The Redfish Were Cooperative

Tom Jindra with a 16-pound redfish that he caught near Port Sulphur, La

I've spent a lot of time on the road this fall, so I was happy to finally hit the water Friday with Capt. Peck Hayne. We launched the boat at Port Sulphur, La., and headed into the marsh, the rising sun behind us.

A crab pattern fooled this 8-pounder

Despite an 8-pounder that took my crab pattern shortly after we started, the early action was pretty slow. It wasn't until mid-morning that we began hitting targets on a regular basis and, shortly after lunch, Peck pointed out a cruiser about 50 feet out at 3 o'clock. My first couple casts fell behind the fish, but I finally placed the fly properly. I allowed the crab a moment to sink, gave it a strip, then waited for the redfish to pick it up.

Despite a swirl that indicated a strike, I felt nothing after I set the hook with my rod. I was stripping in line, thinking I'd blown the fish, when I realized that the red was charging the boat instead of running away. I took up slack as quickly as I could, then let the fish run after it passed the boat. Moments later, the handle of my reel was spinning, and I watched the line peel off the spool.

I finally brought the 16-pound red to the net, slipped the hook, posed for a couple photos, then returned it to the water. If you'd like to meet that fish for yourself, give Peck a call (cell phone: 504-583-4777). He should remember where we left it.

MY TACKLE
Rod: 8-weight BVK from Temple Fork Outfitters
Reel: Galvan T-8 Torque
Line: Bruce Chard taper from Jim Teeny
Leader: Nine-foot hand-tied leader, Maxima Ultragreen, 15-pound tippet
Fly: Size 2 crab

Fluorocarbon Fishing Line: I'm Sold

When it comes to fluorocarbon fishing line, I'm a believer.

Though it has been used by anglers since 1971, "fluoro" made its first big splash in the U.S. market in the early 1990s. That splash was pretty serious, but short-lived. Though the idea of a truly invisible line was appealing, prices were exorbitant. The material, meanwhile, was so stiff that it was difficult to use. Given the handicaps, anglers largely lost interest.

Despite the failures, manufacturers still believed in fluorocarbon's potential, so they went back to the drawing boards. Today, we have a new generation of fishing lines from companies such as Maxima that have earned anglers' respect. 

Anglers have also come to understand that fluoro is more than a one-dimensional line. Yes, it is essentially invisible, but fluorocarbon has other attributes as well. Let's break it down, both the good and the bad:

Cost: Fluorocarbon is still expensive. Compared to standard nylon monofilament, fluoro is quite pricey, in part because it is difficult to make. The molten material used to extrude the line is highly corrosive to metal, and that requires specialized machinery. The raw material is also considerably more expensive than nylon, and more material is needed to make the same amount of line. Given those factors, the higher price tag is hardly a surprise.

Visibility: Fluorocarbon will always be associated with low visibility, because it has a refractive index that closely matches water. You can see this for yourself by dropping a length of Maxima fluorocarbon into an aquarium. The fluoro really disappears, making it essential for finesse presentations in clear waters.

Toughness: Fluoro is harder and more abrasion-resistant than nylon. That makes fluorocarbon especially desirable for leaders, even when visibility is not a concern.

Density: Unlike nylon and braided lines, fluoro is more dense than water, meaning it sinks. Jigs will sink faster, and crank baits will run deeper with fluoro. And because it sinks, fluoro is less likely to "belly" like nylons and braids as it goes down, so you get less slack between you and your lures. That means fluoro is better for detecting strikes and setting hooks. The fact that it sinks, of course, makes fluoro a poor choice for surface lures such as topwater baits and dry flies.

Stability: Fluorocarbon is a very stable material and is highly resistant to ultraviolet radiation. In other words, it doesn't break down like nylon when exposed to sunlight, so you don't have to change your line as often. The downside is that fluoro doesn't degrade well in the environment, so be careful when disposing of old line.

Knots: Fluorocarbon is notorious for poor knotting qualities. Though I favor the uni-knot, I've seen a lot of debate and disagreement here. In the end, you'll have to decide the matter for yourself, but this much is clear: Take great care that your knots are perfectly tied, and don't hesitate to retie often. 

Another big debate is whether to lubricate fluorocarbon when tying knots, with some anglers insisting that lubrication is a mistake. To settle the debate, I posed the question to the best knot expert I know, Bernard "Lefty" Kreh. Lefty's advice: Lubricate, but don't spit on your knots. Saliva, Lefty said, contains certain proteins that cause fluorocarbon to slip. Use water, or even lip balm, instead. 

