as a tail. Afterwards tie in an trim the excess materials.

Wrap the whole hook shank with dubbing, then fasten everything with a few turns of tying thread and trim all excess.

UV glue the eyes firmly in place with a thin layer of Loon UV Glue (or similar).

Give the fly a second UV glue layer for extra durability. The fly is now ready to catch trout.

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Database of Endangered Species The Huchen was once wide-spread across the Danube basin. Because it is sensitive to hydropower development, the species is now endangered. Today, about 65% of its range is on the Balkan Peninsula. However, these rivers are severely threatened by dams. The Huchen is only one of 113 endangered species in Balkans Rivers. We at Riverwatch are fighting to protect these last sanctuaries. Find more rare fish species, their distribution area and conservation status at balkanrivers.net/en/fish-database

www.riverwatch.eu | facebook.com/riverwatchAUT www.balkanrivers.net | facebook.com/balkanrivers instagram.com/blueheartrivers

Photo: Rasmus Ovesen, Varmá River, Iceland

DO YOU TRUST YOUR TIPPET? Whether nylon or fluorocarbon, TroutHunter tippet material offers unsurpassed strength and reliability. Our leaders afford the angler unprecedented levels of turnover, control, and confidence!

FFE Magazine 2022

Articles inside

The CDC Stickeback

The Suprising Diversity of the Sport

A Look at Sinking Lines

The Ostrich

Fly Fishing for Salmon on the Tovdalselva

Fly Fishing for Sea-Run Arctic Char

Rainbows in Paradise

Trout Fishing in Dalarna

The Vampires of the Orinoco

Simms Celebrates American Made Heritage with the All-New G3 Guide Wader

Chrome Dry Fly Dreams in Argentina