If you still don't trust your knots, fish with a heavier line. Fluorocarbon, after all, disappears in water. 

Fluorocarbon has one big advantage over nylon when it comes to knots. Nylon absorbs water, and that weakens the line and knots. Fluoro has the same breaking strength regardless of whether it is wet or dry, because it doesn't absorb water.

Lack of stretch: Fluorocarbon has less stretch than nylon. This is both good and bad. It is good in that fluoro telegraphs strikes better than nylon and gives a more solid hook set. It is bad in that fluoro lacks nylon's impact strength. The solution is to use a heavier line; it's invisible, after all.

Is fluorocarbon right for you?

I still hear arguments on both sides of the debate, but the fluoro advocates are rapidly increasing in numbers. My answer: I'm not ready to throw away my nylon, but fluoro has too many advantages to be ignored.  The angler who never uses fluorocarbon will find he has missed the boat.

Gary Loomis Tactical Series At TFO Warehouse

The new Gary Loomis Tactical Series rods have reached the TFO warehouse. Next stop is your favorite tackle shop.

The previous Signature Series has already proved popular, offering superb value for those wanting a spinning or casting rod under $100. But Gary wasn't ready to rest on his laurels, determined to utilize his expertise in materials to produce a rod that was even better. The key, he said, was in the weight.

"Good rods can be made out of anything, from bamboo to modern carbon fiber," Gary said. "But a good rod must have the right length, power and action to do a specific job. To make a good rod better is to make it lighter and more sensitive without sacrificing durability."

Gary Loomis: "To make a good
rod better is to make
it lighter. ..."

That philosophy inspired Gary to seek out the best materials for his new rod series. He found the solution in a new proprietary scrim and graphite with the highest possible modulus. The result was a dramatic savings in weight and increased sensitivity without sacrificing strength.

To make Gary's Tactical Series even lighter, Temple Fork developed an exclusive guide that is 30 percent lighter than standard SiC guides. TFO's new guides feature machined stainless steel inserts that are super-hard anodized with chrome, then swaged into a chrome-impregnated stainless frame. Not only are these guides super hard, super slick and saltwater safe, the design even eliminates the danger of lost inserts, and that means less time spent repairing busted guides.

Gary's Tactical Series rods are tastefully finished with a thin layer of matte clear coat that enhances the natural luster of the carbon fibers. The split grips have a two-piece reel seat and natural cork rings, highlighted by TFO's trademark color identification system.

The series includes 19 spinning and casting models ranging from a light 6-foot-3 rod suitable for drop shot tactics to a 7-foot-11 Magnum casting rod, all affordably priced at $149.95. There are even two surf casting rods for $189.95 and $199.95.


For details, see your favorite TFO dealer, or go to www.tforods.com.

Gary Loomis On Rod Weight

Temple Fork rod designer Gary Loomis explains the importance of minimizing rod weight.

Gary Loomis On Principles Of Rod Design

TFO rod designer Gary Loomis discusses the principles of rod design.

Gary Loomis On The Meaning Of Modulus

Temple Fork rod designer Gary Loomis discusses modulus and the graphite used to build TFO's new Tactical Series spinning and casting rods.

Gary Loomis On His Introduction To Graphite

Graphite has become such an important part of angling that we tend to take it for granted. But as TFO rod designer Gary Loomis told Temple Fork's 2011 sales meeting, the introduction of graphite took time and effort.

Gary spins a fascinating story, and I'm glad I was able to capture it on video.

Federation Of Fly Fishers Honors Tom Jindra

Tom Jindra

Tom Jindra has received the Federation of Fly Fishers' highest honor, the Order of the Lapis Lazuli.

"This is a big moment for me, and I can't begin to express my appreciation," Jindra said after receiving the award this week at FFF's annual conclave in West Yellowstone, Mont. "When you look at the list of past recipients, you will see some of the giants of fly-fishing, people such as Lee Wulff, Joan Wulff, Lefty Kreh and Mel Krieger. To find myself included in that circle is humbling."

With members throughout the world, FFF was established in 1965 to promote conservation and the sport of fly-fishing, and the Lapis is the organization's "ultimate award. Thus, the consideration for individual achievement must be extremely strict," according to the FFF criteria. "Services and contributions to the Federation must be prominent and extraordinary, and, above all, they must be long term. They must be significantly above the criteria that would merit consideration for any other award."

An FFF member since 1983, Jindra has served the Federation in multiple capacities, including three years as president. Most recently, he served on the Board of Governors for the FFF Casting Instructor Certification Program and chaired that program from 2004 to 2007. 


Jindra is currently associated with Grand Slam Sales, which represents multiple fishing tackle companies such as Temple Fork Outfitters, Gamakatsu, Galvan Fly Reels, Aquaz USA, Islander Fly Reels, Maxima North America, Rainy's Flies, Typhoon and Gone Fishing Sunglasses, Jim Teeny Inc., Tri-Shear and Royal Wulff Products.

More On Gary's TFO Tactical Series Rods

You might recall that my earlier post about Temple Fork's new Tactical Series rods dodged the question about graphite modulus. I explained then that TFO President Rick Pope was reluctant to discuss the details of graphite, because he wants anglers to judge TFO on a rod's actual performance, not some label.

Tom Jindra, left, with TFO rod designer Gary Loomis

It turns out that designer Gary Loomis is not all that shy. Yes, he share's Pope's belief about emphasizing performance over labels. But he also knows that some folks just love the technical talk and tells me the new rods use T-800 graphite, the highest-modulus graphite that's available for rod construction.

Here's another interesting item:

Temple Fork spent a lot of time trying to find the best possible guides for Gary's new rods and kept coming up short. The solution was to design a TFO exclusive. The Tactical Series rods will use a super-hard chrome anodized insert in a chrome-anodized housing of stainless steel. Because the insert edges overlap the housing, there is no danger of the inserts ever popping out. Gary says these are the best guides ever, and they are available only from TFO.

Temple Fork's BVK Family Grows

Temple Fork's BVK fly rods have been so successful, the company decided that more must be better.

Introduced just last year, the initial BVK series consisted of nine models ranging from an 8-foot 4-weight to a 9-foot 10-weight, but it wasn't long before consumers started asking for greater variety. The company has answered those requests with an expanded selection of 17 rods, which were introduced today at the opening of the International Fly Tackle Dealer Show in New Orleans. If you include the two-piece kit (TF-03-10-5B, MSRP $99.95) for converting the 8-foot 3-weight into a 10-foot rod, the BVK family has grown to a whopping 18 models.

8-foot 3-weight four-piece (TF-03-80-4B) ....... MSRP $224.95
8-foot-6 4-weight four-piece (TF-04-86-4B) .... MSRP $224.95
10-foot 4-weight four-piece (TF-04-90-4B) ..... MSRP $249.95
8-foot-6 5-weight four-piece (TF-05-86-4B) .... MSRP $224.95
9-foot 5-weight four-piece (TF-05-90-4B) ....... MSRP $224.95
9-foot 5-weight five-piece (TF-05-90-5B) ....... MSRP $274.95
10-foot 5-weight four-piece (TF-05-10-4B) ..... MSRP $249.95
9-foot 6-weight four-piece (TF-06-90-4B) ....... MSRP $249.95
9-foot 6-weight five-piece (TF-06-90-5B) ........ MSRP $274.95
9-foot 6-weight four-piece (TF-06-91-4B) ....... MSRP $249.95
with fighting butt

9-foot-6 6-weight four-piece (TF-06-96-4B) .... MSRP $249.95
9-foot 7-weight four-piece (TF-07-90-4B) ....... MSRP $249.95
9-foot-6 7-weight four-piece (TF-07-96-4B) .... MSRP $249.95
9-foot 8-weight four-piece (TF-08-90-4B) ....... MSRP $249.95
9-foot 8-weight five-piece (TF-08-90-5B) ........ MSRP $299.95
9-foot 9-weight four-piece (TF-09-90-4B) ........ MSRP $249.95
9-foot 10-weight four-piece (TF-10-90-4B) ...... MSRP $249.95

The new models are expected to arrive in stores in November.

Even The Fish Prefer SmartShield

SmartShield decided to prove that its sunscreen products are "marine safe," and you can watch the test here.

Bruce Chard Fly Lines From Jim Teeny

It's mid-August and, big surprise, the heat is miserable in south Louisiana. But that's no reason to quit fishing. The redfish still have to eat, and the only thing worse that the weather is staying home. Besides, I've had some great fishing in August over the years. You just have to take a few precautions, i.e. wear lightly colored clothing that's really loose so you get plenty of air circulating, use a good sunscreen that's going to stay on as you sweat and drink plenty of fluids (plain water for me).

And get a fly line that can handle the heat. It's hard to beat the Bruce Chard Professional Series from Jim Teeny.

The problem with standard fly lines is that they melt in the heat of summer. Don't worry, the plastic coatings aren't actually going to drip off the cores, but they get so soft that you can feel the line bogging down in the rod guides. They don't shoot well, and double-hauling becomes difficult. And that was a serious handicap when fly-fishing the saltwater flats in years past.

Some anglers tried to keep their lines from wilting by dropping blocks of ice into plastic trash cans which then served as shooting baskets. That always struck me as an awkward solution but, more than once, I have put my reels on ice when moving from one flat to another.

The problem was eventually solved by the introduction of "tropic" lines such as the Bruce Chard tapers, which incorporate monofilament cores and harder coatings to resist the heat. You might not want to use one of these lines in the cold, because that stiff mono core takes on a lot of memory in winter. But my Bruce Chard lines come out when the jacket comes off, and they're indispensable any time the mercury spikes.

The compound taper is performs beautifully. Far from using a standard weight-forward design, Bruce gave his 100-foot line a front taper of only 4.5 feet to produce a strong turnover that can straighten even long leaders when using big flies. The relatively short belly of 19 feet allows for a quick presentation with minimal false-casting. The 15-foot rear taper, meanwhile, gives you the necessary support for those long casts we sometimes need in the salt, as well as the ability to pick up a long line and cast quickly when a good fish suddenly comes out of nowhere.

Bruce's lines are available in 8- through 12-weight and come in blue, aqua and light yellow, depending on the weight.

Hot tip: Though originally meant for permit, the Bruce Chard lines have the same qualities I look for in a bass taper. That strong turnover is perfect for handling big bugs. But whatever species you target, you're going to love the Bruce Chard performance when the fishing gets hot.

Fly Tackle Dealer Show Comes To New Orleans

New Orleans will become the center of the fly-fishing universe in three weeks when the International Fly Tackle Dealer Show hits town. As the name suggests, IFTD is not a consumer show, which is a bit of a bummer for some. But if you are involved in the industry, IFTD is an important event as manufacturers show off their latest products to retailers.

Why New Orleans?


IFTD is normally held in Denver, but why not New Orleans? It's a great town, and I know attendees will go home well fed and well watered. But the focus will be on doing business, and New Orleans is an opportunity to reach out to dealers for whom Denver is just too far.

For consumers, sorry, you're not invited. But you should still pay attention. If there is news to be made in the fly-fishing world, it will be coming out of New Orleans Aug. 18-20.

Temple Fork's BVK Fly Rod Gets A "Wow"

Buzz Bryson reviewed Temple Fork's BVK rod in the Summer 2011 issue of Fly Rod & Reel magazine (available at your newsstand now). His assessment?

"Wow!"

Gary's Tactical Series Rods From TFO

The lineup of Gary Loomis rods from Temple Fork Outfitters just got more impressive, with TFO's introduction of the new Gary's Tactical

TFO President Rick Pope, left, discusses

the new Tactical Series rods with

Temple Fork sales rep Kent Edmonds

Series.

The rods were introduced last week at ICAST, or the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, and should start showing up in retail stores sometime in November.

The rods look great, with a matt finish on the shafts and more refined reel seats that minimize the weight. More important is the higher modulus of the graphite being used. The actual modulus is a bit of a mystery, because TFO President Rick Pope doesn't want to relive the old modulus wars of the 1980s and 1990s, when modulus became a buzz word that let some companies forget that modulus was meaningless if you didn't have a good designer.

In fact, Gary's Tactical Series incorporates a dual-modulus layup, meaning differing grades of graphite are utilized to maximize each rod's performance. So rather than worrying about labels that tell you almost nothing, you want to actually pick up a rod and let your own hand be the judge.

Meanwhile, Temple Fork has focused on reducing weight, which is why the company opted for more elegant reel seats that have the added bonus of looking truly cool. The company also devoted a lot of attention to the guides, trying to come up with the perfect combination of durability and performance. The solution was a super-hard chrome anodized insert in a chrome anodized housing of stainless steel. And because the insert edges overlap the housing's edge, there is no danger of the inserts ever popping out. And before you ask, yes, these guides handle braided lines just fine.

Gary's Tactical Series features 19 bass models. These one-piece rods will retail for $149.95, and these rods are saltwater safe, so don't be surprised when they start showing up on the coast as well:

Casting      Length      Power      Line Wt.      Lure Wt.      Action

                    6'9" ...... Med ...... 6-12 ......... 1/4 - 3/4 ..... Fast

                    7'3" ...... Med ...... 6-12 ......... 1/4 - 3/4 ..... Fast

                    7'3" .... Med Hvy ... 8-17 ......... 3/8 - 1 ....... Fast

                    7'3" ...... Hvy ...... 10-25 ........ 1/2 - 1 1/2 .. Fast

Spinning    Length      Power      Line Wt.      Lure Wt.      Action

                   6'9" ....... Med ...... 6-12 ....... 1/4 - 3/4 ..... Fast

                   7'3" ....... Med ...... 6-12 ....... 1/4 - 3/4 ..... Fast

                   7'3" ....... Med ...... 8-17 ....... 3/8 - 1 ........ Fast

Pitch &       Length      Power      Line Wt.      Lure Wt.      Action

Crank Bait    7' ......... Med ...... 6-12 ........ 1/4 - 3/4 ..... Fast

(casting)       7'9" ....... Med ...... 6-12 ........ 1/4 - 3/4 ..... Fast

                    7'9" ...... X-Hvy .... 12-30 ........ 1/2 - 2 ....... Fast

Drop shot      Length      Power      Line Wt.      Lure Wt.      Action

(casting)       6'9" ..... Med Light .... 4-10 ..... 1/8 - 1/2 ..... Fast

                    7'3" ...... Med Light .... 4-10 ..... 1/8 - 1/2 ..... Fast

Drop shot      Length      Power      Line Wt.      Lure Wt.      Action

(spinning)     6'3" ....... Light ....... 4-8 ...... 1/16 - 1/4 ..... Fast

                     6'9" ....... Light ....... 4-8 ...... 1/16 - 1/4 ..... Fast

                     6'9" ....... Med Light .. 4-10 ..... 1/8 - 1/2 ..... Fast

                     7'3" ....... Light ....... 4-8 ...... 1/16 - 1/4 ..... Fast

                     7'3" ....... Med Light .. 4-10 ..... 1/8 - 1/2 ..... Fast

Shaky head    Length      Power      Line Wt.      Lure Wt.      Action

(spinning)      6'10" .... Med Light .. 4-10 ...... 1/8 - 1/2 ..... Fast

Swim bait      Length      Power      Line Wt.      Lure Wt.      Action

(casting)        7'11" ....... Hvy ...... 12-25 ........ 1 - 4 ..... Med fast

Maxima Treazure Goes Green

One of the best new fishing lines introduced to the market these past few years has been Maxima Treazure. Well, good as Treazure was, it just got better.

Ever since the introduction of nylon monofilament, anglers have been confronted with a fundamental choice when buying fishing line. You could go with a durable mono capable of withstanding heavy abrasion, but that meant a line with miserable memory. In other words, you got a "hard" nylon that came off the reel in tight coils, and those coils caused tangles and sacrificed sensitivity. It was akin to fishing with a Slinky.

The alternative was a "soft" nylon. Soft nylon allows the line to come off the reel straight, but it abrades easily, meaning you risk getting cut off if you fish near structure. And even when structure is absent, the fish can cause their own abrasion as the line rubs against their jaws or scales.

To avoid the problems of those extremes, most manufacturers decided over the years to use a nylon that falls somewhere in between. But the compromise has always been less than perfect, because it didn't actually solve anything. It just moderated the drawbacks of choosing between hard and soft.

Another approach was the introduction of copolymer lines, which use a soft core with a hard surface coating. But even that approach came up short: If you damage the coating, you've lost your protection against abrasion, effectively leaving you with just another "soft" line.

Maxima's scientists liked the copolymer concept; they just figured it needed to go a step further. The better approach, Maxima realized, was to incorporate its high grade copolyamides into the line itself, meaning there is no surface coating to be damaged. The result of this unique and exclusive process is a line with unmatched abrasion resistance, superb strength and essentially no memory. And because Treazure stretches less than standard monofilaments and copolymers, the sensitivity is simply amazing.

Treazure's one shortcoming was that it came only in clear, because the copolyamides refused to accept dye.

That is, until now.

At last week's ICAST trade show, Maxima introduced a green Treazure, available in 6- through 40-pound test. Delivery to retail stores is expected in October. And that means no more compromising. Now, you can have a seriously rugged fishing line with minimal memory, great strength and excellent sensitivity. And if clear Treazure doesn't suit your needs, just go green.

'Best of Show' At ICAST

The folks from Temple Fork Outfitters were feeling quite proud of themselves at this week's ICAST, having won a "Best of Show" award for the new BVK fly reel.

ICAST, or the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, is the world's largest fishing tackle trade show, featuring all the premier tackle companies. It's an impressive lineup, and the big names tend to dominate every awards ceremony. When one of the smaller independent companies finds its way into the winners' circle, that's good reason to take notice. Which is exactly what happened with Temple Fork and its BVK reel.

Designed to be the perfect companion with the highly acclaimed BVK rod series, the anodized BVK reels are precision machined from bar stock aluminum and feature a silky smooth drag of stacked Delrin and stainless steel discs. Equally at home in both fresh and salt water, the super large arbor design provides faster line pick-up and helps the maintenance-free drag provide a more constant pressure.

Conversion from a left- to right-hand retrieve is quick and easy. The BVK is currently available in a clear silver, with plans to offer the reel soon in green and champagne.

But what makes the BVK reel truly impressive is its weight. The BVK I, which holds 75 yards of 20-pound backing with a WF-4-F line, comes in at a modest 4.6 ounces; the BVK II weighs a measly 4.9 ounces despite its ability to hold 200 yard of 20-pound backing and a WF-6-F line. The BVK III holds 205 yards of 20-pound backing with a WF-8-F line, yet it weighs just 5.2 ounces.

That's quite an accomplishment with an MSRP of only $224.95-$249.95.

So get on down to your nearest TFO dealer. Say you want to see the reel that caused all that commotion at ICAST.

Big Tackle Industry Show Coming Up

You might not think of Las Vegas as a fishing Mecca, but it becomes the center of the tackle universe in just under two weeks. The
International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, better known as ICAST, is the world's largest sportfishing trade show, and it opens its doors for three days on July 13.

Why do you, as a consumer, care?

All the top tackle companies will use ICAST to showcase their latest products, so keep your eyes open for the announcements. Never mind that this will be taking place in the middle of the desert. There's going to be news coming out of Las Vegas, and I'll be there.

Temple Fork Expands BVK Lineup

Temple Fork Outfitters has given us two more reasons to love the BVK rod series.

Though the 9-foot 6-weight BVK was already pretty sweet, the reversed half-Wells grip was a bit limiting for anyone who wanted a light saltwater or streamer stick. That's now been corrected by giving you the option of the same rod with a fighting butt and full-Wells cork grip. At an MSRP of $249.95, the new 6-weight is going to prove really popular this summer for redfish and speckled trout. The TF 06 91 4B should be just as big a hit for largemouth and smallmouth bass, or any other application that calls for a beefier 6-weight.

TFO also recognized the need for a 10-foot trout rod, so it has introduced a two-piece conversion kit for the 8-foot 3-weight BVK. To convert your TF 03 80 4B, just replace the standard handle section with the TF 03 80 5B* kit, which retails for only $99.95. Now, get out there and start learning the Czech nymphing technique that's proven so effective on trout streams around the world.

TFO's Professional Series Has The Right Stuff

David Sheffield and friend, caught on a Professional Series 8-weight rod

I've long said that Temple Fork's Professional Series fly rod is one helluva stick. Never mind that most models retail for just $149.95 to $159.95. I love these smooth-casting rods and would have no qualms fishing them anywhere in the world. And tonight, I got a supporting opinion from Reed Guice of Biloxi, Miss., who was fishing with David Sheffield at Ship Island off the Mississippi coast. Here's Reed's email:

"I bought the TFO Lefty Kreh Professional Series rods in 8wt and 9wt as ‘boat rods’ and back-up rods for an upcoming trip to Ascension Bay.  Here is a picture of the first fish caught on the 8wt.  A bull red as long as your leg! After casting those sweet rods and seeing the hurt they can put on a big fish, they are now my primary rods for my trip to Mexico. The $700 rods will come with me as back-ups."

All I can say, Reed, is that I'm jealous. That's a beautiful fish.